Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1862-02-07
Marengo.
BY JOHN ). c. ABBOTT.

BY JOHN 5. c. ABBOTT.
When Napoleon returned from Egypt,
the latter part Of the year 1899, he found
republican France assailed, both by sea
and land by the combined fleets and armies
both of England and Austria. The peril
Of France was so great that dictatoral
power seemed essential for its salvation.
Napoleon, by general acclaim, was placed
at the head Of the government, with the
title Of Consul.
Ills first act was to write to both Eng
land and Austria, imploring peace. An
Austrian army, loo, 900 strong, was on the
banks of the Rhine, menacing the north
ern provinces Of France Napoleon plac-
cl l50,000 veterans, the elite of the
French army, under the command of Mo-
reau, and sent them to repel these inead-
ers. The work was effectually accom-
plishel on the battle of lIohenlinden.
The Austrian general Meas, with l4O,
000 men, was marching upon France
through western Italy. lie had already
reached the plains from which the Alps
ascend, and was preparing to penetrate
France through undcfended deflcs. Ma
polcon formed the plan of presenting no
resistance to the head of these formidable
columns, but secretly to cross the Alps,
where his passage would not be thought
of, and to assail the foe Unexpectedly,
and with overwhelming energy i'll the
rear.
Sixty-fye thousand troops were as
sembIed, at points on the eastern frontiers
OF France where they would attract but
little observation, but from which, at
few hours notice, they could be concen-
trated at the contemplated rendezvous at
Dion. From this station, at the foot Of
the Alps, elmost with a rush they were to
cross the pass of the Great SAINT Bern
ard, and to sweep down, like an avalan-
che, upon the Austrian hosts. The mi
nutcst details OF the expedition were
arranged with the utmost care, that there
should be no possibility of failure. I'M
mcnse magazines OF provisions were coll
lected. An ample amount of gold was
placed in the army chest to hire the peas
ants with their mules, to aid in dragging
the guns over the pass Mechanic shops
rose, as BY magic, all along the way, to
repair promptly every possible breakage.
The ammunition was stored in small boxes
which could be transported on the backs
of mules. Hospitals were established on
both sides OF the pass.
On the summit Of the mountain is a
convent of worldwide renowu. The
monks were provided with an ample sup
ply of bread and cheese, and cup OF
wine to present to each soldier as he
passed. Napoleon superintended all these
details, while, at the same time, he ar
ranged all the comprehensive combiua-
tions Of the campaign. As the preclPi-
tous path could only be trod in sirgl file,
the carriages were taken to pieces, and
slung on poles, carried by men. Large
pine logs were split and followed out, 50
that the heavy guns could be fastened IN
the grooves, and thus they were dragged,
by long stri rs of mules, in single file
When the mules failed hundred men
were harnesscd 10 single gun. The
summit of the pass is eight thousand feet
above the sea. The distance across, from
the plains of France to the plains OF
Italy, is twenty miles.
Though there were several disasters by
the way, and not few lost their lives,
the feat, which had been deemed impossl-
Bile, was accomplished, and the army APP
peared as if it had descended from the
clouds, upon the plains of Italy, travers-
ing the banks of the Aosta. The Aus
trians, who were eagerly crowding upon
the frontiers of France, had no conception
of the peril thus gathering in their rear.
Mclas heard the tidings, and alarmed,
began to concentrate his forces. Napo-
leon gave him not moment OF leisure.
To Lannes and Murat he issued the order,
" Gather Immediately your divisions at
Stradella. You will have on your hands
fifteen or eighteen thousand Austrians.--
Meet them and cut them to pieces. 1t
will be so many enemies less on the day
of the decisive battle we arc to expect
with the entire army of Melas."
The prediction was true. Lannes and
Murat encountered $4,000 of the foe at
MontebeIlo, strongly posted with batteries
which swept the plain. The French
soldiers, inspired with the almost miracu
lous power, with which Napoleon infused
his own spirit into his troops, appeared tc
pay no regard to ehot or shell. Though