Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1863-08-14
hlisfellaneons Rraoiltq.
Napoleon Ill. and the Sentinel.

.
AN EPISODE OF THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN.
The following truthful incident of the
present Emperor of France is related in the
Weekly Herald of May ninth. Aside from
its romance, the story possesses unusual in
terest for US at this time, and may serve as
lesson 10 some of our officers in high COM
mand.
"The French troops we're poured into
Italy at the commencement of the campaign
with rapidity bordering upon the marvel
loua. They crossed the Alps by thousands.
and swarmed into the plains of Piedmont
when the Austrians deemed them as vet
scarcely yet out of there barrcks in France
The display of activity was wonderful
every hour transports arrived at Genoa.
conveying cavalry and artillery, which land
ed and joined the infansry, who had ornssad
the mountains, so speedily as to defeat the
plans of the Austrians, then marching upon
Turin, which capital they were almost a.
ware was almost defenceless To their sur
prise few days placed between them and
the devoted city one hundred thousand of
Napoleon's troops, and at once the Austrians
began retrograde movement. They were
in immense force. over two hundred and
fifty THOUSAND ; but they saw pro er TO await
the attack of the French and Sandman ar
mics. instead of pushing on boldly, as they
had evinced the intention of doing.
"The Emperor of the French took up
his headquarters at Alessandria, a fortified
city in Piedmont, and here he remained
some twenty days, during which time there
reigned an apparent inactivity which the
Austrians deemed unacountable. They
were not aware that the French troops
were moved by night. They had possession
of the railroads, aud during the interval re.
serred TO they were massed in such places
as Napoleon designated TO his officers. He
took counsel Of more. gave no reasons for
any of his actions, and surveyed himself the
country over which his troops were TO
move.
'One morning at two o'clock messeng-
er from the place informed Mr.. Gamble
ian Englishman who has for years had
charge Of emperor's saddle horses) that his
majesty wished to have held in readiness
three of his best steeds. An hour after. the
emperor, Captain Nergne and Mr., Gamble
were conveyed in special train to Casale,
the extreme outpost the French and Sar-
dinian lines. They took their horses with
them. and at Casale mounted and rode for
some miles, until they had crossed the river
Po. and were actually in sight of the Aus
trian camp. AS the daylight dawued the
empernr observed that larna hndios of Aue
trian troops were moving in the direction
of Stradella, and he at once concluded they
intended crossing the river at that point.
He was anxious 10 prevent this. as it turn
ed out afterward that he himself wished TO
cross his army at that place. He ordered
Bazaine's division, and request them to
march at once toward Stradella, from which
they were distant some fifteen miles. They
were TO use all despatch.
! sHe then turned toward his own lines
with the intention of ordering forward such
troops as he deemed necessary TO prevent
the successful crossing of the river by the
heavy masses of the Austrians he had OBJ
served under march. As he had command
of the railroad he was aware that he could
throw several regiments of picked troops
J foaward in time to check the a1vancs of the
Austrians, and could thus hold them back
until the arrival OF Gen. Bazaine's division.
which was one the finest in the French
armv. The emperor rode as rapidly as he
could in the uncertain light, over the brok-
en- rice fields and marshy meadows, until at
last he approached the outposts OF his army
He was cantering along. when suddenly a
soldier stepped from behind a clump OF
mulberry-trees and caught the bride Of his
horse.
".Qm ia Ia ?" shouted the seminal. The
man was stationed alone far out from the
| ranL. He uas what The French call a