Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1864-11-16

For nine hours the carnage continued.
Just as the Austrians were routed, and
were flying before their victors, Napoleon
appeared upon the field. Lannes had
been the hero of this bloody day. AS he
stood amidst mounds of the dead, Napo-
leon grasped his hand with a smile of
gratitude, and conferred upon him the title
of the Duke of Montebello.
Four days after this, Napoleon with but
10000 men encountered Melas with 40
900 troops upon the plain of Marengo.
The Austrian force included 1000 caval-
ry and 200 pieces or artillery. The
French General Desaix, with 5000 men
was nearly thirty miles from the field.
Fortunately, when reclining in his tent
he heard the first crash of the battle, as
it came booming over the fields like dis
tant thunder. His troops were instantly
on the march, and they pressed forward
with all possible speed to the aid of their
comrades.
All the day long Napoleon held his
ground against foe outnumbering him
two to one. 1t was now three O'Clock in
the afternoon. The contending hosts were
within pistol shot of each other, and in
many cases blending in the fiercest fight.
On parts of the field the French exhaust
ed and overpowered, were retiring i'll con-
fusion, pursued and cut down by the cav
airy of the foe. Napoleon by his person
al supremacy, still held few squares to-
gether, slowly, reluctantly, but in good
order retiring, while the victorious Aus
triars closely followed them, ploughing
their ranks with two hundred pieces of
artillery Melas doubted not that he had
gained the day, and dispatched couriers
throughout Europe TO announce his vic
tory.
just then the solid columns of Desaix
appeared, impetuously entering the plain.
Dcsaix cast an anxious glance over the
confusion, around him, and upon the bro
ken bleeding, and retreating battalions of
the French, and squirting his horse, gal
loped to the point where Napoleon stood
enveloped III the smoke and dust OF the
conflict.
81 sce," said Desaix, 'that the bat
tie is lost. | can do no more for you !
suppose than cover your retreat"
q BY no MEANS" Napoleon replied
The battle | trust is gained Charge with
your column. The disordered troops will
rally in your rear"
Dcsaix, at the head of his division,
made an impetuous charge upon tue front
of the advancing foe. BIT the same time
kellerrnan received an order to charge the
foe in flank with his cavalry. The charge
was like one of magic. In an instant the
whole aspect of the field was transformed.
Those on the retreat were partially rallied
by the voice of Napoleon rs he rode along
their broken ranks.
"hv friends" said he, "we have re-
treated far enough. 1t Is now our turn
to advance. Recollect that | am in the
habit of sleeping on the field of battle
The French now raised shouts Of vcto-
ry. which rose above the thundcrs of the
cannonade. A panic, and a well founded
one. now pervadcd the ranks of the Aus
trians. In the widest confusion they
broke and fed. They were pursued, cut
down. and trampIed beneath the iron hoofs
of KeIlerman's DRAGONS When the sun
went down behind the distant Alps, after
witnessing twelve hours of this frightful
carnage. more than twenty thousand hu-
man beings were strewn upon the plain
weltering in blood.
The rout of Melas was so entire that
escape was hopeless, and he was at tine
mercy of his victor. Napoleon rode over
the field. and gazed sadly upon the aspect
of misery spread everywhere around him.
A.. some ambulances passed him laden
with the mutilated forms of the wounded,
he stopped and uncovered his head, say
ing:
ave cannot but regret not being
wounded, like these unhappy men, that
we might share their sufferings''
Under the influence of these feelings he
took pen, upon the CORY field, and wrote
as follows to the Emperor of Austria
SIRE:-It is on the field of battle, amid
the sufferings of a multitude of wounded,
and surrounded by fifteen thousand corpses
that beseech your majesty to listen to
the voice of humanity, and not to suffer
two brave nations to cut each others
throats for interests not their own. 1t is
nv part to press this upon your majesty,
being upon the very theatre of war. Your
maiestys heart cannot feel it as keenly as
does mine"
The letter was long and eloquent, but
unavailing. England and Austria still
continued the strife until the French ar
mics within sight of the steeples of vi
emma, compelled peace.