The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1877-11-15
RETatHUTfos
Amu rros rnrSou HISTORY.

Milkr, peuetrste cyen 10 the walls Of
Genos, and declare the terms of peace on
The battlefield Of MsreuRo, had yet 10
surmount the vast Alpine barrier which
extends from 81. Bernard to Nice and
MonieHotie, and 10 overcome 4 series Of
tremendous obstacles, presenting them
seiFes one after smother, In seeming end
less succession, and tasking to the utmost
II not defying the courage Of the troops
and The military genius aud perseverance,
Of The leaders These obstacles were not
merely The result Of natural position,
there were instances In which the resist
ance Of the Invaded was more obstinate
and more terrible than that Of mountains,
preclpices or rivers. Protected by forth
iieAtions OF little strength or difficulty,
and bat very ineficienty aided BY lo-
eality which yielded bat few means or
opportunities for vigorous defence, but
sustained by an indomitAble courage,
good resource OF invention, and an en-.
tbusiastic love Of country, infinitely more
formidable than their courage and skill,
the inhabitants OF the small town and
citadel OF lyree, with garrison OF four
thousand Austrian soldiers and twenty
five pieces Of cannon, maintained their
post for three days against an amy of
forty thousand Frenchmen, commanded
by the three youngest, but already most
illustrions generals in Europe Massena,
LanDes aud Bernadotte.
Furious at seeing his march thus ar
rested before this insignificant little town
be who had taken Alexandria In day,
and Cairo IN an hour, and impatient
moreover, TO resume his positions for the
Investment Of Milan, the commander 10
chief, on the 25,h OF May, 1900, ordered
the division OF General Lannes to march
upon The village In ali its force, and take
1t by assault. After three hours of san
culinary combat. OF fierce attack aud the
most heroic defense, handful of the de.
tenders, driven from the citadel, retreat
ing step by step, and holly pursued by
the victorious Frenchmen, threw them
selves as last resort into the quarters Of
Adjulant General H., with the resolution
there to maintain themselves TO the last,
and sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Ira moment the house occupied by The
brave veteran was converted into fort
Iess-b -barricades were thrown up, loop
holes for musketry cut iu the walls, and
every disposition made that time and
means afforded for last desperate re.
sistanee
Lannes, who was the first TO enter the
assaulted village, detached an officer in
command OF two battallions, to drive the
insurgents from their position. The Off.
Ger, equally distins suished among his fell
low soldiers for his impetuous courage
and bis ferocity, soon forced his way, at
the head of one of his battallions, into
the disputed mansion, trampling as he
went upon tho dead bodies of the forty
brave fellows by whom il had been de-
Tended. General H., the only survivor,
after beholding the slaughter of his garri-
son, had armed himself with hatchet,
and with almost superhuman power and
desperation opposed the entrance of the
French; and when their leader presented
himself, sword in band, at the door Of the
room to which he bad retreated as last
stand OF defence, the old General aimed
at his head furious blow, which would
have closed bis career at once aud forever
had il not been skillfully parried by the
Frenchman. II was the last effort of the
wounded and weary veteran; he fell, and
in another moment the room was filed
With French soldiers.
The ronchman, who was never
known TO yield quarter TO vanquished
enemy in the fifteen years OF bis welded
life, stepped forward TO dispatch the fall
len General, when young aud lovely
woman rushed from an adjoining room,
threw herself at bis teei, aud kmeeling
there, pale, distracted, The leas rcau-
ing FROM her eyes, sbrieked forth 10 a
voice OF terror and despair:
Spare him-ob, spare him-do not take
his liie; he Is my husband The father of
my child
The Frenchman glanced for moment
at the suppliant with an eye In which
there was trace Of neither anger OF pity
and then, deliberately pushing her
aside be made a step la advance, took a
cool and steady aim with his pistol at the
wounded officer, aud shot bim through
the heart
The wife Of the murdered man gave
fearful scream, aud starting to her feet
aud flying 10 the room whence she had
come, returned in moment with her
boy, who, at the sight Of his fathers
massacre, had hidden himself, pale aud
trembling, under the bed; she held him
up TO the fcrocious Frenchman, aud ex-
claimed
Monster! You have slain The father -
complete your work and destroy the q N,
At this moment loud shouts were hes I'd
aud French General. surrounded by q
crowd Of cfiicers, sppeafed At the door OF
The apartment. The scene was dramatic
perfect coup DC theatre. The heart OF
the ieroeious man failed him pallor oy T-
spread his features, aud his limbs shoe X,
while Madam H., A. ifby a sudden ! D.
pulse, flaug herself at the feet of The Ge D.
erAl, with single and loud cry o. We. l.
geanee.
The General raised her kindly and ] e
specially, demanding At the same N o
fnt,t an ext,lsnsffAt, ~ he seene E,ete ne