The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-05-20

NAPOLEON GALLoPED TO THE SPOT
% 900 strong. Two divisions 1900 strong,
under Victor, extended from the east bank
of the Bormida river at Alessandria to
! Marengo. Lannes, with 5000 infantry, and
| Murat, with 300 cavalry. held the line
/ from Marengo northeastward to the Po
| Massena's corps, under Gen. Suchet, had
! advanced from the coast northward as far
as Acqui, but there was no communication
| between the two armies other than secretly
| through the Austrian lines.
The Austrians opened the battle early
on the 14th by crossing the Bormida at
several points 81, 900 strong and assailing
Victor'S line Victor was slowly driven
back to Marengo, where small creek gave
him a natural defense. Lannes was at
tackled, north of Marengo, and his troops
also fell back step by step.
At the village of Alarengo the French
cannon under Marmont defended the creek
against Austrian guns planted on the OPP
posite side of the narrow ditch. Napoleon
was absent when the ball opened, but on
hearing the sound of battle he rode to
the front, sending a courier to recall Desaix
from Novi. Melas had detached body of
1900 cavalry to Acqui to head off the
French under Suchet, reported to be pass
ing that point for a junction with Napoleon.
kelierman's French cavalry brigade, $50
strong, charged the Austrians and was re-
pulsed. The Austrians then charged and
carried Marengo This was at ii o'clock,
and following that the French began to
retreat all along the line. Napoleon led in
the Old Guard of 500 sabers, but the I'm
perial cavalry crushed them. A division
of reserves under Monner, also led up by
Napoleon. was driven back, and in the par
lance of the field all was lost" 1t only
remained for Melas to send in a column OF
cavalry to sweep the flying detachments
over the open plains back of Marengo and
victory would have been his. But his
cavalry reserve had gone elsewhere.
By the middle of the afternoon the
French had retreated over two miles and
were only striving to save themselves
Nelas was man over eighty years old,
and instructiug his chief of staff to form
the scattered troops into columns of pursuit
along the main road 10 PiacenZa, he retired
TO Alessandria for rest, announcing that
the enemy was fiylng and the day was won
Meanwhile the French had formed a
rear guard Tor retreat. Desaix had reached
the scene. A few scattering shots an
nOunced that the Austrian advance had be-
gun. DeSaiX was on the direct road toward
PlacenZa, along which the Austrians were
marching in close columns. A vineyard
and a corn field concealed his men from the
Austrians' view. and they marched to with
in 100 PAGES and halted.
All hope for the French hung upon the
column led by Desaix, and be sent word 10
his chiefthat he (Desaixl must either attack
orretreat. Napoleon galloped 10 the spot and
ordered an attack. at the same moment urg-
ing hellerman to lead his coo horse upon the
Austrian flank. DesaiX headed the assault
in front and was shot dead at the first
fire. Both attacks were 50 bold that the
Austrians turned and fled toward the Dor
mlda. kellerman took 800 prisoners.
among them the Austrian chief OF stall
The French followed their E eeIn- enemies
to the river opposite Alessandria and cUs
them down without mercy. and At night
fAll Napoleon was master Of MareDgo ana
of Italy. On the heels Of that triumph the
fates began to pose him for the master Of
all EUROPE GfrDPEr l.. kILNER