Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1895-07-02
BATTLE OF RIyOLI.
SApo.rPN SAID THAT HIS LIFE REAL.
" BEGAN THERE.

NAPOLEON SAID THAT HIS LIFE REAL
" BEGAN THERE.
The shobt Campaign Was the Turning
Point u the War and Shaped the His
tory OF Europe For Twenty Years-rhe
Austrishs Five Minutes Late.
Professor Sloane's Life Of Napoleon"
in The ,Century describes the mastery
Italian ehmpaign, In which Napoleon's
military genius first won worldwide
recognition Professor Sloane thus de-
scribes tie battle of Rivoli:
At eatly dawn began the conflict
which wis to settle the fate Of Mantua.
The firstjferce contest was between the
Austrianl left and the, French right ut
St MarA but it quickly spread along
the whole line AZ far as Caprino For
some time the Austrians had the advan
tage, and the result was in suspense,
since tbe| French left, at Caprino, yield
ed for ami instant before the onslaught OF
the maib Austrian army made in ac-
cordancel with Alvinczy's first plan,
and, us he supposed, upon an inferior
force by bne vastly superior i'll numbers.
Berthier who by his calm courage was
fast risiig high in his commanders
favor, came to the rescue, and Massena,
following with a Judgment which has
inseparnAly linked his name with that
famous lpot, finally restored order to
the Freijch ranks. Every successive
charge 81 the Austrians was repulsed
with "a violence which threw their right
and cent,h back toward Monte Baldo in
ever growing confusion.
The bittle waged for nearly three
hours before Alvinczy understood that
il was nok Joubert' S division, but Bona
parties army, which was above him. In
his zeal lle then pressed forward ON the
plateau bei cath the height to bring
more Of Ills troops into action. and Jou-
bert soml what rashly advanced TO check
the NOV ment, leaving the road TO St
Mark Unprotected. The Austrians,
prompt I'd take advantage Of his blunder,
charged UP the hill, and seized the com.
handing position, but simultaneously
there rus, led from the opposite side three
French b.lttalions, clambering up to re-
trieve tbb mistake. Their physical
strength hnd nervous activity brought
them first TO the top. and again the
storming columns were thrown back in
disorder.
At thai instant appeared in Bona
parties retr IN Austrian corps estimated
by him al 1000 strong, which, having
come down the valley on the left bank,
had now crossed the river 70 take the
French right at Rivoli in its rear. Had
they arrived but minute sooner the
hill Ct Hivoli would have been lost to
the FRENCH. As il was, instead OF max
ing nn attack, they had 20 await one.
Bonapartd directed CALLING artillery
fire againj them, and thus gained time
both 20 rIform his ranks and hold the
newcomcrb in check until his own n
serve, coming in from the next hamlet
Westward cut them entirely Off from
the retreating columns of Alvinczy, and
compelled them TO lay down their arms.
Thus erI dcd the worst defeat and most
complete bout which the Austrian arms
had SO far sustained. Such was the ut
ter demorl lization Of the flying and dis
integrated columns that young French
officer nahed Rene. who was in COM
mand II 10 men at a hamlet ON Lake
Garda, suctessfully initiated Bonaparte's
rusc ut Lbnato. and displayed such m
imposing confidence TO flying troop OF
/ 500 Austrians that they surrendered
10 what tlley believed to bc force su-
perior To their own. Next morning ut
dawn Murbt. who had marched ali night
to gain th point, appeared ON the slopes
Of Monte Ibaldo above the pass OF Coro-
na. and united with Massena and Jou
bert 10 dive the Austrians from their
last footho fd The pursuit was contin-
ned rs far t,s Trent Thirteen thousand
prisoners ,terc captured III those two
days
This shbrt campaign Of Rivoli was
the turnin,k point Of the war, and may
DO said ID have shaped the history OF
Europe for 90 years Chroniclers dwell
upon thosk few moments mt the hill
above the plateau OF Rivoi, and wonder
what the rlsult would have been IL the
last Austrian corps had arrived five
minutes sboner. But an accurate and
dispassion;jte criticism must decide that
every step in Bonaparte's success was
won by ckreful forethought and the
most effective disposition Of the forces
at his COMMAND So sure was he Of sue
cess that e}en in the crises when Mas
sena seemeI 70 save the day on the left
and when the Austrians seemed destined
to wrest yittory from defeat at the last
moment onlthe right, he was self reliant
and cheerful The new system Of field
operations bad triumphant vindication
mt the hands Of its author.
The conQhering general meted out I'M
stinted prtE to his invincible squad
rons and tLfir leaders, but said nothing
Of himselfi leaving the world to judge
whether this was man or demon who,
still youth, and within public career
Of but one season, had Inundated the
proudest expire on the continent, had
subdued Italy and ON her soil had cre"t-
cd states unknown before without the
consent Of slny great power, not except
ing his owii 1t is not wonderful that
this persortlge should sometimes have
said Of himself, Say that my life be-
gan mt Ri1oli," as at other times he
dated his nj litary career from Toulon.