Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-02-07
BATTLE OF RIvOLI.
NApO .EON SAID THAT HIS LIFE REAL
" BEGAN THERE.

The Short Campaign Was the Turning
Point Of the War and Shaped the His
tory of Europe For Twenty Years-The
Austrians Tive Minutes Late.
Professor Sloane's Life of Napoleon"
in The Century describes the mastery
Italian campaign, in which Napoleon's
military genius first won worldwide
recognition. Professor Sloane thus de-
scribes the battle of Rivoli:
At early dawn began the conflict
which was to settle the fate of Mantua.
The first fierce contest was between the
Austrian left and the French right at
st. Mark, but it quickly spread along
the whole line as far as Caprino. For
some time the Austrians had the advan-
tage, and the result was in suspense,
since the French left, at Caprino, yield
ed for an instant before the onslaught of
the main Austrian army made in ac-
cordance with Alvinczy's first plan,
and, as he supposed, upon an inferior
force by one vastly superior in numbers.
Berthier, who by his calm courage was
fast rising high in his commanders
favor, came to the rescue, and Massena,
following with Judgment which has
inseparably linked his name with that
famous spot, finally restored order to
the French ranks Every successive
charge of the Austrians was repulsed
with a violence which threw their right
and center back toward Monte Baldo in
ever growing confusion.
The battle waged for nearly three
hours before Alvinczy understood that
it was not Joubert's division, but Bona
parties army, which was above him. In
his zeal he then pressed forward on the
plateau beneath the height to bring
more Of his troops into action, and Jou-
bert somewhat rashly advanced to check
the movement, leaving the road to St.
Mark unprotected. The Austrians,
prompt to take advantage of his blunder,
charged up the hill, and seized the COM
handing position, but simultaneously
there rushed from the opposite side three
French battalions, clambering up to re-
trieve the mistake. Their physical
strength and nervous activity brought
them first to the top, and again the
storming columns We're thrown back in
disorder.
At that instant appeared in Bona
parties rear an Austrian corps estimated
by him as 1000 strong, which, having
come down the valley on the left bank,
had now crossed the river to take the
French right ut Rivoli in its rear Had
they arrived but a minute sooner the
hill of Rivoi would have been lost to
the French. As it was, instead of max
ing an attack, they had to await one.
Bonaparte directed a CALLING artillery
fire againt them, and thus gained time
both to reform his ranks and hold the
newcomers in check until his own re-
serve, coming in from tie next hamlet
westward, cut them entirely off from
the retreating columns of Alvinczy, and
compelled them to lay down their arms.
Thus ended the worst defeat and most
complete rout which the Austrian arms
had SO far sustained. Such was the ut
ter Generalization of the flying and dis
integrated columns that young French
officer named Rene, who was in COM
mand Of so men at a hamlet on Lake
Garda, successfully initiated Bonaparte's
ruse at Tomato, and displayed such an
imposing confidence to flying troop of
1900 Austrians that they surrendered
| to what they believed to be force su-
perior to their own. Next morning at
dawn Murat, who had marched all night
to gain the point, appeared ON the slopes
of Monte Baldo above the pass of Coro-
ma, and united with Massena and Jou-
bert to drive the Austrians from their
last foothold The pursuit was contin-
ued as far as Trent. Thirteen thousand
prisoners were captured in those two
days.
This short campaign of Rivoi was
the turning point of the war, and may
be said to have shaped the history of
Europe for 90 years. Chroniclers dwell
upon those few moments at the hill
above the plateau of Rivoli, and wonder
what the result would have been if the
last Austrian corps had arrived five
minutes sooner. But an accurate and
dispassionate criticism must decide that
every step in Bonaparte's success was
won by careful forethought and the
most effective disposition of the forces
at his command So sure was he of sue
cess that even in the crises when Mas
sena seemed to save the day on the left
and when the Austrians seemed destined
to wrest victory from defeat at the last
moment on the right, he was self reliant
and cheerful The new system Of field
operations had a triumphant vindication
at the hands of its author.
| The conquering general meted out IN.
stinted praise to his invincible squad
rons and their leaders, but said nothing
Of himself, 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 empire ON the continent, had
subdued Italy and ON her soil had Great
ed states unknown before without the
consent Of any great power, not except
ing his own. 1t is not wonderful that
this Parsonage should sometimes have
said of himself, "Say that my life be
gan at Rivoi," as at other times HI
dated his military career from Toulon.
Yes" said the practical politician