The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-03-24
BATTLE OF RIVOLI.
ePOLEON SAID THAT HIS LIFE REAL
" BEGAN THERE.
fhe Short Campaign Was the Turning
Point Of the War and Shaped the His
tory of Europe For Twenty years-The
Austrans Five Minutes Late.

TORY OF Europe tor twenty hears-iho
Austrians Five 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 20 settle the fate of Mantua.
The first fierce contest was between the
Austrian left and the French right at
ST. Mark, bat it quickly spread along
the whole line rs 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 i'll ac-
cordance with Alvinczy's first plan,
and, as he supposed, upon an inferior
force by ONE vastly superior i'll numbers.
Berthier, who by his calm courage was
fast rising high in his commanders
favor, came to the rescue, and Massena,
following with a 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 violence which threw their right
and center back toward Monte Baldo III
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 tho
storming columns were thrown back II
disorder
At that instant appeared in Bona
parties rear an Austrian corps estimated
y by him as 1900 strong, which, having
! come down the valley on the left bank
u had now crossed the river to take tn
I French right at Rivoli in its rear. Hal
Q they arrived but minute sooner tn
!, hill of Rivoli would have been lost t
II the French. AS it was, instead OF max
K ing an attack, they had to await one
II Bonaparte directed a CALLING artiller
Is fire againt them, and thus gained tim
10 both to reform his ranks and hold tn
lr newcomers in check until his own II
~ serve, coming in from the next haml'
IL westward, cut them entirely of frol
Nc the retreating columns of Alvinczy, an
r. compelled them to lay down their arm
SO Thus ended the worst defeat and mo
III complete rout which the Austrian arm
lg had SO far sustained. Such was the
tie fer Generalization of the flying and oil
&, integrated columns that young Frent
ch officer named Rene, who was In con
or mand of 90 men at a hamlet ON La
u Garda. successfully initiated Bonaparte
sh rinse at Tomato, and displayed such
ed imposing confidence to flying troop
n, / 500 Austrians that they surrender
as to what they believed to be force S
IT. perior TO their own. Next morning
tic dawn Murat, who had marched all mig
Die to gain the point, appeared ON the STOP
of Monte Baldo above the pass OF Col
ma. and united with Massena and Jo
bert TO drive the Austrians from TIT
ess last foothold. The pursuit was cont
it ned as far as Trent. Thirteen thousa
to prisoners were captured in those T.
ere days. :.
he This short campaign Of Rivoli "
Dot the turning point of the war, and IN
all be said to have shaped the history
ut Europe for 90 years. Chroniclers DIV
nat unon those few moments at the
pie above the plateau of Rivoli, and won'
my what the result would have been II
airy last Austrian corps had arrived
ich minutes sooner But an accurate
lily dispassionate criticism must decide {
ght every step in Bonaparte's success
thy won by careful forethought and
God most effective disposition OF the fol
ote at his command. So sure was he OF
ties cess that even in the crises when M
YES sena seemed to save the day ON the
lful and when the Austrians seemed desti
tful to wrest victory from defeat ut the
moment OH the right, he was self rell
and cheerful. The new system OF ]
operations had q triumphant vlndlca'
ar. at the hands of its author.
nd. The conquering general meted out
g as stinted praise to his invincibie sq'
the rons and their leaders, but said noth
the of himself, leaving the world to Ju
whether this was man or demon v
f" still a youth, and within public ca
the If Int one season, had Inundated
Law proudest empire on the continent,
' he subdued Italy and on her soil had CT
die. cd states unknown before without
n. consent of any great power, not exc
!, be inc his own. 1t is not wonderful
this parsonage should sometimes
said of himself, "Say that my LIE
epa- gan at Rivoli," as at other times
dated his military career from Ioui
10 Whom?
way EYES," said the practical politie
- 80. =. .l.o+ bava made 500