The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-10-24
w..

The Austrians Ind conquered. On tho plain
OF Marengo MeluS had defeated Bonapnrto. The
victory seemed complete. There appeared to
be no longer any hope for tho First Consul. The
French had been driven three miles beyond
Marengo. The greater part Of their cavalry had
been destroyed. More than two.thirds Of their
cannon had been captured. Fragments only OF
the infantry organization remained. On that
bloody field 5000 French soldiers had been
killed. wounded, or captured. Such was the
outcome of tho struggle at Mnrcngo on the
morning of juno II, 1900. Who would have
conceived it possible that before the close
OF that %eventful day tho vanquished would
become the victors . Thus far. Mclas had OK.
hibited great energy and courage, but. when the
French had been driven from the field and the
excitement of tho conflict had ended. he felt
deeply tho effects OF his oxertion. The weight
Of years, too. bore heavily upon him. Fully
convinced that he had gained n complete VIC
tory over Bonapartc, he left tho command Of the
army to his chicf-of.staff, Gen. Zach. and.
having sent dispatches to his Government an-
nouncing tho result Of the battle. he returned
to Alessandria exhausted with fatigue. Gen.
Zach now rcarranged his troops for the purpose
of following the French. whom he believed
to be entirely routed. The Austrians, low
ever, were not in q condition to pursue the
enemy promptly and vigorously. 1t was nearly
4 o'clock, when they began to advance. Mean
while, the French. not being vigorously followed
up, had halted. and. unpcrceived by their am
tagonists, had begun to rally behind the hillocks
near San Giuliano. At this time, Bonaparto
was awaiting anxiously the arrival of Desaix.
Early in the morning he had sent him an order
to return; but, before it reached its destination,
Desaix, having heard the sound of the first
cannon shot at Marengo, had halted his division.
Judging from the thunder Of the guns that Q
battle had begun between the French and
Austrians on the plain Of Marengo, he
hurriedly despatched several cavalry troops to
Novi. in order to assure himself that no
Austrians were in that vicinity, then faced
about his soldiers, and marched toward the
sound OF the cannon. Hour after hour he
pushed eagerly forward. At about 4 o'clock in
the afternoon, Just when tho Austrians were
advancing with the intention of finishing their
work. the head Of his column appeared near San
Giuliano. Upon the arrival of Desaix, Bona
parties spirits rose. Though most OF the French
officers favored a retreat, Bonaparte was opposed
to this course. Desaix, too. concurred in tho
views of the First Consul. In fact, Desaix was
anxious to renew the struggle. Though he saw
the battle was lost, he did not despair OF yet
gaining another.
Accordingly Bonaparte at once formed De-
saix's division and the French troops about San
Giuliano into line Of battle. Desaix's division
was placed across the highway along which the
Austrians were advancing. On his right were
Lannes. Monnier, and the Consular Guard; in
his rear was Victor. Kellerman's brigade of
cavalry took n position to the left and rear of
Desaix. and ChampeauX's brigade to the right
and rear OF Lannes. Bonapartc had only twelve
guns remaining. He placed them on the right
OF Desaix, toward the front of the battle line.
Such were the positions of the French when
suddenly there appeared from behind the ris-
ing ground to their front the column of
Zach. Though this column was preceded by an
advance guard, with cavalry on each flank, tho
greater part OF the Austrian troops were march.
ing somewhat carelessly, and were surprised
when they came upon the whole French army
in position for battle. Immediately the French
guns opened upon Zach; at the same time
Dosaix made a furious assault upon them.
kellerman. too, having been directed az
we have said, toward tho right and rear
OF Desaix's division, moved forward past
the right Of DesaiX and attacked vigor-
ously the Austrian cavalry. Having routed
1t, he wheeled his troopers TO the left and struck
in flank the Austrian column. which was already
much shaken by the assault of Desaix. Every
where the Austrians were overwhelmed. Two
thousand were captured, among whom was Gen.
Zach himself. Bonaparte now pushed forward
his whole force, and in turn attacked and defeat
ed the corps Of Kahn and the Hungarian infantry.
Continuing to advance. he forced the Austrians
back to Marengo. Here they attempted to mako
q stand. but were again defeated and routed.
In disorder they retired toward Alessandria.
Gen. OFT only arrived in time to cover the re-
treat of the main body across the Bormida. By
10 o'clock at night all the Austrian troops had
recrossed the river.