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

morcuu w wv Ft''uhRcn Army OF Italy under
Masscna' thoy had great hopes of success. Mclns,
in. particular, regarded the talk about an Army
OF Reserve us a ruse of nonlp ,rto's. intended TO
divert the Ausirions In Itniy from invading
France. Feeling sure that he had f,thomcd
Bonnpnrtos strategy. he rested In n security
which doomed him to defeat.
Meanwhile. tho divisions Of tho Armv Of Re.
servo were concentrating. They were marching
through France. and were rapid y assembling
near Geneva, from which place they wore In no
lcd across tho Alps into Italy. This army so
secretly organized and so dcridcd throughout
Europe; this army, whose very existence was
doubted by the allies. was destined 10 amaze the
world by tho brilliancy Of its exploits. Bona
parto was to lead 1t ever the great st. bernard
Pass across tho Alps, descend like mn avalanche
into the Valley OF the Po, cut the communicn-
tions Of tho Austrlans. and defeat them in the
hard.fought battle OF Marcngo. lie vast TO emu.
late the deeds of Hannibal. lie was to conduct
40. 600 soldiers across the highest mountains OF
Europe, surmount every obstacle in his path.
way, overthrow every force sent to oppose his
progress, and, by n single march and n single
battle. rcconquer northern Italy. Let us turn
now to the chapter which describes IN detail tho
decisive battle. Let US see how il came to pass
that a victory OF %, 900 Fronchmcn over 2o, 500
Austrians decided the fate of 100, 900 Austrians.
and gained for Napoleon the greater part Of
northern Italy. The plain OF Marengo lies
between the Scrivia and Bormida rivers,
which rise in the Apcnnines and flow
~northward toward tho Pc. Tho town Of
Marcngo, from which the battle takes
its name, is situated near the east bank OF the
Bormida, on the great highway loading from
Alessandria to Mantua. About two miles north
OF Marengo is the village Of Castel.ceriolo On
the main road. Just east of Alcssandria, two
bridges span the Bormida. They were held
by the Austrians. and were defended by n sin.
gle bridgc-hcad on the right bank. The sur
rounding country is generally fiat, but, toward the
village Of San Giuliano. which lies on the main
road, about three miles east of Marengo,
several hillocks rendered the ground un.
even. On the 18th of June Melas had de-
cided that, on the next day, he would cross the,
Bormida and attack Bonaparte. Accordingly,
on the GLOWING morning the Austrians began
to cross the river named and to issue from tho
bridge.head on the right bank. Three thousand
soldiers under Gen. O'Reilly crossed first. They
drove back the French outposts and advanced
toward Marcngo. This vanguard was followed
by a division under Hsddick and that in turn
by another under Kahn. At 8 o'clock these
forces. having deployed. began the battle. Be-
ing Weh bupplltu WIN cannon, tDey opened tne
attack with a heavy artillery fire and then
pressed forward toward Marengo. Bonaparte
was taken unprepared. His forces were
scattered. Desaix was on his way to Novi,
whittier he had been sent to intercept
Melas should tho latter be attempting to
escape by another route. Victor was at
Marengo. Lannes and Murat were on the plain
in the rear Of Victor; the Consular Guard, two
regiments Of cavalry, and Monnier's division,
were strung along the Scrivia near Tortona.
All told, these forces numbered. as we have
said. but rs, D men, Of whom not more than
$500 were cavalry. Bonaparte. too, had only
forty cannon. On the night of June 1914 he
slept in a small town about two miles east of
San Giuliano. He expected to receive on the
next day some that would enlighten
him as to the movements and intentions Of Me-
las. but he had no thought Of a battle on the
morrow. What he did learn early in the fore
noon of June IL was the news that the whole
Austrian Army was advancing.
During the deployment Of the Austrian forces.
Victor. who wns stationed ut Marengo, had
taken up n position In front or the village along
the muddy stream of Fontanole. Here he re.
ceived the attacks Of the Austrians, and, finally,
succeeded in driving them back. But the Aus.
trian line was soon strongly reinforced. Melas
directed two moro divisions on Marengo, and,
having detached Otis division. directed it on
Castelceriolo. in order 10 take the French in
flank on that side. About 10 O'Clock. Lannes
brought his corps into line on the right OF Victor.
He was supported by a cavalry brigade under
Champeaux: Kellerman's brigade of cavalry
supported Victor. Meanwhile, Gen. OFT, having
arrived near Castel.ceriolo, began to threaten
the French right, which movement obliged
Lannes to form front in that direction with a
part of his corps. The French line of battle,
numbering about $4,000 men, was nearly two
miles long. 1t followed the general direction Of
the Fontanole northward from Marengo toward
Castel-ceriolo. and westward from Marengo
toward the Bormida, Facing this lire were the
Austrian troops. numbering %. 800 men. Gen.
OFT formed the left. and the reserve. under Gen.
Elsnitz, was in the rear. Having been informed
that Suchet had reached Acqui. Melas had. dur
ing the morning, sent Q. 800 Of his cavalry to re.
connoitre in that direction. This detachment
was. consequently, unused in the battle.
At 10 o'clock Melas attacked with fury the
whole French line. He made a determined
effort to drive back Victor's corps and to gain
possession Of Marengo. Along tho stream, in
front OF the village, the struggle was fierce and
bloody. Both sides fought desperately. Melas
felt that he must conquer. Knowing that his
situation was critical and that nothing short of
victory could save his army, he fought with tho
courage OF despair. The French, on their side,
fought like demons. The previous victory of
Lanncs at Monticello had encouraged them,
and now. having sought and found their enemy,
they expected to be again triumphant. With
determination. they resisted the onsets of
Melas. Before the furious attacks of SUI
perior numbers, in the face Of cannon. sabre.
and steel, they stood to their work like men.
All their Efforts, however, were unavailing.
Against so fierce an attack Victor could not long
hold his position. He was compelled TO fall back
to Marengo, where he again made n desperate
effort to stop the advance of the Austrians. For
n time he held on TO the village, but was finally
forced to give way. His corps was routed, his
soldiers became demoralized. In disorder they
retired toward San Giuliano, followed by the
victorious Austrians. Up to this time Lannes
had held his position against the attacks of
Melas in his front and OF OFT on his right. but.
when Victor gave way. Lannos found himself in
n desperate situation. Victor's retreat uncovered
the LETT OF Lannes's corps, and threatened 1t with
destruction. Thus outfiankcd on both wings
ana nara pressed in front, Lannes saw defeat
near nj hand, In fact finn AuSt win ~ q pnNy