The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-07-28
MARSHAL LANNES.


ORIGIN OF LANNES- STRIKING MILL
TARY TRAITS-PASSAGE OF LODI
BATTLE OF MONTICELLO.
Bonaparte always chose his Nlarshals on
the eclectic principle Wherever he found
one great quality, he laid it under con-
tribution The great error, even with
sensible men, is, they bring every one to a
single standard and Judge him by a single
rule Forgetting the variety everywhere
visible in nature. and that the beauty
and harmony of the whole depend on the
difference of each part, they wish to find
in every man that proportion and balance
OF all his qualities which would make him
perfect. Disappointed in this, they seek
the nearest approximation TO it; and
hence prefer an ordinary intellect, Il well
balanced To a great one, II great only IN
some particular direction. Forgetting
that such a character is unbalanced
only because it has at least one striking
quality they reject its aid, or content
themselves with more prudent, mediocre
minds
This may do for a merchant, but not for
a Government or military leader. The
collection of 10000 common minds fur-
nishes no additional strength, while the
union of one-twentieth of that number,
each of which possesses force in only one
direction, gives immense power. II Is
true one well-balanced intellect is needed
10 control these conflicting energies, and
force them to act in harmony on one great
plan, or they will only waste themselves
on each other. BonapaTte was such
controlling mind, and he cared not how
one-sided the spirits were he gathered
about him, if they only had force; he was
after power acting in whatever direction.
combination of men, each of whom
could do one thing well, must do all
hi pir,1p ba
never allowed man of any striking
quality to escape him. Whether it was
the cool and intrepid Ney, or the chivalric
Murat, the rock-faSt Macdonald, or the
tempestuous Junot, the bold and careful
Soult, or the impetuouS Lannes, ii mat
tered not He needed them all, and he
thus concentrated around him the great
est elements of strength that man can
WELD.
1t is fearful to see the spirits Napoleon
nodded into his plans and the combined
energy he let loose on the armies of
Europe. Knowing the moral power of
great and striking qualities, he would
have no leader without them. In this he
showed his consummate knowledge of
human nature, especially of Frenchmen.
Ell tn usiasm, and the reliance on one
they never trusted in vain in battle, will
carry an army farther than the severest
discipline.
LANNEs'S MILITARY BEGINNINGS.
Jean Lannes was born in Lectoure,
small town in Normandy, in April, 1869.
His father was humble mechanic, and
designing his son for similar occupation
he bound him out, at an early age, as an
apprentice.
In ordinary times young Lannes would
probably have remained in the humble
station in which his birth had placed
him. and become in time, perhaps, a
passable shoemaker or carpenter. The
call the revolution sent forth for
the military talent OF France could not be
resisted, and young Lannes ran away
from his master and enlisted as COM
mon soldier in the army. Soon after
wards he was sent with the army that
operated on the Pyrenean frontier.
Here he soon exhibited the striking
traits of his characteristics which emf
nently fitted him for the scenes in which
his life was to pass-viZ-, reckless daring
and uncomfortable resolution. These
qualities shining out in the heat of battle
and in the most desperate straits, soon
won for him the regard of his officers, and
he was made Chief of Brigade In this
rank he fought under Lefebvre, but soon
after, for some cause known only TO the
Convention, which yet scarcely knew the
cause Of anything IL did he was deprived
OF his commission and returned TO Paris.
Amid the conflicting elements that sur
rounded the young soldier in the French
capital he soon found work to do. An
ardent republican his bold politics and
notice OF Government and he was sent to
the army in Italy. As chief OF a battalion
at Alilesimo, he conducted himself so
CALAMITY and fought with such desperate
impetuosity that he arrested Napoleon s
attention in the hottest Of the engage
ment, and he made him Colonel on the
spot.
Crossing the Pc soon after under the
encmys fire, he was the first to reach the
opposite bank: and finally crowned his
brilliant exploits at Lodi, where he was
made General Of Brigade, and soon after
of Division.
THE BRIDGE AT LODI.
After the successive victories of Monte
Note. Milesimo and Diego Napoleon re-
solved Ia push on To Milan. In his prog
ress he was forced to cross the AIDA, at
Lodi Twelve thousand Austrian infantry
and 1000 cavalry, with battery of 80
cannon, stood at the farther extremity of
the bridge he was 10 cross, to dispute its
passage.
On the 1st of May he arrived at Lodi
with his army. The Austrian cannon
and nusketry began Immediately 10 play
on the bridge, so that il seemed impos-
slblc to recennoiter the ground. But Ma
poieOn, sheltering his men behind the
houses Of the town, sailed out into the
midst Of the deadlysstorm, and immedi-
ately arranged his plan.
Forming column of 7 900 picked men.
he placed himself at their head and
InSncd on me tfloget but the cannon
balls and grapeshot and the bullets of the
infantry swept every inch OF the narrow
defile, and rated like am incessant
shower of hail-stones against its stony
sides.
SO incessant and furious was the dis
charge, that a cloud of smoke Law like a
dense fog round it-yet into it's very
bosom moved the intrepid column. The
sudden volley that smote their breasts
made those bold men reel and stagger
back as If smitten by bolt from heaven
Tor a moment the column wavered and
balanced on the passion a thousand
had already fallen, and it was marching
straight INTO a volcano OF fire; but the
next moment, seeing themselves sup
ported by the tiralleurs that were fording
the stream beneath the arches the sol
dieTs shouted "kiye Ia Repu biiouei" and
receiving the storm of cannon-baus and
grapeShot on their unshrinking bosons
rushed forward and bayoneted the artil,
ierymen at their guns
INTREPID CONDUCT
Lannes was the first man across. and
Bonaparte the second. Spurriug his ex
cited steed on the Austrian ranks
Lannes snatched banner from The
enemy, and Just as he was about Ia seize
another, his horse sank under him In a
moment the swords Of half a dozen
cuirassiers s!itiercd above him. and bis
destruction seemed inevitable.
But extricating himself with incredible
eXeTtlOn from his diving sfced lao -