The National tribune., 1898-08-11

leglons, went the artillery, rending the
serted lines as though they had been
threads of gosSamer. Around the threat.
ened point the whole interest of the
battle gathered, and the most wasting
and destructive fire opened on Lannes' (
steady ranks. But nothing could resist
the weight and terror of their shock
Through and through the Austrian lines
they went with the strength of the in
rolling tide of the sea.
DASH OF THE CAVALRY.
Into the wild battIe-gorge thus made by
their advance the cavalry plunged al
headiong gallop, shaking their sabers
above their heads, and sending their
victorious shouts over the roar of the
artillery. They dashed on the ranks with
such fury that whole battalions broke
and fed, crying "AlI is lost"
Amid this confusion and dismay still
advanced the firm column of Lannes.
On, on 1t moved with the strength of fate
itself, and Bonaparte saw with delight
ms iavonte Marshal wringing the crown
from Germany and placing il on his head.
az. -. iengen the enveioped host pierced To-
inc reserve grenadierS of the Austrian
army, and the last fatal blow seemed
about to be given
In this dreadful crisis the Arcbduke
showed the power and heroism of Napo-
leon himself. Seeing that all was lost
"ithout desperate effort, and apparently
not caring ior his life If defeat must he
endured, he spuTed his steed among the
shahihg ranks, raliying them by his voice
ana bearing To the charge. and seizinp
the standard of Zach's corps. which was
already yielding TO the onset. charged at
I their head like d storm.
his Generals, reused by his example.
dashed into the thickest OF the fight and
at the mead of their respective divisions
lcIi IKE SO many rocks upon the head of
LanneS's column. Those brave officers
almost to man, sank before the fire
that received them; but. that dreadful
column was checked for the first time in
iIS ADVANCE, and stood like living rock
amid its foes
Inc Ausuians were thrown into squares
and stood as checkers on the field Into
the very heart of these Lannes had pene-
trated and stopped. The Empire stoned
WIN MN, and Napoleon saw at once the
| that had broken the best infantry oI the
woFid, were Immediately ordered TO the
rescue.
Shaking the ground over which thew
gaiioped their glttering armor rattIiny
as thcy came, they burst into the midst oi
L IN ana charged the now steady
pattdhohS with appalling fury. Around
ana around the firm squares they rode
SpuirIng their steedS against the yerv
points OF the bayoncts, but in vain. No,
d square broke, not a battalion fed; and
charged IN turn by the Austrian cavalry
they were compelled to fall back on thei,
own infantry
Sun Lannes stood amid the wreck AND
carnage OF the battlefield around him
Uhaoie 10 deploy SO as to return the
teffiilc Hfe mat wasted him, and disdain
| ing TO hy, ne let his ranks melt AWAY
beside MIN. Being in squares the Aus,
TRANS could fire To advantage. while
Lannes could only return il from the
edges OF his column.
seeing that he dare not deploy his men
inc Atchduke advanced the cannon e
within hve rods OF them, and there played
on Inc dense masses. Every discharge
, opened huge gaps, and men seemed like
mist before the destructive storm. Still
that shlvering column stood as If rooted
to the ground, while Lannes SURVEYED
with flashing eye the disastrous fielc
from which he saw there was no relief
Amid this destruction, and in this crisis
the ammunition began To fail, and hi.
own cannon were less holly worked. Jus
then, TOO, the news began TO fly over tn,
held that the bridges over the Danub
had been carried away by the heay,
boats that had been fioated down agains
them.
i LANNEs's GOODNESS.
Still Lannes disdained TO fy. an,
seemed TO resolve to perish in his foot
steps. The brave Marshal knew, he coul,
not win the battle; but he knew, also h
could die on the spot where he struggle,
J for an Empire. Bonaparte, as he locke,
J over the disordered field from his position
, saw at once that the battle was lost
Still, in this dreadful crisis he shove
, no agitation or excitement. Calm an
collected, as If on mere review, he sur