The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-05-26

POLEON IN ELECTROMAGNETIC THE
ARMY IN PORTUGAL-HIS MOST PROMI.
NENT CHARACTERISTICS BEARING
IN BATTLE.
No one can visit Genoa without being re-
minded of the history of Massena. The
nights around the city in which he strug-
gled, the crippled and deformed beings
that meet one at every turn, pointed to as
the results of the fearful famine he brought
on the inhabitants, when, besieged by
sea and land, he obStinate1y refused TO sue
render, are constant mementoeS OF that
n-hearted men.
Andrea Massena's birthplace was only
100 miles from Genoa. He was born at
Nice on the 9th of May 1858, and, while
still an infant, was left an orphan in the
world. Growing up without parental care,
his education was neglected, and he was
left to the mercy of almost any impulse
that might move him. An uncle, Captain
of an ordinary merchant vessel, took him
to sea with him while yet a mere boy.
But after having made two voyages, the
young Andrea, then only II years OF age,
enlisted as a private soldier in the Royal
Italian regiment, IN which another uncle
ranked as Captain.
This service seemed more fitted to his
tastes, and he performed its duties with
such regularity and care that he was soon
made Corporal. Long alter, when scared
with his many battles, and standing on
the highest pinnacle of military fame
Marshal of France and Duke OF ElvOll-he
frequently spoke OF this first promotion as
affording him more happiness than all the
after honors that were heaped upon him.
From this he went up gradually enough,
it is true) TO Sergeant, and, finally, Adiu-
tant, where he stopped.
Unable by the most strenuous exertions
and unimpeachable fidelity to reach the
rank of Under Lieutenant, he at length,
after IA years service, left the army in in
dignation, and, marrying the daughter OF a
Shopkeeper, settled down in Nice. Here
he doubtless would have remained and
died a common man but for the outbreak
of the Revolution.
Massena, like those other stern-hearted
men who afterwards shook Europe so,
heard the call for brave and daring spirits
and Immediately re-entered the army. At
the age of IS he found himself General of
division, and had acquired in the army of
Italy, where he served, the reputation OF
man of great courage and skill. He was
present at Montenotte, Millesimo, Arcole,
Lodi, and through all that brilliant cam
paign of Napoleon in 1895 in Italy.
He did not long escape the eye of the
young Corsican who was astonishing
Europe by his victories, and he soon began
to look upon him as he did upon Ney,
Lannes, and Murat. He once said TO him
during this campaign: "Your corps is
stronger than that of any other General:
you, yourself, are equivalentlto 6, 900 men,"
When peace was concluded with Austria,
he was chosen TO convey the ratification OF
it to the Directory, which received him in
the most fiattering manner.
CREATED A MARSHAL.
While Bonaparte was in Egypt, Massena
commanded the army on the eastern
frontiers of France, and after the return of
the former was intrusted with the defense
of Genoa, invested by the Austrians and
blockaded by the English. The next two
ar
Ruel in comparative idleness. He bought
the magnificent chateau of Richelieu at
the latter place, and scarce ever appeared
at Court. He was a strong republican, and
disliked the pomp and show the First
Consul began to gather around him. Bona
parte was aware of this, but still he felt he
could not do without him, and so, when
made Emperor, in 1904, he created him
Marshal of France.
The next year the defense of Italy was
intrusted TO him, and at Verona, and after
wards at Caldiero, he beat and completely
routed the ATchduke Charles and drove
him out OF the country. The year follow
ing this, he commanded the army that
accompanied Joseph Bonaparte to Naples,
and by the successful siege OF Gaeta
fixed the new King firmly on his throne.
These were years of glory to him; and
the next year, 1907, he commanded the
right wing of the Grand Army in Poland.
At the close of this campaign ne was
created Duke OF Rivoll, and presented by
Bonaparte with large sum OF money with
which to support his new title.
In 1910, Napoleon placed him over the
army in Portugal. Reducing Ciudad Rod
rigo, after three months siege, and taking
Almeida, he advanced on Wellington, who
retreated 10 the Torres Vedras. Here the
English commander lntrenched himself
and bid defiance to Massena who, finding
himself unable to dislodge him, and famine
and sickness in the meantime wasting his
army, was compelled TO commence dis
astrous and barbarous retreat into Spain.
He was shortly after recalled, and from his
infiIm health and shattered constitution,
was left behind in the fatal Russian ex-
petition, though against his earnest re-
quest
This ended his military career He was
at Toulon when told that Bonaparte landed
from Elba. He could not at first believe
the report, but was soon convinced of its
truth by letter from Napoleon himself.
"Prince," said he, "hoist the banner of
Essling on the walls of Toulon and follow
me-"
But the old Marshal refused to break his
new allegiance till the surrounding cities
had gone over, and the Bourbon cause was
evidently lost. He took no part in the
military preparations during the Hundred
Days, and after the overthrow of the En-
peror at Waterloo was appointed by Louis
commander OF the National Guard, and
was one of the council appointed TO try
Ney. But the old Marshal declared the
and would have nothing to do with the dis
honor and murder Of his old comrade-in-
arms.
TENACITY OF PURPOSE.
Massena possessed scarcely a trait
either of the Italian or French character,
though, from his birthplace, he might be
supposed to exhibit something of both.
He was not an impulsive man like Junot
or Murat, nor an impetuous creature like
Lannes. He was not easily excited, but
when once aroused he was one of The most
terrible men in Bonaparte's army. He was
like an enormous wheel that requires a
great deal of force TO set il in motion but
when it does move it crushes everything Ia
its passage
Perhaps the prominent trait in his char
acter was fixedness OF purpose. He was
more like Ney in this respect than any
other Of Napoleons Marshals. His tenacity
was like death itself. A battle with him
never seemed over, unless he gained it.
This obstinacy OF resolution never forsoOk
him. do not know an instance in his whole
career where he appeared the least affected
by the panic OF others. The cry OF sauve
qui peut never FASTENED his footsteps or
disturbed the regular movement OF his
thoughts.
His own iron will was sufficient for any
emergency. He wished no aid or sympathy
from others to steady him, but fell back on
himself in the most desperate straits with
confidence that was sublime Amid the
widest hurricane of cayalry-face Ia face