The National tribune., 1898-04-28


like a rolling torrent, and Soult was in
moment in the thickest OF the fight.
After the battle was over, Marceau
sought him out, and generously begged
his pardon for his rudenesS, and praised
him for his valor.
Promoted to General of Brigade this year,
he fought bravely at the battles of Alien
kirchen, Lain, and Fnedberg. Being de-
tached one day with three battalions and
a hundred and fifty cavalry, to cover the
suddenly found himself, in the course OF
his march, surrounded by 900 cavalry
His destruction seemed inevitable; but
Immediately forming his men into squares,
he coolly met the shock while a devouring
fire, rolling round the steady ranks,
emptied the enemy's saddles with frghtful
-rapidity But the Austrian commander,
thinking this little band must go down
before his fierce squadrons, rallied his
men at a distance, and again ordered the
charge.
The trurnpets sounded, and these 1000
riders moved to the onset. Advancing
first on plunging trot, they az length
broke into fierce gallop, and with an
impetuosity and strength that made the
ground thunder and smoke in their pas
sage burst with loud shout upon the
ranks The smoke covered both for
moment. and when it lifted, the shattered
Bquadrons were recoiling over the field.
Again and again did that splendid body
of cavalry reform and rush to the charge,
and as often retire before the steady valor
that opposed it. Thus for five hours did
Soul; stand amid his little band, animating
them by his voice and example, till five
successive shocks had been repulsed, and
then continued his march, without having
left single man in the hands OF the
enemy.
After the peace Of Campo Formio, Soult
rested "a while; but in 1898, while Bona
parte was in Egypt, he is found again in
The field OF battle. At the village OF Os-
trach, with only 5000 men, composing the
advanced guard Of the army, he was at
lacked by - 600 Austrians under the Arch
duke Charles. Under the muIderous fire Of
such superior numbers, his comparatively
feeble band began to shake. One bat
TALON bent backward, and was on he
point Of flying, when SOult seized stand
ard. and rushing 10 its head, called on the
soldiers to follow him, and boldly charged
int the very midst Of the enemy, and
thus saved his army from rout.
MADE A GENERAL OF DIVISION.
The next month he was made General of
Division, and passed through the campaign
OF Switzerland under NasSena. While the
latter was winning the battle OF Zurich,
Soult, stationed between Lake Zurich and
Nallenstadt, 10 prevent the junction of the
AusiTians and russians, was equally sue
cessfui.
The enemy was encamped on the far
ther side oil the Linth, IN d secure position;
but SOult organized company Of a hun
dred and fifty swimmers, who, with their
sabers in their teeth, and holding their
musk Is in one hand over their heads,
boldly dashed into the river at midnight,
and swan 10 the opposite shore. They
here made a stand till some grenadierS
could be got over, and then attac ed the
camp of the enemy, putting ii 10 70 1t, Stay
ing and taking 4,OO0 men.
While these brilliant victories by Mas
sena and Soult were sending few rays of
light across the gloom that hung over the
French armies, Bonaparte returned from
Egypt. MaSsena was Immediately ap-
pointed 10 Genoa; and in assuming the
command, he requested that Soult might
be attached TO him. de had seen his skill
and bravery in Switzerland, and he needed
him in the desperate undertaking which
was now before him.
Elevated TO the rank of Lieutenant-Gen-
erai, he passed the Alps: and after fight
ing bravely, was driven with Massena into
Genoa. Here, by his fierce onsets which
perfectly stunned the enemy and by his
brilliant victories, fighting heroica1ly and
VIGOROUSLY against the most overwheim-
ing numbers, he showed that Massena
was not deceived i'm the spirit he had
sought TO aid him in this campaign.
ASSAULT ON MT. CRETo.
The last effort that was made before the
French were completely shut up in the
city was the assault on Mount Creto, CON
Quoted by Soult. 1t was desperate I'M
dertaking at the best, and in the midst OF
the bloody combat thunderstorm swept
over the mountain, and enveloped the two
hosts Ia the midst of the roar of the
artillery, and louder roll OF thunder, and
flashes of lightning that outshone the
girdle of fire that wrapped the enemy,
Soult headed a last charge ia one more
effort 10 save the day.
Pressing boldly on into the midst of the
fire, he was struck by ball, and fell
Surprising he was killed, his men turned
and fled. With broken leg, he was
taken prisoner. and soon after sent to