The Washington herald., 1914-03-15

tionary Paris need no longer fear his
iron hand.
Gen. Melas. suffering from the heat and
burdened with his seventy years-Austria
persisted In her policy OF sending old
men to whip this Corsican youth-left the
field OF victory for his headquarters In
Alessandria. Having silenced all but five
of the French cannon. II was time for the
aged general to lie down and dictate a
report, telling the Emperor OF Austria
how he had slain the Goliath Of the revo-
, luton with the pebbles OF the Brook Fon-
tanone.
Meanwhile Napoleon was sitting on the
ground. behind the sheltering walls of
the little village OF Marengo. the Consular
Guard drawn up about him. His maps
We're spread beside him, but he was not
looking at them. nor seemingly at his
fleeing soldiers as they passed him. He
did not lif, his finger in an effort to rally
them. His boldness seemed to have for
saken him. as he sat there beating up the
dust with his riding whip.
RaIIying n Routed Army.
He still entertained a hope, however,
that before the slow-going Austrians re-
covered from their victory and adopted
measures for following IL UP, Gen. Desaix.
whom he had ordered elsewhere. might
yet come to the rescue. While he waited
and hoped. Savary. an aid-de-camp Of
Desaix. dashed up to report that his
general. having heard the sound of bat
tie, was hastening to the scene with his
5000 men.
At this news the vanquished shifted a
chance of victory. at what hour did
you leave Dessix?r he inquired sas he
pulled out his watch. well, then, he
cannot be far of now. Go. tell him to
quit the main road and keep out OF the
way OF the wounded going to the rear.
for they might draw his own soldiers
after them
Gen Desaix. hurrying on ahead Of his
command, found his general-in-ckef In
a council of war. Most of the circle OF
generals were urging retreat Desaix.
however. raised his voice for a renewal
of the fight. One battle is lost he
said, but IL is only o'clock. There is
time enough to win another.
Napoleon at once sprang into his sad
die and spurrcd his white horse among
his. retreating troops. forming them in
line again in front of San Giuliano. His
cccked hat blew of, but he rode on
bareheaded through the ranks, shout
ing: my friends, we have fallen back
far enough. Remember, soldiers, 1t is
my habit to bivouac on the field OF bat
tie"
turned 10 tIctOTy.
As the sun was descending to the AL
pine horizon the Austrians leisurely
moved forward from Marengo, with col
ors flying and bands playing. They were
content to make certain that the enemy
left the field and retreated. for to all
the old generals Of Europe war was only
an irterminable game of checkers. not a
fight to a finish. On they went until
they were within 100 PAGES of Desaix's
force, but without seeing IT through a
field OF UNDERSTANDING wheat and the
thick leaves of vineyard that screened
the French.
Suddenly the hidden army sprang at
the surprised Austrians, and out of the
grain and the vines blazed a heavy mus
kerry FIRE. The line of white coats wav-
cred, but quickly rallied. Soon. how
ever, 500 French cavalry under young
Kellermann dashed upon their fiank and
carried chaos among the Austrians
Their ranking officer and 5000 men were
taken prisoners.
The French line began to advance,
and the victors Of a few minutes before
found themselves rolled back among the
la.0oo dead and wounded lying on the
plain. The retrcating white coats hur-
SlJNDAY-Napoleeu. the Law Civ