Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1915-07-07
WINNING 4 BATTLE
How One Defeat Was Turned
Into a Brilliant Victory.
THE REAL HERO or MARENGo.

W was Not N&potsoV NoF GS~H tHs
Daring Dssais, but the Fearless
Drummer Boy Who Refused to Beat
Retreat but Beat Charge instead.
Napoleon was sitting In his tent Be
fore hiIn lay map Of Italy. He
took four pins and stuck them up
measured. moved the pins and mcasur-
ed again. Now said he. that u
right. viii capture him therer'
who. SIR. asked an officer.
"Milas. the old FOX Of Austria. He
viii retire from Genoa. pass Turin and
fall back on Alexandria ] shall crrss
the 20. meet him on the plains Of La
COMA and conquer him there and the
finger Of the child of destiny pointed
to Marengo.
Two months later the memorable
campaign OF 1900 began. The Goth Of
May saw Napoleon on the heights Of
ST. Bernard. The I'D. Larmes. with
the army OF Genoa. held Padua. So
far all had been well with Napoleon.
He had compelled the Austrinns to
take the position he desired. reduced
the army from 10000 to 10000 men.
dispatched Murat to the right and
June IA moved forward to consummate
his mastery plan
But God threatened to overthrow his
scheme. little rain bad fallen In the
Alps. and the TO could not be crossed
In time. The battle was begun.
Milas. pushed to the wall. resolved to
cot his way out and Napoleon reached
the Geld to see Larmes beaten Cham
peaux dead. Dcsaix still charging old
Miias with his Austrian phalnnx at
Marengo TIL the consular guard gave
way. and the well planned victory was
a terrible defeat
Just ms the day was lost Desaix. the
boy general. sweeping across the neld
at the head OF his cavalry. halted on
the eminence where stood Napoleon.
There was In the corps drummer boy.
n gamin whom Dcsatx bad picked up
| In the streets OF Paris He had fol-
lowed the victorious eagle OF France In
| the campaigns OF Egypt and Germany,
As the columns halted. Napoleon shout.
cd To him. Beat retreat.
The boy did not stir.
'Gamin beat retreat"
| The boy Strengthened up. grasped his
drumsticks turned and looked Napo-
| icon straight In the eyes. and said. -Sir.
/ | do not know how to beat retreat:
Desaix never taught me that but
can beat Y charge-oh ! can beat
charge that will make the dead fall
into line. | beat that charge at the
Pyramids | beat that charge at Mount
/ Tabor. | beat II again at the bridge Of
Lodi May beat II hereT'
| Napoleon turned from the boy TO
/ Desaix and said. I'VE are beaten: what
shall We dor
dor Beat them! II is only O'Clock
and there h time enough to win vic
tory yet Up. the charged beat the old
charge Of Mount Tabor and Lodi.-
A moment later the corps. following
the sword gieslm Of Desaix and keep
Ing step With the furious roll Of the
| gamin's drum. swept down on the host
Of Austrian~ They drove the drst line
| back on the second-both on the third
and there they died
| Dexaix fell NJ the nrst volley. but
the tine never faltered- and n the
smoke cleared away. the Kamin was
seen in front Vt his line marching right
on and still beating the furious charge
Over the dead and wounded. over
breastw orks and fallen foe. over can
mons belching forth their Ore Of death.
he led the way 10 victory and the
fifteen days In Italy were ended.
Today men point 10 Marcngo in Won
der. They admire the power and fore
sight that SO skiiifully handled the bat.
tie. but they forget that a general only
thirty years OF age made a victory Of
q defeat They forget that gamin
OF Paris put TO shame 'the child of
! destiny nony moua