"The directory has read, Citizen, with the most lively interest, the bril liant details of the combat you sustained in presence of your troops, with a chief of Hulans who dared to defy you. Inflamed by your example, your squadron overthrew the corps of the enemy which was opposed to them, and it is thus that the valour of commanders like you ensures victory to their men." "Amongst the instances of generous courage in the war of Italy, which the government delights to remember and distinguish, is that one with which it now expresses to you its satisfaction." Language, elegant and spirited like this, is a better recompense and a stronger excitement, than the cold and lumbering jargon, the invariable whereas and resolved, of a congressional or parliamentary vote of thanks. PAGE 496. (23) The strong and well defined colours in which the portrait of Massena is delineated, are not more beautiful than they are true to nature. On the opening of Wurmser's first campaign, when Massena was forced down from Rivoli to the Mincio by the torrent of Austrian numbers, it will be remembered, that so far from being discouraged, he wrote to Napoleon:" Send me seven or eight thousand fresh troops, and I will almost engage to retake my positions in the morning." The unskilful mode of his attack at St. Michel has already been alluded to. (24) So just was this observation respecting the military character of Augereau, that the very night after the great and well earned victory of Lonato, he wrote to Napoleon describing his situation as desperate. "I shall be attacked in the morning, by troops fresh and greatly superior in number. Our men are overcome with fatigue, and without subsistence. If you do not send me troops, it is impossible for me to maintain myself, however willing the soldiers may be to fight." "I beg you to tell me what I am to do in case I am obliged to retreat, and upon what point I must fall back with my men." Instead of being attacked on the next day, Napoleon had time to collect his whole force at Castiglione, and the day after defeated Wurmser. PAGE 498. (25) For these characters, the Memoirs of Napoleon (Montholon, t. iii, pp. 227, 316, and 466), may be referred to. THE END. |