-His efforts to obtain auxiliaries in Italy-The people of Lombardy anxious

for independence-Popular revolution in Reggio and Modena-Seconded

by Bonaparte, and discountenanced by the directors-Correspondence—

Congress of Modena-Cispadan and Transpadan republics-Bonaparte's

proclamation at Bologna-Mission of Cardinal Mattei-Conflicting policy

of the directors-Their military and political plans, equally absurd-Ope-

rations of the archduke Charles-Incapacity of Beurnonville.

CHAPTER XVIII.

August, September, and October 1796.

332

Political situation of the Italian states-Genoa forms an alliance with France

-Bonaparte opens negotiations with Sardinia for the same object-His

letter to the Sardinian minister of state-Its good effect-The king of

Naples marches across the Roman frontier-Intimidated by Bonaparte's

victories and menaces, he retires-Negotiations with Rome-Broken off

at Florence-The Pope suspends formally the execution of the armistice

of Bologna-Vexation of Bonaparte-Intimates a wish to be relieved—

Correspondence with the directory-They give him full powers to treat

with Rome-The indiscreet diplomacy of the French government-Venice

secretly arms-Bonaparte prudently dissembles-His good understanding

with the duke of Parma-The Grand Duke of Tuscany-Insurrection in

Corsica-The English evacuate that island-It is reannexed to France-

Bonaparte's satisfaction-His instructions to general Gentili-His advice

to the directory-Sickness of the troops-Despair of the sick-Bonaparte

encourages them-Makes war on the thievish commissaries, contractors,

and paymasters-His remarkable letter on that subject-His strenuous

application for reenforcements-His discontent with general Willot-His

opinions on military government-Strengthens his position by fortifica-

tions on various points.
355

CHAPTER XIX.

November 1796.

Impression made at Vienna, by the victories of Bonaparte-Effect in Italy

of the reverses of Jourdan and Moreau-Perverse conduct, and probable

motives, of the directory-Disquietude of Bonaparte-Strength and position

of his force-Marshal Alvinzi—His numbers and his plans—Advances to

the Piave-Massena retires-Bonaparte supports his lieutenant-Battle of

Fontenvia-The Austrians driven across the Brenta-Disasters of Vaubois

- Bonaparte marches back to Verona-Reviews the division of Vaubois-

Rebukes the 39th and 85th-Their grief and mortification—Alvinzi ap-

proaches Verona-Takes post at Caldiero-Bonaparte resolved to attack

him-Action of Caldiero-Bonaparte repulsed-Retires to Verona-Cha-

grin and murmurs of the troops—His effort to encourage them-Noble

conduct of the sick and wounded-Desperate position and distress of Bo-

naparte-His letter to the directory-His greatness of soul-Sagacity and

secrecy of his resolution—He marches for Ronco-Dejection of the troops

-He passes the Adige, and enter the marshes of Arcola―The confidence

of the army revived-Movement of Massena and Augereau-The former

clears the left and causeway; the latter repulsed at the bridge of Arcola—

Bonaparte renews the attack in person-Fails-Gallantry and devotion of

Lannes-Heroism and death of Muiron-Danger and rescue of Bonaparte-

Alvinzi disconcerted by the first day's action-Bonaparte withdraws across

the Adige for the night to Ronco-The second day-Massena defeats one

column af the Austrians and Augereau another—-The action of the second

day successful-Bonaparte again retires to Ronco-Throws a bridge across

the mouth of the Alpon-The third day-Forward movement of Alvinzi-

Dispositions of Bonaparte-Repulse of general Robert on the centre cause-

way-Bonaparte attacks with the 32nd-Rescues Robert, and destroys

the Austrian column-Massena on the left hand repulses Alvinzi with great

slaughter-Augereau passes the mouth of the Alpon-Death of the aide

de camp Elliot-Bonaparte resolves to give battle on the plain-His stra-

tagems-Defeats Alvinzi in a pitched battle-Marches to Villa Nova-

Enters a convent-Saves two of his wounded men-Returns in triumph

to Verona-Rescues Vaubois who had been surprised and beaten-Com-

parative loss of the two armies-Bonaparte's report to the directory—

Letters to Josephine, Madame Muiron, general Clarke, and Carnot-He

attacks Davidowich, and drives him into the Tyrol-Places Joubert in

command of Vaubois' division-Returns to Verona-Abortive movements

of Alvinzi-He retreats behind the Brenta-Presentation of the colours to

the directory-Merit of Bonaparte in this contest.
381.

CHAPTER XX.

December 1796 and January 1797.

Bonaparte's domestic feelings-He goes to Milan-Josephine visits Genoa-

His chagrin His felicity-The painter Legros-Bonaparte's two new aides

de camp-Madame Muiron-Bonaparte renews the war against the swind-

lers in his army-His letters and menaces-His conduct in relation to the

new republics-Suppresses the revolt of Grafagniana-The congress of

Reggio-Bonaparte acknowledged as the founder of the Cispadan republic

-His letter to the president-Venice-Bonaparte occupies the citadel of

Bergamo His letter and concession to Battaglia-His compliment to the

Italian clergy-Delicacy of his position-Impression of his language and

character on the Italians-His vain efforts to re-open negotiations with

Rome-Determines to use military force-assembles troops at Bologna-

Puts himself at their head-Obstinacy of the Pope-Manfredini-Efforts

of the directors to make peace with Austria-They send general Clarke

with overtures into Italy-Bonaparte disapproves the measure-Clarke

fails-Alvinzi gets in motion-Number of his troops-His plan of opera-

tions-His letter communicating one from the Emperor to marshal

Wurmser-It is intercepted-Number and distribution of Bonaparte's

army-Advance of Alvinzi to the Brenta, and of Provera to the lower

Adige-Bonaparte orders Victor to march back to the Adige, and returns

to Verona-Massena gains the combat of St. Michel-Gallantry of general

Brune and the 75th-Bonaparte withdraws Massena to the right bank of

the Adige at Verona-Movement of Alvinzi on the upper Adige, and of

Provera on the lower-Uncertainty of Bonaparte at Verona-Marches

against Alvinzi-Joins Joubert at Rivoli-The plateau of Rivoli-Battle

of Rivoli-Defeat of the Austrians-Provera effects the passage of the

lower Adige Augereau defeats his rearguard, and burns his bridge—

Provera Marches upon Mantua, and Bonaparte to intercept him-Sortie

of Wurmser-Battle of the Favorita-Wurmser repulsed, and Provera

defeated and taken-Joubert pursues and disperses the army of Alvinzi

-Takes Trent and penetrates to the Lavis-Augereau returns to Porto

Legnano Marches through Padua to Treviso-Massena drives Baya-

litch back to the Piave-General result of the battles of Rivoli and the

Favorita―The colours presented to the directory by Bessières-Conduct

of Bonaparte.

420

CHAPTER XXI.

The last of January, and February 1797.

War with the Pope-Intercepted despatches of cardinal Busca-Bonaparte

recalls Cacault from Rome-Assembles a column of troops at Bologna—

Leaves Verona for that place, and stops before Mantua-His interview

with general Klenau-His generosity to Wurmser-Gratitude of the latter

-Surrender of Mantua-Strength of the garrison-Bonaparte vindicates

Wurmser's character-Arrives at Bologna-His proclamation and mani-

festo-General Victor invades the Roman territory-Bonaparte joins him

at Imola-Marches to Castel Bolognese-Affair of the Senio-Capture

of Faenza-Clemency and prudence of Bonaparte-Converts the inhabit-

ants into friends-Takes Ancona and Loretto-Enters Macerata-Pro-

gress of Victor-Consternation of the Pope-Sues for peace-Bonaparte's

compassion for the emigrant French priests-Conferences at Tolentino-

Terms of the treaty-Bonaparte's culpable weakness in not insisting on

the abolition of the inquisition-His moderation compared with the wishes

of the directory-His letter to the Pope, sent by his aide de camp Junot-
Victor and Lannes visit Rome-Bonaparte devotes himself to the public
service-His letter to general Joubert-His remarkable conference with
the Neapolitan envoy-Infamy of the latter-The republic of San Marino
--Augereau presents the colours of Mantua to the directory-The cha-
racter of that ceremony-Bonaparte returns to Mantua-Reviews the
divisions of Bernadotte and Delmas-Prepares for invading Germany-
Repairs and undermine the fortifications of Mantua-The frescos of
Titian-Complimentary letters from the directory to the generals-Their
invidious neglect of Serrurier-Their motives-Bonaparte's portraits of his
467
principal generals.

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