By studying the first campaign of Napoleon in Italy, we can learn
what genius and boldness may effect in passing with an army from the
_defensive_ to the _offensive_. The army of the allies, commanded by
General Beaulieu, was provided with every means that could render it
formidable. Its force amounted to eighty thousand men, and two hundred
pieces of cannon. The French army, on the contrary, could number
scarcely thirty thousand men under arms, and thirty pieces of cannon.
For some time there had been no issue of meat, and even the bread
was irregularly supplied. The infantry was ill clothed, the cavalry
wretchedly mounted. All the draught-horses had perished from want, so
that the service of the artillery was performed by mules. To remedy
these evils, large disbursements were necessary; and such was the state
of the finances, that the government had only been able to furnish two
thousand louis in specie for the opening of the campaign. The French
army could not possibly exist in this state. To advance or retreat was
absolutely necessary. Aware of the advantage of surprising the enemy
at the very outset of the campaign by some decisive blow, Napoleon
prepared for it by recasting the _morale_ of his army.
In a proclamation full of energy, he reminded them that an ignoble
death alone remained for them, if they continued on the defensive;
that they had nothing to expect from France, but everything to hope
from victory. “Abundance courts you in the fertile plains of Italy,”
said he; “are you deficient, soldiers, in constancy or in courage?”
Profiting by the moment of enthusiasm which he had inspired, Napoleon
concentrated his forces in order to fall with his whole weight on the
different corps of the enemy. Immediately afterward, the battles of
Montenotte, Milesimo, and Mondovi, added fresh confidence to the high
opinion already entertained by the soldier for his chief; and that army
which only a few days ago was encamped amid barren rocks, and consumed
by famine, already aspired to the conquest of Italy. In one month
after the opening of the campaign, Napoleon had terminated the war with
the King of Sardinia, and conquered the Milanese. Rich cantonments soon
dispelled from the recollection of the French soldier the misery and
fatigue attendant on this rapid march, while a vigilant administration
of the resources of the country reorganized the _materiel_ of the
French army, and created the means necessary for the attainment of
future success.