The opinion of the general-in-chief, energetically expressed, is,
notwithstanding, productive of great effect on the _morale_ of the
soldier.
In 1703, at the attack of Hornbec, Marshal Villars, seeing the troops
advancing without spirit, threw himself at their head: “What!” said
he, “is it expected that I, a marshal of France, should be the first to
escalade, when I order YOU to attack?”
These few words rekindled their ardor; officers and soldiers rushed
upon the works, and the town was taken almost without loss.
“We have retired far enough for to-day; you know I always sleep upon
the field of battle!” said Napoleon, as he flew through the ranks
at the moment of resuming the offensive at Marengo. These few words
sufficed to revive the courage of the soldiers, and to make them forget
the fatigues of the day, during which almost every man had been engaged.