On the 11th of June, 1800, and in the evening after the battle of
Montebello, General Desaix arrived at headquarters. The two generals
conversed with each other nearly the whole night. Desaix had much to
tell of Egypt, since Napoleon had quitted it; and he now burned to
distinguish himself in the Italian campaign. Napoleon immediately gave
him the command of a division.
Early in the morning on the 14th of June, the Austrians commenced a
furious attack on the village of Marengo. The First Consul found it
necessary to call in Desaix, who was now half a day’s journey distant
from headquarters, where he had been sent to watch the road to Genoa.
Napoleon arrived on the field at ten o’clock, when the enemy was in
possession of Marengo, and the division under Victor was completely
routed. He sent his guard to Victor’s aid, and assisted himself in the
support of Lannes, directing the division of Carra-Saint-Cyr upon the
extreme right, in order to take in flank the whole left wing of the
enemy.
At the moment when the Austrian horse were about to rush on Lannes’
retreating corps, the reserve under Desaix appeared on the outskirts of
the field. Desaix himself riding up to the First Consul with “I think
this is a battle lost.” “I think it is a battle won,” answered Napoleon,
“do you push on, and I will speedily rally the line behind you.” And in
effect the timely arrival of this reserve turned the fortune of the
day.
[Illustration: THE BATTLE OF MARENGO.]