The pure, bright moon shone with serene majesty in the soft, dark blue
of the Italian sky, dimming the light of the silver stars, in her own
calm glory. The rugged heights of Monte Notte, with here and there a
tower and wall, or a row of trees upon its broken ascent, and the two
small villages at its base, surrounded with groves and vineyards, were
revealed with scarce the variation of a shadow. They would have seemed
to sleep beneath the soothing influence of the night, but for the
numerous red fires, which burned here and there along the mountain side,
and at intervals for the distance of half a mile from its base; and the
occasional booming of a gun, with its grumbling echoes. At a
considerable distance in front could be seen the lights of the redoubts
upon the heights of Monte Legino, which throughout the day, under the
command of the indomitable Colonel Rampon, had withstood the furious
assaults of the Austrians under d’Argenteau, the commander preferring to
perish rather than capitulate. His resolution had saved the plans of
Bonaparte from receiving a check, and now the young general of the
French felt sure of his game.
Around the watch-fires to which we have alluded were gathered the
half-fed, half-clothed, but enthusiastic troops of the divisions
commanded by La Harpe and Cervoni, who had united and marched to this
strong position in the rear of Monte Legino, in accordance with the
plans of Bonaparte. The general-in-chief was with them, for near this
place he anticipated the triumph of his wonderful combinations, and the
defeat of the Austrians. Most of the principal officers were quartered
in the villages, resting from the fatigues of a rapid march. But the
time was too critical for Bonaparte to think of sleep. He was abroad
among those camp-fires, accompanied by the brave and active Swiss, La
Harpe, that faithful and untiring friend, Michael Duroc, then
aid-de-camp to the young general, and several other officers of
distinction. As he walked among them, he looked like a mere boy
attending a throng of rough and hardy soldiers. To each group gathered
round a fire, he had a pleasant and encouraging word to say, a
condescension to which these war-worn veterans were unaccustomed. As he
turned away from them he might have heard expressions which showed that
the troops believed in his invincibility, and at all events, were
prepared to suffer any hardships in his service. The wretched clothing
of many of them was observed by the general, and he occasionally
reminded them, that they had now an opportunity of winning not only
glory, which every true soldier should seek first, but wealth and
abundance, amid the fertile plains of Italy. Such words, uttered by a
commander among the camp-fires of an army are calculated to have more
effect in arousing its enthusiasm than the most eloquent of regular and
formal addresses. At length, arriving at a fire much larger than any of
the others upon the side of the mountain, Bonaparte threw himself upon
the ground, and, motioning his officers to follow his example, he took
out the plan of operations, which he had drawn up, and began with his
usual precision, to explain how far it had been carried out, and what
would be the movements of the next day. In the meantime the soldiers,
grim, moustached veterans, withdrew and set about kindling another fire
at a respectful distance.
“Augereau will reach this point early in the morning, and render
efficient support to the troops already in position. Marching by this
road on the other side of the Appenines, Massena will show himself,
nearly at the same time, in d’Argenteau’s rear, and then the Austrians
cannot escape us. They will be surrounded on all sides by a superior
force.
“Thus far it has been successful,” said La Harpe. “But if Rampon had not
fought so desperately at Monte Legino, the plan would have been
defeated, or at least, checked for a time.”
“Rampon fought bravely; but when such a plan depends upon the
maintenance of a post, a good officer should prefer to die rather than
yield it to the enemy,” replied Bonaparte.
“Rampon fought like a hero because he knew the importance of his
position,” said Duroc.
“I trust Massena will be as active as the occasion demands. He has
courage, perseverance, and skill; but it requires the most imminent
danger to awaken his activity,” said the young commander-in-chief.
“A singular man, truly,” remarked Duroc.
“However,” continued Bonaparte, following the train of his own
reflections, “never had a commander-in-chief more reason to be proud of
his general officers than myself. They are all men born to lead. With
them, I have nothing to fear from the delinquency of our half-fed
troops.”
“Yet, general, the soldiers are in a condition calculated to depress
their spirits,” said La Harpe. “We officers, who chiefly fight for
glory, and for the honor of our country, never murmur, although very
badly treated by our government. But the majority of the soldiers in the
ranks have a constant eye to their pay.”
“But to make soldiers worthy of France, we must alter that;” replied
Bonaparte, “one and all must be taught to fight for glory, and then our
arms will be irresistible.”
La Harpe shook his head. But the enthusiastic Duroc, catching the noble
fire of his illustrious friend, exclaimed.
“Yes, the love of glory makes the true soldier! This will cause the
troops to forget their toilsome, bare-foot marches, and their long days
of hunger! And never have I seen the French soldiers more eager for
conflict in defence of their country’s honor, than they have been since
our young general took command of the army of Italy. That first
proclamation gave them a new spirit, which has been growing stronger
every day. There are splendid triumphs before us, I am sure.”
The face of Bonaparte expressed nothing of the emotions which must have
heaved in his soul at these words. But he grasped the hand of Duroc and
shook it warmly.
“My friends,” said he, “it is all clear enough to me. To-morrow will be
a great day for France. Old Beaulieu will begin to know his enemy. The
plain before us shall be the scene of more Austrian astonishment and
dismay than has been known in Italy for many years. Beaulieu supposes
that I intended to file off along the coast to Genoa; whereas, here I
am, ready to overwhelm his centre. Following up this victory, it will be
easy to cut him off from communication with the Piedmontese.”
The officers gazed with wonder and admiration upon the stripling who was
thus summarily disposing of the fate of armies and countries, and while
they listened to his words of conscious power, an awe crept over them,
they felt themselves in the presence of a superior being; and yet among
them were several men of splendid qualities,—born to command.
By this time the groups around the fires had stretched themselves upon
the hard earth to repose, and the pacing of the sentinels alone
disturbed the stillness of the scene, where thousands of brave warriors
submitted to the conqueror, sleep. Bonaparte and his officers returned
to a house in the little village of Monte Notte, which had been selected
as the quarters for the night. And the army slumbered on, beneath the
sweet vigil of the moon, and beside the cheerful warmth of the
camp-fires until the cold, white light in the east told that the most
glorious king of day, who has arisen and set upon so many fields of
conflict, was about to ascend the heavens.
“Far off his coming shone,”
and the stars soared out of sight, and the moon slowly faded to vapor,
as the white light turned to a golden glow.
Then was heard the roll of the reveillé. With astonishing rapidity, the
French were under arms and in motion. Bonaparte and his staff rode to an
elevated knoll, commanding the whole plain, and then were ordered the
movements which gave to the young commander-in-chief the victory of
Monte Notte. D’Argenteau, the Austrian commander, found himself attacked
upon one side by the divisions of La Harpe, Cervoni and Augereau, and
upon the other by Massena. Then boomed the cannon, and the rattled
musketry over the plain. The Austrian infantry sustained the conflict
with admirable courage. But they were surrounded by superior forces and
after several charges had been made by the French, in the full
confidence of victory, the discomfited d’Argenteau was compelled to
retreat towards Dego. In fact, the retreat was a disorderly flight. The
French made two thousand prisoners, and several hundred Austrians were
left dead on the field. The centre of the Austrian army had been
completely overwhelmed. Bonaparte was the victor of Monte Notte. In
after years, when the imperial crown adorned his brow, the conqueror
showed his contempt for ancestral distinctions by saying that he dated
his title to rule from this battle.
[Illustration]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Illustration]