PT.III. from the Peace of Paris in 1763 to the Treaty of Amiens in 1802. PT. IV. from the Treaty of Amiens, in 1802, to the Death of Alexander, the Ru (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1857 edition. Excerpt: ...This is a large town, containing twelve thousand inhabitants. It has old Gothic walls, but its chief defence consists in the river Adda, which flows through it, and is crossed by a wooden bridge about five hundred feet in length. When Beaulieu, after the affair of Fombio, evacuated Casal, he retreated to this place with about ten thousand men: the rest of his army was directed upon Milan and Cassauo, a town situated, like Lodi, upon the Adda. Buonaparte calculated that, if he could accomplish the passage of the Adda it Lodi, he might overtake and disperse the remainder of Beaulieu's army, without allowing the veteran time to concentrate them for farther resistance in Milan, or even for rallying under the walls of the strong fortress of Mantua. The judgment of the French general was in war not more remarkable for seizing the most advantageous moment of attack, than for availing himself to the very uttermost of victory when obtained. The quick-sighted faculty and power of instant decision with which nature had endowed him, had, it mav be pa B supposed, provided beforehand for the consequences of the victory ere it waa yet won, and left no room for doubt or hesitation when his hopes had become certainties. We have already remarked, that there have been many commanders, who, after an accidental victory, are so much at a loss what is next to be done, that while they are hesitating, the golden moments pass away unimproved; but Buonaparte knew as well how to use as how to obtain advantages. Upon the 10th day of May, attended by his best generals, and heading the choicest of his troops, Napoleon pressed" forwards towards Lodi. About a league from Casal he encountered the Austrian rear-guard, who had been left, it would appear, at too great a...