Now let us see from General Serrurier's letters to my father what was going on round Mantua, and what action was taking place in the French camp.
"HEADQUARTERS AT ROVERBELLA,
"20 Nivôse, Year V.[3]
"SERRURIER, General of Division, in command of the blockade, to GENERAL DUMAS, in command of the 2nd Division.
"MY DEAR GENERAL,—I have just received a letter from Divisional-General Augereau, dated from Porto-Legnago, on the 19th inst.; wherein he informs me that the enemy attacked his outposts with a force greatly superior to his own, and that Adjutant-General Duphot has abandoned the Castle of Bevilacqua, to prevent himself from being outflanked. He will write and tell me the various movements of the enemy that night. All our troops are thoroughly on the alert; but I do not believe the enemy at Mantua will undertake any big action unless its army has a very marked advantage, or unless they try to slip away. As soon as I receive news from General Augereau I will let you know it.—Yours, with all good wishes, SERRURIER."
Provera was the enemy referred to who was attacking Augereau, in carrying out his instructions to march on Mantua.
"HEADQUARTERS AT ROVERBELLA,
"22 Nivôse.
"SERRURIER, etc.
"In consequence of the letter you sent me yesterday, General, relative to the disembarking carried out by the enemy, I believe the means for the defence of the Mincio. I have therefore just written off to General Victor to send to-day a battalion of his reserve to Formigosa, to be held in readiness to send immediately where help is most needed; although I have asked this general to communicate with me direct, I have at the same time requested him to keep you and General Dallemagne informed of all important news.
"The remainder of the 57th battalion, to which you previously referred, will stay in reserve at Goïto.—Yours, etc.
SERRURIER."
"23 Nivôse.
"SERRURIER, etc.
"This is to inform you, General, that the enemy has attacked our lines; they began fighting at nine in the morning. I do not doubt that the garrison of Mantua will aid them by some movement; as we are ready to receive them, we shall send them back pretty quickly within their walls. In event of any emergency, I beg you to communicate with me and with the generals near you; it may possibly be that some part of the line of army will be compelled to yield ground; for this reason it is more than ever necessary to watch the approaches, to prevent any troop or convoy entering the town.—Yours faithfully,
SERRURIER."
At ten o'clock on the morning of the 25th Nivôse my father received this letter:—
"HEADQUARTERS AT ROVERBELLA,"
25 Nivôse.[4]
"SERRURIER, etc.
"I have to advise you, General, that the enemy crossed the Adige last night at Anghiari, near Porto Legnago; I do not know in what strength; but we must be prepared, for it is quite likely we shall be attacked to-night: do not forget, I beg you, to warn General Miollis; tell him to send out a reconnoitring party by Castellaro—or at all events near Due-Castelli.—Faithfully yours,
SERRURIER."
"I have ordered the commandant of the 64th, who is at Formigosa, to fall back on General Miollis, if he cannot hold out. In case of need I shall withdraw to Goïto."