Two hours later my father received another letter:—
"SAINT-ANTOINE,
"25 Nivôse.
"SERRURIER, etc.
"I hazard the opinion, General, that there will be no sortie on General Dallemagne's side.[5] I believe the enemy mean to present themselves in force on Governolo and Formigosa, to make sure of those two bridges and to secure the Po, in order to relieve Mantua. It is quite certain they will not have so far to march if they go there, instead of coming here. But I think we must protect ourselves on all sides; that will not prevent us from availing ourselves of any opportunity that may arise.
"General Beaumont has no cavalry left. I withdrew them all to-night to send to Castelnovo.—Yours,
SERRURIER.
"I am counting greatly on General Miollis and on a battalion I have sent to Governolo. On second thoughts, to save time, I am returning to Roverbella, where I hope to receive news from the commander-in-chief."
My father sent on copies of these two letters to General Miollis, who was at St. Georges.
The day was employed in keeping a strict look-out. My father spent the night at the outposts.
At nine o'clock on the morning of the 26th, he received this despatch:—
"GENERAL SERRURIER, etc.
"I advise you that the enemy is appearing on the Due-Castelli side.
"Issue your orders in accordance with this.—Yours,
"SERRURIER.
"ROVERBELLA, 26 Nivôse."
Two hours later he received this second letter:—