On the 21st of May, at day-break, the Archduke Charles appeared on a hill at some distance from the French, whose army consisted of 20,000 men. The Austrians began by a furious assault on the village of Asperne, which was taken and re-taken several times. Essling was also attacked three times; but there the French held their own.
Night interrupted the battle; the Austrians exulting in their partial success. On the following morning the French recovered the church of Asperne. The right wing of the Austrians renewed their assaults with increased energy on that point. Napoleon seeing them in such numbers, judged that the centre and left had been reduced, in order to strengthen the right wing, and instantly moved an immense body on the Austrian centre, so as to shake the Archduke’s line, and for a few minutes victory seemed secure. From this time the battle continued with varied success; the Austrians at length succeeded in destroying the bridge connecting the island of Lobau with the right bank. On this Napoleon fell back on Lobau; when the Austrians perceiving their retreat recovered their order and zeal, charged in turn, and finally made themselves masters of Asperne.
BATTLE OF ESSLING.
NAPOLEON WOUNDED AT RATISBON.
In five days, Napoleon defeated the elaborate efforts of the Austrians, with whom were allied, perhaps, the greater part of Germany; and a defensive war upon their own territory seemed now to be their only resource.
At the battle of Eckmulh, the French took 1500 prisoners, and sixteen pieces of cannon; and the Austrian army lost nearly 5000 men, killed or wounded; while the loss of the French and their allies amounted to only about 2000 men, killed and wounded.
Napoleon was wounded in the right foot at Ratisbon. He expressed his surprise that the enemy’s gun had reached him, seated upon a little hillock beyond the range of their fire. Too impatient to allow sufficient time for the dressing of the wound, he mounted his horse in haste, and restored the confidence of the army, which had been somewhat staggered at this disaster, by riding along the lines.
