A company of Germans, and many other foreigners, joined their ranks and fought side by side with the patriots in the defence of their island.
The French sent over their best generals to the small country; and Marboeuf, Chauvelin, and De Vaux in turn worked at its subjugation.
A short but desperate struggle ensued, which was distinguished by the wildest and most romantic deeds of valour; and, against the greatest odds, the Corsicans at first got the better of their formidable foe, at the Bridge of Golo, in the taking of Borgo, and in other lesser actions.
Boys, and even women, joined in the fight; whilst quarter was refused and unasked.
Marboeuf was wounded, and the garrison of Borgo, consisting of seven hundred men, forced to surrender, after the defeat of the entire French army.
Ten new battalions were sent for from France, and these again repulsed in Nebbio.
The Corsican troops were commanded by Pasquale Paoli and his brother Clemens. As Pasquale Paoli was undoubtedly one of the noblest and wisest men of his time, so was his brother one of the strangest and most romantic of characters.
Pasquale, with the clear blue eye, the line brow, and gentle dignity of carriage, was at once the statesman, the general, and the philanthropist.
He was the most unselfish and the most upright of men; benevolence, simplicity, and patriotism endeared him justly to his own country, whilst his talents and his breadth of mind made his friendship valued by the great men of all countries. Frederick the Great, Alfieri, and Dr. Johnson may be named amongst their number.
Clemens was of a different character. With perhaps less breadth of intellect, and less diplomatic power, he was gifted with a passionate depth of nature that could scarcely have existed in less troublous times.