The Campaign of Marengo, With Comments

by Herbert H. Sargent

Abercromby, General, commands British corps in Minorca, [22].
Alesia, battle of, [86].
Alexander the Great, compared with Napoleon, [232].
Alison, Archibald, sets forth Napoleon's organizing ability, [228], [229].
Allies, plans of, seemed reasonable, [25];
advantages possessed by, [229].
Alps, description of, [18];
Swiss, Tyrolese, French, and Maritime, [19];
passes of, [19].
Apennines, description of, [19].
Archduke Charles, ablest soldier in Austria, [23], [50];
relieved of command, [23];
opposes Napoleon in 1809, [38];
quotation from, [45];
his views sound, [50];
should have been allowed his way, [51];
had constructed an intrenched camp at Ulm, [94];
reference to, [107];
defeats the Republicans, [228].
Arcole, battle of, [17], [76];
campaign of, [33].
Army of Italy, struggles heroically, [18];
strength and position of, [21], [55], [79]-80, [229];
line of communication of, [21];
necessity for its remaining along the Apennines, [46];
in a destitute condition, [55];
is cut in two, [63];
its active operations terminate, [72];
nothing done to improve condition of, [88];
sufferings of, [89].
Army of Reserve, the third army, [18];
scattered throughout France, [22];
destination of, to be kept secret, [28];
caricatured [29];
concentrates, [29];
will cross the Alps, [29];
could re-enforce either Moreau or Masséna, [31], [216];
not imaginary, [74];
strong enough at vital point, [90];
crosses the Alps, [142];
passes Fort Bard, [145];
strength and position of, [229].
Army of the Rhine, re-enforcement sent to, [18];
size of, and position of, [20], [229].
Aulic Council, description of, [23];
reference to, [42];
errors of, [51];
ignorant of military matters, [51];
reasons for failure of, [52];
gives orders to Kray, [111];
informs Melas that Army of Reserve is a mere fiction, [148];
sends despatches to Melas, [156], [162].
Austerlitz, battle of, [39].
Austria, wages war against France, [15];
successful on the land, [16], [41];
assisted by England, [16];
aided by Russia, [16];
had almost reconquered Italy, [17];
spies of, gather at Dijon, [29];
directs Melas to take offensive, [41];
not aware of existence of Army of Reserve, [42];
should take the offensive in Germany, [45];
might have avoided error, [46].
Austrians, must outnumber the French to succeed, [43];
discipline and morale of, [54].
Bard, fort of, [143];
is surrendered to the French, [150].
Bassano, battle of, [76].
Berthier, General, is sent forward, [142];
directs operations along the Po, [155];
made nominal commander in chief, [216];
became a marshal, [226].
Bethencourt, descends the Simplon, [146];
arrives at Arona, [150].
Black Forest, description of, [92];
mountain system of, [110].
Blucher, opposes Napoleon in 1814, [33].
Bochetta, pass of, [19].
Bonaparte, First Consul, returns to France from Egypt, [15];
collects Russian prisoners, [16];
detaches Russia from alliance, [16];
his absence in Egypt, [16];
his victories in 1796-97, [17];
became First Consul, [17];
prepared for war, [17];
magic of his name, [17];
his energy, [17];
his chance of success small, [22];
had full control of military operations, [22];
his achievements in Italy and Egypt, [22];
his plans, [25];
first plan, [25];
rivalry between him and Moreau, [26];
Victory his object, [27];
wishes to dazzle the French people, [27];
second plan, [27];
will emulate Hannibal, [30];
could re-enforce Masséna or Moreau, [31];
would have had the advantage of interior lines, [32];
defeated the Austrians at Arcole and Rivoli, [33];
as the situation appeared to him, [34], [52];
could use either France or Switzerland as a base, [34];
could decide the fate of the Austrians in a single battle, [36];
could compel the Austrian Emperor to make peace, [36];
his plan difficult, [36];
his advantages in Italy, [39];
important for him to deceive Melas, [40];
could assemble his forces and decide the fate of Italy by a single battle, [40];
important that he should take the offensive, [44];
writes to Masséna, [57], [85], [226];
must hurry across the Alps, [66];
sends Moreau instructions, [67];
advances, [67];
enters Milan, [70];
methods of, in the treatment of fortresses, [76];
might have been obliged to change his plan, [83];
his plan, [84]-85;
the problem before him, [87]-88;
if necessary, would sacrifice Masséna, [90];
nature was his re-enforcement, [90];
marches on to victory, [91];
submits a plan to Moreau, [95];
tried to convince Moreau, [97];
replies to General Dessoles, [97];
makes an agreement with Moreau, [98];
urges Moreau to hasten, [100];
his plan compared to that of Moreau, [117], [119], et seq.;
makes preparations to cross Rhine, [123];
his chances of success in Germany, [134], [135];
anxiously awaits developments, [136];
leaves Paris, [136];
prepares to cross the Alps, [137];
his plan, [137], [138];
his knowledge of his adversaries' positions, [139];
is surprised, [144];
crosses the Alps, [145];
studies his maps, [145];
hurries to Fort Bard, [145];
marches on Milan, [149];
seizes crossings of the Po, [150];
delays at Milan, [150];
receives news of Masséna's surrender, [156];
arrives at Montebello and prepares for battle, [158];
advances towards Marengo, [159];
detaches Desaix, [160];
loses touch of his adversary, [161];
arrives on the battle-field of Marengo, [166];
retreats, [167];
is defeated, [167];
forms a new line of battle, [170];
forces the Austrians back to Marengo, [171];
receives surrender of Melas, [172];
his operations worthy of careful study, [176];
gained northern Italy, [177];
the plans which he might have adopted, [178];
deceived Melas, [179], [180];
is not deterred from his undertaking, [181];
his reasons for taking this course, [181], [182];
commits an error, [184], [199];
the problem before him, [184], [195];
his reasons for not marching through Switzerland, [187];
criticisms of, [190], [191];
his critical manœuvre, [192]-194;
his strong position, [195], [196], [197];
anxious for fear Melas might escape, [199];
in a state of doubt, [199];
risks too much, [200], [220];
courses that he might have taken, [201]-203;
his chances of success on another field, [203];
his brilliant strategy, [204];
his reasons for advancing to Marengo, [206]-208;
was surprised and deceived, [207]-209, [213];
hastens the return of Desaix, [210];
defeated the Austrians in detail, [213];
his merit at Marengo, [214];
fortune favored him, [214], [215];
his operations faulty in execution, [215];
was the real commander of the Army of Reserve, [216];
was prepared for any contingency, [217];
his caution, [217]-219;
his boldness, [219];
his activity and care, [221], [222];
his judgment in selecting his subordinates, [223];
his knowledge of his adversaries' doings, [226];
his brain the birthplace of victory, [230];
his success due to his genius, [230];
his characteristics, [230]-232.
Bourrienne, extract from his "Memoirs of Napoleon," [139].
Brenner, pass of, [26].
Cæsar, compared with Napoleon, [232].
Campaign of 1814, example from, [33].
Campaign of 1796-97, example from, [33];
reference to, [47], [227].
Carnot, minister of war, sent to Moreau's headquarters, [108].
Castiglione, battle of, [17], [76].
Chabran, General, commands a corps under Bonaparte, [142];
crosses the Alps, [142].
Champeaux, General, commands cavalry brigade at Marengo, [164], [170].
Clairfait, General, defeats the Republicans, [228].
Col di Cadibona, pass of, [19].
Col di Ormea, pass of, [19].
Col di Tenda, pass of, [19].
Comments, on the strategical situation, [30], et seq.;
on the operations of Masséna and Melas, [72], et seq.;
on Moreau's operations in Germany, [109], et seq.;
on Bonaparte's operations in Italy, [173], et seq.;
general, [216], et seq.
Danube, river, description of, [20].
Davoust, became one of Napoleon's marshals, [226].
Dego, battle of, [48].
Desaix, General, arrives at the French headquarters, [159];
marches on Novi, [160];
returns and advises Bonaparte to fight, [170];
assaults Zach, [171];
is killed, [172];
marches to the sound of the cannon, [211], [214];
compared with Grouchy, [211];
how ranked by Napoleon, [225];
mentioned by Napoleon on his death-bed, [232].
Dessoles, General, Moreau's chief of staff, [97];
gives advice to Bonaparte, [97].
Duhesme, General, commands a corps under Bonaparte, [142];
marches on Milan, [149].
Dumas, quotation from his life of Napoleon, [208].
Elsnitz, General, proceeds against Suchet, [63], [147];
drove Suchet back, [65];
is ordered to quit the Var, [70];
quits the Var, [153];
is defeated and retreats, [154];
commands reserve at Marengo, [164], [165].
Engen, battle of, [104];
loss at, [105].
England, wages war against France, [15];
is successful on the sea, [16];
spies of, gather at Dijon, [29];
army of, [75].
France, stands alone against coalition, [15];
in a deplorable state, [17];
civil war in, [17].
Frederick the Great, might have failed, [49];
reference to, [223];
compared with Napoleon, [232].
French, occupy a more favorable position, [43].
Front to a flank, definition of, [193].
Genoa, a strongly fortified place, [56];
provisions scarce in, [58];
description of, and its fortifications, [61];
siege of, [63], et seq.
Grouchy, Marshal, compared with Desaix, [211].
Haddick, General, occupies valley of Aosta, [146], [147];
attacks at Marengo, [163].
Hamley, General, his remarks on the operations in Germany, [115], [118], [121];
quotation from, [129], [195], [201], [219].
Hannibal, Bonaparte follows in footsteps of, [27], [30], [131], [143].
Hart, Colonel, quotation from, [197];
his remarks on the errors at Marengo, [210].
Hohenzollern, General, advances on Bochetta Pass, [59];
is repulsed, [59].
Italy, might be reconquered at Vienna, [26].
Jomini, General, quotation from, [37], [52], [179];
his remarks on the passage of a river, [124].
Kaim, General, watches the passes of the Alps, [58];
holds Susa, [146], [147];
attacks at Marengo, [163];
follows General Zach, [169].
Keith, Admiral, commands British fleet in Gulf of Genoa, [22].
Kellerman, General, commands cavalry brigade at Marengo, [164], [170];
attacks Austrian cavalry, [171].
Kienmayer, General, guards defiles of Black Forest, [93];
remains in Kinzig Valley, [102];
descends the Danube, [105].
Kléber, General, how ranked by Napoleon, [225].
Kray, Marshal, commanded Austrian army, [20];
was to remain on the defensive, [23];
was deceived, [29];
his army separated from that of Melas, [30];
must lose his communications if defeated, [35];
his army widely dispersed, [37];
gave Bonaparte an advantage, [43];
lacked military ability, [49];
commands main body in Germany, [94];
hears of Moreau's movements, [100];
re-enforces Kienmayer, [100];
moves on Loffingen and Zollhaus, [102];
appreciates his faulty position, [103];
attempts to unite his forces at Stokach, [103];
at Engen, [104];
unites his forces at Mosskirch, [105];
crosses the Danube, [106];
marches on Ulm, [107], [108];
his strength and losses, [107];
position of his troops, [110];
commits an error, [111], [112], [114];
faulty arrangement of his forces, [111]-117;
outgenerals Moreau, [130];
position of his army, [229].
Lamartine, quotation from, [231].
Lannes, General, commands a corps under Bonaparte, [142];
crosses the Alps, [142];
is checked at Fort Bard, [144];
passes the fort, [145];
defeats Haddick, [146];
captures Pavia, [150];
crosses the Po, [155];
fights battle of Montebello, [157];
secured the title of "Duke of Montebello," [158];
at Marengo, [164], et seq.;
was badly shattered, [213];
became a marshal, [226].
Lecourbe, General, commands Moreau's right wing, [93];
marches on Stokach, [103];
is victorious, [104];
delays there to await Moreau's operations, [104];
captures Memmingen, [107].
Lincoln, Abraham, virtues of, [90].
Lodi, battle of, [17].
Lonato, battle of, [76].
Macdougall, Colonel, criticizes operations in Germany, [116].
Mack, General, his army captured by Napoleon, [38].
Mantua, fortress of, location of, [72].
Marengo, campaign of, [88], [173];
plain of, [163];
battle of, [163], et seq.;
opposing forces at, [212].
Marescot, General, reports on the passes of the Alps, [137].
Marlborough, Duke of, compared with Napoleon, [232].
Marmont, General, became a marshal, [226].
Masséna, General, takes command of Army of Italy, [18];
to remain on the defensive, [25];
had the advantage of a strong position, [42], [43];
could not have driven Melas through Italy, [48];
brings about better discipline, [55];
holds Genoa, [56];
his difficulties, [57]-58;
failed to appreciate the advantages of Bonaparte's plan, [58];
in a precarious situation, [60];
was surrounded, [60];
not discouraged, [60];
his plan, [61], [64];
attacks General Ott, [62];
advances towards Nice, [62];
is again repulsed, [62];
heroic deeds of, [63];
resolves to hold Genoa at all hazards, [63];
urges the First Consul to hasten, [63];
has hope, [64];
strength of his forces, [64];
fought fiercely, [65];

is partially successful, [65];
fights on amidst famine and death, [67], [68];
would not surrender, [68], [69];
surrenders, [71], [176];
joins Suchet, [71];
firm as a rock, [72];
the problem before him, [79];
plans that he might have adopted, [82]-86;
was justified in not carrying out Bonaparte's orders, [83];
received no re-enforcements, [89];
hard pressed at Genoa, [89], [184];
was doubtful of the outcome, [211];
his characteristics, [223], [224];
became a marshal, [226].
Maurice, Colonel, his remarks on surprise and concealment, [180].
Melas, General, commanded Austrian army in Italy, [21];
will attack the Army of Italy, [24];
deceived, [29];
was doomed to defeat, [29];
separated from Kray, [30];
could not know where to expect the French, [39];
difficult for him to drive back the French, [43];
many advantages offered him, [46];
could have held Masséna in check, [48];
lacked military ability, [50];
his plan, [56];
advances against Masséna, [58], [229];
cuts in two the Army of Italy, [59];
sends orders to Ott, [63];
hears of Bonaparte's movements, [70];
is in consternation, [70];
sends orders to Elsnitz and Ott, [70], [153], [186];
his purpose, [72];
his errors, [73]-80;
assaulted again and again, [76];
his methods in treatment of fortresses, [76];
doubted existence of Army of Reserve, [77];
accomplished almost nothing, [79];
could force Masséna to capitulate, [86];
makes every effort to capture Genoa, [147];
receives notice of passage of Alps, [148];
marches on Turin, [148];
is surprised, [148];
forms a junction with Kaim's and Haddick's commands, [149];
is deceived, [151];
finally comprehends Bonaparte's plan, [152];
his plan, [152], [153];
marches on Alessandria, [153];
calls a council of war, [162];
begins battle of Marengo, [163], [164];
sends cavalry to Acqui, [165], [210], [212];
attacks French with fury, [165];
makes a great effort, [167];
defeats Bonaparte, [167];
returns to Alessandria, [168];
surrenders, [172];
was weak at all points, [174];
causes of his defeat, [174]-177;
his success in Italy, [176];
had to abandon invasion of France, [185];
in doubt as to Thurreau's strength, [194];
knew he must conquer or lose all, [204], [205];
his situation unfavorable, [209];
failed to occupy Marengo, [209];
commits another error, [209];
number of his forces, [212];
outnumbered Bonaparte, [213];
defeated French in detail, [213];
position of his army, [229].
Metz, battle of, [86].
Millesimo, battle of, [48].
Minorca, English corps in, [71].
Miollis, General, defends Genoa, [62].
Moncey, General, leads a corps into Italy, [67];
arrives at Milan, [70], [155];
became a marshal, [226].
Mondovi, battle of, [48].
Monnier, General, commands a division at Marengo, [166], [170].
Mont Cenis, pass of, [19].
Montenotte, battle of, [17], [48].
Moreau, General, commands Army of Rhine, [18];
rivalry between Bonaparte and him, [26];
his talents, [27];
position of his army, [34];
his army strengthened, [55];
slow to begin, [66];
advances against Kray, [67];
executes vigorously his manœuvres, [67];
defeats Kray and detaches a corps, [67];
commands reserve, [93];
objects to First Consul's plan, [95], [98];
proposes a plan of his own, [96], [97];
declares he will not serve under Bonaparte, [98];
is cautious and slow, [99];
begins his movement, [100];
crosses Rhine, [101];
is joined by Lecourbe, [102];
his plan successfully executed, [102];
at battle of Engen, [104];
marches on Mosskirch, [105];
at battle of Mosskirch, [105];
marches on Ulm, [106];
his strength and loss, [107];
orders 15,000 men into Italy, [108], [109];
was generally successful, [108];
commits errors, [117]-121, [134];
his plan compared to that of Bonaparte, [122], [124], et seq.;
his characteristics, [118], [224], [225];
discussion of his operations [125], et seq.;
his faulty movements, [126]-132;
outgeneralled by Kray, [130].
Morris, William O'Connor, his remarks on Marengo, [230];
on Napoleon, [231].
Mosskirch, battle of, [105], [106].
Murat, General, commands a corps under Bonaparte, [142];
marches on Milan, [149];
crosses the Po, [156];
became a marshal, [226].
Napier, Colonel, remarks on Napoleon's projects, [222], [223].
Napoleon I., his victories in 1814, [33];
his passages of the Danube, [38];
opposed to Archduke Charles, [38];
greatest captain of modern times, [38];
in the Ulm campaign, [38];
seized Austrian capital, [38];
meets Austrian and Russian armies at Austerlitz, [39];
quotation from regarding fortresses, [77];
never allowed himself to be besieged, [87];
peculiarity of his system of war, [131]-135;
quotation from, [132], [201];
his remarks on the operations in Italy, [189], [190];
his wrong use of the expression, "lines of operations," [189];
on the art of war, [197];
his theory of war, [197];
his skill in strategy and war, [198];
is outnumbered at Marengo, [198];
might never have fallen, [211];
kept an eye on his communications, [218];
his boldness carried him too far, [220];
bestowed great care on military matters, [222];
his projects in Spain, [223];
his remarks on Masséna, [224];
same on Desaix and Kléber, [225];
fortunes of Republic sustained by his sword, [228];
was a great organizer, [231];
perhaps the foremost soldier of the world, [232];
the Emperor, his last words, [232].
Nelson, Lord, dealt the French a terrible blow in the battle of the Nile, [16].
Ney, General, "the bravest of the brave," became a marshal, [226].
Nile, battle of, [16].
Ott, General, advances on Genoa, [58];
is successful, [59];
takes command of Austrians at Genoa, [63];
attacked three sides of the city, [65];
failed to continue the struggle, [70];
is ordered to raise siege of Genoa, [70];
besieges Genoa, [147];
receives surrender of Masséna, [154], [186];
marches on Placentia, [154];
is defeated at Montebello, [158];
retreats on Alessandria, [158];
commands Austrian left at Marengo, [164];
marches on Ghilina, [169];
retreats, [171].
O'Reilly, General, commands vanguard at Marengo, [163].
Paul I., Russian Emperor, felt bitter towards Austria, [15];
flattered by Bonaparte, [16].
Po, river of, description of, [20].
Pontebba, pass of, [26].
Prince de Reuss, commands Kray's left wing, [94], [111].
Prussia, army of, [75].
Rhine, river, description of, [20].
Rivoli, battle of, [17], [77];
campaign of, [33].
Roveredo, battle of, [76].
Royalists, might support allies, [24];
sympathize with England and Austria, [42].
San Georgio, battle of, [60].
Schwarzenberg, General, advances on Paris in 1814, [33].
Simplon, pass of, [19].
Soult, General, commands centre of Army of Italy, [56];
falls back to Genoa, [59];
commands one of Masséna's columns, [62];
became a marshal, [226].
Starry, General, commands Kray's right, [93];
remains in valley of Murg, [102];
descends the Danube, [105].
St. Bernard, Great, pass of, [19], [137];
Little, pass of, [19], [137].
St. Cyr, General, commands Moreau's centre, [93];
crosses Rhine at Brisach, [100];
marches on St. Blazien, [101];
at Engen, [104];
marches on Ulm, [106];
his movement criticised, [120];
became a marshal, [226].
Ste. Suzanne, General, commands Moreau's left wing, [93];
crosses the Rhine, [100], [101];
recrosses, [101];
marches on Ulm, [107].
St. Gothard, pass of, [19].
Stokach, battle of, [103], [104].
Stradella, pass of, [138].
Suchet, General, commands left of Army of Italy, [56];
falls back towards Nice, [59];
marches eastward from Nice, [62];
again falls back, [62];
rallies his troops, [65];
follows the Austrians, [71];
defeats Elsnitz and marches to Acqui, [153], [154];
fights along the Var, [176];
might have marched to Marengo, [211];
became a marshal, [226].
Suwaroff, General, fights in Italy and Switzerland, [15];
retreats into valley of the Danube, [15].
Switzerland, base of operations, [25];
separates two Austrian armies, [32];
possession of, advantageous to Bonaparte, [40].
Thiers, historian, quotation from, [89], [144], [145], [221].
Thurreau, General, guards the Mont Cenis Pass, [55], [79], [80], [90];
could fall on the flank of the Austrians, [80];
crosses the Alps, [142];
attacks Kaim, [146];
is held in check, [155];
at Susa, [194], [195].
Turenne, his remarks on mistakes in war, [201].
Tyrol, highway of, in possession of the Austrians, [31].
Ulm, intrenched camp of, [94], [110].
Var, river of, effort for success should have been made on, [75].
Victor, General, commands a corps under Bonaparte, [142];
marches on Milan, [149];
crosses the Po, [155];
re-enforces Lannes at Montebello, [158];
arrives at Marengo, [160];
at battle of Marengo, [164], et seq.;
was crushed, [213];
became a marshal, [226].
Von der Goltz, General, his remarks on writing history, [15];
his views regarding fortresses, [86]-87.
Vukassovich, General, watches the St. Gothard and Simplon passes, [147];
is defeated, and retreats to the Mincio, [150].
Wagner, Major, his definition of containing force, [32].
Waterloo, battle of, reference to, [211].
Wellington, Duke of, saying of, [227].
Zach, General, chief of staff, succeeds Melas in command at Marengo, [168];
advances against Bonaparte, [169], [171];
is taken prisoner, [171].

Map 1.
MAP
TO ILLUSTRATE THE CAMPAIGN
OF MARENGO

Map 2.