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THE HISTORY OF

extraordinary movements suggested by his surpasing genius, placed him between Alvinsi and D vidowich, and led to the most obstinate and successful rencontre during the whole of the campaign. Leaving Verona with the main body, if intending to fall, in retreat, on Mantua, he caused his troops to wheel again towards the Adige, and, finding the bridge, crossed the river with all speed, and so placed himself between the rival armies. Augereau moved on through ground intersected with dykes, and therefore fatal in the event of the reverse, to the bridge of Arcola: He was driven back with great loss. Napoleon himself then headed his grenadiers in the midst of an overwhelming fire; but again the French fell back, and their leader was forced into morass, with the Austrians between. From this danger he was rescued by the desperate valour of his troops, who finally carried the bridge. Fearful of the approach of the Austrian general in an opposite direction, he now retired from Arcola, on Ronco; but, learning the next morning that Vaubois had not been engaged with the general, he once more carried the bridge; the Austrians, however, kept their ground behind it so well, that he again retired on Ronco. The third day he again carried the bridge; and, by an