The consummate genius of this brief campaign could not be disputed; and
the modest language of the young general's despatches to the Directory,
lent additional grace to his fame. At this time the name of Buonaparte
was spotless: and the eyes of all Europe were fixed in admiration on his
career.

[Footnote 8: Berthier used to keep, as a curiosity, a general order, by
which three louis-d'or were granted as a great supply to each general of
division, dated on the very day of the victory at Albegna.]




CHAPTER V

The French cross the Po at Placenza--The Battle of Fombio--The
Bridge of Lodi--Napoleon occupies Milan--Resigns, and resumes his
command--Insurrection of Pavia--Military Executions--The French
pass the Mincio at Borghetto--Beaulieu retreats behind the
Adige--Mantua besieged--Peace with the King of the Two
Sicilies--The Pope buys a Respite.


Piedmont being now in the hands of Buonaparte, the Austrian general
concentrated his army behind the Po, with the purpose of preventing the
invader from passing that great river and making his way to the capital
of Lombardy.

Napoleon employed every device to make Beaulieu believe that he designed
to attempt the passage of the Po at Valenza; and the Austrian, a man of