The country behind Caldiero lying open to Davidowich, it became
necessary to resort to other means of assault, or permit the dreaded
junction to occur. The genius of Buonaparte suggested to him on this
occasion a movement altogether unexpected. During the night, leaving
1,500 men under Kilmaine to guard Verona, he marched for some space
rearwards, as if he had meant to retreat on Mantua, which the failure of
his recent assault rendered not unlikely. But his columns were ere long
wheeled again towards the Adige: and finding a bridge ready prepared,
were at once placed on the same side of the river with the enemy,--but
in the rear altogether of his position, amidst those wide-spreading
morasses which cover the country about Arcola. This daring movement was
devised to place Napoleon between Alvinzi and Davidowich; but the unsafe
nature of the ground, and the narrowness of the dykes, by which alone he
could advance on Arcola, rendered victory difficult, and reverse most
hazardous. He divided his men into three columns, and charged at
daybreak (Nov. 15) by the three dykes which conduct to Arcola. The
Austrian, not suspecting that the main body of the French had evacuated
Verona, treated this at first as an affair of light troops; but as day
advanced the truth became apparent, and these narrow passages were
defended with the most determined gallantry. Augereau headed the first
column that reached the bridge of Arcola, and was there, after a
desperate effort, driven back with great loss. Buonaparte, perceiving
the necessity of carrying the point ere Alvinzi could arrive, now threw
himself on the bridge, and seizing a standard, urged his grenadiers once
more to the charge.

The fire was tremendous: once more the French gave way. Napoleon
himself, lost in the tumult, was borne backwards, forced over the dyke,
and had nearly been smothered in the morass, while some of the advancing
Austrians were already between him and his baffled column. His imminent