At the moment when the Austrian horse were about to rush on Lannes’s retreating corps, the reserve under Dessaix appeared on the outskirts of the field.  Dessaix himself, riding up to the First Consul, said, “I think this is a battle lost.”  “I think it is a battle won,” answered Napoleon.  “Do you push on, and I will speedily rally the line behind you.”—­And in effect the timely arrival of this reserve turned the fortune of the day.

Napoleon in person drew up the whole of his army on a third line of battle, and rode along the front, saying, “Soldiers, we have retired far enough.  Let us now advance.  You know it is my custom to sleep on the field of battle.”  The enthusiasm of the troops appeared to be revived, and Dessaix prepared to act on the offensive; he led a fresh column of 5000 grenadiers to meet and check the advance of Zach.  The brave Dessaix fell dead at the first fire, shot through the head.  “Alas! it is not permitted to me to weep,” said Napoleon; and the fall of that beloved chief redoubled the fury of his followers.  The first line of the Austrian infantry charged, however, with equal resolution.  At that moment Kellerman’s horse came on them in flank; and being, by that unexpected assault, broken, they were, after a vain struggle, compelled to surrender:—­General Zach himself was here made prisoner.  The Austrian columns behind, being flushed with victory, were advancing too carelessly, and proved unable to resist the general assault of the whole French line, which now pressed onwards under the immediate command of Napoleon.  Post after post was carried.  The noble cavalry of Elsnitz, perceiving the infantry broken and retiring, lost heart; and, instead of forming to protect their retreat, turned their horses’ heads and galloped over the plain, trampling down every thing in their way.  When the routed army reached at length the Bormida, the confusion was indescribable.  Hundreds were drowned—­the river rolled red amidst the corpses of horse and men.  Whole corps, being unable to effect the passage, surrendered:  and at ten at night the Austrian commander with difficulty rallied the remnant of that magnificent array on the very ground which they had left the same morning in all the confidence of victory.

It is not to be denied that Napoleon was saved on this occasion by the arrival of the reserve under Dessaix, and the timely charge of Kellerman.  On the other hand it is impossible not to condemn the rashness with which the Austrian generals advanced after their first successes.

The discomfiture of the imperialists was so great, that rather than stand the consequences of another battle, while Suchet was coming on their rear, they next day entered into a negotiation.  Melas offered to abandon Genoa and all the strong places in Piedmont, Lombardy, and the Legations—­provided Buonaparte would allow him to march the remains of his army unmolested to the rear of Mantua.  Napoleon accepted this offer.  By one battle he had regained nearly all