Page:Life of Napoleon Bonaparte.pdf/9

Rh horses having perished through want. The poverty of the French finances was so great, that every effort resorted to by government was only capable of furnishing two thousand lonis in specie to the military chest; while an order was issued for all the general officers to receive the wretched pittance of four louis each, by way of outfit. The supply of bread was uncertain, that of meat had long censed; as for the purposes of conveyance, there remained only two hundred mules, and it was consequently impossible to think of transporting more than twelve pieces of cannon. Bonaparte, thus critically circumstanced, having put the army in motion, issued the following laconic address:-" Soldiers! you are naked and ill fed; much is due, and there is nothing where with to pay. The patience and courage you have displayed amidst these rocks are admirable; but they acquire you no glory. I come to conduct you to the most fertile plains in the world: rich provinces, great cities, shall be in your power. There you will acquire wealth, honour, and glory. Soldiers of Italy! can your courage fail?"-Such was the address disseminated among the troops on the 29th of March; and, on the 8th of April, he was within a day's march of Turin, when, having subdued the Sarilinian government, he issued the following document:-

“In fifteen days you have gained six victories, taken twenty-one stand of colours, fifty five pieces of cannon, and conquered the richest territory of Piedmont. Your services are equal to those of the army of Holland and the Rhine. You were in want of every thing, and have provided every thing. You have gained battles without cannon; traversed rivers without bridges; made forced marches without shoes; bivouacked without brandy, and often without bread. None but republican phalanxes could have thus acquitted themselves. For this you have the merited thanks of your country."