The passage of the Alps was a victory gained over nature: it was a question of transporting through the mountain, without cleared roads, in the medium of the rocks and of melting snow, 60 000 men with 60 guns and 300 cars; in certain places, the paths had only two feet broad: on a side the escarpé rock from which fall the avalanches, other, the chasm which one cannot see without giddiness.

The French however passed: the riders led their mounting by the support; the artillerists harnessed themselves with their parts while singing: one needed hundred of them to trail a gun.

The music of the regiments played in the difficult passages, and enthusiasm gave to the soldiers superhuman forces. (May 1800.)

Without Desaix, the battle the Marengo one had been a defeat.

Bonaparte, crushed under the number, moved back step by step, and the Austrians believed to hold the victory; already their Mélas General announced in Europe his triumph, when Desaix, attracted by the cannonade, appeared on the battle field: "It is three hours, says he by looking at his watch, the battle is lost, we have time to gain an other of it" Its 6 000 fresh troops sprang on the enemy column which continued Bonaparte, and cut it in two sections: one was taken, the other flees in disorder; in one hour the Austrians were collapsed on all the line; but the victory was dearly bought: Desaix, large general which was at the same time a large citizen, had fallen mortally struck in the medium from its victory. (June 14, 1800.)

Moreau had glory to carry the last blow to the Austrians: the enemy, enhardi by light successes, advanced in a long column through the forest of Hohenlinden, in Bavaria: quite well informed on the country, Moreau was placed in a strong position, with the principal market of the forest, to stop the enemy of face, and ordered in Richepanse to make a great movement turning with 10 000 men: this bold plan succeeds with wonder: at the time when the Austrians walked ahead to bore Moreau, they heard behind them a great tumult: it was Richepanse which melted with the improvist on their reserves.

Taken between two fires, the Austrian army was relaxed in the forest, and Moreau gave the hand to Richepanse: hundred guns and 16 000 prisoners remained between the hands of the French. (December 3, 1800.)