An Austrian column, advancing from the side of Monte Baldo by the narrow ravine, stole round the flank of a French regiment in front of Massena's division, and by a vigorous charge sent it flying in a panic which promised to spread to another regiment thus uncovered.

This was too much for the veteran, already dubbed "the spoilt child of victory "; he rushed to its captain, bitterly upbraided him and the other officers, and finally showered blows on them with the flat of his sword.

Then, riding at full speed to two tried regiments of his own division, he ordered them to check the foe; and these invincible heroes promptly drove back the assailants.

Even so, however, the valour of the best French regiments and the skill of Massena, Berthier, and Joubert barely sufficed to hold back the onstreaming tide of white-coats opposite Rivoli.
Yet even at this crisis the commander, confident in his central position, and knowing his ability to ward off the encircling swoops of the Austrian eagle, maintained that calm demeanour which moved the wonder of smaller minds.

His confidence in his seasoned troops was not misplaced.