There we find no strategic soothsaying, but only a close watching of events as they develop day by day.

In March and April he kept urging on Moreau the need of an early advance, while he considered the advantages offered by the St.Gotthard, Simplon, and Great St.Bernard passes for his own army.

On April 27th he decided against the first (except for a detachment), because Moreau's advance was too slow to safeguard his rear on that route.

He now preferred the Great St.Bernard, but still doubted whether, after crossing, he should make for Milan, or strike at Massena's besiegers, in case that general should be very hard pressed.

Like all great commanders, he started with a general plan, but he arranged the details as the situation required.