He even sent an express to the besiegers of Genoa to retire on Alessandria; but negotiations had been opened with Massena for the surrender of that stronghold, and the opinion of Lord Keith, the English admiral, decided the Austrian commander there to press the siege to the very end.

The city was in the direst straits.

Horses, dogs, cats, and rats were at last eagerly sought as food: and at every sortie crowds of the starving inhabitants followed the French in order to cut down grass, nettles, and leaves, which they then boiled with salt.[141] A revolt threatened by the wretched townsfolk was averted by Massena ordering his troops to fire on every gathering of more than four men.

At last, on June 4th, with 8,000 half-starved soldiers he marched through the Austrian posts with the honours of war.

The stern warrior would not hear of the word surrender or capitulation.