A furious cannonade along the whole front of that position ensued; the tirailleurs of either army posted themselves along the margins of the ravine, and fired incessantly at each other, their pieces almost touching.

Cannon and musketry spread devastation everywhere--for the armies were but a few toises apart.

For more than two hours Victor withstood singly the vigorous assaults of a far superior force; Marengo had been taken and retaken several times, ere Lannes received orders to reinforce him.

The second line at length advanced, but they found the first in retreat, and the two corps took up a second line of defence considerably to the rear of Marengo.

Here they were, again, charged furiously--and again, after obstinate resistance, gave way.