It so happened, however, that the left flank, which was exposed to them, was the only part of the army that behaved well: this division stood its ground till the centre and the right wing fled, and then retreated in a soldier-like manner.

General de Vins gave up the command in the middle of the battle, pleading ill health.

"From that moment," says Nelson, "not a soldier stayed at his post: it was the devil take the hindmost.

Many thousands ran away who had never seen the enemy; some of them thirty miles from the advanced posts.

Had I not, though I own, against my inclination, been kept at Genoa, from 8000 to 10,000 men would have been taken prisoners, and, amongst the number, General de Vins himself; but by this means the pass of the Bocchetta was kept open.