Thence, swinging round by passes of the Maritime Alps, they outflanked the positions of the Austro-Sardinian forces at the Col di Tenda, which had defied all attack in front.

Buonaparte's share in this turning operation seems to have been restricted to the effective handling of artillery, and the chief credit here rested with Massena, who won the first of his laurels in the country of his birth.

He was of humble parentage; yet his erect bearing, proud animated glance, curt penetrating speech, and keen repartees, proclaimed a nature at once active and wary, an intellect both calculating and confident.

Such was the man who was to immortalize his name in many a contest, until his glory paled before the greater genius of Wellington.
Much of the credit of organizing this previously unsuccessful army belongs to the younger Robespierre, who, as Commissioner of the Convention, infused his energy into all departments of the service.
For some months his relations to Buonaparte were those of intimacy; but whether they extended to complete sympathy on political matters may be doubted.

The younger Robespierre held the revolutionary creed with sufficient ardour, though one of his letters dated from Oneglia suggests that the fame of the Terror was hurtful to the prospects of the campaign.