On the evening of that day the French soldiers, with antique republican _camaraderie_, saluted their commander as _le petit caporal_ for his personal bravery in the fray, and this endearing phrase helped to immortalize the affair of the bridge of Lodi.[47] It shot a thrill of exultation through France.

With pardonable exaggeration, men told how he charged at the head of the column, and, with Lannes, was the first to reach the opposite side; and later generations have figured him charging before his tall grenadiers--a feat that was actually performed by Lannes, Berthier, Massena, Cervoni, and Dallemagne.

It was all one.

Bonaparte alone was the hero of the day.

He reigned supreme in the hearts of the soldiers, and he saw the importance of this conquest.