The Austrian artillerymen were bayoneted at their guns, before the other troops, whom Beaulieu had removed too far back, in his anxiety to avoid the French battery, could come to their assistance.

Beaumont pressing gallantly with his horse upon the flank, and Napoleon's infantry forming rapidly as they passed the bridge, and charging on the instant, the Austrian line became involved in inextricable confusion, broke up, and fled.

The slaughter on their side was great; on the French there fell only 200 men.

With such rapidity, and consequently with so little loss, did Buonaparte execute this dazzling adventure--"the terrible passage," as he himself called it, "of the bridge of Lodi." It was indeed, terrible to the enemy.

It deprived them of another excellent line of defence, and blew up the enthusiasm of the French soldiery to a pitch of irresistible daring.