The genius of Buonaparte suggested to him on this occasion a movement altogether unexpected.

During the night, leaving 1,500 men under Kilmaine to guard Verona, he marched for some space rearwards, as if he had meant to retreat on Mantua, which the failure of his recent assault rendered not unlikely.

But his columns were ere long wheeled again towards the Adige: and finding a bridge ready prepared, were at once placed on the same side of the river with the enemy,--but in the rear altogether of his position, amidst those wide-spreading morasses which cover the country about Arcola.

This daring movement was devised to place Napoleon between Alvinzi and Davidowich; but the unsafe nature of the ground, and the narrowness of the dykes, by which alone he could advance on Arcola, rendered victory difficult, and reverse most hazardous.

He divided his men into three columns, and charged at daybreak (Nov.