Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Buonaparte Commander in chief of the army
of Italy.
TO HIS BRETHREN IN ARMS.
Head-Quarters, Cherasco, April 26.
"SOLDIERS,
"You have in a fortnight gained Six victories,
taken 21 stand of colours, 71 pieces of cannon, several
strong places, conquered the richest part of
Piedmont; you have made 15,000 prisoners, and
killed or wounded more than 10,000 men.
"You had hitherto fought only for sterile
rocks, rendered illustrious by your courage, but
useless to the country; you have equalled by your
services the victorious army of Holland and the
Rhine. Deprived of every thing, you have supplied
every thing, you have won battles without cannon,
made forced marches without shoes, watched
without brandy, and often without bread The Republican
phalanxes, the soldiers of Liberty were
alone capable of suffering what you have suffered.
"Thanks be to you, Soldiers; the grateful country
will, in part be indebted to you for her prosperity;
and if when victors at Toulon, you predicted
the immortal campaign of 1794, your present victories
will be the presages of more brilliant victories. The two
armies which attacked you with audacity fly disheartened
before you. Men who smiled at your misery and rejoiced in
thought at the idea of the triumphs of your enemies, are confounded
and appalled--But it must not, Soldiers,
be concealed from you, that you have done nothing,
since something remains yet to be done. Neither
Turin nor Milan are in your power. The ashes of
the conquerors of the Tarquins are still disgraced.
by the assassins of Brinvilliers. At the commencement
of the campaign you were destitute of every
thing, now you are amply provided; the magazines
taken from your enemies are numerous, the artillery
for the field and for besieging is arrived.
"Soldiers, the country has a right to expect
great things from you; justify her expectations.
The greatest obstacles are undoubtedly overcome,
but you have still battles to fight, cities to take,
rivers to pass.--Is there one among you whose
courage is diminished? Is there one who would
prefer returning to the summits of the Alps and
the Apennines? No, there is not one amongst the
conquerors of Montenotte, Millesimo, Dego, Mondovi.
All burn with the desire of extending the
glory of the French. All wish to humble the
proud kings who dare to meditate putting us again
in chains; all wish to dictate a peace that shall be
glorious, and that shall indemnify the country for
the immense sacrifices which she has made: all of
you burn with a desire to say on your return to
your home, I belonged to the victorious army of
Italy.
"Friends, I promise this conquest to you, but
there is one condition which you must swear to
fulfil, it is to respect the people whom you deliver,
to repress the horrid pillage, which some wretches
instigated by our enemies, had practiced; unless you
do this you will be no longer the friends but the
scourges of the human race; you will no longer
form the honor of the French people, they will
disavow you; your victories, your successes, the
blood of brethren who died in battle, all, even honor
and glory will be lost. With respect to myself.
to the Generals who possess your confidence, we
shall blush to command an army without discipline,
and who admit no other law than that of force.
"People of Italy, the French army comes to
break your chains, The French people are the
friends of all people, come with confidence to
them, your property, religion, and customs shall be
respected.
"We make war as generous enemies; and with
only to make war against. the Tyrants who oppress
you."