[108] "General Stengel, a native of Alsace, was an excellent hussar officer; he had served under Dumouriez, and in the other campaigns of the North; he was adroit, intelligent, and active, combining the qualities of youth with those of maturity, he was the true general for advanced posts."--NAPOLEON, _Montholon_, tom. iii., p. 152. [109] Montholon, tom. iii., p. 151; Jomini, tom. viii., p. 93. [110] Murat was despatched to Paris with them, and the treaty for the armistice of Cherasco. His arrival, by way of Mount Cenis, with so many trophies, and the King of Sardinia's submission, caused great joy in the capital. Junot, who had been despatched after the battle of Millesimo by the Nice road, arrived later than Murat. [111] The treaty was concluded at Paris, on the 15th May. For a copy of it, see _Annual Register_, vol. xxxviii., p. 262. [112] Victor Amadeus died of apoplexy, in the following October, and was succeeded by his son, Charles Emanuel. [113] See Correspondence Inédite, tom. i., p. 85. [114] See the speech in the _Moniteur_, No. 233, 12th May. CHAPTER IV. _Farther progress of the French Army under Buonaparte--He crosses the Po, at Placenza, on 7th May--Battle of Lodi takes place on the 10th, in which the French are victorious--Remarks on Napoleon's Tactics in this celebrated Action--French take possession of Cremona and Pizzighitone--Milan deserted by the Archduke Ferdinand and his Duchess--Buonaparte enters Milan on the 15th May--General situation of the Italian States at this period--Napoleon inflicts Fines upon the neutral and unoffending States of Parma and Modena, and extorts the surrender of some of their finest Pictures--Remarks upon this novel procedure._ [Sidenote: PROGRESS OF THE FRENCH ARMY.] The ardent disposition of Buonaparte did not long permit him to rest after the advantages which he had secured. He had gazed on Italy with an eagle's eye; but it was only for a moment, ere stooping on her with the wing, and pouncing on her with the talons, of the king of birds.