This is how my father relates the brilliant encounter which won for him the name of the Horatius Codes of the Tyrol; we shall then see how his aide-de-camp, Dermoncourt, describes it. "I found the enemy in force, occupying an almost unassailable position at Clausen; he was vigorously attacked, and compelled to abandon the town; our troops occupied it, and were unsuccessfully attacked by the enemy's cavalry. "At the head of the 5th dragoons, which I at once brought forward, I charged the Austrian cavalry and routed them completely, leaving many dead and wounded: 1500 of their foot-soldiers were taken prisoners, and the rest were pursued as far as Brixen. The remainder of the enemy drew up for battle, evidently intending to wait for us to come on; I rallied my van-guard and prepared to attack them, but they fled at our approach; I followed them with my cavalry more than a league beyond Brixen. "I received three sword-cuts in these different charges, and my aide-de-camp Dermoncourt was wounded by my side. "_5th and 6th Germinal._ "The troops rested on the 5th. "You charged General Baraguay-d'Hilliers to attack the enemy on the 6th, before Michaelbach, where he is intrenched, and I think I ought to take part in that engagement with my cavalry. You know, General,--for you found it out for yourself,--how well the two regiments of dragoons which I commanded have behaved, and how greatly they contributed to the day's success. "You are also aware, General, that my horse was killed under me and that I have lost my accoutrements and some very valuable pistols. My aide-de-camp Lambert performed wonders. "I will send you to-day the reports from the brigadier-generals which have not yet reached me. "BRIXEN, _7th Germinal, Year V of the Republic._ "AL. DUMAS. "_P.S._--I must really present you with my cloak, I believe it is enchanted; it is riddled with seven bullets, not one of which touched me. It will bring you good luck." [Footnote 1: It was at the head of his dragoons that my father left the very presence of the commander-in-chief; but Bonaparte took care that everything which was done, no matter what, should at least seem to have been done by his orders, and on his initiative. We shall see an interesting example of the same method in the battle of the Pyramids. Bonaparte was a clever stage-manager; but we may be permitted to believe that Providence, who used him as an instrument, as men of genius are used, had something to do with the success of the pieces he played.] [Footnote 2: It has been seen that this order reached my father during the day, and well before Bonaparte's arrival.] BOOK II CHAPTER I The bridge of Clausen--Dermoncourt's reports--Prisoners on parole--Lepage's pistols--Three generals-in-chief at the same table.