228 SOLDIERS AND SAILORS general from this unpleasant situation ; and Eugene proceeded to issue his orders, without the least sign of discomposure. The following year Eugene returned to Italy, and once more began the war against Vendome. Notwithstanding all his skill and activity, however, the superiority of the French numbers, and the distinguished military genius of their chief, prevented Eugene from meeting with any very brilliant success. He sur- prised various detachments, relieved several towns, was successful in many skir- mishes ; but he failed in drawing the French out of Savoy, and was totally re- pulsed in endeavoring to pass the Adda. In the attempt to do so, many men and several valuable officers were lost on both sides. The battle was long and furious. Both Vendome and Eugene dis- played all their skill to foil each other ; and perhaps so bravely contested a field was as honorable to each as a great victory. Neither, however, could fairly claim the battle as won ; for though Eugene failed in passing the river, the French were the greatest sufferers in the contest, and they did not succeed in compelling the Germans to fly, though they prevented them from advancing to join the Duke of Savoy. Eugene, with his wonted reckless courage, exposed himself more than even was necessary, and in the very commencement of the engagement was wounded severely in the neck, notwithstanding which he re- mained a considerable length of time on horseback, till a second musket-ball, in the knee, forced him to absent himself for a time from the field. These wounds probably decided the failure of his attempt ; but they did not prevent him from securing his army in good winter quarters, and checking all active operations on the part of Vendome. The next campaign was more successful. Vendome, after defeating a body of Imperial troops at Calemato, was recalled, and the command of the French forces given to the Duke of Orleans and the Marechal de Marsin, who with an army of eighty thousand men invested Turin, the last hold of the Duke of Savoy. Eugene immediately marched to form his junction with the duke ; and no longer opposed by the genius of Vendome, passed the Adige unattacked, crossed the Tanaro, and the Po, joined his cousin near Carmagnola, and ad- vanced to the succor of Turin. The French were dispirited ; and uncertain- ty and divided councils pervaded their camp. On September 7th, the allied army, with less than half their numerical force, attacked them in their in- trenchment, forced their position in every direction, and after one of the sever- est conflicts ever known, completely defeated them, and raised the siege of Turin. The battle, however, was at one time nearly lost to the allies by an accident which befell Eugene. In rallying a body of Imperial cavalry, the prince's horse received a ball in his chest, fell with the rider, and threw him into a ditch, where, stunned with the fall, he lay for several minutes among the dead and dying. The report spread through the army that he was killed ; a general alarm was the consequence ; and the infantry were beginning to give way, when, suddenly starting up, Eugene commanded the nearest German regiment to fire
