Our miscarriage opened a passage for the foe to
Haynau, whither they immediately marched, leaving their sick and
wounded to the care of the French, who next day took possession of
the field of battle, buried the dead, and treated the living with
humanity.
This circumstance was a great consolation to us, who thence took
occasion to claim the victory; and the genius of the French nation
never appeared more conspicuous than now, in the rhodomontades they
uttered on the subject of their generosity and courage. Every man
(by his own account) performed feats that eclipsed all the heroes
of antiquity. One compared himself to a lion retiring at leisure
from his cowardly pursuers, who keep at a wary distance, and gall him
with their darts. Another likened himself to a bear that retreats
with his face to the enemy, who dare not assail him; and the third
assumed the character of a desperate stag, that turns upon the hounds
and keeps them at bay. There was not a private soldier engaged who
had not by the prowess of his single arm demolished a whole platoon,
or put a squadron of horse to flight; and, among others, the meagre
Gascon extolled his exploits above those of Hercules or Charlemagne.
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