A VISIT TO ASPERN AND WAGRAM. 
601 
Along the whole length of the northern shore of the island strong 
batteries were thrown up. The adjacent islands were likewise similarly 
strengthened, as will be seen from the accompanying sketch, and soon 
the whole front opposite the Austrians bristled with heavy guns. The 
Arsenal of Vienna again was called on to supply them with cannon, 
and as many as 120 are said to have been in position on the northern 
edge of the island alone. Within a month all these works were com¬ 
pleted and the Lobau may then be said to have become an impregnable 
entrenched camp, with ample and secure communications to the rear, 
teeming with armed men, and forming a magnificent base for further 
enterprises. But as the eye of Napoleon watched with satisfaction the 
fortress grow, he could not fail to note with anxiety the line of works 
stretching in a wide arc from Enzersdorf to Aspern, which the euemy 
were industriously building to deny his passage. The heavy losses of 
the recent battle had unmistakeablv warned him of the sacrifices the 
stubborn courage of the Austrians would exact if he ventured to try 
and force his way directly to his front, nor was it in consonance 
with his genius to win by brute force what he might lightly snatch by 
stratagem. The immense earthworks, the magazines, the hospitals, the 
great road across the island, either actually remain now to view, or the 
positions where they stood are marked by obelisks. Their immense 
proportions, which filled the Austrians with dismay and now attract 
our admiration, were, however, never intended to do more than deceive 
the enemy and divert his attention from the direction from which the 
master-stroke was meant to fail. While the parapets were daily grow¬ 
ing near the scene of the former crossing, and every effort seemed to 
be directed towards ensuring a passage there, swiftly and silently 
behind the leafy islands which would still hide such designs, no less 
eager hands were getting ready bridges destined for a very different 
point. The intention of Napoleon was, in fact, to only demonstrate 
in front of Aspern, but to really effect a passage opposite Muhlleuthen, 
; >nd thus by one brilliant manoeuvre render all the Austrians labours 
vain and nugatory. To thus surprise them it was necessary to throw 
his whole force across in a very short time, and therefore he determined 
to form so many bridges that the troops would move with the same 
freedom as though the river did not exist. The arm of the Danube 
below Enzersdorf is not more than 60 yards across, and when I saw it 
was so shallow as almost to seem fordable. But, in July 1809, the 
river was exceptionally high, and the current even in the side channels 
was rapid and strong. Napoleon prepared six bridges in all for this 
part, and took the most extraordinary pains to thoroughly rehearse all 
that was to be done, and to issue orders with such detailed accuracy 
that every man should know exactly where he was to go and what he 
had to do. An overpowering force of guns was also brought up ready 
to bear on Enzersdorf and prevent any attempt the Austrians might 
make from that side to interfere with the crossing. A vast fleet of 
ferry-boats and launches carrying artillery was also got together, and, 
in short, no stone was left unturned to ensure the success of the under¬ 
taking. 
While Napoleon was thus giving a striking illustration of his 
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