592 Chapter XXV
at Lodi. He himself, against heavy artillery fire from the far bank, put two cannon
into position at the bridgehead—“in person, in a hail of grapeshot,” as Saliceti re-
ported.^4 The French poured over the bridge, led by Massena and other divisional
generals, with loud cries of “Vive la Republique,” in a display of all the gallantry
and bravura that were then possible in time of war. The Austrians were routed, and
four days later the French entered Milan.
The implications of the bridge at Lodi set a frame for all that followed. Bona-
parte’s victory there, and his own feat of courage, were at the beginning of his
reputation, his personal charisma or prestige as a successful war- maker, and soon as
a peace- maker, which began to weigh heavily upon the politics of the Directory.
The republican enthusiasm of the Armée d ’Italie became legendary. Bonaparte’s
4 Moniteur, reimpression, X XVIII, 279.