f commander in chief of the interior French army in Italy. When Napoleon accepted the position as the commander of the French Army he received a chilly reception by his generals. They thought Napoleon was no better than intriguer who owed everything to Barras's favour. None of these men were to be easily cowed by a "wild haired little runt "of only twenty six. Yet, as Augereau one of thegenerals admitted , something about this Bonaparte frightened them. That day Napoleon issued the following order, "Soldiers! You are badly fed, almost naked. The government owes you a great deal, but it can do nothing for you. Your patience and courage do you honor, but give you neither worldly goods nor glory. I shall lead you into the most fertile plains in the world where you will find big cities and wealthy provinces. You will win honor, fame and riches. Soldiers of the Army of Italy! Could courage and constancypossibly fail you?" Once Napoleon took over it didn't take long for him to turn the group of ill disciplined soldiers into an effective fighting force. In a series of stunning victories, Napoleon defeated four Austrian generals in succession, each army he fought got bigger and bigger. This forced Austria and its allies to make peace with France. "Throughout his Italian campaigns, Napoleon won the confidence of his men by his energy, charm, and ability to comprehend complex issues quickly and make decisions rapidly. These qualities, combined with his keen intelligence, ease with words, and supreme confidence in himself, enabled him throughout the rest of his life to influence people and win their firm support" (pg. 697 - 698 Western Civilization volume II). "No longer was Napoleon a poor Corsican with shabby clothes and cheap boots. He dressed well, took part in the gay life of Paris, and often visited the grand house of Barras. There he met Josephine de Beauharnais, the widow of a French nobleman." (pg.7 Britannica Junior Encyclopedia #11 N-O...
