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Napoleon quits Moscow Battles of Vincovo and Malo-Yaraslovetz Retreat on Verreia and Smolensko Repeated Defeats and Sufferings of the French Smolensko Krasnoi Passage of the Beresina Smorgonie Napoleon quits the Army his arrival at Warsaw at Dresden in Paris.
The shattered remnants of the Grand Army, after unparalleled suffering, at length reached the bank of the Niemen. Not more than twenty thousand of the vast host with which Napoleon passed Smolensko left the Russian territory. Their course might be traced by the bones which afterwards whitened the soil.
In June he crossed the forest of Minsk, and presented himself before Borisov; forced the Russian army, which occupied the left bank of the Beresina; defeated 20,000 Russians who were strongly entrenched behind marshes; passed the Borysthenes at Mohiloev, and vanquished a corps of 16,000 Muscovites near Smolensko, on the 22d of September.
The Emperor's attendants were wise enough to foresee the effects of such violence, if persisted in: they interposed, and Witzingerode was sent on as a prisoner of war towards Smolensko. On the 28th of October, Napoleon himself, with 6000 chosen horse, began his journey towards Smolensko; the care of bringing up the main body being given to Beauharnois, while Ney commanded the rear.
He was able, without much difficulty, to interest the King of Poland in his behalf, and to secure a declaration of war by that potentate against Czar Schnisky. He invaded Russia, won battles, captured Smolensko, invested Moscow, and finally entered the city.
Likewise the stopping of the passage ouerland by the way of Smolensko, and Plotsko, by reason of their warres with the Polonian, which causeth the people to be lesse prouident in mainteining and gathering these and like commodities, for that they lacke sales. For the growth of flaxe the prouince of Vobsko, and the countrey about is the chiefe and onely place.
Changeableness of Bonaparte's plans and opinions Articles for the 'Moniteur' dictated by the First Consul The Protocol of the Congress of Chatillon Conversations with Davoust at Hamburg Promise of the Viceroyalty of Poland Hope and disappointment of the Poles Influence of illusion on Bonaparte The French in Moscow Disasters of the retreat Mallet's conspiracy Intelligence of the affair communicated to Napoleon at Smolensko Circumstances detailed by Rapp Real motives of Napoleon's return to Paris Murat, Ney, and Eugene Power of the Italians to endure cold Napoleon's exertions to repair his losses Defection of General York Convocation of a Privy Council War resolved on Wavering of the Pope Useless negotiations with Vienna Maria Louisa appointed Regent.
It was sufficiently plain that Rostophchin, governor of Moscow, had adopted the same plan of resistance in which Smolensko had already been sacrificed; and his agents, whenever they fell into the hands of the French, were massacred without mercy.
The Czar Alexis, Peter's father, was actuated by somewhat of the spirit which so distinguished the son. He endeavored to introduce the European discipline into his armies; he had it much at heart to turn the attention of the Russians to maritime pursuits; and he added the fine provinces of Plescow and Smolensko to his paternal dominions.
The first serious opposition was made at Smolensko, whence the Russians, however, speedily retreated after setting the city on fire. On the same day, the Bavarians, who had diverged to one side during their advance, had a furious encounter in which General Deroy, formerly distinguished for his services in the Tyrol, was killed at Poloczk with a body of Russian troops under Wittgenstein.
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