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Kutusow, with the main body of the Russian army, pursued the retreating French and again overtook them at Wiazma, the 3d November.
The same day, the 28th of August, the advanced-guard drove back the Russians as far as Wiazma; the army, thirsty from the march, the heat and the dust, was in want of water; the troops disputed the possession of a few muddy pools, and fought near the springs, which were soon rendered turbid and exhausted; the emperor himself was forced to put up with this muddy beverage.
But on the first of November, after waiting thirty-six hours, Napoleon had not seen any avant-courier of that army; he set out, wavering between the hope that Kutusoff had fallen asleep, and the fear that the Russian had left Wiazma on his right, and proceeded two marches farther towards Dorogobouje to cut off his retreat.
The viceroy, young and courageous, had not yet gained consummate experience of war: the marshal urged him to make haste first in crossing the Czarewo-Zaimitche and afterwards in the suburbs of Wiazma. Kutuzoff, at first deceived as to our movements, had advanced southwards after the battle of Malo-Jaroslawetz, but soon changed his direction and marched upon Wiazma.
State of Napoleon's Mind Destruction Imminent The Affair at Wiazma Kutusoff's Timidity Napoleon's Despair Arrival at Smolensk The Army Reorganized Napoleon's Daring at Krasnoi Ney's Great Feat Sufferings of the Army The Russian Plan Tchitchagoff's Capture of Borrissoff. For nine days the retreat went steadily on. Mortier came in on October twenty-seventh; Davout was assigned to keep the rear.
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