to these ruins, to seek what remains, and this hole, a park of 12 pieces of cannon, | bouring woods, dying with hunger, come and 20 caissons of General Sebastiani, were taken in a ravine, with baggage waggons, in number 30, in all, 65 waggons, instead of 100, as stated in the last Bulletin.At the same time, the enemy's regular cavalry, and two columns of infantry penetrated into the hole. They hoped to gain the wood, and the defile of Voronowo before us; but the King of Naples was there; he was on horseback. He marched and penetrated the Russian line of cavalry in ten or twelve different charges. He perceived the division of six enemy's battalions, commanded by Lieutenant-General Muller, charged and penetrated it. This division was massacred; Lieutenant-General Muller was killed; whilst this was passing, General Poniatowski successfully repulsed a Russian division. The Polish General, Fischer, was killed by a ball. The enemy not only suffered a loss superior to ours, but have the shame of having violated the truce concluded between the advanced guard, a thing hardly ever done. Our loss amounts to 800 men in killed, wounded, and taken. That of the enemy is double; several Russian Officers were taken; two of their Generals were killed; on this day the King of Naples has proved what presence of mind, valour, and a knowledge of war can effect. In general, throughout all this campaign, this Prince has shown himself worthy of the supreme rank in which he is placed.- However, the Emperor wishing to oblige the enemy to evacuate his entrenched camp, and drive them several marches back, in order to be able tranquilly to proceed to the countries chosen for his winter quarters, and actually necessary to be occupied for the execution of his ulterior projects, on the 17th, ordered General Lauriston, with his advanced guard, to place himself behind the defile of Winkowo, in order that his movements might not be perceived.- After Moscow had ceased to exist, the Emperor had determined either to abandon this heap of ruins, or only occupy the Kremlin with 3,000 men; but the Kremlin, after fifteen days labour, was not judged sufficiently strong to be abandoned for twenty or thirty days to its own forces. It would have weakened and incommoded the army in its move ments, without giving a great advantage. If we wished to protect Moscow from the beggars and plunderers, 20,000 men would have been necessary. Moscow is at present a truly unhealthy and impure sink. A population of 200,000 wandering in the neigh -It was proposed to the Emperor to burn what remained of the city, to treat the Russians in their own way, and to ex tend this measure round Moscow. There are 2,000 villages, and as many country houses and chateaux.. -It was proposed to form four columns, of 2,000 men each, and charge them with burning every thing for 20 leagues round Moscow. That will learn the Russians, said they, to make war according to rule, and not like Tartars. If they burn a village, a house, we must make them answer for it by burning 100.The Emperor refused to allow these measures, which would have aggravated the misfortunes of this population. Of 9,000 proprietors, whose castles would have been burned, one hundred, perhaps, would have been sectaries of the Marat of Russia, but of his position, and took six pieces of cannon which were parked.The Duke of Istria set off at a gallop with all the horse guards: this horde was sabred, brought back, and thrown into the river; the artil - Six 8,900 are brave men, already too much | ing, 6,000 Cossacks, who had stepped into the victims of some wretched men. To the wood, made a general huzza in the rear punish one hundred guilty persons, 8,900 I would have been ruined. We must add, that it would absolutely have left without resources 200,000 poor boors, innocent of every thing.The Emperor, therefore, contented himself with ordering the de-lery it had taken was recovered, and several struction of the citadel and military esta- of his waggons were captured. blishments, according to the usages of war, hundred of these Cossacks were killed, without doing any thing to ruin individuals, wounded, or taken; 30 men of the guards already too unhappy by the consequences of were wounded, and three killed.- -The this war.The inhabitants of Russia do General of Division, Count Rappe, had a not recollect such a season as we have had horse killed under him; the intrepidity of for the last twenty days. It is the sun and which this General has given so many fine days of a journey from Fontainbleau. proofs, is shewn on every occasion.At The army is in an extremely rich country the commencement of the charge, the Cos-it may be compared to the best in France sack Officers called the guard, which they or Germany. remembered (Muscadins de Paris), Paris Dainties. The Major General of Dragoons,, At eight Letort, distinguished himself. o'clock, order was re-established.—The Emperor marched to Malioardslavitz, reconnoitred the position of the enemy, and ordered an attack for the next morning; but in the night, the enemy retreated. Prince Eckmuhl followed him for six hours. Twenty-seventh Bulletin of the Grand Army. Vereja, Oct. 27. On the 27th Prince Poniatowski marched upon Vereja.The 23d, the army was about to follow this movement, but in the afternoon we learnt, that the enemy had quitted his entrenched camp, and was on march to the little town of Malioardslavitz. It was found necessary to march after him, and obstruct his intentions. The Viceroy received orders to march.- -Delzon's division arrived on the 23d, at six in the evening, on the left bank, took possession of the bridge, and caused it to be repaired. In the night between the 23d and 24th, the Russian division arrived in the town, and took possession of the heights on the right bank, which are extremely advantageous. -On the 24th, at day-break, the battle commenced. During this time the enemy's army appeared quite entire, and took a position behind the town. The divisions Delzon, Broussier, and Pino, and the Italian guard, were successively engaged.— This engagement does the greatest honour to the Viceroy, and the 4th corps of the army. Two-thirds of the enemy's army were engaged to maintain his position; but this was in vain, for the town was taken as well as the heights. -The enemy retreated so precipitately, that he was obliged to throw 20 pieces of cannon into the river. Towards night, Marshal Prince Eckmuhl debouched with his corps, and all the army was in battle with its artillery on the 25th, in the position which the enemy occupied the night before. -The Emperor moved his head-quarters on the 24th, to the village of Ghorodnia. At seven in the morn -The Emperor then let him go, and directed the movement upon Vereja.——On the 26th, head-quarters were at Borowsk, and on the 27th, at Vereja. -Prince Eckmuhl is, to-night, at Borowsk; the Duke of Elchingen at Mojaisk.It. is. beautiful weather, the roads are excellent; it is the end of autumn; this weather will last eight days longer, and at that period we shall have arrived in our new position. In the battle of Malioardslavitz, the Italian guard distinguished itself. It took the position, and maintained it.The General Baron Delzons, a distinguished officer, was killed with three balls. 1,500 men killed or wounded; that of the enemy is 6 or 7,000. We found on the field of battle 1,700 Russians, amongst whom were 1,100 recruits, dressed in grey jackets, having hardly served two months. Our loss was -The old Russian infantry is destroyed; the Russian army would have no consist[ence but for the numerous reinforcements of Cossacks recently arrived from the Don. Well-informed persons assure us, that in the Russian infantry the first rank only is composed of soldiers, and that the second and third ranks are filled with recruits and militia, and who, notwithstanding the promises made them, are incorporated.. The Russians had three Generals killed. General Count Pino was slightly wounded. 735] 'As illustrated in the Prosecution and Punishment of WILLIAM COBBETT. [736 In order that my countrymen and that the two sureties in the sum of 1,000 pounds each; world may not be deceived, duped, and cheated that the whole of this sentence has been executed upon this subject, I, WILLIAM COBBETT, upon me, that I have been imprisoned the two of Botley, in Hampshire, put upon record years, have paid the thousand pounds TO THE the following facts; to wit: That, on the 24th KING, and have given the bail, Timothy Brown June, 1809, the following article was pub- and Peter Walker, Esqrs. being my sureties; lished in a London news-paper, called the that the Attorney General was Sir Vicary Gibbs, COURIER: "The Mutiny amongst the LO- the Judge who sat at the trial Lord Ellenborough, "CAL MILITIA, which broke out at Ely, was the four Judges who sat at passing sentence Ellen"fortunately suppressed on Wednesday by the borough, Grose, Le Blanc, and Bailey; and that "arrival of four squadrons of the GERMAN the jurors were, Thomas Rhodes of Hampstead "LEGION CAVALRY from Bury, under the Road, John Davis of Southampton Place, James "command of General Auckland. Five of the Ellis of Tottenham Court Road, John Richards "ringleaders were tried by a Court-Martial, and of Bayswater, Thomas Marsham of Baker Street, "sentenced to receive 500 lushes each, part of which Robert Heathcote of High Street Marylebone, "punishment they received on Wednesday, and John Maud of York Place Marylebone, George a part was remitted. A stoppage for their knup- Bagster of Church Terrace Pancras, Thomas "sacks was the ground of the complaint that ex- Taylor of Red Lion Square, David Deane of St. "cited this mutinous spirit, which occasioned John Street, William Palmer of Upper Street "the men to surround their officers, and demand Islington, Henry Favre. of Pall Mall; that the "what they deemed their arrears. The first Prime Ministers during the time were Spencer "division of the German Legion halted yesterday Perceval, until he was shot by John Bellingham, "at Newmarket on their return to Bury."- and after that Robert B. Jenkinson, Earl of LiThat, on the 1st July, 1809, I published, in the verpool; that the prosecution and sentence took Political Register, an article censuring, in the place in the reign of King George the Third, and strongest terms, these proceedings; that, for so that, he having become insane during my impri doing, the Attorney General prosecuted, as sedi- sonment, the 1,000 pounds was paid to his son, tious libellers, and by Ex-Officio Information, the Prince Regent, in his behalf; that, during my me, and also my printer, my publisher, and one imprisonment, I wrote and published 364 Essays of the principal retailers of the Political Register; and Letters upon political subjects; that, during that I was brought to trial on the 15th June, the same time, I was visited by persons from 197 1810, and was, by a Special Jury, that is to say, cities and towns, many of them as a sort of depuby 12 men out of 48 appointed by the Master of ties from Societies or Clubs; that, at the expirathe Crown Office, found guilty; that, on the tion of my imprisonment, on the 9th of July, 1812, 20th of the same month, I was compelled to give a great dinner was given in London for the purbail for my appearance to receive judgment; pose of receiving me, at which dinner upwards of and that, as I came up from Botley (to which 600 persons were present, and at which Sir place I had returned to my family and my farm Francis Burdett presided; that dinners and other on the evening of the 15th), a Tipstaff went parties were held on the same occasion in many down from London in order to seize me, per- other places in England; that, on my way home, sonally; that, on the 9th of July, 1810, I, toge- I was received at Alton, the first town in Hampther with my printer, publisher, and the news-shire, with the ringing of the Church bells; that man, were brought into the Court of King's Bench to receive judgment; that the three former were sentenced to be imprisoned for some months in the King's Bench prison; that I was sentenced to be imprisoned for two years in Newgate, the great receptacle for malefactors, and the front of which is the scene of numerous hangings in the course of every year; that the part of the prison in which I was sentenced to be confined is sometimes inhabited by felons, that felons were actually in it at the time I entered it; that one man was taken out of it to be transported in about 48 hours after I was put into the same yard with him; and that it is the place of confinement for men guilty of unnatural crimes, of whom there are four in it at this time; that, besides this imprisonment, I was sentenced to pay a thousand pounds TO THE KING, and to give security for my good behaviour for seven years, myself in the sum of 3,000 pounds, and a respectable company met me and gave me a WM. COBBETT. COBBETT'S WEEKLY POLITICAL REGISTER. VOL. XXII. No. 24.1 LONDON, SATURDAY, DEC. 12, 1812. 737] [Price 1s. [738 We judging. In the Russian accounts we can SUMMARY OF POLITICS. NORTHERN WAR.--The events recorded in the Gazettes, published by the Russian Government, and republished by ours, as will be seen in another part of this sheet, exhibit Napoleon in an entirely new light; we there see him retreating; him who scarcely ever before recoiled; him whose very name has long been synonymous with success. If we are to place implicit reliance on the Petersburgh Gazettes, we must conclude, that this great Captain, this greatest of soldiers, has, at last, not only met with complete defeat, total overthrow, but that he himself is, by this time, in the enemy's possession; and, indeed, in the City of London, at Lloyd's Coffee-House, and upon the Royal Exchange, the firm persuasion seems to be, that Napoleon will, in a few months, be actually to be seen in an iron cage, as a show in England; that the threat of Macduff towards Macbeth will be fully verified, and that we shall see written over the cage: "Here may you see "the monster." In short, never were forebodings so sanguine; never were pre-But, then, we are to consider, on the dictions so confident: never were there ex- other side, the character of the man, who pectations mixed with so small a portion of has to contend with all the difficulties doubt. The general opinion is, that "poor which have been described and which can "Bony," as he is now called, will have be imagined. We have to place against made all sorts of efforts to escape in disguise those difficulties, courage, fortitude, prefrom his army, and that, failing therein, sence of mind, foresight, such as few men he will be taken, dead or alive, to Peters- have ever possessed. From Napoleon we burgh, and will thence be sent to England. have a right to expect, in this crisis of his The joy amongst the Londoners is exces- fate, exertions far beyond what we should sive. They have, in a single moment, got naturally expect from mortals in general. rid of all their fears. In the delirium of We may be sure, that, if the Russians detheir joy, they seem to have forgotten the stroy him, they will purchase his destrucapproaching loan and the price of the gui- tion (barring mere accidents) at a dear nea. All the ports of Europe are, accord-rate.And, after all, if he should extriing to them, now to be instantly opened; cate himself from his difficulties! If he trade is to resume its former channels; and should outlive all the perils that surround all is to go on as if no French Revolution and no Buonaparté had ever existed. A time will hereafter offer for putting upon record more fully the evidences of the public persuasion at this time. The general description, which I have given, may, in the meanwhile, suffice.Now, as to the reality, we have, in truth, no means of him! If he should bring off the main part of his army, and should set about preparations for a march to Petersburgh in the spring! If he should do this!Granted, that it is not probable; granted, that so numerous and so great are his difficulties, that such a supposition is not to be entertained; granted, that, with three Russian 66 "armies in his front" and "two in his rear," with "myriads of Cossacks on "his flanks," an escape with any considerable portion of his army is next to impossible; but, for argument's sake; for the sake of mere reasoning, while we wait for the `arrival of the mails, suppose he should get off with the main body of his army. I say, that it is not to be expected; I say, that the joy of the good citizens of London is in no danger of being thus damped; but, if he should? If he should?- What, in such a case, such an unexpected case: what, in such case, would be the natural consequences?- -Why, in my opinion, these consequences would be, despair in the bosom of those whom he is attacking, and almost certain success to his future attacks; for, as all the world will say, if he survive this, nothing can overcome him. -It is supposed by some persons, that, if Napoleon should escape with a considerable part of his army, he will, from this retreat, have suffered in his reputation, and that his army will not, in future, have the same confidence in him. Now, in the first place, this is inconsistent with what has been generally asserted by these same persons, who have constantly described him as a gloomy tyrant, "haled by his army, "whom he forced into the field at the 66 point of the bayonet," though it was, indeed, difficult to imagine how he was to . effect this, who was to hold the point of the bayonet, and the like. It is, however, now discovered, that he has had the confidence of his army, and this discovery is made in order to tell us, that he is, in future, not to have it. -But, why is he not to have it? This question I should like to put to - any man, who entertains the opinion here spoken of, and who would, argue the matter fairly.- -This is not the first time that the armies of Napoleon have been compelled to retreat. Nay, they have (or else our veracity is in a perilous state) been beaten frequently.. "Aye, but, then, he "was not with them." Very true; but that very circumstance was, by us, alleged to be ground of discontent in his army! We said, or, at least, our hireling prints said, that he slaid at home in safety, while he sent his troops to the field to be slaughtered. This was what they said when he did not accompany his army. Their stupidity in saying it, while our own Sovereign is well known never to accompany his army to the field, was very great, to be sure; but, say it they did; and, indeed, if the army had a right to complain of hard ships and dangers, the complaint came with a better grace while their Emperor was safe at home than they would now come while he is sharing all the hardships and dangers of the army.part, wholly at a loss to discover any reason -I am, for my for supposing, that, if Napoleon gets out of this difficulty, he will have sunk in the estimation of his soldiers. These soldiers will be able to judge correctly of his deeds; they will see, that, in advancing to Moscow, it was impossible to foresee, and impossible to believe, that the city would be burnt to ashes, such a thing never having been done before in the world. They will see, that their leader overcame every thing opposed to him in the shape of an enemy; and that if he was unable to remain at Moscow, it was because an act had been committed which was no more to be expected than the destruction of a city by an earthquake. They did, doubtless, expect from him every thing that mortal man is capable of; but, they will not lose confidence in him, because he was unable to rebuild Moscow, and restore to life its burnt and staryed population. They will see, that be has done more than any other mortal would have been able to do; they will see, that no difficulties are too much for him; they will see, that, when all the world exclaimed, "he is down!" and when the enemies of France had almost lost their senses in exultation; they will see that, even then, he bore up against the tide, and finally swam triumphant; and, seeing, not only will they not lose confidence in him, but the confidence they have hitherto had in him will be increased and less liable to he shaken than it heretofore has been.--As to the fact, whether there be any chance of his extricating himself from his difficulties, we cannot, as I said before, come to any decision, because we have no means of judging; but, of one thing I am, for my part, very sure, and that is, that, if he should extricate himself, if he should make good his retreat with the main of his army, his reputation will be higher than ever; he will be dearer than ever to that army, whose dangers and whose sufferings he has shared; he will be to the glory-loving people of France more than ever an object of devotion, and will be more than ever an object of terror and dismay to her enemies. He is engaged in a deep and, perhaps, a desperate, game; but, if he win, he wins fortune for ever, and all, upon the continent at least, falls before him.reasons, and for others that I shall forbear -For these |