the Dwina at Dinaburg. On the 9th, most of the divisions entered the entrenched camp at Drissa; these important movements were accomplished, and the schemes of the enemy in a great measure defeated. The proclamation which was at this time addressed to them by the emperor, shews how difficult it had been to restrain the courage of the soldiers, and to prevent them from precipitating a general battle, which might have disconcerted the whole plan of the campaign.

The divisions of the first army had been thus re-assembled without loss. The movements of Prince Bagration were attended with greater difficulty, and much blame has been thrown on the Russian general in chief, for leaving the commander of the second army for some time in ignorance of his projected movements. So soon as Prince Bagration became acquainted with the general plan, he ordered Platoff, with his Cossacks, to advance upon Grodno, and thus protect the movements of the main body, with which he proceeded towards Wilna. But he soon learned that the French were already spread over his line of march, and that he would be able to unite with the right of the army in this direction only after very great sacrifices. He therefore retraced his steps, and directed his march towards Minsk; but he learned that here also he had been anticipated, and that Davoust was already in possession of the place. His situation had now become critical and embarrassing in the extreme; but with that presence of mind which never deserts a brave and able man, he instantly resolved on marching towards Sloutsk, in the hope that he might afterwards proceed by Mohiloff towards Vitepek, and there accomplish the object of all his exertions.

The route on which he now determined was very circuitous, and his

progress was attended with much hazard. To cover his movements, Platoff with his Cossacks and light artillery left Grodno, and passed towards Mire. This movement of the gallant Cossack chief probably saved the se cond Russian army.-On the 7th of July, Platoff was met by the advanced guard of the French army, under Jerome Buonaparte, which was repulsed with great slaughter. The next day Platoff occupied the suburbs of Mire, and was again assailed by a still greater force, under the Polish chief Rominsky. In the sanguinary affair which succeeded, the enemy was overpowered; three entire regiments of Polish Hulans were cut to pieces; their commander alone escaped.—The loss of the Russians was also severe.

But their indefatigable leader had fresh obstacles to encounter; for he no sooner directed his troops towards Romanoff, than he was again attacked by an enemy still more formidable. He once more prevailed, however, after an obstinate engagement, in which the first regiment of chaseurs a cheval, and the grenadiers a cheval, were cut to pieces. Two colonels, 16 inferior officers, and 300 men were made prisoners in this affair, and after having pursued the enemy for three leagues, the Cossacks returned to Mohiloff, to maintain their communication with the second army, which was moving on this place by forced marches.

The French ruler having little. to boast of in his past operations, broke out about this period in the following strain of arrogance and derision:" Ten days after the opening of the campaign," said he, "our advanced posts are upon the banks of the Dwina! Almost all Lithuania, a country containing four millions of inhabitants, is conquered: the movements of the army commenced on the Vistula ; .

the projects of the emperor were then revealed; and there was not an instant to be lost in putting them into execution. The Russians are engaged in concentrating their forces at Drissa; they announced a determination there to await our approach, and give us battle. They now talk of fighting, after having abandoned, without a stroke, their Polish possessions. Perhaps they adopted that peaceful mode of evacuation as an act of justice, by way of making some restitution to a country which they had acquired neis ther by treaty nor by the right of conquest. Well might the Russians have answered, "We abandoned Lithuania that we may re-possess ourselves of it with greater certainty at no very distant period-that we may draw you into that snare on which you run so eagerly-that we may bring you into a position where the whole force of a great empire, which you have dared to invade, may overwhelm you without the power of escaping; and we have given you access to the Polish possessions, that you may there, in the face of all Europe, exhibit the last memorable scene of your perfidy." The Russians, unmoved by the threats or promises of the enemy, in the mean time followed their own plans with steadiness and success.

The first army of the Russians was concentrated in the entrenched camp at Drissa, and the second was proceeding with desperate resolution to join it at some point in the rear. Till this junction was effected, it would have been imprudent to have risked a general battle even at Drissa, against the whole strength of the enemy, which was now directed towards that position. It now seems to have been the intention of the enemy to attack the right of the main army, and to force the works on the Dwina. Marshal Oudinot, therefore, approached Dinabourg; and

on the morning of the 18th, attacked the bridge where some works had been constructed. He was gallantly repul sed by the Russians; and although the attack was renewed the following day, the enemy was again driven back with so much vigour, that he was compelled to abandon his enterprise.-Count Wittgenstein, who has borne so conspi. cuous a part in the events of the last two years, began about this time to distinguish himself. He observed that the enemy's posts on the opposite bank of the river were negligently guarded; he instantly ordered a flying bridge to be constructed, and sent across the regiment of Grodno, with a few squadrons of Cossacks, who executed his plans with such effect, that the enemy was surprised, attacked, and driven back with considerable loss. Sebastiani had the misfortune to command during this rencontre ; and to save the reputation of the general and of his army, the numbers of the assailants were as usual prodigiously exaggerated by the French bulletins.-The result of these operations was, that the enemy abandoned altogether his project of forcing the Russian entrenched camp, and determined to push forward to Vitepsk, on which Beauharnois, Davoust, and Mortier, were already moving. The Russian left at the same time made a rapid movement on Po lotsk; and the commander-in-chief finally resolved to retire on Smolensko, where it was hoped that a junction might at last be formed with the second army.

The Russians were aware that their whole force, even when united, must be inferior in numbers to that of the enemy, who, besides, with his usual activity, was at this moment organising large reinforcements under Marshals Augereau and Victor. The dye was now cast; and the Russian government was determined not only to wait

the issue with firmness, but to put forth the whole strength of the empire to ensure success. Proclamations were issued to rouse the people to arms, and no attempt was made to conceal the danger with which the country was threatened, because there was no wish on the part of the Emperor of Russia for compromise or submission. "The enemy," says the proclamation to the city of Moscow, "with unparalleled perfidy, and a force equal to his boundless ambition, has passed the frontiers of Russia; his design is the ruin of our country; the Russian armies burn with impatience to throw themselves upon his battalions, and chastise, at the expence of their lives, this treacherous invader. But our paternal tenderness for our faithful subjects will not allow of so desperate a sacrifice: we will not suffer our brave soldiers to bleed on the altars of this Moloch. We must meet him in the field man to man, in equal combat; he for his ambition-we for our country. Fully informed of the malignant intentions of our enemy, and of the ample means with which he has provided himself to execute these intentions, we do not hesitate to declare to our people the danger in which the empire is placed, and to call upon them to disappoint, by their patriotic exertions, the advantages which the invader now hopes to gain by our present inferiority of numbers. Necessity commands that we should assemble a new force in the in terior, to support that which is now to face the enemy, and determined to perish or remain a barrier between him and the liberties of their country." The emperor then addressed himself to the loyalty of the people of Moscow -to the sentiments of patriotism, and to the enthusiasm of religion, which, over the Russians, exercise so despotic a sway. The address to the nation at large contained some remark

able passages, which discovered the deep hatred entertained by the Russian chiefs towards their faithless enemy. "The enemy has passed our frontiers, and carries his army into the interior of Russia. Since perfidy could not destroy an empire which has existed with increasing dignity for so many ages, he has determined to assail it by force; and to storm the dominions of the Czars with the collected powers of continental Europe. With perfidy in his heart, and fidelity on his lips, he courts the credulous ear, and seeks to bind the empire in chains. But Russia penetrates his wiles: the way of truth is open before her; she has invoked the protection of God. She opposes to the machinations of her enemy, an army vehement in courage, and eager to drive from her territory a race that burdens the earth; and to whom that earth would refuse a grave in her outraged bosom. We call for armies sufficient to annihilate this enemy. Our soldiers now in arms are bold; but we disguise not from our loyal subjects that the dauntless courage of our warriors requires to be supported by an interior line of troops. The means ought to be proportioned to the end; and the end before us is to overwhelm a tyrant who would overwhelm all the world. Wherever in this empire he may advance, we are assured he will meet heroes ready to rise against his treachery; to disdain his flattery and his falsehood, and with the indignation of insulted virtue, to trample upon his gold; and palsy by the touch of true honour, his enslaved legions. In each Russian nobleman he will find a Pogarskoi; in each ecclesiastic a Porlitz; and in each peasant a Minim."-These sentiments were worthy of the Russian emperor, and of the great cause in which he was engaged. They summoned forth the energies and patriotism of the people

The emperor left his army, and hastened to Moscow, that he might accelerate the preparations which were required by the exigencies of the moment. He was received in this great city with all the marks of regard which could be bestowed by a loyal people, whose affection for their emperor was increased by the solemn and awful circumstances which had led to his appearance among them. A deputation of the nobles waited on him, to report as to the amount of the force which they proposed to raise and equip for the public service. The city and government of Moscow alone engaged to furnish 100,000 men ; and the other Russian governments, according to their population, expressed their eagerness to follow this memorable example. If the Russians are savages, as we have been so often told, the finest virtues of our nature, the love of country, and hatred of a foreign yoke, seem, in a pre-eminent degree, to be the virtues of savage life. The patriotism of Moscow might put to shame the cold selfishness of capitals which boast their philosophy and refinement.

The pious superstition of the Russians has been remarked as one of the most singular features of their characIt was to be expected that this powerful string would not be left un touched at so great a crisis; the em

ter. •

peror, in the addresses which he had already issued, made strong appeals to this sacred principle; and he was most zealously seconded in these appeals by his clergy. "Let us," said the holy synod in its address to the people, let us in the hour of danger array ourselves in the panoply of a holy courage; and, Russians, that hour is come; an enemy, ambitious and insatiable, violating every sacred oath, and every bond of honour, forced himself into the bosom of your country. Despising the holy altars, while uttering the language of hypocrisy ; breathing words of tender humanity, while his deeds are those of cruelty and murder, approaching countries with the blan dishment of friendship, and entering them with fire and sword, famine, pestilence, and death, in his train; such is the tyrant we call upon you to oppose." After appealing to the higher orders, and reminding them of the glory of their ancestors, the address proceeds, "Above all, we sound the trumpet unto you, ye ministers of the holy altar. By the example of Moses, who, on the day of battle with Amalek, withdrew not his hands stretched forth unto the Lord; clasp yours in ardent prayer, until the arms of the adversary have lost their strength, and he cry aloud unto the victors for mercy and for peace. Inspire our warriors with a firm hope in the God of armies. Fortify, by the words of truth, men of feeble minds, whom ignorance exposes to the artifices of imposture. Instruct every order, both by precept and action, to respect, above all things, their faith and their country. And should one of the sons of the priesthood, who may not have been yet consecrated to the sanctuary, burn with zeal to grasp the sword of patriotism, do ye bless him in the name of the church, and let him follow the filial impulse."-The following memorable

advice which was given in this address, even at the moment when the fury of the Russians may be supposed to have been at its height, should teach their enemies to talk with more respect and moderation of this calumniated people. "Soldiers, while we thus call you to the field of honour, we exhort, we supplicate you never to forget that it is also the field of justice. Abstain from all actions unworthy your great cause. Abhor every disorder or license that would bring down on your heads the wrath of a Being who is not more the God of retribution than the God of mercy. We recommend to you the love of your neighbour, and the love of concord, &c."-It is almost needless to add that these energetic appeals had the desired effect. The whole Russian empire was now united in defence of its independence. The casualties in the regular army were immediately supplied, and its numbers increased by volunteers who crowded in from all quarters; and already did the invader perceive that in Russia he was about to meet with a resistance which he had never before encounter ed, and which in the madness of his ambition he had wholly overlooked.

The Russian general-in-chief had determined to abandon Drissa, and to retire towards Smolensk ; on the 19th of July, therefore, he broke up from the entrenched camp, and marched upon Polotsk and Vitepsk; he reached the latter place on the 24th. Wittgenstein, in the meantime, was left to occupy the ground to the north of Drissa, to protect the road to St Petersburgh, and to keep in check the corps under Macdonald and Oudinot. The greatest uncertainty still prevailed as to the movements of the second army, under Prince Bagration, from which no intelligence had for some time been received; and it was manifestly the object of the invader to push forward with the greatest rapidity towards

Smolensko, and to prevent that junction which had already cost so many efforts. The situation of the Russian general-in-chief was thus embarrassing in the extreme; nor could he take any step towards checking the advance of the enemy, except by making demonstrations for a general battle. The concentration of the French forces gave the enemy great advantages; it enabled him to push forward, regardless of his antagonists, and to meet them with many chances in his favour, whereever they might choose to make a stand. Yet no alternative seemed to be left to the Russian general but to risk an engagement, even in the very unfavourable circumstances to which he had been reduced.

That he might choose the ground with more advantage for this great struggle, and ascertain the position and strength of the enemy, General Barclay de Tolly sent out reconnoitring parties, and afterwards dispatched Count Osterman to keep the enemy in check. General Dochtoroff was at the same time posted on the right bank of the Dwina, with orders to check the enemy's advance.-On the 25th of July, the corps under Osterman was in motion; and three versts in advance of Ostrovno, they fell in with a large body of the enemy's cavalry, who fought with bravery, but were ultimately compelled to give way. The Russians, too impetuous in following up this success, were in their turn repulsed; and on the following day the viceroy of Italy, powerfully reinforced by Murat's cavalry, renewed the attack. The Russians had their right on the Dwina, their centre on the great road leading to Vitepsk, and their left covered by a wood, of which the French made vigorous efforts to get possession. On this point, as well as on the centre and right, they were ultimately driven back with great slaughter; but as the contest was bravely and obstinately main