History of the Expedition to Russia | Page 2

ministers and generals--fresh obstacles to his departure 80
BOOK III.
CHAP. I.--Napoleon's departure from Paris--dispositions of the east of France--of the Germans--assemblage of sovereigns at Dresden 86
II.--Arrival in Poland--complaints by the inhabitants of the disorders of his troops--his ineffectual attempts to check them--meeting with Davoust--quarrel between that officer and Berthier--unfavourable impression of Napoleon against the former--arrival at K?nigsberg 97
III.--March from the Vistula to the Niemen--Napoleon's manners with the soldiers--positions of the different corps--dispositions of the army 105
BOOK IV.
CHAP. I.--Addresses of Napoleon and Alexander to their respective armies--Position of the Russian forces--Napoleon's plans in consequence--Sketch of the operations of his left and right wings during the campaign 115
II.--Passage of the Niemen--Dreadful storm and its fatal effects--Melancholy catastrophe--Napoleon's arrival at Wilna--Political arrangements 121
III.--Feelings of the Lithuanians--Napoleon's answer to the address of the Polish confederation--Coolness of the Lithuanians, and discussion of its causes 131
IV.--Distress of the army and its excesses--Manner in which Napoleon was affected by them 143
V.--Arrival of Balachoff from Alexander--Quarrel between Napoleon and Caulaincourt--Progress of the invading army to the 10th of July 149
VI.--Operations of the King of Westphalia's and of Davoust's divisions--Perilous situation and narrow escape of Bagration 157
VII.--Napoleon's departure from Wilna--Retreat of the Russian army from Drissa to Witepsk--Arrival of the different French corps at Beszenkowiczi--Different partial actions near Witepsk 166
VIII.--General engagement before Witepsk--French attack ordered to cease in expectation of a decisive battle on the following day--Retreat of the Russians--Napoleon's disappointment--Position of his different corps 177
BOOK V.
CHAP. I.--Napoleon's first plans for halting at Witepsk--afterwards abandoned, and his determination to proceed to Smolensk 188
II.--Discussions with the officers of his household--their reasons for dissuading him from advancing further, and his replies--Feelings of the army in general 199
III.--Operations of Oudinot's corps against that of Wittgenstein--partial successes on both sides--Napoleon determines to change his line of operation 210
BOOK VI.
CHAP. I.--Manner in which this manoeuvre was effected--The army crosses the Boristhenes--Character of the Jewish and native population 216
II.--Surprise of Newerowskoi's corps beyond Krasno?--Bold retreat of that officer 222
III.--Movements of the main Russian army--Plans of Barclay--his dissension with Bagration--hastens to the relief of Smolensk--about to be surprised by Napoleon--Unsuccessful attack of the French on Smolensk 227
IV.--Retreat of the Russian army, and fresh disappointment of Napoleon--Ineffectual attempts of Murat to dissuade his farther advance--Capture of Smolensk 234
V.--Napoleon's reflections on the conduct of the Russians--Intelligence of Regnier's victory over Tormasof--Opinions of the Emperor's principal officers as to the impolicy of proceeding farther 240
VI.--State of the allied army--its immense losses from various causes, independent of the enemy--Napoleon's professed intention to stop, but real determination to proceed 248
VII.--Final evacuation of Smolensk by the Russians after setting it on fire--their army overtaken by Murat and Ney--Death of General Gudin--Battle of Valoutina--Narrow escape of the Russians in consequence of Junot's irresolution 254
VIII.--Results of the battle--Recompenses and rewards conferred by Napoleon--Enthusiasm of the army--Melancholy state of the wounded--Animosity of the Russian population 264
IX.--Napoleon's plans of moving the Russian peasantry to insurrection--Conduct of their nobles to ward off the danger--Napoleon's hesitation as to the plan he should pursue 271
X.--Saint Cyr's victory over Wittgenstein on the 18th of August--Dissension between Murat and Davoust--Discord in the Russian camp in consequence of Barclay's continued retreat--Napoleon's advance to Dorogobouje 276
BOOK VII.
CHAP. I.--Manner in which the allied army was supplied on its march--Details of the organization of Davoust's corps 285
II.--Napoleon's bulletin and decrees at Slawkowo--Fresh quarrels between Murat and Davoust--Description of the Russian mode of retreat and of Murat's method of pursuit 290
III.--Advance to Wiazma and to Gjatz--Refusal of Davoust to obey Murat--Full development of the Russian plan of destroying their cities and towns 297
IV.--Clamours of the Russians against Barclay--Kutusof sent to supersede him--Great merit of Barclay's plan of retreat 304
V.--Near prospect of a battle--Character of Kutusof--Sanguinary and partial action on the 4th of September--Anecdote of Murat--Napoleon's survey of the ground 309
VI.--Disposition of the Russian army on the field of Borodino--Napoleon's plan of battle 317
VII.--Plan proposed by Davoust rejected by Napoleon--Feelings of the French army--Proclamation of Napoleon 322
VIII.--Preparations of the Russians--Feelings of their soldiery--Napoleon's anxiety--his indisposition on the night before the battle 328
IX. X. XI.--Battle of Borodino on the 7th of September 334
XII.--Results of the battle--immense loss on both sides--faults committed by Napoleon--how accounted for--incompleteness of his victory 356
XIII.--Advance to, and skirmish before Mojaisk--Gallantry of fifty voltigeurs of the 33d--Surprising order in the Russian retreat--Napoleon's distress 364

VOLUME SECOND.
BOOK VIII.
CHAP. I.--The Emperor Alexander's arrival at Moscow after his retreat from Drissa--Description of that city--Sacrifices voted by the nobility and the merchants to meet the threatened danger 1
II.--Alarm in consequence of the advance of the French army--Determination of the Governor, Count Rostopchin, and his preparations for destroying the capital--Evacuation of Moscow by the principal part of the inhabitants on the 3d of September 10
III.--State of that city just before and after the battle of Borodino--The Governor's departure 18
IV.--Napoleon advances to Moscow on the 14th of September--Feelings of the army on approaching