Chapter II: 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