Chapter III: 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 Krasnoë--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