Chapter XXVIII: Book XI: Chap

—Capture of Minsk by the Russians—Different opinions in the army as to the causes of their disasters—Rumoured treachery of Schwartzenberg—Napoleon's reproaches to him and Schwartzenberg's reply —Details of the loss of Minsk—Movements of Dombrowski, Oudinot, and Victor—Distress and malady of Napoleon—Remarkable conversation with Count Daru —Passage through the Forest of Minsk—Junction of the remains of the grand army with Victor and Oudinot's corps—State of the former —Preparations for crossing the Berezina —Preparations for crossing the Berezina (Cont.) —Circumstances which led the Russian general, Tchaplitz, into error as to the point where Napoleon was to cross the Berezina, and consequences of that error—Napoleon crosses that river at Studzianka on the 27th November —Capture and destruction of Partouneaux's division —Attack made by the Russians under Wittgenstein and Platof on the left side, and by Tchitchakof on the right side of the Berezina, and repelled by the French —The burning of the bridge over the Berezina —Napoleon's situation during the preceding actions—Passage over the morasses—His manners to his officers —Napoleon's arrival at Malodeczno—Announcement on the 3d of December of his intention to set out for France —Increased severity of the winter—Partial actions of Ney and Maison with the Russians between Pleszezenitzy and Malodeczno—Quarrel between Ney and Victor —Napoleon's arrival at Smorgony—his parting interview with his marshals