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War between France and Russia.

placed against the walls at six in the evening, one by Friant's division, and the two others by Morand and Gudia's divisions. We drove the enemy from all the towers by howitzers, which played on them. The General of artillery, Count Sorbur, rendered the occupation of the covered way by the enemy impossible, by two infiladed batteries, Nevertheless the enemy, who, from two in the afternoon, perceived that we had serious intentions against the town, sent two divisions and two regiments of infantry of the guard to reinforce the four divisions which were in the town. These united forces composed half of the Russian army; the battle continued the whole night; three breaching batteries played with the utmost activity. Two companies of miners were attached to the ramparts. The town was now on fire in the middle of a fine August night. Smolensko offered the French a spectacle similar to that which an eruption of Vesuvius presents to the inhabitants of Naples.—An hour after midnight, the enemy abandoned the town, and retired across the river. At two o'clock the grenadiers who first led to the attack no longer found resistance, the place was evacuated; 200 pieces of cannon, and one of the first towns in Russia, were in our power, and that too in sight of the whole Rus sian army. The combat of Smolensko, which we might justly term a battle, a hundred thousand men having been engaged on the different sides, caused the Russians a loss of 4,700 men left dead on the field of battle, of 2000 prisoners, the greater part of which are wounded, and of 7 to 8000 wounded.-Amongst the dead were found five Russian generals. Our loss amounts to 700 killed, and 3,100 or 3,200 wounded. The General of Brigade Grabouski was killed, and the Generals of Brigade Graudeau and Dalton wounded. All the troops have rivalled each other in intrepidity.. The field of battle has afforded to the view of 200,000 persons who can attest it, the sight of one French corps lying upon the dead bodies of seven or eight Russians, while the Russians were protected by the musketry fire from their trenches during a part of the days of the 16th and 17th. On the 18th we established the bridges over the Borysthenes, which the enemy had burnt, but did not succeed in quenching the fire, which consumed the town, until the day of the 18th, the French sappers having worked with great activity. The houses in the city were filled with Russians, dead and dying.-Of twelve divisions, which composed the grand Russian army, two divisions have been broken, and defeated in the combats of Ostrovno; two have met with the same fate in the battle of Mohilow; and six in the battle of Smolensko. They have only two divisions of the guards which remain entire. The deeds of bravery which redound honour on the army, and which have distinguished such numbers of soldiers in the battle of Smolensko, shall be the subject of a particular report. Never has the French army shewn greater intrepidity than in this campaign.

FOURTEENTH BULLETIN OF THE GRAND ARMY. Smolensko, August 23.—Smolensko may be considered as one of the finest cities of Russia. Had it not been for circumstances of the war, which has caried thither the fire, and consumed immense magazines of colonial merchandize, and goods of all kinds, this city would have been a grand resource for the army. Even in its present state, it may be of the greatest utility in a military point of view. There are still large houses remaining, which offer fine places for the establishment of hospitals. The province of Smolensko is very fine and fertile, and furnished with great resources for subsistence and forage. The Russians intended, according to the events of the war, to raise a militia of peasant slaves, whom they have armed with bad pikes. They had already united about five thousand of them at this place; it was an object of raillery and derision even to the Russian army itself. They had already stated, as the order of the day, that Sme

War between France and Russia.

Jusko was to be the grave of the French, and that, although it had been deemed convenient to evacuate Poland, yet it was necessary to give battle at Smolensko, to prevent this barrier of Russia from falling into our hands. The cathedral of Smolensko is one of the most celebrated Grecian churches in all Russia. The episcopal palace forms a kind of town by itself. The heat is excessive, the thermometer having risen to 26 degrees. The weather is much hotter here than in Italy.

SUPPLEMENT TO THE FOURTEENTH BULLETIN.

Report of the 12th August - THE reconnoitring sent early into the wood of Padubue, on the roads of Brzese and Tivete; occupied the debouche of the wood upon the two roads, and made some Russian Uhlans prisoners at Keivatice. Some patroles of infantry passing the marshes by Zabia took several of the enemy's horsemen, who were seeking their horses, which had run off during the night into the marshes. At eight in the morning a strong column of the enemy's infantry, which it was afterwards known were the 9th and 15th divisions, with a brigade of cavalry, appeared on the heights between Zambase and the farin of Padubue, attacked the posts that had passed the dyke which crosses the marshes, and forced them to fall back to the entrance of the dyke. This columa formed upon the weights, placed there a battery of 30 pieces of cannon, and sent infantry into the marshes to possess themselves of the dyke, which the advanced-guard defended. The corps d'armée began its march to support the advanced-guard; placed itself before Padubue, and forced the enemy to give up the attack of the dyke. The advanced-guard, composed of a battalion of light infantry, a battaliou of light artillery hussars, the light horse of Potentz, and Saxon lancers, supported by the Austrian regiments of light horse of Hohenzollern and Orcily, sent by the provinces of Schwatzenberg, put itself on march to turn the marsh, traversed the wood, which the enemy had only caused to be observed by the regiment of dragoons of Czernikowski and Uhlan Tartars, and placed itself at the debouche of this wood, on the road to Twele. The first division of the 7th corps followed the movements of its advanced-guard about ten o'clock, and the 26 division followed it to the entrance of the wood, as soon as the Austrian division of General Siegerthal arrived to replace it at Padubue. When the advanced-guard, after having debouched from the wood, appeared on the flank and rear of the enemy, they caused a part of the 9th and 15th divisions to change their front, and directed on the advanced-guard the fire of a numerous artillery, which dismounted several pieces of the two batteries of Saxon and Austrian light artillery. The arrival of the 1st division, "with other artillery, supported the advanced-guard, and extended itself behind the left of the enemy. The brigade of Austrian infantry of General Sellenberg, sent by the Prince of Schwartzenberg to General Regnier, placed itself between the left of the 1st division, and the extremity of the wood; that general was soon afterwards wounded, and Lieutenant-general Bianchi took the command of this brigade. The second Saxon division, composed only of the brigade of General Saar, also passed the wood, and placed itself before the left of the Austrian brigade; it was soon attacked by the enemy, who Lendeavoured to take the wood. This brigade repulsed several attacks, and was seconded by the Austrian troops, whith occupied Padubue, and sent tirailleurs into the marshes. · It endeavoured, after having repulsed the attack of the enemy upon the wood, to possees itself of the heights which commanded the dyke of Padubue. This brigade was supported by two batteries of six pièces of cannon each, and the fire of the artillery of the first division, as also by that of Austrian batteries placed near Padubue; but this was the point which the enemy most obstinately defended, because they feared, that if they abandoned it, the Austrian troops which were at Padubue might pass the marshes, and

War between France and Russia.

augment the forces which were on their flank and rear. They continually directed fresh troops against the brigade of General Saar. A regiment of dragoons charged the 2d regiment of Saxon light infantry, which immediately formed with the greatest order in square, and repulsed the charge. During this time the cavalry of the advanced-guard extended towards the right, nearly to the great road to Kobryn, and connected itself with the first division, which was in the same direction, but which could not advance so far. The enemy's cavalry extended from the elevated plain of Padubue to Zawanies, on the road to Kobryn; and was supported by a numerous artillery, and by a part of the enemy's 13th division, which remained in the morning before Horcdetza, and had come to take a position at some distance from the left of the 15th division. All this line was furnished with a very numerous artillery. The enemy's cavalry attempted a charge against the right of the cavalry, but was repulsed by the regiment of Austrian dragoons of Hohenzollern, and the Saxon light horse of Polentz, which made a very fine charge, and took several prisoners.

A moment after this charge, General Frelich arrived to reinforce the cavalry of the right with two regiments of Austrian hussars. Towards evening, General Regnier caused a new effort to be made by the brigade of General Saar, to possess himself of the élevated plain of Padubue. He caused this to be supported by an Austrian battalion of the division of General Bianchi, and the tirailleurs of the first division; while the tirailleurs of the troops which the Prince of Schwartzenberg had at Padubue traversed the marshes. The elevated plain was taken possession of; but night terminated the combat, and prevented the enemy, who had then begun their retreat, from being pursued; at the same time the cavalry had orders to send out several parties and patroles towards Twele, on the road to Kubryn; and a commissary was taken, who confirmed the retreat of the enemy.

REPORT OF AUGUST 13.

Kobryn, August 13.-At five in the morning the troops began their march to attack the enemy who were retreating by the road of Kobryn, but who had still a rear guard on the heights between Horodeczka and Zainlym. The right of the cavalry, which was reinforced by the Austrian regiment of dragoons of Levenhir, took its direction upon Twele, and placed itself to the left of this village in order to cut off the retreat of the enemy, who were to haste to effect it, and were briskly cannonaded on the road till the cavalry had entered Twele, where the enemy had a rear guard of infantry, which retired as soon as it saw this movement. The Prince of Schwartzenberg then caused the cavalry of the enemy which was between Twele and Sutkow, to be charged, and they were pursued, retiring in the greatest disorder upon Kobryn, where, however, they did not dare to stop. A regiment of infantry which was at Kobryn, behind the Muchawin, and bad begun to burn the bridge, fled on the arrival of the hussars and Saxon light artillery. Two batteries served by Saxon gunners on foot, which had been advanced in the morning, along with the cavalry, arrived at Kobryn, as soon as the light artillery. A great number of the enemy were killed and taken in this pursuit. Exact accounts, by which to estimate their loss in the action of the 12th and 13th, have not yet been obtained, because the field of battle was very extensive, and the prisoners are not collected, but it cannot be estimated at less than 3000 in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The inhabitants of Kobryn say, that a great number of wounded have passed through that place, and many still remain on the field of battle. Statements of the loss of the 7th corps have not yet been made out, but it may be estimated at 1000 killed or wounded. The Saxon troops displayed the greatest bravery; the brigade of General Saar fought and attacked with infinite vigour, and the division of General Lecoq supported with

War between France and Russia.

calmness a very great fire of artillery. The tirailleurs marched with ardour upon the enemy; the artillery was perfectly well directed and well sustained against the fire of the enemy, who had a superior artillery, of which many pieces were dismounted. The general commander-in-chief of the 7th corps of the grand army. REGNIER

BATTLE OF POLOTSK.

After the battle of Drissa, the Duke of Reggio, knowing that the enemy's general, Wittgenstein, had been reinforced by twelve third battalions from the garrison of Dunaburg, and willing to draw him to an engagement near the defile below Polotsk, caused the 2d and 6th corps to be arranged in order of battle below Polotsk. General Wittgenstein followed him, attacked him on the 16th and 17th, and was vigoursly repulsed, The Bavarian division of De Wrede, of the 6th corps, has distinguished itself. At the moment when the Duke of Reggio was making his dispositions to profit by the victory, and to close the enemy in the defile, he was struck on the shoulder by a rifle ball. His wound, which is of a serious nature, obliged him to cause himself to be transported to Wilna, but it did not appear that he made himself anyways unquiet concerning the consequences. The General Gouvion Saint Cyr has taken the command of the 2d and 6th corps. On the 17th, in the evening, the enemy retired through the defile. General Verdier was wounded. General Maison has been recognized as general of division, and has succeeded him in the command of his division. Our loss is estimated at 1000 men killed and wounded. The loss of the Russians is triple of ours. We have taken 500 prisoners from them. On the 18th, at four o'clock in the afternoon, General Goyvion Saint Cyr, commanding the 2d and 6th corps, opened on the enemy, right wing to be attacked by the Bavarian division of Count De Wrede. The battle extended the whole length of the line, and the enemy were thrown into complete rout, and pursued for two leagues, as long as day-light permitted. Twenty pieces of cannon and 1000 prisoners have remained in the power of the French army. The Bavarian General Deroy was wounded.

BATTLE OF VALENTINA.

by causing his

On the 19th, at break of day, the bridge being finished, the Marshal Duke of Elchingen crossed over to the right bank of the Borysthenes, and pursued the enemy. At one league from the town he encountered the last column of the enemy's rear-guard. It was a division of 5 or 6000 men, stationed on fine heights. He caused them to be attacked with the bayonet, by the 4th regiment of infantry of the line, and by the 72d ditto. The position was carried, and our bayonets covered the field of battle with dead; 3 or 400 prisoners fell into our hands. The flying enemy retired on the second column, which was posted on the heights of Valentina. The first position was carried by the 10th of the line; and towards four o'clock in the afternoon, the musketry fire was kept up against the whole of the enemy's rear guard, which presented about 15,000 men. The Duke of Abrantes had passed the Borysthenes at two o'clock to the right of Smolensko, and he found himself close upon the rear of the enemy; he might, therefore, by marching with his division, have intercepted the great road to Moscow, and rendered the retreat of the rear-guard difficult; but mean time, the other columns of the enemy's army which remained to be forced, being informed of the successes, and of the rapidity of the first attack, returned back the way they came. Four divisions then advanced to support their rear-guard, and among others the divisions of grenadiers, which, until now, had not come forward, 5 or 6000 men, cavalry, formed their right, whilst their left was covered by woods, filled with tirailleurs. It was of the greatest consequence to the enemy to keep this position as long as possible, it being a very fine one, and apparently inpregnable; on our part we attached no less importance to it. Thus arose the battle of

War between France and Russia.

Valentina, one of the finest feats of arms in our military history. At six o'clock in the evening the division of Gudin, which had been sent forward to support the third corps, from the moment we perceived the great succours that the enemy had sent to his rear-guard, pushed forward a column on the centre of the enemy's position, supported by the division of General Ledru. After an hour's combat our troops forced the posi tion. General Count Gudin arriving with his division, was, at the commencement of the action, struck by a bullet, which carried off his thigh: he died gloriously.—This loss was sensibly felt. General Gudin was one of the most distinguished officers in the army; he was estimable for his moral qualities, as much as for his bravery and intrepidity. General Gerard has taken the command of the division. We reckon that the enemy have had eight generals killed or wounded: one of their generals is taken prisoner. On the following day the emperor distributed recompences on the field of battle to all the regiments which had distinguished themselves; and as the 127th, which is a new regiment, had behaved itself well, his majesty granted this regiment the right of carrying an eagle, a privilege it had not before enjoyed, never having, until this time, been present in any battle. These recompences, given on the field of battle in the midst of the dead, the dying, the wounded, and the trophies of victory, afforded a spectacle truly military and imposing. The enemy, after this battle, has precipitated his retreat in such a manner, that on the day of the 20th our troops marched 20 leagues without being able to find the cossacks, and every where picking up the wounded and the stragglers. Our loss in the battle of Valentina has been 600 killed, and 2600 wounded. That of the enemy, as the field of battle shows, is triple. We have taken 1000 prisoners, mostly wounded. Thus the only two Russian divisions which had not suffered by the preceding combats of Mohilow, of Ostrovno, of Krasnoi, and of Smolensko, have now done it by the battle of Valentina. All the intelligence received, confirms the account of the enemy running full drive for Muscow, and that his army has suffered much in the preceding engagements, and besides this, experiences a great desertion. The Poles say to them when deserting, You have abandoned us without fighting, what right then can you have to expect us to remain under your colours?" The Russian soldiers of the provinces of Mohilow and of Smolensko likewise take advantage of the proximity of their villages to desert, and return to repose themselves in their own countries. The division of Gudin attacked with so much intrepidity, that the enemy were persuaded it was the imperial guards. This is in one word to pronounce the finest eulogy on the 7th regiment of light infantry, and on the 12th, 21st, and 127th of the line, who com posed this division. The combat of Valentina may likewise be called a battle, as more than 80,000 men were engaged. It was at least an affair of the van-guard of the first rank. General Grouchy, who was sent with his corps on the route to Donkovichina, found all the villages filled with dead and wounded, and has taken three carriages, containing 900 wounded. The cossacks have surprised at Leozno an hospital of 200 sick Wirtemburg troops, which, through negligence, had not been forwarded to Witepsk. For the rest, in the midst of all these disasters, the Russians never cease to chaunt Te Deums; they convert every thing into a victory; but in spite of the ignorance and brutality of these people, this begins to appear ridiculous to them, and even too gross. REPORT OF THE MAJOR GENERAL.

"

MONSEIGNEUR, I suppose that the Duke of Reggio will have rendered your highness an account of the day of the 17th, or at least up to the moment when his wounds forced him to quit the field of battle. During the remainder of that day the troops continued their successes, and at nine in the evening the Russians were repulsed at every point, after having suffered the most considerable losses, having attempted, in the course

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