This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860 edition. Excerpt: ... to render him useful service." The Marshal said "he had determined to finish the war on that spot--to succeed or make the enemy pass over his body,"f and requested the English General " to keep up constant communication with him from every point of the field where he might be moving during the combat," and authorized him " to use his name on every emergency as bearing an order from himself." Above eighty thousand men were placed in position, with nearly seven hundred pieces of cannon, pointing their muzzles on all the sallying points of the town. The enemy could not be more than seventy thousand strong; for a large force had moved with the great convoy on the Mojaisk road, and Poniatowski with his corps had been detached to Wercia, with instructions to reconnoitre the road to Medynsk. The state of the enemy was moreover calculated to put the Russian commander at ease with regard to the result of the intended obstruction. It was now indisputable that the enemy was not proposing to entangle his adversary by a series of complicated operations, but that his sole object was " transit," without the passport he had been so long expecting. That in case of success he could not afford time to pursue his advantage, and deviate from this sole point de mire of his movement. That should the enemy even penetrate the Russian semicircle of investment, and gain the Kalouga or Medynsk line of road, the Russian divided wings would have nothing to apprehend from separation, but might immediately act as distinct corps to harass his flank Oct. 1812. KUTUSOW DETERMINES TO RETREAT. 233 causeway was constructed, and extended a good quarter of a mile. Beyond the causeway rose a high hill, which ran parallel with and commanded the whole ravine. A. division...