rch through probably the very worst roads in Europe, and of frequent
skirmishes with their pursuers. But the minor divisions of D'Anrep and
Bexhouden retreated without keeping up the requisite communications with
either Bennigsen or Galitzin, and consequently suffered considerably,
though the matter was grossly exaggerated in the French bulletins.

Bennigsen, in spite of Kaminskoy's orders to retreat at all hazards,
made a stand, and a most gallant one at Pultusk. Having his left in that
town, and his right on a wood, the general conceived his position to be
too favourable for speedy abandonment, and on the 26th of December
expected the onset of Lannes, Davoust, and the imperial guard of France.
They charged with their usual impetuosity, and drove the Russian right
wing, under General Barclay de Tolly, out of the wood; but Bennigsen
skilfully availed himself of this occurrence; by his orders Barclay de
Tolly retired much further than was necessary for his own safety, and
the French, advancing unguardedly, found themselves confronted on very
unfavourable ground with the Russian main body, which had now been
arranged on a new line of battle, and of a battery of 120 guns, placed
so as to command their march with terrible efficacy. The result was that
the Russians lost 5000 in killed and wounded, the French 8000--one of
their wounded being Marshal Lannes himself; and the French drew back
from the hardly contested field with such haste, that all next day the
advancing Cossacks sought in vain for their rear-guard. On the same day,
and with nearly as much success, Prince Galitzin halted also, and
awaited and repelled his pursuers at Golymin; and had either Bennigsen
or Galitzin been supported by the other divisions which were doing
nothing within a few miles of their respective marches, these events
might have been improved so as to involve the French army in great and
immediate perplexity. But in truth, the total want of plan and
combination on the part of Kaminskoy was by this time apparent to the
veriest tyro in his camp. Symptoms of actual insanity appeared shortly
afterwards, and the chief command was transferred, with universal
approbation, to Bennigsen.

The affairs of Pultusk and Golymin, however, were productive of
excellent effects. They raised to a high pitch the spirits of the
Russian soldiery; and they afforded Napoleon such a specimen of the
character of his new enemy, that instead of pursuing the campaign, as he