; and Napoleon's object was to induce Bennigsen, instead of
abiding by his position, to abandon its advantages, pass over to the
western bank, and accept battle with the town and river in his rear. His
crafty management outwitted the Russian, who, being persuaded that the
troops which appeared in front of him were only a small division of the
French army, was tempted to send some regiments over the river for the
purpose of chastising them. The French, sometimes retreating, and then
again returning to the combat, the Russians were by degrees induced to
cross in greater numbers; until at length Bennigsen found himself and
his whole army on the western bank, with the town and bridge in their
rear--thus completely entrapped in the snare laid for him by his enemy.

On the 14th of June, under circumstances thus disadvantageous, the
Russian general was compelled to accept battle. His army occupied open
ground; the intricate and narrow streets of the town of Friedland, and
the bridge behind it, appeared to be his only means of retreat in case
of misadventure; and in front, and on either flank, extended those woods
which had covered Buonaparte's stratagems of the preceding day, and
which now afforded complete shelter to the Imperial army--the means of
attacking from whatever point they might select--and of retiring with
safety as often as it might be found advisable.

The battle commenced at ten in the morning, and the Russians stood their
ground with unbroken resolution until between four and five in the
evening; sustaining numberless charges of foot and horse, and exposed
all the while to a murderous cannonade. At length Napoleon put himself
at the head of the French line, and commanded a general assault of all
arms, which was executed with overpowering effect. Having lost full
12,000 men, General Bennigsen was at last compelled to attempt a
retreat; the French poured after him into the town: the first Russian
division which forced the passage of the river destroyed the bridge
behind them in their terror; and the rest of the army escaped by means
of deep and dangerous fords, which, desperate as the resource they
afforded was, had been discovered only in the moment of necessity.
Nevertheless such were the coolness and determination of the Russians,
that they saved all their baggage, and lost only seventeen cannon; and
such was the impression which their obstinate valour left on the enemy,
that their retreat towards the Niemen w