n with their staffs traversing
the plain in every direction. As we moved along we could discover in the
distance the dark columns of the enemy marching, not towards us, but in
a southerly direction towards our extreme right. This movement attracted
the attention of several others, and more than one aide-de-camp was
despatched to Brunn to carry the intelligence to the Emperor.

The same evening couriers departed in every direction to Bernadotte
and Davoust to hasten forward at once; even Mortier, with his mangled
division, was ordered to abandon Vienna to a division of Marmont's army,
and move on to Brunn. And now the great work of concentration began.

Meanwhile the Russians advanced, and on the 30th drove in an advanced
post, and compelled our cavalry to fall back behind our position. The
following morning the allies resumed their flank movement. And now no
doubt could be entertained of their plan; which was, by turning our
right, to cut us off from our supporting columns resting at Vienna, and
throw our retreat back upon the mountainous districts of Bohemia. In
this way five massive columns moved past us scarce half a league distant
from our advanced posts, numbering eighty thousand men, of which fifteen
were cavalry in the most perfect condition.

Our position was in advance of the fortress of Brunn; the headquarters
of the Emperor occupied a rising piece of ground, at the base of which
flowed a small stream, a tributary to some of the numerous ponds by
which the field was intersected. The entire ground in our front was
indeed a succession of these small lakes, with villages interspersed,
and occasionally some stunted woods; great morasses extended around
these ponds, through which led the highroads or such bypaths as
conducted from one village to another. Here and there were plains where
cavalry might act with safety, but rarely in large bodies.

Our right rested on the lake of Moeritz, where Soult's division was
stationed; behind which, thrown back in such a manner as to escape the
observation of the enemy, was Davoust's corps, the reserve occupying a
cliff of ground beside the convent of Eeygern. Our left, under Lannes,
occupied the hill of Santon,--a wooded eminence, the last of a long
chain of mountains running east and west. Above, and on the crest of the
height, a powerful park of artillery was posted, and defended by strong
intrenchments. A powerful cavalry corps was placed at the bottom of
the mountain. N