ussian nation, which drew its sovereign
toward Yorck, only ventured to rise successively, as the Russians came
in sight, and by degrees, as our feeble remains quitted their territory.
A single fact, which took place during the retreat, will paint the
dispositions of the people, and show how much, notwithstanding the
hatred they bore us, they were curbed under the ascendancy of our
victories.

When Davoust was recalled to France, he passed, with only two
attendants, through the town of X * * *. The Russians were daily
expected there; its population were incensed at the sight of these last
Frenchmen. Murmurs, mutual excitations, and finally, outcries, rapidly
succeeded each other; the most violent speedily surrounded the carriage
of the marshal, and were already about to unharness the horses, when
Davoust made his appearance, rushed upon the most insolent of these
insurgents, dragged him behind his carriage, and made his servants
fasten him to it. Frightened at this action, the people stopped short,
seized with motionless consternation, and then quietly and silently
opened a passage for the marshal, who passed through the midst of them,
carrying off his prisoner.

CHAP. X.

In this sudden manner did our left wing fall. On our right wing, on the
side of the Austrians, whom a well-cemented alliance retained, a
phlegmatic people, governed despotically by an united aristocracy, there
was no sudden explosion to be apprehended. This wing detached itself
from us insensibly, and with the formalities required by its political
position.

On the 10th of December, Schwartzenberg was at Slonim, presenting
successively vanguards towards Minsk, Nowogrodeck, and Bienitza. He was
still persuaded that the Russians were beaten and fleeing before
Napoleon, when he was informed at the same moment of the Emperor's
departure, and of the destruction of the grand army, but in so vague a
manner that he was for some time without any direction.

In his embarrassment he addressed himself to the French ambassador at
Warsaw. The answer of that minister authorized him "not to sacrifice
another man." In consequence, he retreated on the 14th of December from
Slonim towards Bialystok. The instructions which reached him from Murat
in the middle of this movement were conformable to it.

About the 21st of December, an order from Alexander suspended
hostilities on that point, and as the interest of the Russians agreed
with that of the Austrians