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Wittgenstein on their flank. A report was received yesterday of another general officer, whose name I have not heard, having been taken prisoner; and I have also understood that accounts are received, that Gen. Ertle was arrived at Egoumen.-The detachment under Gen. Sachen is understood to be fully adequate to keep Prince Schwartzenberg in check.The attempt to blow up the cathedral of Smolensko failed, the match having gone out before it reached the mine.-The fate of Marshal Ney has not been ascertained. CATHCART.

St. Petersburgh, Dec. 6. MY LORD, I have the honour to transmit the report of the defeat of Victor's Corps by General Count Wittgenstein, Nov. 27. It would seem that this corps had altered its direction from Borissow, and was proceeding up the left bank of the Berezina, when it was charged by Count Wittgenstein. The 16th, at daybreak, the Count pursued Buonaparte on a road leading to Vilna, still upon the left bank of the Berezina -A bridge had been thrown over the river, at a place about 30 versts from Borisoff, where there

was

an advantageous position for the Enemy's rear-guard, and for covering the passage.In this day's march, the French lost the whole of their equipages and plunder, and were vigorously and repeatedly attacked at the bridge. The position on the left bank being continually -reinforced by fresh troops, was contested till night, when it was evacuated, and the bridge was destroyed as soon as the rear-guard bad passed. There is a cross road from this point which leads to the great road to Vilna, and it was the intention of Count Wittgenstein to pursue, as soon as he either received pontoons, or re-established the bridge-General Platoff had already got to the right bank, probably to Borisoff.-Admiral Tchichagoff's quarters appear to have been at no great distance; but no particular report of the distribution or movements of this part of the force has as yet been received, since the affair of Count Lambert.-It appears, however, from the conclusion of Count Wittgenstein's last report, that he expects the concert and support both of the Admiral and of Count Platoff-Geu. Millaradovitch was stated to have arrived at Borisoff when the last accounts came away. The head-quarters of the main army were still advancing on a line parallel to, and to the Southward of the main road from Smolensko to Minsk, but considerably in the rear of the present operations. There are long defiles to pass on the road from Borisoff to Minsk, as well as on that upon which Buonaparte is GENT. MAG. January, 1815,

supposed to be marching; and it scarcely appears possible that the remains of his army can get through these difficulties in presence of so many troops, with artillery and cavalry, regular as well as irregular. CATHCART

St. Petersburgh, Dec. 7. MY LORD, While in the act of dispatching the messenger, I received from the palace, a report from Admiral Tchichagoff, dated the 29th of November, upon the march to Ostachow, detailing his proceedings from the 21st of November, and stating that, in concert with Counts Wittgenstein and Platoff, he is in pursuit of the French, whose force he estimates at seventy thousand men, including Oudinot and Victor, and which, he says, is provided with cavalry and artillery.

CATHCART

Journal of Military Operations, dated
Head quarters, Kopys.

Nov. 7-Major-gen. Borosdini having driven the Enemy from Laeda, pursued them with a part of his detachment as far as Bolschoi Kolotofsky, and with his Cos sacks as far as Kosan, where they were relieved by those of the detachment commanded by the Aid-de-camp Gen. Count Oscharofsky. The Enemy lost in his flight seven pieces of cannon, and a number of carriages.-The General of Cavalry, Count Platoff, reports, under date of the 5th inst. that having on the 3d approached Smolensko, and having learnt from the inhabitants, who were quitting it, that the Enemy occupied the Fauxbourg of Petersburgh, he gave immediate orders to his troops to attack under cover of the fire of the artillery of the Don.-Col. Kaysaroff, after having with his chasseurs broken the barrier which the Enemy had placed, vigorously pursued them into the Fauxbourg itself, from whence they fled in alarm and disorder within the walls of the fortress, where they were exposed to a fire of grape-shot from the neighbouring heights. Whilst the Cossacks and the chasseurs were engaged in the Fauxbourg, the Enemy made a so tie in two columus, with eight pieces of cannon and a mortar, resolutely determined to repossess themselves of the Fauxbourg but Major-gen. Koutcinckoff with his Cossacks, and Colonel Kaysaroff with his chasseurs, fell upon them, and having repulsed the infantry, took their cannon The Fauxbourg was retaken, when night put an end to the contest. On the 4th the Enemy established themselves behind the palisadoes, keeping possession of the left bank of the Dnieper, whilst his columns quitted the town with precipita tion.-Count Platoff caused Te Deum to

be sung in presence of the troops, accompanied by a discharge of artillery and a hurrah of the soldiers.-The Enemy on quitting the town, sprung the mines which they had formed under several places of the fortress, which set fire to the houses of the Fauxbourg of Petersburgh, which were situated opposite the fortress.-The Aid-de-camp, Gem. Baron Mettersakomelsky, reports, that the officer whom he had detached with three squadrons, had discovered an Euemy's column at three versts from Winnisa-Louki, and having surrounded them, he sent the Staabs-Rottmeister of the hussars of the Akimfeldt guards, with a proposal to lay down their arms. This commission he execoted with complete success-the number of prisoners amounted to 2500 men.-Intelligence has been received, that the detachment under Count Oscharofsky, has occupied Mohilow, after having dislodged the Enemy. Provisions and forage sufficient to subsist the whole army, during ten days, were found in the place.-Head-quarters at Romanoff, on the 8th.

Nov. 9.-The Count Oscharofsky reports, that a detachment sent by him pursued the rear-guard of the Enemy on their retreat from Kosan. The Cossacks, in following it on each side of the great road, had cut off part of it from Dombrowna, and regardless of the fire of grape-shot, threw themselves, together with the chasseurs, upon the Enemy's column, killed more than 1000 men, took four pieces of cannon, with the caissons laden with grape, besides a considerable number of carts, and made 600 prisoners.-Major-gen. Borosdin reports, on The 4th, that having with his detachment driven the Enemy from Dombrowna, he had pursued him to Orsha, on which oc casion he took above four hundred men and eight officers. At Dombrowna was found a small magazine of flour, oats, and hay.-Gen. Count Platoff reports on the 7th, that proceeding from Smolensko to Dombrowna, he had destroyed a detachment of the Enemy, which, after the defeat of the French army at Krasno, had saved itself by flight, and passed over to the right bank of the Dnieper, in order to come up again with the main body. The Count made 3000 prisoners, among whom is the late Chief Commissary General at Smolensko, de Puibusque. In a second report, Gen. Platoff states, that, continuing, on the 7th, his route to Dombrowna, he was informed that Marshal Ney was marching with the remains of his corps to Loubawitch, and had been seen in the afternoon at Gousuiroff. Having occupied this place with his. Cossacks on the left, Gen. Platoff ordered masked batteries to be raised on the road; and having permitted the Enemy to ad

vance, he suddenly opened upon them a tremendous fire of grape-shot, so that confounded, and seeing it impossible to pierce through to Loubawitzch, they threw themselves into the woods on the banks of the Dnieper, and covering their march by chasseurs, pressed along the bank of the river until the night was far advanced, and threw into it the four pieces of cannon which they had with them.-The 8th, at about six o'clock in the morning, the advanced-guard came up with the Enemy in advance of Dombrowna. He was again received with grape-shot on coming out of a forest on the road. Our Cossacks, profiting by the disorder of the Enemy, and the well-directed fire of our artillery, attacked with the lance, killing many, and making eight hundred prisoners, among which was a Commissary-general and ten officers. Marshal Ney, seeing his total defeat, threw himself into the forests, and collecting the troops whom the attack of our Cossacks had dispersed, he occupied the village of Jarouboff, where he defended himself with obstinacy, until night, which put an end to the combat.

Nov. 10.-Gen. Count Platoff reports, on the 9th, that during the pursuit of the Enemy to Orsha he made four hundred prisoners. The Enemy defends the passage of the river with his artillery, while he gives the town up to the flames. The Partizan Dasidoff attacked the Enemy on the 9th, at Kopys, and killing many, made two hundred and eighty-five prisoners, besides taking a quantity of equipages; passing afterwards the river by swimming, he sent various parties to Schkloff, Staroselije, and Orsha.-The Count Platoff reports on the 9th, that the Enemy had, after some resistance, been driven from. Orsha, and that at one o'clock the town had been occupied by our troops. The Enemy left there twenty pieces of cannon, some provisions, and his hospitals, in which were found, of officers alone, fifty persons.-On the 11th the grand army halted at Launike.

Proceedings of the Military Operations of the Russian Army.

Nov. 13.-The Aid-de-camp Gen. Count Oscharoffsky, as he was proceeding on the 12th, with part of the detachment under his command, from Schkloff towards Mohilow, was informed by some of the inhabitants, who had left that place, that the Enemy's troops which had remained there, had threatened to set on fire all within their reach. In consequence of this information, Count Oscharoffsky, without loss of time, ordered on the Cossacks from Paltawa, mounted the riflemen, and arrived before night with his cavalry and artillery, in time to save the town, from whence he immediately

drove the Enemy--thus at the same time relieving the place, and many large magazines which it contained, from the danger with which it was threatened.-Gen. Millaradovitch reports that, on the 12th, he shall be with part of his van-guard at Tototschin.-The grand army halted at Kopys.

Nov. 14.-Gen. Platoff reports that on the 12th, some of the Enemy's troops, which had separated from the corps under Marshal Ney, and had taken the road to Loubawitntz, surrendered, to the number of eight hundred men. The Enemy's loss in prisoners was, indeed, so

very great, that he found it was unnecessary to make any particular report on the occasion, as it seldom occurred that be took less than a thousand prisoners each day. - On the 13th, Gen. Platoff reports, that Lieut.-gen. Martinott having attacked the Enemy, with Major-gen. Koutenikoff's brigade, as he was marching on the high road, killed 500 of them, and made 400 prisoners, amongst whom was Gen. Dseworofsky.-Head-quarters at Staroselije.

[Report from the General of Cavalry, Count Wittgenstein, dated Staroe Borysoff, Nov. 29, shall appear in our next.]

ABSTRACT OF FOREIGN OCCURRENCES.

PRUSSIA.

The successes of the Russians have been attended with the very important consequence of the defection of the whole of the Prussian army, (supposed to amount to nearly 30,000 men,) with its commanders, Generals D'York and Missenbach. From the Paris Journals we collect the following particulars: the 10th corps, which included the Prussian contingent, was employed in the blockade of Riga, under Marshal Macdonald; when the disasters which overwhelmed and annihilated the French Grand Army, and the advance of the victorious Russians under Count Wittgenstein, obliged it to retreat. Macdonald, with about 6000 French, which had, to overawe the others, been attached to the corps, and one division of the Prussians under Gen. Missenbach, reached Tilsit, leaving the main body of the Prussians. Gen. D'York, pressed by the Russians, and not bearing, it may be supposed, much affection to the French service, entered into a Convention with Count Wittgenstein, by which he was permitted to occupy Eastern Prussia, and form a neutral corps. But what is of more importance, and proves that he was well acquainted with the sentiments of his countrymen is, that he engages for the obedience of another division of Prussians under Missenbach, and which was then with Macdonald at Tilsit. And this division, on the first summons, yields obedience, and departs for Eastern Prussia without Macdonald (Duke of Tarento) being able to prevent it by force! -It was provided by the Convention, in case of the treaty not being ratified, that the Prussians should not serve against Russia for two months. The King of Prussia (being still in the power of France) had refused his assent-had ordered Gen. D'York to be arrested as a traitor, and tried for contumacy if he did not appear had delegated the command of the contingent to Gen. Kleist, with orders to withdraw the men, which is admitted to

be hopeless. To prove to Europe his devotion to Buonaparte, the King of Prussia had sent Prince De Hatzfeld on a mission to Paris. Much verbiage is employed for the purpose of setting forth his sorrow and indignation at this act of disobedience on the part of his Generals and his troops.

It is said, in private letters, that the Prussian troops, having actually joined the Russians, had advanced towards Dantzic. On this account, the Prussian fortresses have been declared by the French in a state of Siege.

Private accounts from Berlin not only confirm the representation that the king was a prisoner in the hands of Gen. Desaix, the French Commandant, but add, that in consequence of the suspicions entertained of the Prussian soldiery, an attempt had been made to disarm them.-— This was resisted; many lives had been lost; and the result was that some hundreds had been marched to Magdeburgh, to be incorporated into other regiments. Domiciliary visits had been instituted by the police of Berlin; and all the Russian prisoners had been ordered to be removed from the Prussian states. There is certainly an insurrection in Silesia; but we have no precise information of the numbers or situation of those engaged in it. The advance of the Russians will probably kindle the flame of independence throughout the Prussian and Saxon States.

A letter from Stockholm, dated the 9th inst, communicates the following important facts:

"Accounts from Konigsberg, by the way of Germany, state the arrival there of 70 Generals, 10 Colonels, and about 1000 other Officers, without troops, or hardly any, who have reached that capital, some on horseback, some on foot, and all in the most wretched situation. The. same accounts, which are quite authentic, mention the arrival of Murat with two battalions of the French guards, which, however, contained only two companies, of 150 men each. It is said, that the few

French

French soldiers who were at Konigsberg, refused to mount guard before the lodgings of the Officers, so much are they enraged with the abandonment of the latter.", b

The above is confirmed by several other letters, which state, that the Russians entered Memel on the 27th of December, and were expected at Konigsberg on the 3d of January. It was acknowledged by the French Officers, that after the affairs at Kowno, the remains of their army were entirely dispersed. At Berlin the people had shewn great symptoms of resistance to the French: the country people refused to proceed with the Officers' baggage, and there had been scuffles in the streets with the soldiers. In Silesia, Hesse, and Westphalia, great discontents appeared, and hopes are entertained of the inhabitants of the Continent seriously exerting themselves to effect their deliverance from the thraldom in which they have so long been held. The intelligence of the total ruin of the French army had been received with great exultation at Vienna. The Government either did not attempt or could not check those public demonstrations of joy, though the French Ambassador remonstrated against them. All the accounts received from the Russian armies, depict in strong colours the losses, privations, and miseries of all kinds, encountered by the Enemy a great number were frozen to deathothers threw away their arms, and would fight no longer-many fainted with fa tigue and want-many went over to the Russians. The roads are described as choaked with the dead and dying, carriages, cannon, baggage, arms, &c. A variety of private letters come in, stating that the Russians were very shortly expected at Berlin; and that the unfortunate King of Prussia was to go to Breslaw, with 5000 men; or, in other words, was to be carried off a prisoner by a French force, in order to make use of the authority of his name against the acts of any provisional government established in the Prussian territories, under the auspices of Russia.

RUSSIA.

We thought that the Twenty-ninth French Bulletin had carried the horrible to its utmost limit; but one of the Russian Reports shows that the French fancy fell short of the mark. "The roads," says Admiral Tschichagoff, in his Report, dated the eleventh ult. about 14 miles from Wi'na," are covered with their killed and wounded, and men dying with the cold. Punishment follows so quickly these miscreants, that they fall victims to the flames in the dwellings to which they have set fire; and are frozen to death in the very houses which they

have destroyed, by breaking the doors and windows."

Petersburgh Gazette, Nov. 29, (Dec. 11.) "The progress of the Russian army in the pursuit of the Enemy becomes every hour more rapid and remarkable; every step it advances is a victory, and destructive to the Enemy of our native country, to the enemies of Europe. Russia now exhibits an exalted aspect to the whole world, and we can boldly assert, that all nations, not even excepting these un happy slaves of despotism, who through pusillanimity and weakness have been armed against her, await her victories in hopes through them of obtaining peace and happiness. On the one side we see a valiant army, whose regiments are not broken, and whose warriors are animated with an elevated feeling of vengeance for their homes, for the plundering of their towns and villages, vengeance for inhu manity. Glory inspires them: they know no weakness, feel no sufferings, and even if, in their rapid pursuit of the Enemy, they may at times be exposed to some unavoidable wants, they bear them with courage, because they see victory before them. On the other side appear the ruins of an immense army, in which numerous foreign nations were united together to destroy a powerful nation in the bosom of its native country. They were encou→ raged by a view of the result, but this re sult was deceptive. One single heavy blow threw this immense host into confusion. They fly, pursued by fear and terror. They are followed by hunger, having no food; they are in despair, and forced to eat dead horses, forced to do what their polished contemporaries can scarcely believe-feed upon the bodies of their own dead brethren.

"The roads by which they fondly dreamt to retire in triumph, and laden with booty, are covered with their dead bodies. Their sick and wounded are thrown aside by them on their march, and left a prey to famine and the cold. All these unfortunates, condemned to perish far from their own countries, curse, in different languages, ambition as the cause of their destruction; and those who still remain under the colours of the broken legions, follow them without couragewithout hope. Worn out with sufferings, they have lost all confidence in fortune and in their Generals. Their cannon are taken by hundreds. They themselves surrender in whole detachments. At the first shot they either throw away their arms, or fight out of mere desperation. Such is the condition of the two armies which are now to decide the fate of many nations."

The greatest exertions are making in Russia to increase the military force of

that

that Empire. A new levy has been ordered of 300,000 men, to be raised within a month. The provinces which have suffered in the last campaign are exempted.

The Emperor Alexander's Proclamation dated Dec. 12, calling out a new levy of eight men in every 500 (which, it is calculated, will produce 300,000), is in substance as follows:-It states the necessity of keeping up a military force adequate to the circumstances of the times. "Russia having been invaded by an Enemy, leading armies from almost every European nation, has been obliged to make enormous sacrifices; and though, by the aid of Divine Providence, those armies have been entirely dissipated, and their poor remains are seeking safety in a precipitate flight, yet it becomes necessary to maintain the glory of the Empire, by such a military establishment as shall insure permanent security. The arm of the Giant is broken, but his destructive strength must be prevented from reviving; and his power over the nations, who serve him out of terror, must be taken away. Russia, extensive, rich, and pacific, seeks no conquests,-wishes not to dispose of thrones. She desires tranquillity for herself, and for all. She will not, however, suffer the wicked so to abuse her moderation, as to endanger the well-being of herself, or of other nations. Painful as it is to call upon a loyal and affectionate people for new exertions, yet it would be still more painful to see them exposed to calamities for the want of an adequate defence and that the most grievous calamities would result from the success of her late invaders, is evident from the enormities they have already committed. The Emperor trusts in God and his brave armies, which shall be raised to that imposing number, which is absolutely necessary for the preservation of what has been purchased by so many labours and sacrifices, and so much blood."

The force that will be raised, may get at defiance any future efforts of France; a force consisting of men whose hearts and miuds are enthusiastically attached to the cause in which they are called upon to fight. The men are at hand, and anxiously wait the signal to join their brethren in arms. What may not the presence of such an army effect in Europe! The Tyrant of France may levy upon paper; but his decree can only produce reluctant conscripts, filled with despair, and looking only to destruction; animated by no common principle, but losing all courage and firmness, in the consciousness that they are merely the Bervile tools of their leader's lawless ambition; and that he will basely desert them in the hour of danger, whenever it

suits his own convenience, utterly regardless of their miseries or their sufferings.

A letter from Messina says, that had it not been for the successes of the Russians, Murat was to have been removed to the throne of Poland, and Naples annexed to the kingdom of Italy.

Marshal Kutusoff has been created by Alexander, Prince of Smolensko.

The total return of prisoners, &c. in the Russian War-office, up to the 3d Dec. was 146,000, among whom were 1600 Officers, including 45 Generals, and from 700 to 1000 pieces of cannon. The sur render of the Prussian Army under D'York, which took place on the 30th December, is not, of course, included in the above statement. The killed and wounded could not have amounted to less than 200,000 more-making a total of between 300 and 400,000 men-sacrificed to the ambition of one individual.

Lord Cathcart's dispatches, dated St. Petersburgh, the 22d December, inclose very long details from Gen. Kutousoff of the 14th, written from the theatre of the operations. They state, that in the passage of the Beresina, the Russians took about 20,000 prisoners. In, the pursuit from the Beresina to Wilna 7000 more fell into their hands, including baggage, &c.; among which is a great part of Buonaparte's personal effects, and im portant state-papers.

On the 10th ult. the Russians entered Wilna, taking in and before that place & Generals, 398 Officers, 24,350 privates, 385 cannon, 2 colours, one eagle, and the whole of the magazines.

These dispatches make the number of prisoners taken since the last account, upwards of 40,000 men, reducing the 70,000 to about 30,000. Of this latter number not more than 20,000 were be→ lieved to be effective on the 14th ult. Little doubt, therefore, can be entertained of the entire annihilation of the French Grand Army, especially as Wittgenstein reports, that the Bavarian division had been surrounded by Adjutant-general Kutusoff's corps, and cut off from Wilna. It is in fact supposed, that only a few officers have escaped. Besides the pri soners, the French have, since the last accounts, lost 200 pieces of cannon, all their magazines, stores, &c. Several General Officers had been taken, amongst whom is Gen. Lefebvre, who violated his parole, and ran away from Cheltenham.

From a perusal of official details, we find that the destruction of the French army has been most complete. Macdonald's corps has been so weakened by the defection of the Prussians, that he has followed his master's example, and ran away from it.

We have received two Russian docu

mente

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