that the autocracy must cease to exist, that the Russians long for liberty, that they can and will be free. Yermolow. _Samara, 29th of January, 1831.'_] [Footnote 44: In the construction of these works in the city and the environs, all the citizens engaged, without distinction of age or sex. One of the outworks received the name of the '_lunette_ of the women,' having been constructed wholly by the hands of the fair sex.] CHAPTER XII. Operations of the corps of general Dwernicki against the Russian corps under the prince of Wirtemberg, in the Palatinate of Lublin.--Battle of Pulawy, and defeat of Wirtemberg.--Atrocities of that prince at Pulawy.--Pursuit of the enemy.--Battle of Kurow, and annihilation of Wirtemberg's corps.--Operations of colonel Valentin, between Modlin and Pultusk.--A detachment of the enemy is surprised at Nasielsk.--Transports of provisions for the enemy from Prussia taken.--Successful skirmishes.--Marshal Diebitsch demands the capitulation of the fortress of Modlin. Reply of colonel Leduchowski.--A detachment from the garrison of Modlin attacks and defeats a Russian force at Serock.--General Skrzynecki makes an offer of pacification on the basis of the concessions originally demanded by the Poles.--This proposition is rejected and hostilities are recommenced.--Reconnoissance upon the right bank of the Vistula under Jankowski and Gielgud.--A Russian corps under general Witt is sent against Dwernicki.--General Uminski is sent against the Russian guard.--First encounter.--The Russian guard is compelled to leave their position for Ostrolenka.--The guard evacuates Ostrolenka to join the grand army. On the day after the battle of Grochow, colonel Lagowski fought with success at Pulawy, at the head of a detachment from the corps of general Dwernicki. The details of that combat are as follows: COMBAT OF PULAWA. [_See Plan_ XIII.]