[Footnote 56: In the whole of this war, the videttes of the two armies were at no time so near as they were after this last battle. On the 27th and 28th, those of the Russian cavalry, cossacks and hussars, occupying the main road, were within fifty paces of the videttes of our lancers, so near in fact that they could have conversed together. On having this circumstance reported to him, the general in chief did not take advantage of any attack, but ordered the utmost forbearance to be observed, and the most friendly demonstrations to be made by our outposts. On changing of the guard, our sentinels, as they quitted their post, bade a friendly adieu to the opposite sentinel of the enemy; and under the cover of night, the enemy's sentinels, and even some of their officers, approached our videttes, gave their hands, and entered into friendly conversation. It was touching to see those brave soldiers deeply affected at such meetings. With tears in their eyes, the Russians could only repeat that they had been forced to this contest, and confessed that, even if we should be conquerors, they would be the gainers in other respects. They also uttered their complaints of the tyranny and the privations to which they were subjected, and our lancers gave them all the relief which their own means could furnish.] CHAPTER XVIII. General Skrzynecki resumes the offensive.--He decides to adopt an enlarged plan of operations, and to make the revolutionized provinces supply the place of a corps d'armee.--The corps of Chrzanowski is sent to occupy the Russian corps of Witt and Kreutz.--Admirable execution of this enterprise.--Attack on Kock.--Attack of Rudiger's camp.--Plan of operations by the main army against the Russian guard.--Forced march from Kaluszyn by Praga to Serock.--Advanced post of the guard attacked and defeated.--The corps of Saken is cut off.--The 2d division under Gielgud sent into Lithuania.--The imperial guard are driven with great loss beyond the frontier.--Retrograde movement. As several days passed away, without any thing having been attempted on the part of the enemy, our general in chief decided to re-commence hostilities by small attacks, which were designed to mask the great plan he intended to put into execution. The general view which occupied our commander, was to continue the offensive, to follow up the enemy constantly, and not to leave him unless some very important occasion should call for a different course. Let us reflect upon the difficulties of such a plan, and let us then examine how it was in fact executed by the general in chief.