[Footnote 64: This manoeuvre, of bringing the artillery so near the columns of the enemy, and under the terrible fire of the Russian artillery, was one of those bold and hazardous steps which were necessary for the object of reducing the immense superiority of the enemy's force. The personal agency of general Skrzynecki was demanded for a blow like this; and in executing it he displayed equally the qualities of the soldier and the general. The admiration of his soldiers was excited by seeing him dismount and place himself with the utmost coolness at the head of this battery of artillery, exposed to the incessant fire of that of the enemy. Neither the fear of the enemy, nor the entreaties of his officers, who begged him, on their knees, to withdraw and to reserve his valuable life for his country, could induce him to move from his place, until he had seen the successful termination of this effort.] [Footnote 65: For those who have asserted that general Gielgud was cut off from the main body of the Polish forces and compelled to escape into Lithuania, the sending of these two squadrons of lancers to join him, will be a sufficient answer. The division of general Gielgud could have even remained at Lomza for as many as three days after this battle.] CHAPTER XX. Operations of the Lithuanian corps.--Battle of Raygrod and defeat of the Russian corps of Saken.--Importance of this first success in Lithuania.--General Gielgud neglects to follow up his advantages.--He loses time by passing the Niemen at Gielgudyszki, and enables the enemy to concentrate his forces in Wilno.--Entrance into Lithuania and reception by the inhabitants.--Position of the two main armies.--The Russian forces remain inactive and receive supplies from Prussia.--Death of marshal Diebitsch. On the 27th of May, the corps of general Gielgud, attached to which were generals Rohland, Szymanowski, Dembinski, and colonel Pientka, left Lomza, and commenced their march into Lithuania. On the evening of that day, they arrived at Stawisk, passing through Szczuczyn and Graiewo. In the last town they were joined by the little corps of general, then colonel, Sierakowski, which, as we have already remarked, had been employed in observing general Saken, and was here occupying an advantageous position. The force of this corps has been already stated. BATTLE OF RAYGROD. [_Plan_ XXXII.] I have divided this battle into two different periods, marked by the two different positions which the enemy successively took.