CHAPTER V. The Dictator enters upon his duties.--Plans for the enrollment of new forces.--System of officering them.--Want of energy in the execution of his plans.--Fortifications neglected.--The people supply the deficiencies of the administration.--Discovery of the correspondence between the ministers Grabowski and Lubecki.--The march of the army delayed.--Answer of the Emperor Nicholas to the deputies.--His proclamation.--Its effect on the nation.--The Diet demand of the Dictator an account of his trust.--The result of their investigations.--Chlopicki deprived of the Dictatorial power.--The civil administration entrusted to Prince Adam Czartoryski, and the command of the army to Prince Michael Radziwil, each subordinate to the Diet. 71 CHAPTER VI. Remarks on the policy of the late Dictator.--System of operations adopted.--The army leaves Warsaw.--Statement of the existing forces.--Of the forces proposed to be raised.--Unfortunate consequences of the delay in the preparation of the forces.--Statement of the force with which the war was actually commenced. 87 CHAPTER VII. Entrance of the Russian forces into the Kingdom.--Proclamations of Marshal Diebitsch.--Their effect.--Disposition of the Russian and Polish forces.--Plan of operations of the Poles. 98 CHAPTER VIII. The opening fire.--Affairs of the 10th and 11th February.--Combat of Stoczek.--Disposition in consequence of that battle.--Battle of Boimie.--Retrograde movement to Dobre.--Combat of Makowiec.--Passage of the Orsyca.--Combat of Dobre.--Attack on the right wing at Minsk. 109 CHAPTER IX. Retrograde movement of the 18th of February.--Details of this movement, and of the actions which took place.--The army reaches the field of Praga.--Its reception at Warsaw.--Position of the army.--Battle of Wawr and Bialolenka.--Operations of general Dwernicki against the corps of Prince Wirtemberg.--Defeat of that corps by general Dwernicki at Swierza.--Renewal of the enemy's attack on the main army on the 20th.--Its successful resistance.--Review of the events of the preceding days.--Examination of the plan of operations of the Polish army. Page 126 CHAPTER X.