The Lithuanians compel two Russian corps to evacuate Samogitia.--Operations of general Chlapowski in the department of Bialystok.--Capture of Bielsk.--Defeat of a Russian force at Narewka and expulsion of the enemy from the department.--Recapitulation of the forces which had been sent into Lithuania.--Operations of the main army.--Attempt of marshal Diebitsch to intercept Skrzynecki on his retrograde march, by a diversion to Ostrolenka.--General Lubinski surprises the Russian advanced guard at Czyzew.--Marshal Diebitsch attacks the Polish rear-guard at Kleczkowo.--The rear-guard quits its position at night, and joins the main army at Ostrolenka.--Battle of Ostrolenka. 298 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. 313 CHAPTER XXI. General Gielgud advances into Lithuania.--Allows a Russian corps to pass within a league of him unperceived.--Operations on Wilno.--Enumeration of our present force.--Plan of a simultaneous attack upon Wilno on opposite sides by the corps in two divisions.--General Dembinski engages the enemy with the smaller part of the corps.--Being unsupported by Gielgud, is forced to retreat.--General Gielgud attacks Wilno.--Battle of Wilno.--A retreat is commenced.--Prodigious efforts of the Polish cavalry in protecting this retreat.--Consequences of the repulse from Wilno.--The removal of general Gielgud is called for.--General Chlapowski consents to take the virtual command of the corps, in the post of chef d'etat major.--Consideration on the state of things consequent to the battle of Wilno.--Details of the admirable plan of operations proposed by colonel Valentin. 328 CHAPTER XXII. Operations of the main army.--Expedition under Jankowski.--General Chrzanowski having driven Rudiger from his position, crosses the Vistula, but returns to act in concert with general Jankowski against the enemy near Kock.--Details of general Jankowski's movement.--He remains inactive within sight of the fire of the corps with which he was to co-operate.--Other evidences of treason.--Generals Jankowski and Bukowski are arrested and ordered for trial.--View of the advantages that were sacrificed by this misconduct.--Discovery of a plot to liberate and arm the Russian prisoners at Warsaw, and to deliver the city to the enemy. --State of the public mind induced by these events. 342