CHAPTER XXIII. General Chlapowski arrives at Keydany, having ordered general Dembinski to withdraw to Wilkomierz.--The position of the two forces and their line of operations.--Examination of these arrangements.--Neglect of the important position of Kowno.--General Chlapowski, at Keydany, proposes to form a provisional government, and obtain a levy of troops.--Dispositions of the Lithuanians, as effected by the mismanagement of our leaders.--Advantages offered to the enemy by the delay at Keydany.--Brave defence of Kowno, by the small force left there.--Skirmish at Wilkomierz.--The opportunity of concentrating all the forces at Keydany, and repassing the Niemen, is neglected.--The enemy presses his pursuit.--Battle of Rosseyny.--Attack on Szawla.--Loss of the ammunition and baggage of the corps.--The corps retreats in order to Kurzany, protected by a rear guard of cavalry and light artillery.--At Kurzany the corps is subdivided into three parts.--Destination and strength of each.--Examination of this plan. 350 CHAPTER XXIV. The three subdivisions of the Lithuanian corps take their respective destinations.--Details of the operations of that of general Rohland.--He meets alone the attack of the whole Russian force.--Battle of Powenduny and Worna.--General Rohland, on his way to Polonga, learns that general Chlapowski had marched towards the Prussian frontier.--He presses his march to overtake and form a junction with him.--The greater part of the corps of Gielgud and Chlapowski were found to have passed the frontier, when that of Rohland came in sight.--Indignation of the soldiery.--Death of general Gielgud.--General Rohland, joined by a portion of the corps of Gielgud which had not yet passed the frontier, continues his march to Nowe-Miasto.--He declines a proposition from general Kreutz, to surrender.--Successful skirmish with the enemy's cavalry.--General Rohland takes a position at Nowe-Miasto, and awaits the enemy.--The Russian forces, however, do not continue their pursuit, but go into camp.--Propositions to pass the frontier are sent to general Rohland by the Prussian authorities.--They are submitted to the corps and accepted. 367 CHAPTER XXV.