—Wittgenstein's attack upon Saint Cyr at Polotsk—Retreat of the latter—Want of concert in the movements of the Russian generals —Junction of the corps of Saint Cyr and Victor at Smoliantzy on the 31st October—Opportunity lost by the latter of defeating the enemy—General view of the state of the army—Errors committed by Napoleon and his commanders —Napoleon's departure from Smolensk—Dispositions of the Russian army to interrupt his farther retreat—Bravery of Excelmans—Arrival at Krasnoë —March of Eugene from Smolensk to Krasnoë with the remains of his corps—his narrow escape —Successful nocturnal attack by Roguet on the Russian camp at Chickowa—Desperate situation of Napoleon—Wilson's fruitless efforts to induce Kutusof to surround and destroy him—Battle of Krasnoë—Bravery of the guard under Mortier —Napoleon's arrival at Dombrowna—Nocturnal false alarm—General disorganization of the army—Davoust's ineffectual efforts to check it —Council held at Orcha to determine the farther course of retreat—Opinion of Jomini—Napoleon decides on Borizof—Quits Orcha on the 20th of November without hearing any thing of Ney—Re-appearance of that Marshal after his departure —Details of Ney's retreat from Smolensk until his arrival at Orcha —Details of Ney's retreat from Smolensk until his arrival at Orcha (cont.) BOOK XI. Chap. —Capture of Minsk by the Russians—Different opinions in the army as to the causes of their disasters—Rumoured treachery of Schwartzenberg—Napoleon's reproaches to him and Schwartzenberg's reply —Details of the loss of Minsk—Movements of Dombrowski, Oudinot, and Victor—Distress and malady of Napoleon—Remarkable conversation with Count Daru —Passage through the Forest of Minsk—Junction of the remains of the grand army with Victor and Oudinot's corps—State of the former —Preparations for crossing the Berezina —Preparations for crossing the Berezina (Cont.) —Circumstances which led the Russian general, Tchaplitz, into error as to the point where Napoleon was to cross the Berezina, and consequences of that error—Napoleon crosses that river at Studzianka on the 27th November —Capture and destruction of Partouneaux's division —Attack made by the Russians under Wittgenstein and Platof on the left side, and by Tchitchakof on the right side of the Berezina, and repelled by the French —The burning of the bridge over the Berezina —Napoleon's situation during the preceding actions—Passage over the morasses—His manners to his officers —Napoleon's arrival at Malodeczno—Announcement on the 3d of December of his intention to set out for France —Increased severity of the winter—Partial actions of Ney and Maison with the Russians between Pleszezenitzy and Malodeczno—Quarrel between Ney and Victor —Napoleon's arrival at Smorgony—his parting interview with his marshals BOOK XII. Chap.