CHAP. LIX.--Napoleon detaches Murat and other Generals in pursuit of the Russians--Bloody, but indecisive Action, at Valoutina--Barclay de Tolly's defensive System relinquished, and Koutousoff appointed to the chief command of the Russian Army--Napoleon advances from Smolensk--Battle of Borodino fought, on 5th September--Prince Bagration slain--Koutousoff Retreats upon Mojaisk, and thence upon Moscow--Napoleon continues his Advance on the 12th--Count Rostopchin, Governor of Moscow--His Character--The Russians abandon Moscow, which is evacuated by the Inhabitants--The Grand Russian Army marches through Moscow--Last public Court of Justice held there by Rostopchin, after which he follows the march of the Army, 141 CHAP. LX.--On 14th September, Napoleon reaches Moscow, which he finds deserted by the Inhabitants--The City is discovered to be on fire--Napoleon takes up his quarters in the Kremlin--The fire is stopt next day, but arises again at night--Believed to be wilful, and several Russians apprehended and shot--On the third night, the Kremlin is discovered to be on Fire--Buonaparte leaves it, and takes his abode at Petrowsky--The Fire rages till the 19th, when four-fifths of the City are burnt down--On the 20th, Buonaparte returns to the Kremlin--Discussion as to the Origin of this great Conflagration--Disorganisation and Indiscipline of the French Army--Difficulty as to the Route on leaving Moscow--Lauriston sent with a Letter to the Emperor Alexander--Retrospect of the March of the Russian Army, after leaving Moscow--Lauriston has an Interview with Koutousoff on 5th October--The Result--Armistice made by Murat--Preparations for Retreat--The Emperor Alexander refuses to treat, 151 CHAP. LXI.--Murat's Armistice broken off--Napoleon leaves Moscow on 19th October--Bloody Skirmish at Malo-Yarrowslavetz--Napoleon in great danger while reconnoitring--He Retreats to Vereia, where he meets Mortier and the Young Guard--Winzingerode made Prisoner, and insulted by Buonaparte--The Kremlin is blown up by the French--Napoleon continues his Retreat towards Poland--Its Horrors--Conflict near Wiazma, on 3d November, where the French lose 4000 Men--Cross the River Wiazma during the Night--The Viceroy of Italy reaches Smolensk, in great distress--Buonaparte arrives at Smolensk, with the headmost Division of the Grand Army--Calamitous Retreat of Ney's Division--The whole French Army now collected at Smolensk--Cautious conduct of Prince Schwartzenberg--Winzingerode freed on his road to Paris by a body of Cossacks--Tchitchagoff occupies Minsk--Perilous situation of Napoleon, 166