The second day's fighting was more disastrous to the allies than the first. The morning opened in a tempest, but at six both sides were arrayed. On the French right were Victor and Latour-Maubourg; then Marmont; then the old guard and Ney with two divisions of the young guard; next Saint-Cyr, with Mortier on the left. Opposite stood Russians, Prussians, and Austrians, in the same relative positions, on higher ground, encircling the French all the way westward and around by the south to Plauen; but between their center and left was reserved a gap for Klenau's Austrians, who were coming up from Tharandt in the blinding storm, and were overdue. At seven began the artillery fire of the young guard; but before long it ceased for an instant, since the gunners found the enemy's line too high for the elevation of their guns. "Continue," came swiftly the Emperor's order; "we must occupy the attention of the enemy on that spot." The ruse succeeded, and the gap was left open; at ten Murat dashed through it, and turning westward, killed or captured all who composed the enemy's extreme left. The garrison of Pirna then retreated toward Peterswald. Elsewhere the French merely held their own. Napoleon lounged all day in a curious apathy before his camp-fire, his condition being apparently due to the incipient stages of a digestive disorder. Early in the afternoon Schwarzenberg heard of Murat's great charge, but he held firm until at five the flight from Pirna was announced, when he abandoned the conflict. By six Napoleon was aware that the battle was over, and, mounting his horse, he trotted listlessly to the palace, his old gray overcoat and hood streaming with rain. CHAPTER II POLITICS AND STRATEGY[2] [Footnote 2: References: Luckwaldt: Oesterreich und die Anfaenge des Befreiungskrieges von 1813: Vom Abschluss der Allianz mit Frankreich, bis zum Eintritt in die Koalition. Aster: Die Kriegsereignisse zwischen Peterswalde, Pirna, Koenigstein und Priesten im August, 1813, und die Schlacht bei Kulm. Wagner: Die Tage v. Dresden u. Kulm. Heft: Der Waffenstillstand und die Schlacht bei Gross-Beeren nebst fuenf Beilagen.] Napoleon's Conduct after Dresden -- Military Considerations Overruled by Political Schemes -- Probable Explanation of Napoleon's Failure -- Prussian Victories at Grossbeeren and on the Katzbach -- Vandamme Overwhelmed at Kulm -- Napoleon's Responsibility -- Political Considerations again Ascendant -- The System of "Hither and Thither" -- The Battle of Dennewitz -- Its Disastrous Consequences -- Napoleon's Vacillation -- Strategy Thwarted by Diplomacy.