over an irregular arc, could reinforce his hard-pressed right.  There Davoust was being slowly borne back, when the march of Duroc with part of the Imperial Guard restored the balance on that side.  The French centre also was strengthened by the timely arrival of part of Bernadotte’s corps.  That Marshal detached a division towards the northern slopes of the plateau; for he divined that there his master would need every man to deal the final blows.[43]

In truth, Alexander and Kutusoff were struggling hard to regain the Pratzenberg.  Four times did the Muscovites fling themselves on the French centre, and not without some passing gleams of success.  Here occurred the most famous cavalry fight of the war.  The Russian Guards, mounted on superb horses, had cut up two of Vandamme’s battalions, when Rapp rode to their rescue with the chasseurs of the French Imperial Guard.  These choice bodies of horsemen met with a terrible shock, which threw the Russians into disorder.  Rallied by other squadrons, these now overthrew their assailants and seemed about to overpower them, when Bessieres with the heavy cavalry of the Guard fell on the flank of the Muscovite horse and drove their lines, horse and foot, into the valley beyond.

Assured of his centre, Napoleon now launched Soult’s corps down the south-western spurs of the plateau upon the flank and rear of the allied left:  this unexpected onset was decisive:  the French, sweeping down the slopes with triumphant shouts, cut off several battalions on the banks of the Goldbach, scattered others in headlong flight towards Bruenn, and drove the greater part down to the Lake of Tellnitz.  Here the troubles of the allies culminated.  A few gained the narrow marshy gap between the two lakes; but dense bodies found no means of escape save the frozen surface of the upper lake.  In some parts the ice bore the weight of the fugitives; but where they thronged pell-mell, or where it was cut up by the plunging fire of the French cannon on the heights, crowds of men sank to destruction.  The victors themselves stood aghast at this spectacle; and, for the credit of human nature be it said, many sought to save their drowning foes.  Among others, the youthful Marbot swam to a floe to help bring a Russian officer to land, a chivalrous exploit which called forth the praise of Napoleon.  The Emperor brought this glorious day to a fitting close by visiting the ground most thickly strewn with his wounded, and giving directions for their treatment or removal.  As if satisfied with the victory, he gave little heed to the pursuit.  In truth, never since Marlborough cut the Franco-Bavarian army in twain at Blenheim, had there been a battle so terrible in its finale, and so decisive in its results as this of the three Emperors, which cost the allies 33,000 men and 186 cannon.