None the less did Bennigsen walk into a trap, and one of his own choosing.  Anxious to thrust himself between Napoleon and the old Prussian capital, he crossed the river at Friedland and sought to strengthen his position on the left bank by driving Lannes’ vanguard back on Domnau, by throwing three bridges over the stream, and by crowning the hills on the right bank with a formidable artillery.  But he had to deal with a tough and daring opponent.  Throughout the winter Lannes had been a prey to ill-health and resentment at his chief’s real or fancied injustice:  but the heats of summer re-awakened his thirst for glory and restored him to his wonted vigour.  Calling up the Saxon horse, Grouchy’s dragoons, and Oudinot’s grenadiers, he held his ground through the brief hours of darkness.  Before dawn he posted his 10,000 troops among the woods and on the plateau of Posthenen that lies to the west of Friedland and strove to stop the march of 40,000 Russians.  After four hours of fighting, his men were about to be thrust back, when the divisions of Verdier and Dupas—­the latter from Mortier’s corps—­shared the burden of the fight until the sun was at its zenith.  When once more the fight was doubtful, the dense columns of Ney and Victor were to be seen, and by desperate efforts the French vanguard held its ground until this welcome aid arrived.

Napoleon, having received Lannes’ urgent appeals for help, now rode up in hot haste, and in response to the cheers of his weary troops repeatedly exclaimed:  “Today is a lucky day, the anniversary of Marengo.”  Their ardour was excited to the highest pitch, Oudinot saluting his chief with the words:  “Quick, sire! my grenadiers can hold no longer:  but give me reinforcements and I’ll pitch the Russians into the river."[132] The Emperor cautiously gave them pause:  the fresh troops marched to the front and formed the first line, those who had fought for nine hours now forming the supports.  Ney held the post of honour in the woods on the right flank, nearly above Friedland; behind him was the corps of Bernadotte, which, since the disabling of that Marshal by a wound had been led by General Victor:  there too were the dragoons of Latour-Maubourg, and the imposing masses of the Guard.  In the centre, but bending in towards the rear, stood the remnant of Lannes’ indomitable corps, now condemned for a time to comparative inactivity; and defensive tactics were also enjoined on Mortier and Grouchy on the left wing, until Ney and Victor should decide the fortunes of the second fight.  The Russians, as if bent on favouring Napoleon’s design, continued to deploy in front of Friedland, keeping up the while a desultory fight; and Bennigsen, anxious now about his communications with Koenigsberg, detached 6,000 men down the right bank of the river towards Wehlau.  Only 46,000 men were thus left to defend Friedland against a force that now numbered 80,000:  yet no works were thrown up to guard the bridges—­and this after the arrival of Napoleon with strong reinforcements was known by the excitement along the enemy’s front.