The combined troops, who had not been able in two sanguinary days to bring the contest to an issue, had, however, during that time gained several essential advantages.  They had ascertained the strength of their antagonist, and made themselves acquainted with the nature of the ground.  They knew what points were the most vulnerable, and could thence infer how the enemy would manoeuvre.  They were enabled to make their own dispositions accordingly, and to give to the plan of the grand engagement that perfection by which it is so peculiarly characterized.  In this point of view the allies had, without our suspecting it, advanced a considerable step on the night of the third day.

According to the general opinion of the inhabitants of Leipzig, the 17th was destined to be the important day on which the last act of the great tragedy was to be performed.  We were, however, mistaken.  The morning came, and we heard nothing from either side.  We had long ceased to take notice of single shots.  The French lines occupied Probstheide, and all the points where they had the preceding day been posted.  The order of battle had, however, been considerably changed.  The vast armies which had been drawn up to the west and north had almost entirely disappeared.  In the forenoon a cannonade commenced about Gohlis, but soon ceased again.  In the meadows between the city and Lindenau were posted some cavalry.  At a greater distance but few troops were to be seen; and the allies seemed to have renounced any farther attempts on that pass.  The left wing of the French grand army extended to Abtnaundorf, and had strong corps posted as far as Taucha; the centre stretched behind the Kohlgaerten and Stoetteritz to Probstheide, and the right wing reached beyond Konnewitz to the wood and the Elster.  Several lines were advanced to Markleeberg.  The combined army occupied parallel positions.  You will not expect me to say more respecting the order of battle, especially as a circumstantial account of it has already appeared.  The motives which occasioned a kind of truce to be observed during the whole of this day are unknown to me.  This phenomenon was, the more surprising, as Napoleon is not accustomed long to defer business of such importance.  From what I can learn, there was no parleying, as has been asserted, between the contending parties.  Several Frenchmen assigned, as a reason, that the emperor expected a strong reinforcement of three corps, and therefore undertook nothing on this day.  On all sides columns of smoke were yet seen rising from the villages that were reduced to ashes.  All at once the church of Probstheide also appeared in flames.  It soon fell in, and is now totally demolished.  This fire is said to have been occasioned by negligence.