At length, early on the 19th, we appeared likely to get rid in good earnest of the monster by which we had been so dreadfully tormented.  All the French hurried in disorder to the city, and our sauvegarde also made preparations to depart.  Already did I again behold in imagination the pikes of the Cossacks.  All the subsequent events followed in rapid succession.  My gens d’armes were scarcely gone when a very brisk fire of sharp-shooters commenced in our neighbourhood.  In a few moments Pomeranian infantry poured from behind through the garden into the house.  They immediately proceeded, without stopping, to the city.  It was only for a few minutes that I could observe with a glass the confused retreat of the French.  Joy at the long wished-for arrival of our countrymen and deliverers soon called me away.  The galling yoke was now shaken off, probably for ever.  I bade a hearty welcome to the brave soldiers; and, as I saw several wounded brought in, I hastened to afford them all the assistance in my power.  I may ascribe to my unwearied assiduity the preservation of the life of lieutenant M**, a Swedish officer, who was dangerously wounded; and by means of it I had likewise the satisfaction to save the arm of the Prussian captain Von B***, which, but for that, would certainly have required amputation.  On the other hand, all my exertions in behalf of the Swedish major Von Doebeln proved unavailing; I had the mortification to see him expire.

I was incessantly engaged with my wounded patients, while more numerous bodies of troops continued to hasten towards the town.  We now thought ourselves fortunate in being already in the rear of the victorious army; but the universal cry was, ‘What will become of poor Leipzig?’ which was at this moment most furiously assaulted.  Various officers of distinction kept dropping in.  The Swedish adjutant-general Gueldenskioeld arrived with the captive general Reynier, who alighted and took up his abode in the apartment in which the emperor had lodged.  He was followed by the Prussian colonel Von Zastrow, a most amiable man, and soon after the Prussian general Von Buelow arrived with his suite.

Our stock of provisions was almost entirely consumed, and you may conceive my vexation at being unable, with the best will in the world, to treat our ardently wished-for guests in a suitable manner.  I had long been obliged to endure hunger myself, and to take it as an especial favour if the French cooks and valets had the generosity to allow me a small portion, of the victuals with which they were supplied.

At the very moment when marshal Ney arrived, a fire had broken out in the neighbourhood, through the carelessness of the French.  I hastened to the spot, to render assistance, if possible.  It was particularly fortunate, considering the violence of the wind, and the want of means to extinguish the flames, that only two houses were destroyed.  The fire-engines and utensils provided for such purposes had been carried