Murat, surprised at such a resistance at that early hour, pushed on, and piercing through this curtain, beheld the whole Russian army drawn up in order of battle.  The narrow ravine of the Luja separated him from it:  it was noon; the extent of the Russian lines, especially towards our right, the preparations, the hour, the place, which was that where Barclay had just rejoined Bagration; the choice of the ground, well suited for a general engagement; all gave him reason to anticipate a battle; and he sent a dispatch to the emperor to apprise him of it.

At the same time he ordered Montbrun to pass the ravine on his right with his cavalry, in order to reconnoitre and get upon the left of the enemy.  Davoust, and his five divisions of infantry, extended themselves on that side; he protected Montbrun:  the king recalled them to his left, on the high-road, designing, it is said, to support Montbrun’s flank movement by some demonstrations in front.

Davoust replied, that “This would be sacrificing our right wing, through which the enemy would get behind us on the high-road, our only means of retreat; that thus he would force us to a battle, which he, Davoust, had orders to avoid, and which he would avoid, his force being insufficient, the position bad, and he being moreover under the command of a leader in whom he had but little confidence.”  He then wrote immediately to Napoleon, urging him to come up without loss of time, if he would not have Murat engage without him.

On this intelligence, which he received in the night of the 24th of August, Napoleon joyfully threw aside his indecision, which to this enterprising and decisive genius was absolute torture:  he hurried forward with his guard, and proceeded twelve leagues without halting; but on the evening of the preceding day, the enemy’s army had again disappeared.

On our side, his retreat was attributed to the movement of Montbrun; on the part of the Russians to Barclay, and to a bad position chosen by the chief of his staff, who had taken up ground in his own disfavour, instead of making it serve to his advantage.  Bagration was the first who perceived it; his rage knew no bounds, and he proclaimed it treason.

Discord reigned in the Russian camp as well as in our advanced guard.  Confidence in their commander, that strength of armies, was wanting; his every step seemed a blunder; each resolution that was taken the very worst.  The loss of Smolensk had soured all; the junction of the two corps d’armee increased the evil; the stronger the Russian force felt itself, the weaker did its general seem to it.  The outcry became general; another leader was loudly called for.  A few prudent men, however, interposed:  Kutusof was announced, and the humbled pride of the Russians awaited him in order to fight.