This determination of Barclay’s, the declining strength of the army, the quarrels between its chiefs, the approach of the decisive moment, gave uneasiness to Napoleon.  At Dresden, at Witepsk, and even at Smolensk, he had hoped in vain for a communication from Alexander.  At Ribky, on the 28th of August, he appeared to solicit one:  a letter from Berthier to Barclay, in no other respect worthy of notice, concluded with these words:  “The emperor directs me to request you to present his compliments to the emperor Alexander; tell him that neither the vicissitudes of war, nor any other circumstance, can diminish the friendship which he feels for him.”

The same day, the 28th of August, the advanced-guard drove back the Russians as far as Wiazma; the army, thirsty from the march, the heat and the dust, was in want of water; the troops disputed the possession of a few muddy pools, and fought near the springs, which were soon rendered turbid and exhausted; the emperor himself was forced to put up with this muddy beverage.

During the night, the enemy destroyed the bridges over the Wiazma, plundered that town, and set it on fire.  Murat and Davoust precipitately advanced to extinguish the flames.  The enemy defended his conflagration, but the Wiazma was fordable near the ruins of the bridges:  one part of the advanced-guard then attacked the incendiaries, and the other the fire, which they speedily subdued.

On this occasion some chosen men were sent to the advanced-guard, with orders to watch the enemy closely at Wiazma, and ascertain whether they, or our soldiers, were the real incendiaries.  Their report entirely dissipated the doubts which the emperor might still have entertained as to the fatal resolution of the Russians.  They found in this town some resources, which pillage would soon have wasted.  In passing through the city, the emperor observed this disorder:  he was exceedingly incensed, rode into the midst of the groups of soldiers, caused a suttler to be seized, and ordered him to be instantly tried and shot.  But the meaning of the phrase from his lips was well known; it was known, also that the more vehement his paroxysms of anger, the sooner they were followed by indulgence.  A moment afterwards, they, therefore, merely placed in his way the unfortunate man on his knees, with a woman and several children beside him, whom they passed off for his family.  The emperor, who had already cooled, inquired what they wanted, and caused the man to be set at liberty.

He was still on horseback, when he saw Belliard, for fifteen years the companion in war of Murat, and then the chief of his staff, coming towards him.  Surprised at seeing him, the emperor fancied some misfortune had happened.  Belliard first relieved his apprehensions, and then added, that “Beyond the Wiazma, behind a ravine, on an advantageous position, the enemy had shown himself in force and ready for battle; that the cavalry on both sides immediately engaged, and