According to the account of this man, there had been a great change in the Russian army.  A violent clamour had been raised from its ranks against Barclay.  It had been re-echoed by the nobility, by the merchants, by all Moscow.  “That general, that minister, was a traitor; he caused all their divisions to be destroyed piece-meal; he was dishonouring the army by an interminable flight; yet, at the same time, they were labouring under the disgrace of an invasion, and their towns were in flames.  If it was necessary to determine upon this ruin, they might as well sacrifice themselves at once; then, there would be at least some honour, whereas, to suffer themselves to be sacrificed by a stranger, was losing every thing, the honour of the sacrifice not excepted.

“But why employ this stranger?  Was not the contemporary, the comrade, the rival of Suwarrow yet living?  A Russian was wanted to save Russia!” And they all called for, all were anxious for Kutusof and a battle.  The Frenchman added, that Alexander had yielded; that the insubordination of Bagration, and the universal outcry, had obtained from him that general and a battle; and that, moreover, after drawing the invading army so far, the Russian emperor had himself judged a general engagement unavoidable.

Finally, he related, that the arrival of Kutusof on the 29th of August at Tzarewo-zaimizcze, between Wiazma and Gjatz, and the announcement of a speedy battle, had intoxicated the enemy with two-fold joy; that all had immediately marched towards Borodino,—­not to continue their flight, but to fix themselves on this frontier of the government of Moscow, to root themselves to the soil, and defend it; in short, to conquer there or die.

An incident, otherwise not worthy of notice, seemed to confirm this intelligence; this was the arrival of a Russian officer with a flag of truce.  He had so little to say, that it was evident from the first that he came only to observe.  His manner was particularly displeasing to Davoust, who read in it something more than assurance.  A French general having inconsiderately asked this stranger what we should find between Wiazma and Moscow, the Russian proudly replied, “Pultowa.”  This answer bespoke a battle; it pleased the French, who are fond of a smart repartee, and delight to meet with enemies worthy of themselves.

This officer was conducted back without precaution, as he had been brought.  He saw that there was no obstacle to prevent access to our very head-quarters; he traversed our advanced posts without meeting with a single vidette; every where the same negligence was perceptible, and the temerity so natural to Frenchmen and to conquerors.  Every one was asleep; there was no watchword, no patroles; our soldiers seemed to despise these details, as too trivial.  Wherefore so many precautions?  They attacked—­they were victorious:  it was for the Russians to defend themselves!  This officer has since said, that he was tempted to take advantage that very night of our imprudence, but that he did not find any Russian corps within his reach.