It was there that Fabvier, the aid-de-camp of Marmont, who had arrived but the day before from the heart of Spain, made himself conspicuous; he went as a volunteer, and on foot, at the head of the most advanced sharp-shooters, as if he had come there to represent the army of Spain, in the midst of the grand army; and, inspired with that rivalry of glory which makes heroes, wished to exhibit it at the head, and the first in every danger.

He fell wounded in that too famous redoubt; for the triumph was short-lived; the attack wanted concert, either from precipitation in the first assailant, or too great slowness in those who followed.  They had to pass a ravine, whose depth protected them from the enemy’s fire.  It is affirmed that many of our troops halted there.  Morand, therefore, was left alone in the face of several Russian lines.  It was yet only ten o’clock.  Friand, who was on his right, had not yet commenced the attack of Semenowska; and, on his left, the divisions Gerard, Broussier, and the Italian guard, were not yet in line.

This attack, besides, should not have been made so precipitately:  the intention had been only to keep Barclay in check, and occupied on that side, the battle having been arranged to begin by the right wing, and pivot on the left.  This was the emperor’s plan, and we know not why he himself altered it at the moment of its execution; for it was he who, on the first discharge of the artillery, sent different officers in succession to Prince Eugene, to urge his attack.

The Russians, recovering from their first surprise, rushed forward in all directions.  Kutaisof and Yermoloff advanced at their head with a resolution worthy of so great an occasion.  The 30th regiment, single against a whole army, ventured to attack it with the bayonet; it was enveloped, crushed, and driven out of the redoubt, where it left a third of its men, and its intrepid general pierced through with twenty wounds.  Encouraged by their success, the Russians were no longer satisfied with defending themselves, but attacked in their turn.  Then were seen united, on that single point, all the skill, strength, and fury, which war can bring forth.  The French stood firm for four hours on the declivity of that volcano, under the shower of iron and lead which it vomited forth.  But to do this required all the skill and determination of Prince Eugene; and the idea so insupportable to long-victorious soldiers, of confessing themselves vanquished.

Each division changed its general several times.  The viceroy went from one to the other, mingling entreaties and reproaches, and, above all, reminding them of their former victories.  He sent to apprise the emperor of his critical situation; but Napoleon replied, “That he could not assist him; that he must conquer; that he had only to make a greater effort; that the heat of the battle was there.”  The prince was rallying all his forces to make a general assault, when suddenly his attention was diverted by furious cries proceeding from his left.