“Meanwhile, our forces are increasing and inclosing him.  He is in the midst of a mighty population, encompassed by armies which are waiting for, and keeping him in check.  To escape famine, he will soon be obliged to direct his flight through the close ranks of our brave soldiers.  Shall we then recede, when all Europe is looking on and encouraging us?  Let us on the contrary set it an example, and kiss the hand which has chosen us to be the first of the nations in the cause of virtue and independence.”  He concluded with an invocation to the Almighty.

The Russians entertain different opinions respecting their general and their Emperor.  We, for our part, as enemies, can only judge of our enemies by their actions.  Now such were their words, and their actions corresponded with them.  Comrades! let us do them justice! their sacrifice was complete, without reserve, without tardy regrets.  They have since claimed nothing, even in the enemy’s capital which they preserved.  Their renown has therefore remained great and unsullied.  They have known real glory; and when a more advanced civilization shall have spread among all classes of that great nation, it will have its brilliant era, and will sway in its turn the sceptre of glory, which it seems to be decreed that the nations of the earth shall successively relinquish to each other.

This circuitous march made by Kutusoff, either from indecision or stratagem, turned out fortunate for him.  Murat lost all trace of him for three days.  The Russian employed this interval in studying the ground and entrenching himself.  His advanced guard had nearly reached Woronowo, one of the finest domains belonging to Count Rostopchin, when that nobleman proceeded forward before it.  The Russians supposed that he was going to take a last look at this mansion, when all at once the edifice was wrapt from their sight by clouds of smoke.

They hurried on to extinguish the fire, but Rostopchin himself rejected their aid.  They beheld him amid the flames which he was encouraging, smiling at the demolition of this splendid mansion, and then with a firm hand penning these words, which the French, shuddering with surprise, read on the iron gate of a church which was left standing:  “For eight years I have been embellishing this country seat, where I have lived happily in the bosom of my family.  The inhabitants of this estate, to the number of 1,720, will leave it on your approach, while I have set fire to my house, that it might not be polluted by your presence.  Frenchmen, I have relinquished to you my two houses at Moscow, with their furniture, worth half a million of rubles.  Here you will find nothing but ashes.”

It was near this place that Murat came up with Kutusoff.  On the 29th of September there was a smart engagement of cavalry towards Czerikowo, and another, on the 4th of October, near Vinkowo.  But there, Miloradowitch, too closely pressed, turned round furiously, with twelve thousand horse, upon Sebastiani.  He brought him into such danger, that Murat, amidst the fire, dictated a proposal for a suspension of arms, announcing to Kutusoff the approach of a flag of truce.  It was Lauriston that he expected.  But as the arrival of Poniatowski at that moment gave us some superiority, the king made no use of the letter which he had written; he fought till nightfall, and repulsed Miloradowitch.