"Faithful to the principles which have, at all times, | sary to prove the facts to France, to Germany, and to actuated his conduct, his imperial majesty is guided by Italy, before the slow progress of truth will fill those no view of conquest. The sentiments of moderation countries with mourning and consternation. Indeed, it which have ever characterised his policy, are still the is not easy to conceive that, in a campaign of only four same, after the decisive successes with which Divine months, one hundred and thirty thousand prisoners Providence has blessed his legitimate efforts. Peace should have been taken from the enemy, besides nine and independence shall be their result. These his hundred pieces of cannon, forty stand of colours, and majesty offers, together with his assistance, to every all the waggon-train and baggage of the army. A people, who, being obliged to oppose him, shall aban- list of the names of all the generals taken is hereunto don the cause of Napoleon, in order to follow that of annexed. From that list an estimate may be made of their real interest. I invite them to take advantage of the number of superior and subaltern officers taken. the fortunate opening which the Russian armies have It is sufficient to say, that out of three hundred thouproduced, and to unite themselves with them in the sand men, who penetrated into the interior of Russia, pursuit of an enemy whose precipitate flight has dis- not thirty thousand of them, even if they should be covered its loss of power. It is to Prussia, in parti- favoured by fortune, will ever revisit their country. cular, to which this invitation, is addressed. It is the The manner in which Napoleon repassed the Russian intention of his imperial majesty to put an end to the frontier can assuredly be no longer a secret to Europe. calamities by which she is oppressed, to demonstrate So much glory, and so many advantages, cannot, howto her king the friendship which he preserves for him, ever, change the personal dispositions of his majesty and to restore to the monarchy of Frederick its éclat the Emperor of all the Russias. The grand principles and its extent. He hopes that his Prussian majesty, of the independence of Europe have invariably formed animated by sentiments which this frank declaration the basis of his policy; for that policy is fixed in his ought to produce, will, under such circumstances, take heart. It is beneath his character to permit any endeathat part which the wishes of his people, and the inte- vours to be made to induce the people to resist the rests of his states, demand. Under this conviction, the oppression, and to throw off the yoke, which has emperor, my master, has sent me the most positive weighed them down for twenty years. It is their goorders, to avoid every thing that could betray a spirit vernment whose eyes ought to be opened by the actual of hostility between the two powers, and to endeavour, situation of France. Centuries may elapse before an within the Prussian provinces, to soften, as far as a opportunity equally favourable again presents itself: it state of war will permit, the evils which, for a short would be an abuse of the goodness of Providence not time, must result from their occupation. to take advantage of this crisis to re-construct the great work of the equilibrium of Europe, and thereby to insure public tranquillity and individual happiness."

(Signed) "The marshal commander-in-chief

f

of the armies,

"Prince KUTUSOFF SMOLENSK.”

On the 2d of January, the following order of the This document was accompanied by the following day was issued, at Wilna, by the heroic Marshal Kuproclamation :

tusoff:

"When the Emperor of all the Russias was compelled by a war of aggression to take up arms for the "Brave and victorious troops! you are at last upon defence of his states, his imperial majesty, from the the frontier of the empire. All of you have been the accuracy of his combinations, was enabled to form an preservers of your country: Russia has bestowed upon estimate of the important results which that war might you this title. The rapid pursuit of the enemy, and produce with respect to the independence of Europe. the extraordinary difficulties that you have supported The most heroic constancy, the greatest sacrifices, have in this campaign, astonish all nations, and have acled to a series of triumphs; and when the commander- quired for you immortal glory. Such brilliant victories in-chief, Prince Kutusoff Smolensk, led his victorious are altogether unexampled. During two whole months, troops beyond the Niemen, the same principles still your hands have daily punished the miscreants. The continued to animate the sovereign. At no period has road that they have pursued is strewed with dead boRussia been accustomed to practise that art (too much dies. Their chief, in his flight, sought for his personal resorted to in modern wars) of exaggerating, by false safety alone. Death has raged in their ranks: thoustatements, the success of her arms. But, with what-sands fell together and perished. Thus has the wrath ever modesty her details might now be penned, they of the Almighty burst over them; and thus hath le would appear incredible. Ocular witnesses are neces-protected his people.

"Not resting ourselves in the midst of our heroic | racteristic rage and ferocity, has been unable to draw actions, we must still proceed farther; we must pass from her a single sigh by the severe wounds he nas inour frontiers, and endeavour to accomplish the defeat flicted. of the enemy in the face of their allies. But we will not follow the example of their rage and frenzy, which disgrace the soldier. They have burnt our habitations, and violated our sanctuaries! but you have beheld in what manner the arm of the Almighty has punished their impiety. Let us be liberal, and distinguish between the enemy and peaceable inhabitants. Justice and clemency towards the latter will demonstrate that we do not seek to enslave them, nor aspire to a vain glory; but that our object is, to free from misery and destruction even those who have taken up arms against Russia.

"The constant desire of his imperial majesty is, that the tranquillity of the inhabitants be not disturbed, and that their property remain in perfect safety. At the same time that he makes known this desire, he confidently expects that each soldier will pay the utmost attention to it, and that no individual will dare to forget it and I call upon the commanders of corps and divisions, in the name of his imperial majesty, in order that they may strictly adhere to this instruction."

"It would seem, that with the blood which flowed, her spirit of bravery increased; that the burning vislages animated her patriotism; and the destruction and profanation of the temples of God strengthened her faith, and nourished in her the sentiment of implacable revenge. The army, the nobility, the gentry, the clergy, the merchants, the people, in a word, all classes, all estates of the empire, breathed the same spirit—a spirit of courage and of piety, a love equally ardent for their God and for their country. This unanimity, this universal zeal, have produced effects, such as have scarcely existed in any age. Let us contemplate the enormous force collected from twenty kingdoms and nations, united under the same standard, by an ambitious and atrocious enemy, flushed with success, which entered our country; half a million of soldiers, infantry and cavalry, accompanied by fifteen hundred pieces of cannon. With this immense force, he penetrated into the heart of Russia, extended himself, and began to spread fire and devastation. But six months have scarcely elapsed since he passed our frontiers, and what has become of him? Let us cite the words of the holy

The publication of this order was followed, four days Psalmist-I myself have seen the ungodly in great afterwards, by the following proclamation:

power, and flourishing like a green bay-tree.'-'I went by, and, lo! he was gone: I sought him, but his place could no where be found.' Psalm xxxvii. 36, 37.

"This sublime sentence is literally and forcibly accomplished on our arrogant and impious enemy. Where are his armies, like a mass of black clouds drawn to

"God and all the world are witnesses with what objects the enemy entered our beloved country. Nothing could avert his obstinate and malevolent intentions. Proudly calculating on his own force, and on those which he had embodied against us from all the Eu-gether by the wind? They are dispersed as rain. A ropean powers, and hurried on by desire of conquest and thirst for blood, he hastened to penetrate even into the heart of our great empire, to spread amongst us the horrors and miseries of a war of devastation, and to come upon us by surprise, but for which he had long been preparing. Having foreseen, by former proofs of his unbounded ambition and violent proceedings, what bitter sufferings he was about to inflict upon us, and seeing him already pass our frontiers with a fury which nothing could arrest, we have been compelled, though with a sorrowful and wounded heart, in invoking the aid of God, to draw the sword, and to promise to our empire, that we would not return it to the scabbard so long as a single enemy remained in arms in our territory. We fixed firmly in our hearts this determination, relying on the valour of the people whom God has confided to us; and we have not been deceived. What proofs of courage, of bravery, of piety, of pat ence, and of fortitude, has not Russia shewn! The -nemy, who penetrated into her bosom with all his cha

great part, moistening the earth with their blood, cover the fields of the governments of Moscow, Kalouga, Smolensk, White Russia, and Lithuania. Another part, equally great, has been taken in the frequent battles, with many generals and commanders. In fine, after numerous sanguinary combats, whole regiments, imploring the magnanimity of their conquerors, have laid down their arms before them. The rest, composing a number equally great, pursued in their precipitate flight by our victorious troops, overtaken by cold and hunger, have strewed the road from Moscow to the frontiers of Russia with carcases, cannons, waggons, and baggage. So that, of those numerous forces, a very inconsiderable part of the soldiers, exhausted and without arms, can, with difficulty, and almost lifeless, return to their country; to serve as a terrible example to their countrymen of the dreadful sufferings which must overtake those inconsiderate and rash men, who dare to carry their hostile designs into the bosem of powerful Russia.

Prince Kutusoff, therefore, on the 25th of March, | ing a protecting hand over a work, the full completion

issued the following proclamation to the Germans, in the names of their majesties the Emperor of Russia and the King of Prussia:

“While Russia's victorious warriors, united with those of Prussia, their allies, appear in Germany, his majesty the Emperor of Russia and his majesty the King of Prussia announce to the princes and people of Germany the return of freedom and independence. They come only with the design of aiding them to recover those lost but inalienable blessings of nations, and of affording powerful protection and permanent security to the regeneration of a venerable empire. It is this grand object alone, raised far above every selfish view, which dictates and directs the advance of their armies.

"These armies, under the eyes of both monarchs, and led on by their general, confide in the righteous Disposer of events, and hope to be able to accomplish for the whole world, and irrevocably for Germany, what they have already so gloriously begun for themselves the destruction of the most ignominious yoke. Full of this spirit, they march forward. Their watch-word is honour and independence. Let every German, who would still be thought worthy of that name, cordially unite with them; let all, be they princes or nobles, or in the lower ranks of life, join heart and hand, with their lives and property, in the Russian and Prussian plans of deliverance. Such a disposition, and such zeal, their majesties trust, they are entitled to expect from every German, when they view the spirit which the victories of Russia have roused in an awakened world. "They invite, therefore, the faithful co-operation of every German prince; and they would gladly anticipate, that none of them, by proving rebellious to the German commonweal, will expose themselves to merited destruction by the force of open hostilities.

of which can only be accomplished by the princes and people of Germany. The more firmly the foundations and the superstructure of this work arise out of the national spirit of the German people, the more powerfully and the more unitedly will Germany shine forth among the nations of Europe.

"In fine, his majesty and his allies, between whom the most complete understanding prevails with regard to the herein-declared resolutions and views, are determined perseveringly to devote their strongest efforts to the glorious object of delivering Germany from a foreign yoke.

"Let France, who is beauteous and strong within herself, occupy herself, in future, in promoting her internal welfare. No foreign power intends disturbing it; no hostile attempt shall be made upon her rightful, frontiers. But, be it known to France, that the other powers are solicitous of conquering permanent tranquillity for their subjects; and that they will not lay down their arms, until the foundation of the independence of every European state has been established and secured."

About this time, the Russian army lost its brave commander-in-chief, Prince Kutusoff Smolensk, who died at Buntzlau; and, in consequence of this event, the Emperor of Russia wrote the following letter to the widow :

"Princess Catherine Ilinishina! The Almighty, whose decrees it is impossible for mortals to resist, and unlawful to murmur at, has been pleased to remove your husband, Prince Kutusoff Smolensk, in the midst of his brilliant career of victory and glory, from a transient to an eternal life. This is a great and grievous loss, not for you alone, but for the country at large! Your tears flow not alone-I weep-all Russia weeps with "The confederation of the Rhine, that deceitful fetter you. Yet God, who has called him to himself, grants, which the general disturber threw around dismembered you this consolation, that his name and his deeds are Germany, even to the annihilation of her ancient name, immortal; a grateful country will never forget his mecan no longer be tolerated; as being the work of foreign rits. Europe and the world will for ever admire him, constraint, and the instrument of foreign influence. and inscribe his name on the list of the most distinTheir majesties are confident that they only comply guished commanders. A monument shall be erected with the universal wishes of the people, when they de- to his honour; beholding which, the Russian will feel clare, that the dissolution of this confederation must his heart swell with pride, and the foreigner will rebe considered as one of their most settled determina-spect a nation that gives birth to such illustrious men. tions. I have given orders that you should retain all the advantages enjoyed by your late husband; and remain your affectionate

"Herewith, at the same time, is the relation declared in which his majesty the Emperor of all the Russias is desirous of standing with regard to renovated Germany, and to its internal constitution.

"ALEXANDER."

"As he wishes to see the annihilation of foreign inThe chief command of the army now devolved on fluence, that relation can be nothing else than extend-General Witgenstein, who, a few days afterwards,

gained the battle of Gross-Gorschen, of which the fol- but took his position in the village between Gross-Gorlowing is the official account. schen and Starsiedel.

"About noon, General Blucher received orders, as commanding the van-guard of the army, and supported by part of the Russian artillery, to attack the enemy. The attack was made on the village of Gross-Gorschen, which, though obstinately defended by the enemy, was taken by storm. General D'York marched with his corps to the right of the village. The whole army wheeled to the right, and presently after the battle be

The enemy, at the same time, displayed a numerous artillery, and the fire of musketry in the villages was kept up, with great vivacity, for several hours. In this sanguinary battle, the villages of Klein-Gorschen, Rahno, and Gross-Gorschen, were taken at an early period, and with unexampled bravery kept possession of for several hours. At length the enemy returned with considerable force, surrounded, and, in part, re-took these villages; but, on the attack being renewed, he was unable to retain possession of them. The Prussian guards moved forward, and, after a most obstinate conflict of an hour and a half, those villages were again retaken from the enemy, and remained in our possession. During this time, the corps of General Winzingerode on the left wing, and the corps of General D'York, with a part of the Russian troops under General Berg, had taken a share in the battle. We stood opposed to the enemy at the distance of one hundred paces, and this murderous battle became general.

"On the 30th of April, information was received, at General Count Witgenstein's head-quarters, of the greater part of the army and the French guards having crossed the Saale, in the neighbourhood of Naumberg. It was at the same time reported, that the Emperor Napoleon had arrived at the army. We observed that the Viceroy's army drew to the right. It was therefore evident, that the enemy endeavoured, by all means, to form a junction, and that it was most probably his in-came general along the whole line of Blucher's corps. tention to give a general battle. His majesty the Emperor Alexander, and his majesty the King of Prussia, therefore, went to their armies, to animate the courage of the troops by their personal presence. But, the better to be enabled to judge of the enemy's strength, a reconnoissance was undertaken with General Winzingerode's corps, from Leipsig, on the road to Weissenfels. This confirmed the intelligence received, of the enemy being there in considerable force. Upon this, a very severe engagement took place on the 1st of May, with the said corps, by which we were convinced that the main force of the enemy was in the vicinity of Weissenfels and Lutzen. It was believed that the Viceroy's position was between Leipsig and Halle, consequently the enemy's plan for the battle was sufficiently obvious. General Count Witgenstein resolved to obstruct him in his dispositions by a bold attack, and to restrain his offensive operations. It was necessary, in this attempt, to make it our main object immediately to fall on such part of his force as was on his side considered to be the best troops; in order, after such a stroke, to give larger space for the operations of our flying corps, over whom the enemy had lately acquired a superiority. It was therefore requisite, if possible, to direct the attack immediately against the rear-At seven o'clock, the enemy appeared with a new corps most troops. For this purpose, the main army broke up in the night between the 1st and 2d of May, from Notha and Borna, in two columns, and pushed forward as far as the defile of the Elster, in the vicinity of Pegau. General Winzingerode received orders to mask this operation, to leave his posts of cavalry standing, and to unite himself with the main army by the way of Zwenkau.

"Our reserves had drawn nearer to the field of battle, to be in readiness wherever needful, and thus was the battle continued till near seven o'clock in the evening. During its course, the villages on the left wing were several times taken and retaken by both parties.

on the right wing before Gross and Klein Gorschen, made a brisk attack on us, and endeavoured to tear from us the advantages we had gained. The infantry of a part of the Russian reserves was now brought forward to the right wing, to the support of General D'York's corps, which was briskly attacked; and a most desperate engagement (in which the Russian artillery, during the whole remaining time, greatly distinguished itself) was now continued until night came on. The enemy had likewise again attacked our centre and the villages with great briskness, but we maintained our position.

"About day-break, all the troops passed the defile of the Elster, near Pegau, and drew up, in order of battle, on the left bank of the Elster, with their right wing to the village of Werben, and the left to that of Gruna. By reconnoitring, we discovered that the enemy's main "In this situation night put an end to the battle. body already extended beyond Weissenfels, to the vil- The enemy was to have been again attacked on the fol lages of Gross-Gorschen, Klein-Gorschen, Rahno, Star-lowing morning, the 3d of May. He had meanwhile siedel, and Lutzen. The enemy did not attempt to interrupt our march, nor to get before us into the plain,

taken Leipsig during the battle. This obliged us to manoeuvre with him. It was not till afterwards that