Martinsburgh Gazette

with cold. it was roused by the fire of the enemy which they took for the French army, thus surrounded, they must have surrendered. This cruel mistake has lost us 2000 infantry, 300 horses and 3 pieces artillery, it is rumoured that the general of the division was not with his column but had marched on ahead. All the army having passed on the morning of the 28th, the duke of Belluno guarded the head of the bridge on the left bank, the duke of Reggio with all the army were on the right bank.

Borisow having been evacuated the armies of Dwina and Volhynia communicated, they concerted an attack the 28th at day break, the duke of Reggio caused the emperor to be informed that he was attacked; an half an hour afterwards the duke of Belluno knew it on the left bank. the army was under arms. The duke of Elchingen went to the assistance of the duke de Reggio and the duke of Trevise followed him. The fight became brisk, the enemy wished to break our right, general Doumerc commanding the 5th division of Cuirassiers and composing part of the 2d corps which remained on the Dwina, ordered a charge of the cavalry by the 4th and 5th of the Cuirassiers, at the moment when the legion of the Vistula was engaged in the woods to pierce the centre of the enemy which was beaten and put to rout. These brave cuirassiers surrounded successively six battalions of infantry and put to route the enemy's cavalry which came to the assistance of its infantry; 6000 prisoners, 2 colours and 6 pieces of cannon fell into our hands.

The duke de Belluno caused the enemy to be vigorously charged, made 5 to 6000 prisoners, and drove them out of the reach of the cannon of the bridge. General Fournier made a handsome charge of the cavalry--In the battle of Beresina the army of Volhynia suffered much --The duke de Reggio was wounded, but not dangerously, by a ball which he received in his side--The morning of the 29th we remained upon the field of battle. We had two routes to choose ; that of Minsk and that of Wilna. The road to Minsk is through a forest and uninhabitable marshes, and it would have been impossible for the army to subsist. The road to Wilna on the contrary is through a very fine country. The army, without cavalry, with but little ammunition, very much fatigued with fifty days march, bringing after it the sick and wounded of so many battles, required rest. The 30th, the head quarters were at Plechnitsi: the 1st of December at Slonim, and the 8th at Molodeczno where the army received the first convoys from Wilna. All the wounded officers and soldiers and every thing that incumbered us, such as baggage &c. were sent to Wilna.

The result of the exposition just made, is, that it is necessary for the army to recruit itself, to remount the cavalry, to provide artillery and obtain provisions. Its greatest want is rest. The provisions and horses have arrived.

General Bourcier has already more than 20,000 horses in the different depots. The artillery has repaired its loss. The generals, the officers and soldiers, have suffered much with fatigue and want. Many have lost their baggage in consequence of the loss of their horses--some by the ambuscades of the Cossacks. The Cossacks have taken many stragglers and engineers employed in making drafts, and wounded officers who marched without precaution, preferring to run risks, than to march with the convoys. The reports of the general officers will show those officers and soldiers who have most distinguished themselves, in the details of these memorable events. In all his movements, the emperor has marched in the middle of his guards, the cavalry commanded by marshal duke of Istria, and the infantry commanded by the duke of Dantzick. His majesty is satisfied with the good conduct that his guard have shown--they have always been ready to go wherever circumstances required-- but circumstances have always been such that his simple presence has sufficed to inspire confidence and ensure success.

The Prince of Neufchatel, the grand master of the horse, and all the aides-de-camp and military officers of the household of the Emperor, have always accompanied his majesty.

Our cavalry was so dismounted, that we could scarcely unite the officers who had horses, to form four companies of 150 men each. The generals performed the duties of captains, and the colonels those of sub-officers. This squadron, commanded by general Grouchy, and under the direction of the King of Naples, never lost sight of the Emperor in all his motions. The health of his majesty was never better.