CHAP. XXV.] CAVALRY UNDER NAPOLEON. 



391 



artillery in his rear to effect the passage of the river, at 

 length fell back slowly, and crossed the bridges without 

 serious loss, and in good order. This action reflects the 

 highest credit on the Russian cavalry.' 



In the advance of Napoleon upon Moscow, it was not 

 long before the Russian horsemen began to acquire 

 a high reputation. The first engagements of the cam- 

 paign took place on the 9th and 10th of July, and in 

 both instances the Cossacks were met by Polish cavalry, 

 and in both cases were completely victorious.* 



Nor can we refrain from mentioning here the action 

 which took place near Krasnoi between the Russian rear- 

 guard, 6,000 strong, with 1,200 horse, under General 

 Newerofskoi, and the leading column of the French 

 army under Ney and Murat. Newerofskoi was sur- 

 rounded and vigorously assailed by 18,000 horse, but he 

 bravely determined to fight it out, and refused positively 

 to surrender. Forming his force into two squares, which 

 he afterwards united into one, he retired slowly and 

 steadily across the broad open plains through which hia 

 course lay, continually repelling the charges which were 

 repeatedly made by the numberless French squadrons, 

 who charged him more than forty times during the 

 day. On several occasions the French succeeded in 

 breaking into the ranks, and even cut down Russian 

 officers in the centre of their squares. But continually 

 closing together and presenting a firm array and a well- 

 sustained fire, they kept off" the enormous host by which 

 they were surrounded, efiected their retreat during the 

 whole day, and reached Korytnia at night with unbroken 

 ranks, but with a loss of 1,000 men and five guns. 

 This is one of the most striking instances on record of 

 a successful infantry defence against an overwhelming 

 force of horsemen upon an open plain. 



At the battle of Borodino a most brilliant charge of 

 cavalry was made by Ouvaroff at the head of the Ist 

 corps of cavalry, and some regiments of Cossacks, upon 

 the left flank of Prince Eugene's corps. He crossed the 

 Kolotza and first overthrew Ornano's brigade of cavalry, 

 » Alison, ii. 531. 2 xbid. iii. .^IT. 



