392 



A HISTORY OF CAVALRY. 



[period IV, 



which was upon that flank. An Italian division under 

 General Delzon saved itself by promptly forming in 

 squares. The baggage and artillery waggons fled in eon- 

 fusion, and the Viceroy Eugene himself narrowly escaped 

 capture by getting into one of the infantry squares. 

 Napoleon, alarmed at the confusion, and deeming the 

 attack serious, galloped to the spot, followed by the 

 cavalry ai 1 artillery of the Guard. Ouvaroff", finding him- 

 self threatened by greatly superior forces, withdrew across 

 the river, his gallant charge having created a most import- 

 ant diversion by withdrawing a portion of the reserves 

 from the decisive point of the battle-field. This charge 

 sensibly checked and delayed the success of the French.' 

 The battle of Borodino is remarkable in a cavalry 

 point of view, on account of the celebrated capture of 

 the great redoubt by a charge of cavalry. Napoleon 

 made preparations for a tremendous attack with an 

 enormous infantry force, aided by 200 guns, while he 

 directed a charge of cavalry to endeavour to penetrate 

 the Eussian lines, and wheeling around to enter the 

 redoubt by the gorge. Caulaincourt, with Montbrun's 

 cuirassiers, was ordered to make the charge. Alison 

 describes what followed. " You will see me immediately 

 dead or alive," was the answer of the brave general, and 

 he set oflF at a gallop at the head of his followers, and 

 the glittering mass was soon lost in the volumes of 

 smoke as he approached the entrenchment. The Rus- 

 sians hastened by all possible means to support the 

 point of attack. The corps of Osterman was placed in 

 front, and the regiments of the Guards, Preobazinski and 

 Semenowskoie, were stationed as a reserve in their rear. 

 Caulaincourt, advancing with the utmost rapidity, over- 

 threw the regiments of Russian horse whom Kutusof 

 had opposed to him, while the great redoubt continued 

 to vomit forth an incessant fire upon its assailants. 

 Eugene with his infantry was advancing to the attack ; 

 the bayonets of his troops were already gleaming on its 

 slopes, when the columns of cuirassiers were seen ascend- 

 ing through the clouds of smoke which enveloped the 



" Bouiourlin, i. 341. 



