CHAP. XXV.] CAVALRY UNDER NAPOLEON. 



397 



9,000 chosen horse supported by seventy guns were 

 ready to assail about 6,000 infantry without cavalry, 

 and with only sixteen pieces of cannon. Having thus 

 environed the enemy, Alexander, to prevent a useless 

 effusion of blood, summoned the French general to 

 surrender. Pacthod, albeit sensible that escape was 

 hopeless, nobly refused, and briefly haranguing his 

 soldiers, exhorted them to die like brave men in defence 

 of their country. Loud cheers followed the generous 

 appeal, and immediately the firing began. Formed 

 into squares, with the ammunition and carriages in the 

 centre, they bravely began a rolling fire, still continuing 

 to retreat towards Fere Champenoise, and for some 

 time repelled all the charges of the Eussian horse. At 

 length however the guns, one battery of which was 

 under the immediate command of Lord Cathcart, to 

 whom the Emperor," who was on the spot, had given its 

 direction, were brought to bear upon them. Such was 

 the deadly precision of their fire, that lanes were soon 

 made in one of the squares, and the cavalry breaking in 

 at the apertures, the whole were cut down or made 

 prisoners. Meanwhile the intelligence spread like 

 wildfire through the Russian columns that the Emperor 

 was in danger : with inconceivable ardour the troops 

 rushed forward ; hussars, light dragoons, uhlans, and 

 cuirassiers came up at speed or full trot, and dark 

 clouds of dust darkened the air, and at last 13,000 were 

 on the field. Still the other squares of the French 

 refused to surrender ; they even fired on the Emperor's 

 aide-de-camp Rapatel, whom he had adopted as a legacy 

 from Moreau, who fell dead on the spot ; and Alexander, 

 seeing there was nothing else to be done, gave the signal 

 for a general charge. At the head of his chevalier 

 guards, that brave prince threw himself upon the 

 squares, and dashed in at one of the openings made by 

 the cannon ; the guards, roused to the highest pitch by 

 the presence and danger of their beloved Czar, followed 

 with irresistible fury, and the square was penetrated on 

 all sides. Still the French, with heroic resolution, 

 refused to submit ; some in tears, others almost frantic 





