CHAP. XXV.] CAVALRY UNDER NAPOLEON. 



407 



" Several squadrons were told off to attack the enemy 

 in flank and rear during the conflict. All these orders 

 were steadily obeyed ; they pressed in upon the French, 

 and surrounded their squadrons ; here I saw myself 

 many of the French dragoons cut down or speared, after 

 firing off* their carbines, before they could draw their 

 swords. The French steadily defended themselves at 

 first, as well as cavalry standing still can do against such 

 active adversaries, who swarmed about them on all sides ; 

 however, presently some of them turned, and their 

 example was soon followed by the remaining squadrons. 

 The reserve, instead of advancing to restore the fight, joined 

 in the flight ; in a short time everyone was galloping 

 towards Jacobsthal, and the entire plain was covered 

 with scattered horsemen. Not one troop was to be seen 

 in close order ; it was a regular hunt ; and most of those 

 who were taken prisoners in it, had previously fallen off 

 their horses. At last we came upon a line of cuirassiers, 

 in emerging from the wood, and their steady and imposing- 

 attitude brought us suddenly to halt, without any word 

 being given ; we were quite satisfied with our victory, 

 and turned back to Miihlberg." ^ 



General Brack gives us the following important testi- 

 mony as to the influence of the Cossacks as light troops. 

 He says : " The Cossacks were an arm which rendered 

 the war highly dangerous, especially to such of our 

 oflScers as were entrusted with making reconnaissances. 

 Many among them, and especially of the general staff, 

 selected by the major-general, preferred forwarding the 

 reports which they received from the peasantry, to going 

 to a distance and exposing themselves to the attacks of 

 the Cossacks. The Emperor then could no longer know 

 the state of affairs." No testimony could possibly be 

 stronger than the above, as to the efficiency of these 

 irregular horsemen. 



The following opinion of a French officer. General 



Morand, as to the value of the Cossacks and their 



services in the war of 1812, is clear and to the point. 



He says : " But these rude horsemen are ignorant of our 



^ Ganzange, as quoted in Nolan, 83, 84. 



