HO RUSSIA IN EUROPE, 



menced between Russia and Sweden, evidently shewed the prepon- 

 derance of French policy in the councils of the former. See Swe- 

 den. 



This influence, however, had but a temporary existence; the good 

 understanding between the two courts continuing little more than 

 four years. The continental system, which France required Russia 

 to 'adopt, destroyed the principal source of her income. It was the 

 introduction of commerce which had made Russia of importance in 

 the European compact, and deprived of commerce she must again sink 

 into insignificance. Alexander was therefore compelled in silence to 

 prepare for another rupture, in defence of rights, which no flatte- 

 ries or commands of Napoleon could induce him to surrender. Dur- 

 ing the years 1810 and 1811, the two powers were busily employed 

 in preparing for the conflict; and in May, 1812, the Frenah armies, 

 amounting to near 400,000 men, arrived on the banks of the Vistula. 

 On the 16th of June, Bonaparte took the command of his army; and 

 on the 23d crossed the Niemen, and commenced hostilities, by at- 

 tacking a body of cossacs, stationed in Kovna, who were driven out 

 with great slaughter. The Russian head quarters were at Wilna, to- 

 wai'ds which Napoleon advanced. On the 26th the French light ca- 

 valry were within nine leagues of Wilna, and the emperor Alexander 

 gave orders for the immediate reunion of his army at Drissa behind 

 the Dwina. The loss of the Russians in this movement was but tri- 

 fling, and on the 9th of July the different divisions were concentrated 

 at Drissa, excepting the second army commanded by prince Bagra- 

 tion, and consisting of 60,000 men, who retreated by the way of 

 Sloutzk towards Mohiloff. The enemy's column under marshal 

 Oudinot having reached the neighbourhood of Dunabourg on the 

 18th, attacked the head of a bridge, where the Russians had con- 

 structed some works. Major-general Oulanoff received the charge 

 and drove them back. The attack was renewed the next day, but 

 with no better success, and Oudinot abandoning the attempt, march- 

 ed towards Drouya, while the cavalry under Murat took possession of 

 Dissna. The whole of the Russian forces, including Bagration's army, 

 amounted to 240,000 men, leaving the French a great superiority of 

 numbers. On the 19th of July, the Russian army under Barclay de 

 Tolly, Left Drissa, and on the 24th took a position in front of Vitepsk. 

 Learning that Oudinot was marching towards Loutzen with a view of 

 cutting off the communication between Petersburg and the imperial 

 armies, Barclay de Tolly despatched general count Vigtenstein to 

 oppose him. Vigtenstein came up with the French at Yacobova, 

 and after three days hard fighting, totally overthrew them. On the 

 22d, prince Bagration arrived in the neighbourhood of Mohiloff, and 

 •understanding it to be in the possession of the enemy under marshals 

 Davoust and Mortier, determined upon attacking it. The French de- 

 fended themselves with spirit, and after a conflict of ten hours, Ba- 

 gration was compelled to retreat. On the 6th of August, he formed 

 a junction with the left of the great army at Nadva. During this re- 

 treat his army had been reduced from 60,000 to 35,000 men. On the 

 16th of August, Bonaparte was at the head of his army before Smo- 

 lensk. On the 17th a severe engagement was fought between the 

 two grand armies. The battle commenced early in the morning, and 

 continued till after dark, when the Russians set fire to the city, and 

 retired in excellent order towards Dorogobouche, where Bagration was 

 encamped. The loss of lives in this engagement was upwards of 



