On the 24th of October, 1809, Napoleon, in effecting his retreat from
Moscow, rose early in the morning to reconnoitre. While occupied in this
hazardous duty, a party of Cossacks was observed rapidly approaching,
when Rapp said to the Emperor, at the same time seizing the reins of his
bridle, “It is the Cossacks; you must turn back.” Napoleon refused to
retreat, and placed himself, with his attendants, on the highway side.
The Cossacks, being more intent on plunder than prisoners, passed within
a lance’s length, and failing to notice the prey which was within their
grasp, threw themselves upon some wagons, which were more attractive.
This retreat is well known to have been most disastrous to the French
army. The men sank under the heavy sufferings they were compelled to
endure from cold and privation--their route was marked by dead bodies;
and the army presented a scene of greater misery than can possibly be
conceived.
[Illustration: THE RETREAT FROM MOSCOW.]