During the night between the 16th and 17th of February, 1814, Napoleon,
accompanied by a small escort of Polish lancers, reconnoitred the
enemy’s line, when, on leaving Arcis, he was attacked by a corps of
Russian cuirassiers and Cossacks. The Poles, commanded by Skrzinecki,
their captain, rapidly formed in a square about the Emperor; and though
the enemy in their front were supposed to be six times their number,
they succeeded in repulsing them, and rescued Napoleon from his imminent
danger.
[Illustration: NAPOLEON AT ARCIS-SUR-AUBE.]