Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/33

Rh purpose. General Sierakowski’s division, after having fought with courage and glory at Krupczyce against all the forces of Suwarow, was, a few days after, surprized in a disadvantageous position, and lost all its artillery. This small corps, weakened and discouraged, was the nearest available force for opposing Fersen. It approached within six miles of Poninski’s detachment, and at the head of those two small corps, Kosciuszko resolved to give battle to Fersen’s army, about twenty thousand strong, with one hundred and fifty field-pieces.

The head-quarters of the army of Warsaw, which, even during the greatest autumnal rains, and after the retreat of the enemy, had been in the camp, were just removed to Mokotow, a beautiful villa belonging to the. On Sunday night, 5th October, General Kosciuszko gave orders that two foot regiments and some field-pieces should cross the Vistula by the bridge of Praga, and march towards General Sierakowski’s division, telling me at the same