Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/48

20 with scythes. I informed General Kosciuszko of it, and told him, at the same time, that the enemy's horse was advancing at a gallop through the brush-wood, to fall upon our flank. A squadron of the militia of my province (Brzesc) placed on the table-land, began to waver and to show symptoms of wishing to leave the battle-field; I ran to animate them, and having put myself at their head, was going to check the progress of the Russian cavalry, when, being already near them, I was struck by a bullet in the right arm, above the elbow. The blood was streaming; I remember, however, that the pain was not the first sensation I experienced at this moment, on the contrary, it was the pride that I felt of having shed my blood for my fatherland. But this romantic pleasure of patriotism, which flattered my self-love, was soon dissipated by the sight of the general defeat of our army. The horsemen whom I led to the charge were scattered; confusion prevailed everywhere; all the Russian army was advancing and surrounding us.