Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/49

Rh Our infantry, although weakened, and presenting many gaps in their ranks, stood firm, and received the attack of the phalanx of Russian bayonets; the butchery began, and after an obstinate contest, in which the defenders of my country covered themselves with immortal honour, the enemy became masters of the field, marching over the bodies of our soldiers, who covered in death the very ground they had occupied in battle.

While I was looking everywhere for General Kosciuszko, whom I had seen before on the small plain, at the river side, the loss of blood weakened me, and the sword fell from my hand. An officer, seeing me in this condition, undid his neckcloth and tied it around my arm. I found the General at last, engaged in rallying a small detachment of cavalry; his horse was killed by a cannon shot, and he had just mounted another which was immediately brought him, when, suddenly, a new corps of the enemy's horse showed itself on our front; we attacked and repulsed them, but all the Russian Light-dragoons soon