Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/61

Rh upon battle, had not permitted our enemies to occupy themselves much with us on the preceding day, they began very early this morning to think seriously of it. They appointed officers and soldiers, who were to guard, to follow, and never to lose sight of us. To General Kosciuszko, was assigned Major Iwan Petrowicz Titow; to me, Captain Zmiewski; to Fischer, the general's aide-de-camp, Lieutenant Karpen; and to these three officers were added Lieutenant Mitrowski, and three old grenadiers. These guardian angels had instructions to watch our words and actions, to prevent us from having any communication with each other, and to make a report every day of what they had seen, heard, or observed during that day. At ten o’clock we had the first visit of General Fersen, who said to Kosciuszko, “I pity you, but such is the lot of our profession of arms.” As he spoke only Russian and German, I acted as interpreter during the conversation, which did not last long. I perceived from Fersen's tone in addressing me,