Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-02-01
PRoCLA1f4TYoN % TIE EMPEROR
dLEXINDEP

Russians At length the enemy Of our cour
try-the foe OF its independence and freedom
has experienced portion of that terrible ven,
gcance which his ambitious and unprincipled
aggression has aroused. From the period of
his march from wilma his army great IN mum
bers, assured in vaor and discipline and elnted
at the rene mbrance ofvictories gained in other
regions, threatened no less than the entire sub
Jugat'nn of Russia The system which we had
thought TIT to adopt strengthened that conf
dcnce. The sanguinary battles fought on his
route and which gave him temporary possessi-
on oil Smnlensk, hattered him with all the iIlu-
SONS OF victory. He reached Moscow. and he
ociievcd himself invncibe and invulnerabie--
lie now exulted in the idea of reaping the fruit
OF his toll, Of obtaining for his soldiers comfort
able winter quarters and of sending out thence
next spring fresh forces to ravage and burn oar
cities, make csptives Of our countrvmen. over.
throw our laws and holy religion, and subject
every thing TO his lawless<will Vain, pre-
suihPtuouS nope, insolent, degrading menace
Apopnlaton of forty millions attached to heir
KING and country, and devoted to their religion
and laws, tie least brave man of whom is sumo
FLOR to his unwilling confederates and victims,
cannot be conqueredby any heterogeneous force
which he could muster, even of treble its late
am7i n
Scarcely had he reached Moscow, and at
tempted to repose amidst its hurninr ruins.
when he found himselfencircled by the bavonets
OF orr troops, he then too late discovered that
The possession of Moscow was not the cono,,esi
oftlieir kingdom; that his temerity had led HIM
INTO Nnare-and that he must choose between
retreat and annihi alton lie preferred the for
mer and behold the consequences
Here follow the official accounts of the de
feat OF Nict6r's advanced guard under Murat.
near Moscow, byMarshal Muconsoff of the de.
ieat ct General st. Gyrny Marshal Wittgenstein,
and q. II, -r.l =
on of Moscow by Winzinger1 ID s. corps. Eel
Russians the Aimiglity las heard our
wishes and crowned YOUR efforts with success.
Every where the enemy is in motion; his dis
orderly movements betray his apprehensions !:
gladly i'eo1d he compound for safety; but no.
hey az i,slice like demand the terrible in
h'ction The history ofhis daring must not be
toid wittoiu terrible catastrophe By which it
was attended. Ahrndred thousand men sacri.
feed to his frantic pr sumption. attest vour va
ior and devotion to your country aud must
deter hlm from repetition of his Impractical.
o'e Design Much, however, yet remains to be
done and that IS in your power. L., the line
OF his retreat berendered memorable by your
honest indignation; destroy every thing which
can be OF service to him, and our commanders
nave orders TO remunerate YOU Render your
bridges, your roads impossible. In fine, adopt
AMI execute the suggestions of brave wise &;
patriotic heart, and shew yourself deserving
the thanks OF your country and of your soye-
rel II.
Should the remains of the enemy's force es.
cape to our imperial frontiers. and attempt to
WINTER there. they must prepare themselves to
encounter all the rigours of the cline and sea.
son, and the various attacks of our troops thus
harrassed, exhausted and defeated, he shall for
ever be rendered incapable OF renewing the pre-
sumptuous attempt.
(signed)