The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1813-02-16
CATCHCART.

= CATCHCART.
ST.. PETE RsBURCH. Nov. 81, 1912.
lily LorG-In addition tU my dispatch of
the ed instant lave new the happi.
ness to iuclose translation Of reports which
have been received from Field Marshal
Prince Kutusofg, of the 10th and Goth inst.
containing The details OF the total defeat of
the divisions of the French army under the
commands of Marshal Davous, * Ney. Near
200 cannon and 10000 prisoners have been
taken in these affairs. Bonaparte is sta
ted to have been with Marshal Davoust's
corps, in the night from the 10th to. the
18th, and to have left the field of battle at
tull speed.
Every measure Of precaution that could
be thought of at this distance has been pro-
vided for by the Emperor to prevent the
escape the enemy aud it appears that
every exertion has been made by the COM
manders of Smolensk. Bonaparte has pro-
badly sent forward his. favorite guards, the
Polish divisions, and pArt of tbs Italian
but if Admiral dchichagof has arrived at
his ground, it does not appear that this
corps would escape TO the frontier.
+ The display of force before General
Count Wittgenstein's post, after the attack,
was probably with the intention TO favour
he movement If the corps which have
marched upon Minsk.
1t is not improbable, that part of Vic
tors corps may have taken the same di-
rection..
General Wittgensten is reinforced by the
cavalry formed under General Winzinge-
rode, for the present commanded BY Ma.
jor General Kutusoff. who, has made
most rapid march to Babinowith, where he
arrived time enough on the 18th to receive
f>,.,cD f,.ry of tIl.,
sions. He has also taken two G Generals and
one Colonel.
The French with their usual savage and
sacrilegiOus ferOcity, wantonly blew up the
venerable cathedral of Smolensk, before
they left that place.
TIE Deum has been sung this day in the
great cathedral, in presence Of their I'm
perial Majesties and the whole court the
Baton DE Mareshal OF MarshaiDavoust,
and such of the eagles andcolors taken in
the last affair as are already arrived here,
were previously brought to the cathedral,
in which the other numerous trophies of
war are already deposited. have the no.
nour. &c.
(Sigued) CATHCART.
The Commander in chief General Field
Marshal Prince Kutusoff, from his head
quarters at the village of Dubrovo, submits
toA his Imperial Majesty the two following
reports ..
First Rehort, dated 1stA Nov.
After the battle near Viasha vt the 22d
October, my army made every effort to
turn, if not all the eneIf,y's corps, at least
| its advanced guard on tine road from Jelna
to Krasnel, in which it completely succeed
| ed on the 18th and 18th November.
The 10th November the army made q
| I'M, ot,t hu HS E,@x 6.
| as the town of Krasnoi. The advanced
| guard felsdn with the enemy who were
| completely defeated by lieutenant general
| Onverow. On this occasion we became
| masters of one standard, some cannon and
made a great number of prisoners, one of
whom was general.
| General Miilaradovitch comm anding the
adv anced guard, with the Sd light corps of
infantry, and the I'd OF cavalry pcrceiy-
ing the corps commanded by Marshal
Davoust advance near Krasnoi, detaci
ed ththcr Lieutenant General Prince
Gaiitzen. The enemy, conceiving him
self turned OH all sides, began to de-
tend himself. Our artillery made terri:
BILE carnage in the enemy's rank ,,--Napo
lean himself was an eyewitness of the bat
tie. and not waiting for the issue, he fed
| with his whole suite to the village of La.
dem, and abandoned the corps Of Davou,t
The battle lasted the whole day the
enemy were completely defeated and dis.
persed in the neighboring wood for a dis
lance II five wersts and along the banks O,
the Dnieper--thus the corps Of General
Davoust has been completely destroyed
The loss in killed and wounded is imin,ns
We have made prisoners two generals. So
officers of different ranks, 9l7S men. "a
cannon. three standards, and taken the
baton OF Marshal Davoust.
On the 18th November being Informed
that the corps of Marshal Ney, forming
the rear guard of the enemy. was moving
IN the road leading to Krashoi, made the
following dispositions -
SECOND REPORT.
In order to obtain certain victory over
Marshal Ney, and cut on entirely his com
muhication with the rest Of the army, re-
Infmced General Mhlaradourch with tbe
9Th corps giving him orders to- pre- vent the
marshall advance and 10 take position,