Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-05-13

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relying on the valour OF the
people whom God has conhded To us; and we
have no; been deceived. What proofs of cou-
rage, OF bravery, OF piety, OF patience, and of
iorti,uds, has not Russia shownl The enemy,
who penetrated into her bosom, will, all his
Characteristic ferocity and rsge, has not b, gu
able TO draw from her n single sigh bv tic Sc
we're wound hc has inflicted II would seem |
that With the blood which flowed, her spirit |
ot bravery increased that the burning villages |
animated her patriotism, and the destruction |
and proclamation other tempt, eli God strength
ened her faith, and nourished in her the SEN
timent Of implacable revenge. The army, the
nobility, the gentry, the clergy, the mer-
chants, the people, in word, all classes, AL
estates oil the empire, neither sparin,c their
property, nor their lives, have breathvd the
same spirit-a spirit of courage aud of piety,
love equally ardent for their God, and for
their country. This unanmitv, this universal
zeal, have produced effects hardly credible,
such as have scarcely existed in any ape Let
us contemplate tic enormous force collected
from twenty kingdoms al d Eations united UNI
der the same standard, Ivy an ambitious, and
atrocious enemy, flushed with success, which
entered our country half million of soldiers,
infantry and cavalry, accompanied by fifteen
hundred pieces of cannon. With forces so
powerful he picrccs into the heart of kussia
extends himself, and begins to spread FIRE and
devastation. But six months have elapsed since
he passed our frontiers, aud what is lie come of
him Let us here cite tie words of tie Holy
fsalmist -
myself have seen the ungolly in great
power, and flourishing like green bay tree"
Invent by, and 10, he WAS gone; I sought
him, but his place could no where be touid -
psalm xxxvii v. SO, 81.
This sublime sentence is accomplished in all
its force, on cur arrogant and impious enemy.
Where are bis armies, like mass OF black
clouds which the wind had drawn together!
They are dispersed rain. A great part wet.
ting the earth with their blood, cover the fields
OF the governments oi Moscow, .Ealouga, Sno.
lensko, White Russia, and Litllunia Another
part equally great las been taken in the fire.
quent battles, with many generals and com.
manders. In fine, after numerous blood " ON
bats, III the end whole regiments, impiorng
the magnanimits OF their conquarors, have laid
down their arms before them The rest, com.
posing number equally great, pursued in their
precipitate fight by our victorious troops, o.
yertaken by cold and hunger, have strewed the
road from Moscow TO the frontiers of Russia
with carcases, cannons, Wagons, and baggage !;
80 ;hat, OF those numerous forces, Il very con.
siderable part OF the soldiers, exhausted, and
without arms, can with difficulty, and almost
iiie'tss, return TO their country, 10 serve as a
terrible example TO their countrymen of Tie
dredC!". suiierings which must oyertake those
rash men, WHO dare "a carry their hostile de-
signs into the bosom OF iii powerful Russia.
To day we inform Our well beloved ant. faith.
full subjects, with lively Joy and grateful ac
acknowledgement towards God, that the reality
has surpassed even our hopes, and that what
we announced 1T the commencement of this
war, IS accomplished beyond all MEASURE =
there is no longer - single enemy ON tic face
of our territory, or rather, there they all re-
main, but in what stated Dead, wounded, and
PRISONERS. Even their proud Chief himself.
has with the utmost difficulty, escaped with
his principal officers, leaving his army dis
persed, and abandoning his cannon, of which
there are more than thousand pieces, exclur
slve OF those buried or thrown into the water
which have been recovered, and are row in our
hands; the scene of the destruction of his ar.
mics surpasses all belief-One almost iinagines
that our eyes deceives us. WHO has been able
to effect thisi Without derogating from the
merlted glory of the commander in chief of
our armies, this distinguished general, who
has rendered to lis country services forever
memorable, and without tetgactinis from the
merits OF other valiant ard able commanders,
who have distinguished themselves by tl.cir
zeal and ardour, nor from tie general bravery
OF the troops, we must confess that what they
have accomplished surPSsses al human power.
Acknowledge then Divine Providence in This
wonderful cycnt. Let us PROSTATE ourselves
before his sacred throne, and evidently see ing
hls hand chastisiES pride and impieiy, instead
ot boasting and gloryirg in our victories learn
from this great and terrible exaeplc 10 he mo-
dest and Peaceable executors OF his law aud
ms Will; 10 resemble not those inpious Dro,a.
majors OF tlie temples OF God, whose carcases,
without number, now serve rs food for dogs
and crows. God is mighty in his Kindness and
IN his anger. Let MS be guided by the justice
ofour actions, and The purity Of our sentiments,
as the only path which leads to him. Let us
proceed to Tie temple OF his sanctiiy, and there
crowned Wiz. his hand, thank him for the be-
nehts ~hicn he had bestowed upon us al
dressing to him ardent s,rpp!icatons, ,hst
lie Will continue to extend 70 rs his favour. ani
put an end 70 tie war; granting us victory on
victory and tie wished for peace and tl9aIilil.
lily.
Given at Wilma, the 9Th JANUARY, IN the year
Of our Lord, 1915, AID the 12IIi OF oar reiern.
ALEXANDER