After having led me into the wood, they dispersed in search of new prizes, leaving me alone with their officer. This gentleman
of October, or rather was forced to give it, for not having found Poninski's corps, joined with that of Sierakowski, and Zielinski having sent him only some squadrons of inferior cavalry, the commander-in-chief would have been willing to avoid the encounter, but Fersen preferred fighting to leaving in his rear an army which would have harassed him on his march to Brzesc. This battle was very sanguinary; the Poles had a momentary success; some Russian battalions, beaten by the insurgents, had given way, and left their cannon; but the Russian division under the command of Denisow, having penetrated to the left flank of the Poles, broke them, and threw disorder into their ranks. The place through which the enemy executed their passage, was to be occupied by Poninski's division, who did not come in time. Kosciuszko did his utmost to re-establish order among his troops, but in vain.—The battle was lost.—Great part of the Polish army was killed, the rest were taken prisoners. Kosciuszko endeavoured to break through the Russian troops, at the head of the horse, but being surrounded, and three times wounded, he fell senseless under the last blow he received. Having been recognized by the ene-
