That Marshal detached a division towards the northern slopes of the plateau; for he divined that there his master would need every man to deal the final blows.[43] In truth, Alexander and Kutusoff were struggling hard to regain the Pratzenberg.

Four times did the Muscovites fling themselves on the French centre, and not without some passing gleams of success.

Here occurred the most famous cavalry fight of the war.

The Russian Guards, mounted on superb horses, had cut up two of Vandamme's battalions, when Rapp rode to their rescue with the chasseurs of the French Imperial Guard.

These choice bodies of horsemen met with a terrible shock, which threw the Russians into disorder.