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CHAPTER XI.

THE retreat of the Polish army from Ostrolenka to Praga, was equivalent to a defeat. Previous to the expedition against the guards, the emperor Francis had conceived so favourable an opinion of the national prospects, that he had proffered his support, and even proposed to restore Galicia, on condition that the Polish crown should be bestowed on the Archduke Charles. But the unfortunate affair of Ostrolenka changed the views of Austria, who, considering the cause as now hopeless, at once broke off the negociation. It is worthy of remark, that Austria had twice before, in 1809 and 1815, offered to restore her share of the spoils of Poland. A time may come when she may find it advisable, for her own sake, to carry the proposal into effect. All hope too from the Ottoman Porte, once the implacable enemy, but of late the sincere ally of Poland, faded at the same time. Fully appreciating the opportunity of escape from the insolent protection of the Russian, the Sultan, on receiving assurances of the co-operation of the French, through their ambassador General Guilleminot, had prepared for hostilities, although his army of the line had been reduced to 10,000 during the late unfortunate

war. The ambassador had, however, exceeded his instructions, and was recalled in consequence by his government.

On reaching Praga on the 28th of May, Skrzynecki declined entering the capital till he had seen some of the members of the Diet, the majority of whom were favorably disposed towards him. On their appearance, he assured them that the army was still unbroken, although it had suffered severe loss in a murderous action of twelve hours, exposed to a tremendous fire of artillery, adding, what his pierced uniform fully confirmed, that he himself had been obliged to perform the duty of a private, but that he would yet lead his men to fresh victories. This frank avowal

was received with cheers by the Diet, and amidst a burst of approbation, the deputy Ledochowski moved that, imitating the Roman Senate, they should declare the general to have deserved well of his country, notwithstanding he had fought an unsuccessful battle; that so, added the deputy, he might be restored to his own confidence and to that of the army. On the presentation of this address of confidence, Skrzynecki seized the opportunity to attribute his past failures to the government, complaining of the delay occasioned in his march by the non-arrival of provisions, and tracing this neglect and other marks of inefficiency, to the too great number of members which composed it; adding, that nothing better could be hoped until the authority should be

vested in the hands of a single individual.

;

He was certainly right in asserting that a government which did not possess the privilege of appointing or dismissing the generalissimo, ought to be changed for one of greater power. His words were not without effect upon the deputies, and on the 3rd of June, Ledochowski moved for a reform in the government, assuming Skrzynecki's demand for it, as an argument for its propriety, and forgetting that the public, disappointed in Chlopicki, was no longer disposed for military absolutism. Against this disinclination, all arguments for undivided authority proved vain and the question, which ought rather to have been, whether the existing government should be entrusted with a minus or plus of power, was, after six days' animated debate, rejected by a majority of only two. As it thus became evident that the government did not possess the confidence of the nation, Prince Czartoryski offered to resign, but Barzykowski alone, of all his colleagues, being disposed to follow his disinterested example, no change was made. On the other side, General Krukowiecki, a man of haughty temper, could not forget that Skrzynecki had been raised above him, after the battle of Grochow; and his envy, at first quelled by the success of his rival, now burst forth, and he did not scruple to say, that if the Russians had not been such "grandes bétes," not a Polish soldier would have escaped from Ostrolenka. He even addressed an insulting letter to Skrzynecki, who, in consequence, required his

dismissal from the command of Warsaw, a request of which Krukowiecki anticipated the result by resigning. He remained, however, in the capital, prosecuting his machinations in concert with the members of the patriotic club, which still existed under the presidency of Lelewel. Prondzynski also declared against the general-in-chief, and submitted a memoir to the government (which, however, he refused to make public), commenting on his errors. A fresh victory, however, was all that Skrzynecki now stood in need of to silence his antagonists, and for this, a most favourable opportunity soon offered.

Before he could decide on risking the main force on a new expedition, he ordered Chrzanowski to march with his 6000 men from Zamosc into Volhynia, a measure to which the other objected as useless, offering instead, another masterly suggestion, which, had it been carried into effect, might have yet ensured complete success. After Dwernicki had taken refuge in Galicia, General Rudiger had entered the Palatinate of Lublin with 16,000 men to supply the place of Kreutz, then in Lithuania. General Kayzaroff, with a corps of 6000, lay at the same time encamped near Zamosc, and General Rott, with 12,000, was still in Volhynia. For Chrzanowski therefore to enter Volhynia in the face of those three Russian corps, was but to seek a catastrophe like that of Dwernicki.

The central position of Praga favoured any attempt of the Poles upon Rudiger, since, by

350 ORLOFF, THE HARBINGER OF DEATH.

moving along any radius, they would always outmarch the Russians, following, as they must, in a circular line. Herein lay the virtue of that famous triangle, and Chrzanowski accordingly proposed an attack on Rudiger's corps, only stipulating that after its destruction, to which he felt very sure of contributing, 5000 men might be added to his detachment, thus rendering it strong enough to crush in succession, the various Russian corps already alluded to, and enabling him to prosecute his victorious career to Kiow. Skrzynecki at once approved the plan, promising to give him 8000 additional men, and the National Government appointed him supreme governor of Podolia, Volhynia, and Ukraina.

The precarious condition of the Russian army enhanced the chance of success. When Diebitch left the devastated environs of Ostrolenka to advance upon Pultusk, he had dispersed his troops along the Narew with a view to their obtaining food, the supply of which, as well as of military stores, had been totally cut off by the insurgents of Lithuania, and had himself taken up his head quarters at Kleczew near Pultusk, where, on the 10th of June, Count Orloff unexpectedly joined him, on a mission from St. Petersburgh. This Russian noble, known in his own country as "the harbinger of death,' inherits the sobriquet from his grandfather and father; the first being the celebrated favourite of the Empress Catherine, raised from the ranks in reward of his two-fold murder of her husband Peter,

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