In order that the reader may be enabled to form some idea of the extraordinary nature of the conflict I am about to describe, I consider it absolutely essential that he should previously be made acquainted with the peculiar local circumstances of the ground whereon it took place.
Fronting the village of Novosilki, there is a marshy river, over which was a bridge in very good repair, and, as my readers will probably have already anticipated, in Rozycki's front. This bridge was guarded by a Russian infantry-battalion of the Duke of Wellington's regiment, and by some companies of sappers and miners posted at the entrance to the village, with several pieces of cannon: at some thousand paces from the village in question, there was a fordable passage over the river; this spot was guarded by six hundred Russian Cossacks of the Don; facing the village there was a raised dyke or elongated mound, about a thousand feet (English) in length, and of considerable height, abutting on the bridge. Two roads, from opposite directions met on the embankment. The right side of this embankment was unapproachable, on account of the marshes; the left side was somewhat more accessible.
Rozycki, marching on the top of the embankment, at once perceived that his fate, one way or the other, must speedily be decided: he ordered one half of his horsemen slowly to descend the dyke, with a few carabineers; and made a show of seriously intending an attack on the Cossacks; but, in realit}'-, he wished to sound their dispositions, or at all events, to keep them off as far as possible, to avoid being placed between two fires. The Cossacks, who have an antipathy to serious attacks of every kind, began to fall back in visible alarm. Rozycki himself, now began to descend the dyke, whereupon the Cossacks moved off in full retreat.
Immediately on perceiving this manoeuvre, the commander of the Russian infantry quitted the excellent position he occupied behind the bridge at the entrance of the village, and advanced rapidly on the dyke towards Rozycki; treating with contempt the advice of a veteran soldier, who conjured him not to stir a step forward, to have a little patience, and that, in less than an hour's time, the whole of the rebel detachment, as he termed it, would be annihilated. The commander replied to him with a sharp reprimand; telling him to ROZTCKI. 151 remember " that soldiers who had the honour to bear the illustrious name of the Duke of Wellington, must not be content to lie in wait for the enemy, like mice in their holes, but must have courage enough to attack him, openly, wheresoever he may appear, as did the duke at Waterloo!"