CHAPTER XXI

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General Gielgud advances into Lithuania.--Allows a Russian corps to pass within a league of him unperceived.--Operations on Wilno.--Enumeration of our present force.--Plan of a simultaneous attack upon Wilno on opposite sides by the corps in two divisions.--General Dembinski engages the enemy with the smaller part of the corps.--Being unsupported by Gielgud, is forced to retreat.--General Gielgud attacks Wilno.--Battle of Wilno.--A retreat is commenced.--Prodigious efforts of the Polish cavalry in protecting this retreat.--Consequences of the repulse from Wilno.--The removal of general Gielgud is called for.--General Chlapowski consents to take the virtual command of the corps, in the post of chef d'etat major.--Consideration on the state of things consequent to the battle of Wilno.--Details of the admirable plan of operations proposed by colonel Valentin. 328

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