Page:Julian Niemcewicz - Notes of my Captivity in Russia.djvu/59

ski's regiment, and of the regiment of the Fusileers, had retreated into the house which had been the head-quarters of our army. These gallant men defended themselves to the last; but when their ammunition was spent, the Russians entered the house, and then the slaughter began. They killed each other, and stabbed with bayonets, pêle-mêle, in every room, and especially in the cellar, where our soldiers had taken the last refuge. The carnage continued until there remained only the dead and the dying, who were still there when we were brought into the room, which was situated immediately above the cellar. Some of them dying from the acute pain of their wounds, uttered heart-rending groans and screams; others burning with an excessive thirst, demanded drink; here some begged to be killed, whilst the greatest part exasperated, gave vent to imprecations, for having been, according to their opinion, imprudently sacrificed to an enemy so superior in numbers. It was in the midst of those exclamations of pain, despair and death, hav-