[171] Dombrowna: a town about fifty miles west of Smolensk and two hundred from Moscow.
[172] Grenadiers: these were men of long service and acknowledged bravery. Originally these soldiers threw hand grenades or small explosive shells. When these grenades went out of use the name grenadiers was still retained.
[173] Borizoff: a town on the Berezina River, about 320 miles southwest of Moscow, and about 75 west of Orcha.
[174] Minsk: a town on a tributary of the Berezina River, about 400 miles southwest of Moscow. Here Napoleon had immense stores of provisions, clothing, and ammunition. He was pushing forward to reach this place.
[175] Polish generals in Napoleon's Grand Army.
[176] Malodeczno: a town about seventy miles west of the Berezina River.
[177] Smorgoni: a village about thirty-five miles northwest of Malodeczno, and four hundred and fifty southwest of Moscow.
[178] Silesia: a province of southeastern Prussia.
[179] Eagles: Napoleon's colors were surmounted by the figure of an eagle.
[180] Marshal Ney, whom Napoleon called "the bravest of the brave," fought under the emperor in several subsequent battles. When Napoleon abdicated and was exiled to Elba, Ney supported the government of his successor and enemy, Louis XVIII. On the escape of Napoleon from Elba, in the spring of 1815, Ney was sent with an army against him, but instead of fighting for Louis XVIII., he took service under his old commander. At Waterloo he led the Old Guard, those men who could die but never surrender. After the final fall of Napoleon, Marshal Ney was tried and sentenced to be shot for treason to the government of Louis XVIII., whose cause he had deserted. Wellington tried to save his life, but in vain. If courage can expiate faults, then his are buried in his grave.