Yet, although the Russians lost men so terribly, it was plain that in the end they would be able to oust us from our position, and our chief began to make arrangements for the retreat. Owing to this, I saw little more of the battle, having been sent into Waitzen by the general.
Here, while our comrades held the Muscovites back, we were sending off the sick and wounded, provisions, ammunition, and the troops that could be spared from the fighting.
From time to time we heard news of the combat, which grew fiercer with every hour; yet, in spite of the most furious assaults, the Magyars stood their ground.
"The men must hold the field till dark," was the order passed round to the different leaders; and Görgei knew that, whatever happened, it would be obeyed.
During the early part of the afternoon the noise of the battle died away, but the lull was only for a time. The uproar began again, increased in volume, and came so near to us in the town that we thought the enemy had carried the defences.
They had indeed got to hand-to-hand fighting, being repulsed only after a desperate encounter.
How our poor fellows out there on the ridges must have prayed for the coming of night!
Meanwhile, carts and wagons were rolling through the town and away into the mountainous country beyond.
Once riding out with some special message to the general, I found him standing with his arms behind his back and his head bent forward, surveying the fight.
The bullets were dropping around, but of these he took no notice, though two of the staff had already been seriously hurt.