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ments to the Lower Beresina, whilst Napoleonturned, with infinite ability, to attempt thepassage near Weselowo, about four leagueshigher up.

General Ebl£, of the engineers, who, fromthe beginning of the campaign, had made allthe arrangements for the equipment and con-struction of military bridges, was speciallycharged with the important duty of providingfor the passage of this river; and he dischargedthat duty with a degree of forecast and abilityto which, certainly, Napoleon owed his escape,and the wreck of his army, its safety.

General Eble began to prepare, at Smo-lensko, for the difficulties which lie foresaw inthis operation. He formed, with every care,a train sufficient for the transport of all thetools and stores that might be required; and,further to provide against casualties and acci-dents, every man belonging to the companiesof pontoneers was obliged to carry from Smo-lensko, a tool or implement of some kind, anda proportion of nails: and fortunate was it forthe army, that he did so; for such was the.difficulty in getting through the carriages con-taining stores, that only two forge waggons,and six caissons of tools and nails, could bepreserved. To these the general added a quan-