NARVA 95

behind him. However, he at once pushed on and placed
himself at the head of the infantry engaged in the assault,
but even his presence and example did not avail. The
Russians maintained their position with desperate courage,
and when it became quite dark the assault ceased. The
right column had met with equal success; it had penetrated
the intrenchments, defeated all the Russians who opposed
it, and now moved to assist the left wing.

The king, however, seeing that the Russian defences
could not be carried by a direct assault without great loss,
gathered the army in the space between the town and the
Russian intrenchments, and placed them ina position to
repel an attack should the Russians take the offensive, giv-
ing orders that at daylight the hill on which the enemy had
their principal battery should be assaulted. ‘The guns here
commanded all the intrenchments, and the capture of
that position would render it impossible for the Russians
to continue their defence, or for the now separated wings
of the army to combine.

The officers in command of the Russian right wing, find-
ing themselves unable to cross the river on their broken
bridge, and surrounded by the Swedes, sent in to surrender
in the course of the evening, and two battalions of the
Swedish Guards took possession of the post that had been
so gallantly defended.

The king granted them permission to retire with their
arms, the colours and standards being given up, and the
superior officers being retained as prisoners of war. ‘The
broken bridge was repaired, and early the next morning
the Russian troops passed over. ‘Their left wing was, after
the surrender of their right, in a hopeless position, for on
that side no bridge -had been thrown over the river, and
their retreat was wholly cut off. On learning before day-
break that the right wing had surrendered, they too sent in
to ask for terms, The king granted them freedom to re-