ABSTRACT
The Major Von Boyen, his intimate friend, who had held the function of personal communication with the King on military affairs, now obtained his conge, carrying with him the rank of Colonel and a small donation. Several others among the warmest adherents of Scharnhorst, and of his political views, but who were of small importance in the state, did the same; among whom was the Author. The Author, provided with some letters of recommendation, went to Wilna, then the headquarters of the Emperor Alexander, as also of the General Barclay, who commanded the first army of the West. The principal persons at headquarters, such as Barclay, Benningsen, and Arenfeld, could not see their way in this plan of campaign, and exerted themselves to shake the Emperor's confidence in the plan and its author. The Author had profited by the presence of Count Lieven at the camp of Drissa to obtain, through his intervention, an appointment on the general staff.
