Seite 496 von 3800

To be able to crush it absolutely he awaited the arrival of the

rest of the troops who were on their way from Vienna, and with

this object offered a three days' truce on condition that both

armies should remain in position without moving. Murat declared

that negotiations for peace were already proceeding, and that he

therefore offered this truce to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.

Count Nostitz, the Austrian general occupying the advanced posts,

believed Murat's emissary and retired, leaving Bagration's

division exposed. Another emissary rode to the Russian line to

announce the peace negotiations and to offer the Russian army the

three days' truce. Bagration replied that he was not authorized

either to accept or refuse a truce and sent his adjutant to

Kutuzov to report the offer he had received.