BK11CH19
CHAPTERXIX
Kutuzov’sordertoretreatthroughMoscowtotheRyazanroadwasissuedatnightonthefirstofSeptember。
Thefirsttroopsstartedatonce，andduringthenighttheymarchedslowlyandsteadilywithouthurry。Atdaybreak，however，thosenearingthetownattheDorogomilovbridgesawaheadofthemmassesofsoldierscrowdingandhurryingacrossthebridge，ascendingontheoppositesideandblockingthestreetsandalleys，whileendlessmassesoftroopswerebearingdownonthemfrombehind，andanunreasoninghurryandalarmovercamethem。Theyallrushedforwardtothebridge，ontoit，andtothefordsandtheboats。KutuzovhimselfhaddrivenroundbysidestreetstotheothersideofMoscow。
Byteno’clockinthemorningofthesecondofSeptember，onlytherearguardremainedintheDorogomilovsuburb，wheretheyhadampleroom。ThemainarmywasontheothersideofMoscoworbeyondit。