Throughout the day, the engineers and the first formations from Victor’s corps tramped over the bridges, together with a steady stream of non-combatants. The fighting drew ever closer to the river and as the light began to fade General Eblé took a speaking trumpet and called across the water to the silent mass still huddled about the fires on the far side.

‘The bridge will be cut within the next few hours! I beg you to cross while you can!’

Napoleon shook his head as few seemed to heed Eblé’s warning. ‘They had their chance,’ he told himself softly.

As the sun set into a blood-red haze on the horizon,Victor reported to Napoleon. He had not shaved or slept in days and looked haggard.

‘The enemy will reach the bridge within the hour, sire. I have no horses left for my remaining guns. The crews have been ordered to fire off their remaining rounds, spike the guns and fall back. There are three battalions holding the edge of the village. They will follow as soon as the order is given.’

‘You have done well, Marshal.’

‘My men have done all they could, sire. But the Russian guns will be in range of the bridge at any moment.’

‘I see.’ Napoleon stared across the river into the gathering gloom. ‘Then don’t delay. Give the order now.’

‘Yes, sire.’

As Victor returned across the river the engineers were hurriedly coating the timbers of the bridges with pitch, and the acrid smell made Napoleon’s nose wrinkle as he waited for Victor and the last of his men to fall back. Then they appeared, trotting down the street and over the smallest bridge, a company at a time. The last battalion retreated facing the enemy, and then hurried over. Last of all came Victor himself, sword in hand until he reached the western bank and sheathed it.

A silence fell over the scene as the last of the engineers abandoned their brushes and pots of pitch, and then Eblé raised his speaking trumpet again.

‘For the love of God! Escape while you still can!’

The civilians seemed to be too exhausted and lethargic to respond, and Eblé sadly lowered the speaking trumpet and gestured to his men to proceed with their orders. Torches were applied to the pitch and the flames licked out along the length of the bridges as the fire quickly caught and spread.