Here in Linovia they were in Swedish dominions,
but there was little to be purchased, for the peasantry had been
brought to ruin by the foraging parties of the Russians and Poles.
There was some disappointment, that the enemy had fallen back at
the approach of Welling's force, but all felt sure that it would
not be long before they met them, for the king would assuredly lose
no time in advancing against them, as soon as his army could be
brought over. They were not, however, to wait for the arrival of
the main force, although the cavalry only took part in the first
affair. General Welling heard that a force of three thousand
Circassians had taken up their quarters in a village, some fifteen
miles away, and sent six hundred horse, under Majors Patkul and
Tisenbausen, to surprise them. They were, at first, successful and,
attacking the Circassians, set fire to the village, and were
engaged in slaughtering the defenders, when twenty-one squadrons of
Russian cavalry came up and fell upon them, attacking them on all
sides, and posting themselves so as to cut off their retreat. The
Swedes, however, gathered in a body, and charged the Russians so
furiously that they cut a way through their ranks, losing, however,
many of their men, while Major Patkul and another officer were made
prisoners.
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