January 30th, 1801.
At the Yartsevo Ferry, 35 kilometers east of the Russian Smolensk Fortress, inside the Polish Army frontline command post.
The operational meeting had just ended when General Mokronovsky returned to Kosciuszko's office, saying anxiously, "Marshal, once we cross the Vop River, our army will hardly have any room left to adjust its strategic deployment.
"I think we could perhaps observe a bit longer, and use this time to reinforce the supply line."
He glanced at the map on the wall. "If the Russian Army in Transcaucasia rushes back, our flank will face enormous risk."
After receiving the warning from the French Regent, Kosciuszko had also become hesitant about continuing the advance, for in the past the latter's assessments of the situation had always been highly accurate.
