Nevertheless, Alexander still clung to the hope of checking the French advance before these great intrenchments.
On his arrival there, on July 8th, this hope also was dashed.

Michaud, a young Sardinian engineer, pointed out several serious defects in their construction.

Barclay also protested against shutting up a large part of the defending army in a camp which could easily be blockaded by Napoleon's vast forces.

Finally, as the Russian reserves stationed there proved to be disappointingly weak both in numbers and efficiency, the Czar determined to evacuate the camp, intrust the sole command to Barclay, and retire to his northern capital.

It is said that, before he left the army, the Grand Duke Constantine, a friend of the French cause, made a last effort to induce him to come to terms with Napoleon, now that the plan of campaign had failed.