Bushes looked like gigantic trees and level ground like cliffs and slopes.

Anywhere, on any side, one might encounter an enemy invisible ten paces off.

But the columns advanced for a long time, always in the same fog, descending and ascending hills, avoiding gardens and enclosures, going over new and unknown ground, and nowhere encountering the enemy.

On the contrary, the soldiers became aware that in front, behind, and on all sides, other Russian columns were moving in the same direction.