seven o'clock
Sir Robert asked an officer as they joined the staff . `` It is Prince Eugene 's , '' he replied . `` They are pressing us hard now , having driven Doctorow 's men out of the covered way , and are massing for an assault on one of the gates . '' The fire continued unabated until seven o'clock . Then a messenger came across with the news that the French were drawing off , and that the covered way was being reoccupied . General Wilson was warmly thanked by the Russian commander-in-chief for having silenced the batteries that had threatened the bridges . That evening , when he issued the order for the evacuation of Smolensk , the disaffection with Barclay de Tolly broke out with renewed force , and during the night a body of generals came to Sir Robert Wilson 's tent .