the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

Suvorov ordered pursuit of the French and moved his forces in three columns.
Peter Bagration marched in the first column together with Shveikovsky’s division to the
Nure River. 126 The Russians followed in the wake of Victor’s column to San Giorgio,
where the French took up positions to fight. The 17 th Light Demi-brigade defended the
village and was supported by six squadrons of cavalry. Suvorov then ordered Prince
Bagration to lead the bayonet charge in the front, while Shveikovsky’s division with the
cavalry flanked the French. 127 The Allies surrounded the French and forced them to
surrender, capturing 1,029 men, three flags, four guns and supply wagons, including one
with General Victor’s correspondence. 128 The Russians then continued pursuit as far as
the Arda River, some 20 miles from the Trebbia. 129 The inundated Arda halted the Allies
and allowed Macdonald to rally his depleted forces. 130 He formed three divisions of
Dombrowski, Montrichard and Watrin and a reserve under Joseph Lacroix. On 23 June,
the French crossed the Apennines and marched back into Tuscany. 131
126 Disposition for Attack on the French on the Nure River, 19 June 1799, A.V. Suvorov:
Documents, IV, 158.
127 Gachot, Souvarow en Italie, 283-84; Pachonsky, Legiony Polskie, II, 513-14, 516.
128 Suvorov to Paul, 30 June 1799, Correspondence of Suvorov, 255; Gachot, Souvarow en
Italie, 284; Clausewitz, Die Feldzuge von 1799, V, 470-71; Buturlin, Campagne de 1799, 102;
Petrushevsky, Generalissimo Prince Suvorov, 591; Shishov, Generalissimo Suvorov, 360
129 Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, II, 283; Macdonald, Recollections, 259-61; Orlov, Study of
Suvorov’s Military Operations, 228; Zapiski Gryazeva, Russkii Vestnik, 1890, No.6, 146-47;
130 Suvorov reported that, in the battles on Tidone and Trebbia, the French lost over 6,000
killed and 12,280 captured, including 7,543 wounded at Piacenza. Suvorov to Paul, 30 June 1799,
Correspondence of Suvorov, 256; Suvorov to Archduke Charles, 21 June 1799, A.V. Suvorov:
Documents, IV, 159. Duffy estimated the French losses at 12,000 men. Suvorov in Italy and
Switzerland, 110-111. Clausewitz referred to 16,000 casualties of the Army of Naples. Die
Feldzuge von 1799, V, 472.
131 An Austrian detachment under Ott engaged the French at Sassualo, but it was beaten by
Lacroix. The French captured 700 men with two guns. Macdonald, Recollections, 265-66;
Clausewitz, Die Feldzuge von 1799, V, 473-74;
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