the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

Kray in besieging Mantua and Suvorov’s army in case the French attacked. 20 The main
Allied army under Suvorov of some 36,000 men was bivouacked near Alessandria on the
left bank of the Bormida River. Prince Bagration with his advance guard was stationed at
the confluence of the Bormida and the Orba Rivers. Suvorov used the pause in hostilities
to train his troops. During July, the Russian and Austrian soldiers were daily drilled in
bayonet attacks and assaults on the fortifications. 21 Simultaneously, Bellegarde besieged
the citadel of Alessandria and forced the French to surrender on 21 July. 22 Of even
greater importance was the capture of Mantua, whose French commandant Francoise-
Philippe Foissac-Latour treasonously capitulated on 28 July. 23 The Allies captured 600
guns and vast supplies there. 24 The surrender of Mantua allowed Suvorov to recall Kray
and his 20,000 men to the Bormida River for the anticipated battle with the French.
In late July, Suvorov redeployed his troops. The main forces (Austrians under
Melas and Russians under Derfelden) were moved to the Scrivia River, while
Rosenberg’s troops, previously deployed at Piacenza, arrived at Broni to reinforce the
main force. As a result, in case of the French offensive, Suvorov could concentrate up to
45,000 men between the Bormida and Scrivia rivers. 25 He also tried to appeal to the
20 General Rosenberg was transferred to these troops and Derfelden assumed command of his
forces. In early July Suvorov was concerned with (false) news of the French reinforcements
arriving at Genoa. Therefore, he moved Rosenberg’s troops from Piacenza to Broni, that is closer
to possible theater of war. Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, II, 311-12, 316, 597-98, 600; Orlov,
Study of Suvorov’s Military Operations, 245-46.
21 Orlov, Study of Suvorov’s Military Operations, 248-49; Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, II,
312-15
22 Suvorov to Paul, Suvorov to Rostopchin, Suvorov to Klenau, 23-24 July 1799, A.V.
Suvorov: Documents, IV, 212-14; Duffy, Suvorov in Italy and Switzerland, 122; Miliutin,
Campaign of 1799, II, 319-20; Orlov, Study of Suvorov’s Military Operations, 251-52.
23 Gachot, Souvarow en Italie, 323-49; For excellent description of events in Mantua, see
Cuccia, Siege of Mantua, 269-90. For Polish troops in Mantua, see Pachonski, Legiony Polskie,
517-547.
24 Delighted by the news of fall of Mantua, Emperor Paul awarded Suvorov title of Knyaz
Italiiskii [Prince of Italy]. Orlov, Study of Suvorov’s Military Operations, 253.
25 Suvorov further secured his positions by keeping Lieutenant General Kaim in Piedmont,
Lieutenant General Hadik on the Alpine passes in the north and Major General Klenau at Sarzana
to close the south-eastern routes from Riviera di Levante.
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