the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

lines. 33 Meantime, Suvorov, despite his instructions from Vienna, still considered a
Colonel Revaia from having any contacts with the enemy without his authorization. 31
Prince Peter also issued strict orders forbidding any person to pass through the screen of
patrols, except those with special permits. He ordered arrest of anyone smuggling
supplies to the French, but he authorized carrying provisions ‘from the enemy side [to the
Allies].’ 32
Despite his efforts, Bagration was unable to prevent supplies from reaching the
French. On 1 August, Bagration reprimanded his patrol commanders for their poor
performance. He wrote, “Despite my strict instructions, the patrols still are not on the
look out and the [smugglers] transport the bread and other supplies to the enemy.”
Furthermore, Bagration chastised them for “leaving their patrols against the orders.” He
pledged to court-martial anyone leaving his post in the future. He also instructed his
subordinates to have patrols constantly moving, especially during the night to arrest any
smugglers. He urged the patrols to report any gun or musket fire heard from the French
possible offensive action against Moreau but the Aulic Council forbade him again. 34 He
was exasperated by the constant interference of the Council and Emperor Francis. He
complained to his confidants that the Austrian generals could not act without the
instructions from Aulic Council. 35 Unable to tolerate the current situation anymore,
Suvorov wrote Emperor Paul, “The timidity of the Viennese cabinet, its jealousy of me as
a foreigner, the intrigues of the various double-dealing commanders, corresponding
31 Bagration to Revaia, 26 July 1799, Ibid., 30.
32 Bagration to Grekov, Bagration to Denisov, 28-29 July 1799, Ibid., 30.
33 Order to Patrol Commanders, 1 August 1799, Ibid., 32.
34 For details on the planning, see Plan of Offensive Operations in Italy, 13 July 1799,
Correspondence of Suvorov, 257-59; Deployment of the Troops for Offensive Operations, 24
July 1799, Plan of Action, 24 July 1799, Plan of Action with the Deployment of the Troops, 24
July 1799, Plan of Action, 30 July 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 200-65.
35 Suvorov to Razumovski, 8-14 July 1799, in Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, II, 335-36; A.V.
Suvorov: Documents, IV, 187, 198-99; Suvorov to Razumovsky, 25 June 1799, Suvorov: Letters,
Orlov, Study of Suvorov’s Military Operations, 251.
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