the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

However, the location of the fortress greatly complicated the assault on the fortress.
Bagration arrived to Serravalle at 8:00 a.m. on 3 August, 43 but he could not deploy his
artillery batteries nor bring necessary supplies over the rough mountainous terrain.
Therefore, he ordered construction of a new road, almost a mile long. It took two days for
the Russians to complete the road and prepare the fascines and other materials for the
assault. 44 However, on 4 August, Suvorov received questionable news of 10,000 French
moving through Bocketa toward Serravalle. 45 He was concerned about Bagration’s
exposed position. He wrote, “No one knows [for sure] how or where this force appeared
from… The fortress of Serravalle is not so important as to require our efforts for it
anymore. You can leave it if you doubt the outcome, and retreat without engaging the
enemy. However, it would be shameful to leave with empty hands…[my emphasis] So, I
give you full authority to act as necessary.” 46 Suvorov’s words that it would “shameful”
to retreat clearly indicated what he wanted it captured. Bagration diverted several units to
gather the intelligence on the French. 47 Soon he reported to Suvorov that the information
was false and only a couple of thousand Frenchmen were at Osmigio and Arquata. 48 He
then dispatched Major General Ivan Dalheim to Arquata, who occupied this village after
men in Suvorov’s and Bagration’s letters. Suvorov to Paul I, Suvorov to Archduke Charles,
Suvorov to Klenau, 8-10 August 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 246-47;
43 Suvotov deployed part of his troops in vicinity of Serravalle to reinforce Bagration if the
French attacked. Disposition of Troops, 3 August 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 237.
44 Bagration to Suvorov, Bagration to Shveikovsky, Bagration to Derfelden, Bagration to
Constantine, 3-4 August 1799, Ibid., 33-35, Nos.93, 93(bis) 94, 103, 104.
45 Suvorov complained about the poor reconnaissance. The information on the French
detachment was initially reported in Austrian officer Bitner’s dispatch to General Antoine Zag.
However, when he inquired, Suvorov was told that the Austrian headquarters did not have any
information on this matter. Suvorov to Bagration, 4 August 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV,
243.
46 Suvorov to Bagration, 4 August 1799, in Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, III, 291.
47 Bagration to Suvorov, Bagration to Shveikovsky, Bagration to Derfelden, 3 August 1799,
Bagration’s Journal, 34.
48 Bagration to Suvorov, 4-5 August 1799, Ibid., 34, No. 98, 105.
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