the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

Cyr was cautious to attack and remained at Voltaggio, realizing that Suvorov might
defeat the French piecemeal. 73
Suvorov was unaware of the French advance and received only brief information
about the French incursions into the valley of the Scrivia River. The news of the attack
on Serravalle by General Watrin had convinced him that the French would advance along
the Scrivia River. He dispatched Bellegarde on reconnaissance to the upper Bormida and
was soon informed about the advance of the French left wing in that direction. Suvorov
now had complete picture of the French movements. After month of inactivity, he was
delighted to know that the French finally were marching to fight him on the positions he
already knew well. 74 He instructed his commanders, including Bagration, to slowly
withdraw into the plain between Tortona and Novi without engaging the enemy. Once the
French reached the plain, Suvorov planned to attack them with his main force. 75
By 13 August, the two wings of the French army converged on Novi. Joubert
crossed the Orba River at Capriata, while Saint Cyr approached Novi from the direction
of Gavi. 76 Suvorov, meantime, set up headquarters at Pozzolo Formigaro and dispatched
his transports to the rear. He recalled Bagration from Alessandria, where Prince Peter
was still training the Austrian troops. 77
73 Suvorov to Bagration, 13 August 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 254; Saint Cyr,
Memoires, I, 230-31l, 324; Schmitt, Joubert, 365
74 Count Bellegarde had 6,200 men at Ritorto on the Orba River, Rosenberg with 8,300 men
was near Vigizzollo supported by Alcaini’s 5,300 troops. Prince Bagration’s advance guard of
5,705 men was in the center between the Orba and Scrivia rivers. Prince Bagration was not with
the troops because Suvorov sent him to train newly arrived Austrian troops. He was recalled on
13 August. Suvorov to Bagration, 13 August 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 254.
75 Dispotision of Army, 13 August 1799, in Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, III, 301-302;
Disposition of Defensive Against the French Attack at Novi, 12 August 1799; Suvorov to Melas,
14 August 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 255-56; Orlov, Study of Suvorov’s Military
Operations, 276-77.
76 Schmitt, Joubert, 369-70; Rostunov, Suvorov, 420-21.
77 Bagration left Major Baron Karl Korf to continue the training of Austrian troops. Suvorov to
Bagration, 13 August 1799, in Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, III, 302; A.V. Suvorov: Documents,
IV, 255.
113