the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

Finally, surrounded by superior French troops, Bagration appealed for
reinforcements. After receiving Veletsky’s Musketeer Regiment, Bagration rallied his
troops for the fourth bayonet assault, which pushed the French towards Mitlödi with heavy
casualties. 136 Perhaps Molitor would have retreated but, with the 38 th Demi-brigade of
General Loison arrived in time to threaten Bagration from the rear. Prince Peter had to
dispatch two grenadier battalions to halt their advance and drive them back to
Leuggelbach. Simultaneously Molitor’s forces 137 charged towards Schwanden, forcing
Bagration to fight on two fronts. Contemporaries recall that, “The courageous and stubborn
resistance of our rear-guard gave the main column and supplies enough time to proceed
towards Elm.” Bagration realized that his forces were not strong enough to defeat the
French and could be cut off of the main army, which marched to the Panixer. Therefore, he
withdrew part of his detachments from Schwanden and deployed Miller III’s Jager
regiment with Cossacks in front of the village to delay the French. He ordered Lieutenant
Colonel Egot Tsukato to organize the defense of Shwanden. Tsukato deployed several light
artillery pieces on the bridge over the Linth River and fortified the buildings in the
village. 138 The French attacked Schwanden in two directions, with Molitor leading the
charge on the bridge, and the 38 th Demi-brigade attacking the Russian flank. The Russians
136 Suvorov reported that the French lost 150 killed, and 38 captured. Suvorov to Paul, 14
October 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 353
137 Russian sources acknowledged the French strength at 5,000 men. Suvorov to Paul, 14
October 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 353; Miliutin, Campaign of 1799 IV, 157.
According to Gachot, Molitor gathered some 1,600 men at Shwanden, but he considered only 84 th
Demi-brigade. Hennequin estimated combined French forces at 2,700 men, including 10 th
Chasseurs and 25 th Demi-brigade. Hennequin, Masséna en Suisse, 317, 377; Gachot, Campagne
d’Helvetie, 414-15.
138 Miliutin, Campaign of 1799 IV, 157. Most Russian authors praised Bagration for his
handling of the rearguard during the retreat. However, Christopher Duffy, based on Gryazev’s
account, accused Bagration of abandoning his troops, which is untrue. Gryazev did not mention
Bagration in his account but criticized Lieutenant Colonel Egor Tsukato of the rear guard. Russian
historian Colonel Orlov, who edited and commented on Gryazev’s manuscript, noted that Gryazev
was incorrect in his criticism of the officers. He also added that Bagration commanded the rear
guard during the entire march over the Panixer Pass. This information is supported by all other
Russian sources. Besides, had Bagration abandoned his troops, he would have been, at least,
reprimanded, if not court martialed, by Suvorov. Therefore, accusing Bagration of abandoning the
troops appears to be a gross exaggeration.
169