the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

By late afternoon on 6 October, most of the Russian army was still crossing the
path and suffered terribly from cold and wind. Many soldiers froze to death or fell into
precipice. On 7 October, the Russians arrived at Panix and, after brief bivouac, they
marched to Ilanz. 146 Finally, Suvorov felt secured because no French forces threatened him
anymore. He rested his troops for another night (8 October) and then moved towards the
Vorderrhein and Chur. On 13 October they finally reached Feldkirch. The campaign in
Switzerland was finally over. 147
Even while marching over the Panix, Suvorov was busy working out the plan for a
new campaign. He wrote Archduke Charles that he wanted to join the Austrians and march
along the southern side of Lake Constance to meet Korsakov. On 15 October Suvorov
moved his troops to Lindau. 148 However, by now, the military considerations were put
aside and the politics intervened. Suvorov found himself in the center of Austro-Russian
political intrigues 149 and any hopes for the joint campaign were abandoned. Suvorov was
enraged by what he considered the Austrian treachery and the tone of his letters to
Archduke Charles and other Austrian officials become more brusque and insulting. 150 After
146 The Russians brought 1,418 French prisoners to Ilanz, where they were transferred to
Austrian supervision. Gachot, Campagne d’Helvetie, 451.
147 For correspondence between Suvorov and Archduke Charles, see Miliutin, Campaign of
1799 IV,185-91.
148 Suvorov to Paul, 14 October 1799, in Miliutin, Campaign of 1799 IV, 187-88; Razskazi
starogo voina o Suvorove, 256.
149 The relations between the two powers had been tense for a long time. Austrians feared
Russians would try to establish themselves in northern Italy and Mediterranean. On the other hand,
Paul saw the Austrians exploiting his troops to achieve their aims. He was exasperated by the
Austrian refusal to reestablish the Kingdom of Piedmont. He also blamed Austria for abandoning
the Russian troops at Zurich that led to their crushing defeat. The insulting behavior of the
Austrian commander towards the Russian forces at Ancona further deteriorated the relations
between two powers. For excellent discussion, see Paul W, Schroeder, The Collapse of the Second
Coalition, Journal of Modern History, 59, 2 (June 1987): 244-90; Karl A. Roider, Baron Thugut
and Austria’s Response to the French Revolution, (Princeton, 1987), 292-328; Roderick E.
McGrew, Paul I of Russia, 1754-1801, (Oxford, 1992), 282-322; Petrushevsky, Generalissimo
Prince Suvorov, 709-11.
150 For the relevant correspondence, see A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 361-456; Duffy,
Suvorov in Italy and Switzerland, 260-63; Miliutin, Campaign of 1799 IV, 180-203, 348-79.
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