the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

“Prince Bagration was a most agreeable man; he knew so well how to flatter Murat that
the latter, taken in in his turn by the Russian general, eagerly accepted the armistice in
spite of remarks of Lannes, who wished to fight.” 131 The armistice was concluded on
conditions that the Russians would leave Austrian territory, while the French would
remain in Moravia. Both sides agreed to give four-hour notice before resuming
hostilities. The armistice was to sent to Napoleon and Kutuzov for ratification. 132 In the
meantime, the French invited the Russian officers to their headquarters for a dinner.
Bagration met Marshal Lannes there and the two spoke for some time. Lannes told him,
if he had been commanding the troops, they would have been fighting by now. 133
Hohenlohe to Francis, 18 November 1805, Die Kämpfe bei Schöngrabern und Oberhollabrunn
1805 und 1809, 231; Kutuzov to Alexander, 19 November 1805, Correspondence of Kutuzov,
174; Egger, Das Gefecht bei Hollabrunn und Schongrabern 1805, 16-18; Short Historical Study
on the Austrian Campaign, in Informatsionnii biulleten “Orgkomiteta 1805 goda,”
There is an interesting description of the meeting of Bagration and Murat by Sir Robert Ker
Porter, who traveled in Europe in 1805. Although he was not present at the battlefield, he wrote
fascinating, but extremely anti-French, letters that reflected the views and attitudes of the
contemporary Russian society. In a letter dated ‘November 1805,’ Porter described a conversation
between Bagration and Murat:
“[Bagration] “Where are your credentials for this, General Murat?”
[Murat] “My honour!”
“The interview is finished,” replied the prince [Bagration], “I shall pursue the orders of my
emperor.”
“Then you will not retreat?” demanded Murat; “If you advance, your road must be through
the breasts of sixty thousand Frenchmen.”
Robert Ker Porter, Travelling Sketches in Russia and Sweden During the Years 1805, 1806,
1807, 1808. (Philadelphia, 1809), Letter XII, November 1805, 104.
131 The Memoirs of Baron de Marbot, (London, 1988) I, 184.
132 Treaty of Armistice, RGVIA f. 846 op. 16, d. 3108, l. 77. The treaty was signed by
Wintzegrode and August Belliard, Murat’s chief of staff. Kutuzov wrote Alexander, “I had no
intention to ratify the treaty, but wanted to gain time.” Kutuzov to Alexander, 19 November 1805,
RGVIA f. 846 op. 16, d. 3108, l. 75-76b. Also see, Hugo, Histoire des Armées Francaises, III,
270.
133 Chrisawn, The Emperor’s Friend, 118-19; Thiers, History of Consulate and Empire, IV,
49. Russian officer, Yermolov, recalled that during armistice Bagration wanted to withdrew his
troops so that he would not be cut off the main army by superior French troops. However, the
French noticed the movement in the Russian positions and insisted that Bagration keep his troops
as they were when the armistice was signed. Memoirs, 48. Ker Porter described Bagration
addressing his troops, ”If we would regain the main army, we must hew our passage through [the
French] hearts.” The Russian troops “exclaimed in one voice, ‘Lead us on! You are with us,
victory before us! We follow!’ ” Travelling Sketches in Russia and Sweden, Letter XII,
November 1805, 104.
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