the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

The news of Bagration’s escape caused a wide spread celebration in the main
army. On 18 November, at Pohrlitz, Kutuzov himself went to meet Bagration, embraced
him and told, “I do not ask about the casualties - you are alive and that’s enough for
me.” 159 The troops were met as heroes while Bagration was venerated. To the Russians,
Bagration successfully engaged the French army, and not only halted it, but defeated it
capturing prisoners and colors. Later, it would be claimed that Napoleon himself was
present at the battlefield. Emperor Francis awarded Prince Peter the Commander Cross of
the Order of Maria Theresa, the first of this kind to be given to a Russian officer.
Emperor Alexander was particularly delighted by the news of action at Schöngrabern. He
awarded the Pavlograd Hussars and Chernigov Dragoons with St. George standards,
while Kiev Grenadiers, Sysoev III’s and Khanzhekov I’s Cossack regiments received St.
George colors. The 6 th Jagers was first regiment in the Russian army to be awarded the
silver trumpets of St. George. 160 In addition, Kutuzov asked Alexander to send 300
Orders of St. Anna to decorate the rank-and-file distinguished at Schöngrabern. He
praised Bagration’s leadership in this battle, called him “my best assistant” and
recommended him for promotion to lieutenant general and award of Order of St. George
(2 nd class). 161 On 20 November, Kutuzov congratulated Bagration with both promotion
and award. 162 This was an exceptional award, since it was the first order of this class
awarded after Catherine the Great’s death. In addition, to receive such high decoration,
Bagration should already have had 3 rd or 4 th class of this order, which he did not have.
159 Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, Campaign of 1805, 124.
160
Langeron, Journal inedit de la campagne de 1805, 22; Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky,
Campaign of 1805, 124; Shishov, Unknown Kutuzov, 171.
161 Langeron, Journal inedit de la campagne de 1805, 22; Kutuzov to Alexander, 19
November 1805, Correspondence of Kutuzov, 172. Kutuzov also recommended Major General
Miloradovich for his actions at Krems.
162 Kutuzov to Bagration, 20 November 1805; Order to Army, 26 November, Documents of
M.I. Kutuzov’s Headquarters, 169, 198; Correspondence of Kutuzov, 176. It is noteworthy that in
his report of the action at Schongrabern, dated 17 November 1805, Bagration signed as lieutenant
general, though the title of the document read “Report of the Advance Guard Commander Major
General Bagration.” It seems Bagration was told beforehand about his promotion.
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