the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

However, Bagration found his forces insufficient to continue advance and appealed to
Kutuzov for reinforcements and further instructions. 32
Meantime, the Allied army slowly moved in five columns from Olmütz to
Wischau. Bagration was ordered to proceed on the right side of the main road to
Raussnitz. 33 He again let Prince Dolgoruky claim the capture of the town. A French
participant noted, “[Dolgoruky] with two battalions of Arkhangelogorod musketeers,
supported by all the Russian advance guard, triumphantly entered the little town of
Rausnitz [sic!], which we certainly had no idea of holding, and only defended for a
moment in order to make the prince [Dolgoruky] pay for what we should anyhow have
evacuated for nothing.” 34 At 9:00 a.m. on 30 November, Bagration resumed his advance
by dispatching the Cossacks, supported by most of his cavalry, to locate the French
positions. The Russian patrols soon engaged the French detachment near the post house
at Posoritz. The fighting continued until noon when the French received reinforcements.
Learning of Bagration’s movement, Murat sent several squadrons to reinforce his
advance guard. Bagration reported, “The [French] cavalry appeared on the nearby heights
and it soon occupied the vicinities.” 35 The French launched several assaults to occupy hill
near Holubitz and cut Bagration’s communications with Kienmayer’s troops on the
Russian left. 36 Prince Peter dispatched Major General Ullanius with the 6 th Jager
Regiment and the dismounted Cossacks to halt the attacks. He then moved three
32 Bagration to Kutuzov, 8:00 p.m., 28 November 1805, Documents of M.I. Kutuzov’s
Headquarters, 213-14. Kutuzov claimed the French suffered heavy casualties in the actions at
raussnitz, including 23 officers and 500 soldiers captured. On the Russian side, he reported “light
casualties and none officers killed.” Kutuzov to Alexander, 26 January 1806, Correspondence of
Kutuzov, 255.
33 Disposition for Offensive, 12:00 p.m., 29 November 1805, Ibid., 215-17; Disposition for
Offensive to Kucerau and Pogdalitz, [no date], circa 29 November 1805, RGVIA f. 846 op. 16, d.
3174, l. 7-8. Disposition for Offensive to Austerlitz, [no date] circa 30 November 1805, RGVIA
f. 846 op. 16, d. 3117/1, ll. 48-49.
34 Thiébault , Memoirs, II, 148.
35 Bagration to Kutuzov, 5:00 p.m., 30 November 1805, Ibid., 218; Correspondence of
Kutuzov, 221.
36 Bagration to Kutuzov, 30 November 1805, Ibid., 221; Stutterheim, Battle of Austerlitz, 51.
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