the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

organization of the retreat. Yermolov complained, “Surprisingly, the [unit] closest to
enemy column was that of artillery; its horses were exhausted considerably slowing down
the movement [of the rest of army].” 66 So, Bennigsen appointed Peter Bagration to
command the rear guard to delay the French advance and give the main forces enough
time to organize a retreat. 67 Bagration had his rearguard divided into three units under
Barclay de Tolly, Markov and Baggovut to cover each column of the main forces. Prince
Peter had Markov’s unit in the center, Barclay de Tolly on the left and Baggovut on the
right. 68 The immediate problem Bagration faced was the Russian stragglers and
marauders. One of the participants and future Decembrist, Count Sergey Volkonsky
recalled, “The retreat was executed in order, but [there were] incidents of pillaging by the
strugglers, and [Bagration’s] rear guard tried, but was unable, to restrain them.” 69
Bagration withdrew most of his forces early in the morning on 4 February and left
a detachment under Barclay de Tolly to hold off the French. At around 9.00 a.m. on 4
February, the French attacked him. A witness described, “[Russians] rallied behind
barricades, formed with wagons, tumbrels, &c, and disputed the enemy’s advance until
the order of march [of the main army] was established, when they gradually retired,
contesting desperately every inch of ground, in order to protect the army, whose columns
February, he wrote, “At present, I can only mention that I never saw a more martial army. Their
discipline is good; their marching is regular; and, considering what they have gone through, their
appearance is admirable. The infantry are all equal to what you saw in England. The cavalry are
excellent, with truly warlike bearing and even the infantry exult in their courage. The artillery is
well appointed, and draws through fosses of snow that astonish me to look at. In short, I never
saw better mains.” Wilson to Lord Hutchinson, 4 February 1807, Hermsdorff, in Life of General
Sir Robert Wilson, II, 406.
66 Yermolov, Memoirs, 78.
67 Wilson wrote that Bagration was to remain at Bergfried until 7:00 a.m. Wilson to Lord
Hutchinson, 2-4 February 1807, Hermsdorff, in Life of General Sir Robert Wilson, II, 406
68 Traduction du Rapport détaillé de la Bataille d’Eylau, RGVIA, f. 846, op. 16. d. 3200, l.9.
This is Bennigsen’s official report published in French after the battle of Eylau. Karpov, “Russian
Operations in the 1806-1807 Campaigns,” RGVIA, f. 846, op. 16, d. 3161, ll.31b; Colbert,
Traditions, Souvenirs et Documents, III, 18.
69
Zapiski Sergia Grigorievicha Volkonskogo (Dekabrista) [Recollections of Sergey
Grigorievich Volkonsky (the Decembrist)], (St. Petersburg, 1901), 24-25.
322