the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

moved but very slowly.” 70 The French first caught up with Bagration, who accompanied
Baggovut’s unit, at Waltersmuhl. 71 The terrain was covered with thick forest, which
prevented large-scale cavalry action. It also helped Bagration to organize a fighting
retreat. He moved Alexandria Hussar Regiment to halt the French advance guard and
repulse several French cavalry attacks. The French still managed to surround two Russian
regiments, Belozersk Musketeers and 4 th Jagers. However, as Bagration reported,
“Without any confusion, the Belozersky and 4 th Jagers waged a devastating musket fire,
repulsing cavalry charges and clearing their way with bayonet attacks.” 72 Prince Peter
moved 2 nd Squadron of Alexandria Hussars to support these regiments. 73 Sir Robert
Wilson commented, “The French adventured as they had been used to do after other
armies, and paid for their presumption severely.” 74 Prince Peter reinforced Baggovut with
His Majesty, Ordensky and Malorosiisky Cuirassier, Pskov Dragoons and 7 th Jager
Regiments and deployed his infantry in three lines some 120 paces apart.
The French did not attack but followed the Russian troops. Baggovut soon
occupied Waltersmuhl with the 4 th Jagers and had two batteries established on the nearby
hills. These batteries bombarded the French and prevented them from pursuing the
Russian rear guard closely. Early in the morning of 4 February, Bagration and Baggovut
arrived at Warlak, where Markov joined them. 75 Simultaneously, Napoleon moved his
70 Wilson, Brief Remarks, 92.
71 Baggovut commanded Sofiisky, Belozersk, Staroskol Musketeer Regiments, 4 th Jager
Regiment, Alexandria Hussar Regiment, Sudakov’s Artillery Company and some Cossacks. In
total, approximately 2,000 men. Karpov, “Russian Operations in the 1806-1807 Campaigns,”
RGVIA, f. 846, op. 16, d. 3161, ll.31b; Höpfner, Der Krieg von 1806 und 1807, III, 203.
72 Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, Campaigns of 1806-1807, 169.
73 Karpov, “Russian Operations in the 1806-1807 Campaigns,” RGVIA, f. 846, op. 16, d.
3161, ll.32.
74 Wilson, Brief Remarks, 92.
75 Karpov, “Russian Operations in the 1806-1807 Campaigns,” RGVIA, f. 846, op. 16, d.
3161, l.32b; Höpfner, Der Krieg von 1806 und 1807, III, 203; According to Mikhailovsky-
Danilevsky, Bagration arrived at Warlak at 3.00 a.m. on 4 February. Campaigns of 1806-1807,
170.
323