the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

Many French officers, including General Victor Levasseur, were wounded and
captured; the survivors of the 18 th Line were dispersed in the field, but they defended
themselves ferociously. 124 At that moment, several Russian dragoons fought his way
through the French and seized the eagle of the 2 nd Battalion of 18 th Line. 125 The soldiers
of the 18 th Line threw themselves to defend their eagle; 126 one of the French officers
recalled, “The notion of honor attached to this emblem caused us to double our
efforts.” 127 However, the Russians overwhelmed them 128 and the 18 th Line would have
been annihilated if not for the arrival of the French reinforcements. The 46 th Line reached
the Russian positions, supported by the French cavalry, 129 which charged the Russians
and rescued the remnants of the 18 th Line. 130 Simultaneously, Yermolov directed his
battery against the third French column on the left flank, which, although under heavy
artillery fire, withdrew in a good order. 131 During this fighting, Bagration was always in
124 Victoires, Conquêtes, XVII, 64; Langlois, Relation du Combat et de la Bataille d’Eylau,
18; Höpfner, Der Krieg von 1806 und 1807, III, 223; Dumas, Précis des événemens militaries,
XVIII, 7; Wilson, Brief Remarks, 95; Thiers, History of Consulate and Empire, VI, 421.
125
Dragoons Stephan Fomin, Vasilii Podvorni, Savelii Deriagin, Efim Erofeyev and
trumpeter Filip Logvinov were awarded Orders of St. George (4 th class) for the capture of the
eagle. St. Petersburg Dragoon Regiment was awarded St. George flags in November 1808. Gen.
C.R. Andolenko, Aigles de Napoleon contre drapeaux du Tsar, (Paris, 1969), 136.
126 Some witnesses (Wilson) referred to two eagles. Napoleon’s 58 th Bulletin acknowledged
only one eagle. Soult believed the eagle was buried in the snow. Petre, Napoleon’s Campaign in
Poland, 166n; Wilson, Brief Remarks, 96.
127 From the letter of Lieutenant Lacombe of the 18 th Line, cited in Andolenko, Aigles de
Napoleon contre drapeaux du Tsar, 135.
128 Some sources indicate Bagration committed part of Pskov and Sofia Regiments against the
18 th Line.
129 Victoires, Conquêtes, XVII, 65; Höpfner, Der Krieg von 1806 und 1807, III, 223. The
French cavalry included 13 th Chasseurs and Klein’s dragoon division. 58 th Bulletin, Preussich
Eylau, 9 February 1807, Correspondance de Napoleon Ier, No.11796, XIV, 366; Langlois,
Relation du Combat et de la Bataille d’Eylau, 17-18; Dumas, Précis des événemens militaires,
XVIII, 7.
130 According to Andolenko, the 18 th Line lost 9 officers killed and 35 wounded. Andolenko,
Aigles de Napoleon contre drapeaux du Tsar, 136.
338