the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

the main positions. By that time, Soult’s and Murat’s troops virtually exhausted
themselves and could not make a profound change on the outcome of the battle.
During the night of 10 June, Napoleon arrived on the battlefield with the Imperial
Guard and Ney’s 6 th Corps. He reconnoitered the Russian positions lit by the campfires
and decided to envelop Bennigsen from the flanks to entrap him in the fortified camp. He
directed Davout and Mortier to Landsberg to cut the road to Koenigsberg while other
French corps remained at Heilsberg to pin down the Russians. 153 On the Russian side,
around 6:00 a.m. Bennigsen prepared the army for the new French advance. The early
morning mist prevented him from observing Napoleon’s movements, but, around 10:00
a.m., Bennigsen noted large masses of the French troops marching against his left
flank. 154 Bennigsen then received intelligence concerning Davout’s march on the
Landsberg road and realized Napoleon’s planned to outflank his present positions. He
decided to retreat to Wehlau through Bartenstein and establish positions on the northern
bank of the Pregel River, securing communications with Koenigsberg. 155 He immediately
began withdrawing his forces from Heilsberg. He ordered Bagration to remain with his
fatigued troops in the town to cover the retreat. 156
153 Jomini, Vie de Napoleon, II, 407-408; Bataille de Friedland, RGVIA, f. 846, op. 16, d.
3167, l.10.
154 Journal of Military Operations of the Russian Imperial Army, 152.
155 Bennigsen explained the difficulties he faced to Grand Duke Constantine and asked him to
consult with Alexander, who, at the moment, was staying at Tilsit. Bennigsen, Memoirs,
Russkaya starina, 101 (February, 1901): 512-14; Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, Campaigns of 1806-
1807, 518-20; Karpov, “Russian Operations in the 1806-1807 Campaigns,” RGVIA, f. 846, op.
16, d. 3161, ll.59b.
156 Bennigsen, Memoirs, Russkaya starina, 101 (February, 1901): 511-12; Mikhailovsky-
Danilevsky, Campaigns of 1806-1807, 517-18; Petre, Napoleon’s Campaign in Poland, 305.
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