the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

included 30 killed and wounded. 154 Bagration wrote, “The vast territory between the
Island of Signal-Skär and the shores of Sweden, where enemy columns was fleeing, was
covered with broken wagons, caissons, muskets, cannonballs [and other munitions].” 155
Thus, by 18 March, Bagration occupied the Åland islands and his cavalry was
already in view of the Swedish mainland. Though Alexander demanded the capture of
Stockholm as soon as possible, Bagration wanted to rest his troops before launching
invasion of the mainland. Bagration remained with main forces at Åland and dispatched a
cavalry detachment under Kulnev across the Åland Hav towards Grisslehamn. He hoped
his daring cavalry raid would induce the Swedes to negotiate peace. 156 Early morning on
154 Bagration reported the following casualties:
Action Swedish Russian
Bomarzund
2 guns
Jomala
110 captured, 4 large guns,
ammunition and provisions
2 Cossacks and 1 hussar wounded
18 horses killed and 4 wounded
Frebbenby 4 Officer and 350 soldiers 3 Cossacks and 3 hussars
captured
1 flag of Sudermania Regiment
wounded
9 horses killed and 3 wounded
4 guns
Over 5,000 muskets
Pursuit after Some 50 captured
1 Cossack wounded
Frebbenby
Sederzund
7 officers
3 musicians
91 soldiers
3 horses killed
None
Signal-Skär
144 captured
Bagration to Knorring, 18 April 1809, Correspondence of Bagration, 53-55; Mikhailovsky-
Danilevsky, War in Finland, 395. Russian diplomat Alopeus referred to 3,000 captured, 20 guns,
8 gunboats, numerous guns, ammunition and provisions. However, he claimed Bagration lost
only 7 killed. Alopeus to Saltikov, 19 March 1809, VPR, IV, 538. Also see Alexander Bulgakov
to Jacob Bulgakov, 24 March 1809, Russkii arkhiv, 37/1 (1898), 609.
155 Bagration to Knorring, 18 April 1809, Correspondence of Bagration, 56.
156 Bagration to Knorring, 18 April 1809, Ibid., 56-57. Arakcheyev credited himself with the
decision to send Kulnev into Sweden. He claimed Generals Knorring and Suchtelen opposed his
decisions and he had to use his authority to enforce his orders. Arakcheyev ordered Lieutenant
Colonel Kirsanov and his Cossack squad to accompany Kulnev to the Swedish mainland.
However, it was Bagration who in fact gave orders to Kulnev for the expedition. Arakcheyev to
Alexander, Arakcheyev to Kulnev, 18 March 1809, VPR, IV, 531, 692-93.
471