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the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

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While <strong>the</strong> French acknowledged 510 casualties, Prince Peter claimed <strong>the</strong>m as 3,000<br />

killed and wounded. 74 The Russians controlled <strong>the</strong> city, but <strong>the</strong> French succeeded in<br />

keeping <strong>the</strong>m on <strong>the</strong> eastern bank. Meantime, Vukassovich marched to Brivio, which was<br />

protected by small French garrison. He informed Bagration <strong>of</strong> possible break through in<br />

this direction, and Prince Peter withdrew his troops to Brivio, where <strong>the</strong> Allied forces<br />

bivouacked for night. 75<br />

Though he failed in his mission to cross <strong>the</strong> river, Bagration was praised for his<br />

actions at Lecco. 76 He succeeded in capturing <strong>the</strong> city and informing Suvorov about <strong>the</strong><br />

strength <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French troops in this direction. This was important intelligence. Based on<br />

it, Suvorov made changes in his deployment to cross <strong>the</strong> Adda. Suvorov praised<br />

Bagration’s leadership in <strong>the</strong> battle and called <strong>the</strong> fighting a “victory.” 77 General<br />

Serurier, after he was captured a couple <strong>of</strong> days later at Verderio, also commended<br />

Unit Killed Wounded<br />

Bagration Jager Regiment 37 59<br />

Dendrygin’s Grenadier Batta<strong>lion</strong>. 43 46<br />

Lomonosov’s Grenadier Batta<strong>lion</strong> 50 73<br />

Rosenberg’s Grenadier Batta<strong>lion</strong> 15 50<br />

Total 145 228<br />

Bagration to Suvorov, Bagration to Rosenberg, 27 April 1799, Bagration’s Journal, 4-6;<br />

Miliutin, I, 588; Suvorov to Paul, 1 May 1799, Correspondence <strong>of</strong> Suvorov, 228Petrushevsky<br />

placed Russian casualties at 365 men. Generalissimo Prince Suvorov, 540.<br />

74 The French casualties are usually estimated at 1,000 men. Bagration to Suvorov, 27 April<br />

1799, Bagration’s Journal, 4-5; Gachot referred to 150 killed and 360 wounded. Souvarow en<br />

Italie, 131-32. Orlov, Study <strong>of</strong> Suvorov’s Military Operations, 79; Duffy, Suvorov in Italy and<br />

Switzerland, 62; Petrushevsky, Generalissimo Prince Suvorov, 540; Bogoliubov, Suvorov’s Art<br />

<strong>of</strong> War, 65.<br />

75 Miliutin, Campaign <strong>of</strong> 1799, I, 289-90.<br />

76 There was an altercation between Bagration and Denisov, who acted with particular<br />

arrogance. In his memoirs, Denisov claimed to be <strong>the</strong> main person <strong>of</strong> day and credited himself for<br />

major decisions in <strong>the</strong> battle. Denisov, Notes, 101-102.<br />

77 Suvorov to Paul, 1 May 1799, Correspondence <strong>of</strong> Suvorov, 227.<br />

33

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