the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

Thus, Bagration was unable to concentrate additional forces at Silistra. He wrote,
“If Ismail surrendered ten days earlier, I would have moved Zass’ corps to cut the vizier
off Shumla and attacked him from two sides. However, [the garrison of Ismail]
capitulated too late and Zass will be unable to reach Kustendji (Constanta) within the
next ten days.” 22 Bagration still ordered Kamensky to dispatch small detachments to
harass the Turkish communication lines around Mangalia, Kovarna and Bazardjik. 23
Bagration was well informed about the situation in the Turkish camp. In his letter
to Alexander, Bagration referred to the Danish envoy’s reports and described the sultan’s
displeasure at the vizier’s actions and his concern about Bagration’s successes. The
sultan pressured the grand vizier to halt the Russian advance and drive Bagration back
across the Danube. Prince Peter described the confusion in the Turkish army, “As a result
of the quick and unexpected attacks [of Cossacks], the Turks are frightened and remain
within the fortresses and fortified camps. Only the Grand Vizier’s army remained intact;
yet, the vizier is not combative anymore and is rushing around to reinforce his army and
spend a lot of gold and silver to recruit troops.” Bagration described his intention to
entice the Turkish army into the favorable positions where he would defeat it. However,
he also acknowledged that the Grand Vizier was avoiding a pitched battle. Bagration
wrote, “I afraid [the Vizier] would avoid any decisive battle and prevent me from
attacking him. [If I advance], he would either retreat directly to Shumla, or through
Sistov to the Balkan Mountains, where he would await for the fall and winter, hoping to
entice and defeat me in the mountain valleys.” 24
22 Bagration to Arakcheyev, 7 October 1809, Correspondence of Bagration, 84.
23 Dubrovin, “Materials for the History of Reign of Alexander,” Voennii sbornik, 10 (1864):
58; Langeron, Recollections, Russkaia starina, 135 (1908): 404.
24 Bagration to Alexander, No. 1,023, 12 October 1809, Voennii sbornik, 10 (1864): 58-59.
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