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the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

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destroying several buildings in <strong>the</strong> fortress. 39 However, <strong>the</strong> garrison <strong>of</strong> Silistra continued<br />

to resist <strong>the</strong> Russians. Ilak Oghlu attempted several sorties and he communicated with <strong>the</strong><br />

Grand Vizier through <strong>the</strong> boats on <strong>the</strong> Danube. The Vizier promised to relieve him soon.<br />

Encouraged by <strong>the</strong> news, on 16 October, he made an unexpected sortie on Bagration’s<br />

batteries, while <strong>the</strong> vizier’s cavalry advanced from Tutrakan. Bagration ordered Markov<br />

to lead reinforcements and halt <strong>the</strong> Turkish sortie. However, Markov claimed he was ill<br />

and remained at his tent. General Langeron <strong>the</strong>n counterattacked with two infantry<br />

regiments but he was repulsed in fierce fighting around <strong>the</strong> Russian batteries. Langeron<br />

appealed to Markov for reinforcements, but received none. Houlf an hour later, Markov<br />

finally arrived but without troops; fur<strong>the</strong>rmore, he declared he had to finish his card game<br />

and immediately returned to his tent. Meantime, Bagration rode to <strong>the</strong> front and rallied<br />

his troops for a counterattack. He reprimanded Markov severely for his actions. Seeing<br />

Langeron, Prince Peter told him, “Fortunately, <strong>the</strong>re is one man [Langeron], who engages<br />

and stays in <strong>the</strong> heat <strong>of</strong> action.” After eight hours <strong>of</strong> fighting, <strong>the</strong> Turks were repulsed. 40<br />

Bagration’s artillery continued its incessant bombardment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fortress. On 17<br />

October, one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> cannonballs destroyed <strong>the</strong> Turkish supply magazine and <strong>the</strong> garrison<br />

was in confusion. The heavy guns also battered <strong>the</strong> walls <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> fortress. The Grand<br />

Vizier Yussuf realized that Bagration could soon capture Silistra. So he finally decided<br />

to advance with <strong>the</strong> <strong>army</strong> to relieve <strong>the</strong> fortress. Yet, cautious as he was, <strong>the</strong> Grand Vizier<br />

committed only part <strong>of</strong> his <strong>army</strong> <strong>of</strong> 40,000 for this task. The Turks planned a series <strong>of</strong><br />

coordinated attacks in front by main cavalry, and a sortie <strong>of</strong> Ilak Oghlu from Silistra on<br />

Bagration’s flank – this strategy had been employed in two previous actions and failed on<br />

both occasions.<br />

38 Ibid., 61.<br />

39 Langeron, Recollections, Russkaia starina, 135 (1908): 404.<br />

40 Dubrovin, “Materials for <strong>the</strong> History <strong>of</strong> Reign <strong>of</strong> Alexander,” Voennii sbornik, 1 (1865): 6.<br />

Turkish losses amounted to some 500 killed and wounded. Russian casualties totaled around 200<br />

men. Langeron, Recollections, Russkaia starina, 135 (1908): 406.<br />

527

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