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the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

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efused to allow Prince Peter to return to <strong>the</strong> left bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Danube because it would<br />

hurt his prestige, even if it meant that thousands <strong>of</strong> his soldiers were to die on <strong>the</strong> right<br />

bank during <strong>the</strong> winter. Bagration demonstrated his resolute character as he argued with<br />

<strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficials in St. Petersburg over <strong>the</strong> crossing issue. He was not afraid to openly express<br />

his ideas on <strong>the</strong> imperial instructions and he continued his appeals to <strong>the</strong> emperor until he<br />

relented. Bagration’s letters demonstrated his passionate temperament as he tried to<br />

explain his conditions to <strong>the</strong> Emperor and <strong>the</strong> courtiers in <strong>the</strong> capital. His letter to Tolstoy<br />

was particularly impassioned and uncompromising. He described <strong>the</strong> arrogance <strong>of</strong> those<br />

aristocrats, who accused him <strong>of</strong> cowardice without any factual information, and<br />

dismissed <strong>the</strong>ir recommendations contemptuously.<br />

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