the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

After the battle, Moreau decided to withdraw to Turin so he moved his army in
two directions. Generals Victor and Laboissière marched to Pavia and General Grenier
moved via Milan to Bufarole on the Ticino River. 90 He also recalled Lemouan’s troops
from Pizzighettone and destroyed bridge at Piacenza. 91 The victory on the Adda was
celebrated throughout Allied Europe. The Times of London praised Suvorov’s actions
and wrote, “The progress of the Field-Marshal had been brilliant beyond the most
sanguine expectation.” 92 In ten days, the Allies took control of most of the Lombardy.
With the French retreating from the Adda River, the road on Milan was open for
Allies, 93 and on 29 April Suvorov made his triumphant entry into Milan. 94 The Allies
achieved remarkable success in a short period of time. In the course of ten days, they had
advanced over sixty miles, crossed five rivers (Chiese, Mella, Oglio, Serio and Adda),
defeated the French army and conquered Lombardy. The Cisalpine Republic was
abolished, the National Guard disbanded and a new temporary government organized
under General Melas. 95 The instructions of Emperor Francis, given to Suvorov at the
opening of campaign, were now accomplished, though Peschiera and Mantua were still in
French possession. 96 The Aulic Council urged Suvorov to direct his forces to these
fortresses and expedite their surrender. However, Suvorov did not agree with this view
90 Moreau left some 2,400 men under General Bechaud to defend the citadel of Milan.
91 Miliutiun, Campaign of 1799, I, 301; Clausewitz, Die Feldzuge von 1799, V, 248-49.
Clausewitz estimated the French strength at 23,000 men: 9,000 in Piedmont, 5,000 in Genoa,
Joseph Helie Desire Montrichard commanded 2,600 men and Grenier had 6,400 men.
92 The Times, 27 May 1799.
93 For routes and deployment of Allied troops, see Disposition For the Offensive on Milan, 28
April 1799, A.V. Suvorov: Documents, IV, 37.
94 Egor Fuchs, Sobranie raznykh sochinenii [Compilation of Various Works], (St. Petersburg,
1827), 183; Orlov, Study of Suvorov’s Military Operations, 95; Miliutiun, Campaign of 1799, I,
303-305; Longworth, The Art of Victory, 244; Razskazi starogo voina o Suvorove, 114; Gachot,
Souvarow en Italie, 182-89; Buturlin, Campagne de 1799, 42-44.
95 Miliutin, Campaign of 1799, I, 308, 594-95.
96 Francis to Suvorov, 14 April 1799, in Ibid., I, 262-63.
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