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the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

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Cossacks would be directed north, attack toge<strong>the</strong>r with Platov’s Corps and maintain<br />

connection with <strong>the</strong> 1 st Western Army. 101<br />

Bagration assured Platov that <strong>the</strong> best route both for <strong>the</strong> 2nd Western Army and<br />

<strong>the</strong> Cossacks was <strong>the</strong> direct road to Minsk because it would give <strong>the</strong>m an opportunity to<br />

unite with <strong>the</strong> 1 st Western Army. 102 In ano<strong>the</strong>r letter to Platov, Bagration stressed <strong>the</strong><br />

impossibility <strong>of</strong> attacking <strong>the</strong> flank and rear <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> French. “To threaten <strong>the</strong> flank and rear<br />

is impossible for you, since <strong>the</strong>y [French] have considerable forces everywhere and that<br />

means failure wherever you appear…” 103 Bagration suggested joint actions toward<br />

Minsk. “If I would not receive your response by midnight, I shall retreat to Slonim,<br />

Nesvizh and Minsk. That is all that I can tell you. Better to help <strong>the</strong> 1st Army <strong>the</strong>re,<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r than be divided and wander here.” 104 Platov agreed with Bagration’s suggestions.<br />

On 27 June, he informed <strong>the</strong> Prince that his corps would retreat from Grodno on <strong>the</strong> right<br />

bank <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Niemen and follow <strong>the</strong> 2nd Western Army on <strong>the</strong> route to Minsk. 105 This<br />

unity <strong>of</strong> Bagration and Platov ensured close and effective joint actions by <strong>the</strong> 2 nd Western<br />

Army and <strong>the</strong> Cossacks and prevented <strong>the</strong>m from being destroyed piecemeal.<br />

Assured <strong>of</strong> Platov’s support, Bagration took a number <strong>of</strong> measures to prevent <strong>the</strong><br />

French from occupying Minsk. By this time, <strong>the</strong> reorganization <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> 2 nd Western Army<br />

101 Bagration to Platov, 26 June 1812, Ibid., 165. Also Secret Correspondence <strong>of</strong> Bagration,<br />

26; Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, Campaign <strong>of</strong> 1812, 201.<br />

102 Bagration to Platov, 26 June 1812, Ibid., 165.<br />

103 Bagration to Platov, 26 June 1812, “Is perepiski M.I. Platova” [From Platov’s<br />

Correspondence], Voennii sbornik, (St. Petersburg, 1906), No.1, 204.<br />

104 Bagration to Platov, 26 June 1812, Ibid., 204-205.<br />

105 Platov to Bagration, 27 June 1812, Donskie kazaki v 1812 godu. Sbornik dokumentov ob<br />

uchastii Donskogo kazachestva v Otechestvennoi voine 1812 goda [Don Cossacks in 1812.<br />

Compilation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Documents on Participation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Don Cossacks in Patriotic War <strong>of</strong> 1812],<br />

(Rostov, 1954), 54.<br />

638

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