the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

and each of them would willingly shed his life for the Tsar and the beloved
motherland.” 131
Having assessed the situation, Bagration decided to accelerate his march to
Bobruisk and hoping to anticipate Davout’s arrival at this fortress, he would continue his
march to Moghilev. To hasten this movement and maintain freedom of maneuver, he
decided to detach the remaining transports from the army. According to his order, all
supplies, except for food and infirmary wagons, were directed to Petrikov; thereafter, to
cross the Pripet River to concentrate at Mozyr’, under the protection of the reserve
corps. 132 To cover the transports during their movement to Mozyr, a special brigade was
organized, consisting of the combined grenadier battalion, the brigade of the garrison of
Slutsk, and Cossacks.
Bagration’s organization of the march was particularly interesting. It allowed him
to oppose Davout in case he was encountered on the march, and simultaneously to
repulse possible attacks from Jérôme’s troops. Bagration divided his army into two
columns. The 7 th Infantry Corps with the 27 th Infantry Division, the Novorossiisk and
Chernigov Dragoons, and the Izymsk Hussar Regiments, with most of the Cossacks,
made up the first column. It had the task of repulsing Davout’s attacks while moving on
Bobruisk. The 8 th Infantry Corps, with Platov’s rear guard and Combined Grenadier
Division, composed the second column. It was ordered to confront Jérôme’s army. The
remaining transports with provisions and ammunition moved between these columns
covered both from attacks of Davout and Jérôme.
To accomplish this task, it was necessary to move the first column immediately to
provide the rest of troops with space to maneuver. Besides, Bagration wanted to ensure
the safety of the supply wagons moving to Petrikov. To secure enough time to achieve
both goals, Bagration dispatched Platov’s Corps to delay the French advance at least for a
131 Bagration to Barclay de Tolly, 13 July 1812, Headquarters’ Archives, XIV, 4-5.
132 Order, 13 July 1812, Inostrantsev, Operations of the 2 nd Western Army, 461-62.
686