the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

troops to prepare crossings over the Sozh River. He also ordered the Cossacks to watch
any possible French movements around Moghilev and Orsha and gather as much grain
and hay in these regions as possible. The wounded Russians and French prisoners were
moved to Mozyr and Kiev. Bagration also established a screen of Cossack patrols that
protected his movement and watched the French. 65 The 2 nd Western Army, totaling less
than 40,000 men, 66 moved through Bobyr and arrived at Smolensk on 3 August, where it
joined the main forces under Barclay de Tolly. 67
Bagration initially stayed in small house in Smolensk, but then moved his
headquarters to one of nearby villages on the left bank of the Dnieper. 68 One of the
participants described the joyous celebration at Smolensk. The troops wore parade
uniforms and “a beautiful, calm weather with clear skies added more radiance to this
festive event.” Thousands of Smolensk residents came out to meet Bagration’s troops;
there were a few people from Moscow who reached Smolensk anticipating a decisive
battle with Napoleon. Butenev, who accompanied Bagration throughout the retreat to
Smolensk, recalled, “It was such a grandiose and memorable event that no word can
express the feelings I experienced at that moment; even forty eight years later, aged and
in different state of mind, I cannot recall that date without an emotional outburst.” 69
Thus, the two Russian armies had finally united and Napoléon’s intention to
destroy the Russian armies piecemeal had failed. The withdrawal of the 2 nd Western
Army from Volkovysk to Smolensk was vital for the success of the 1812 campaign.
65 Journal of Military Operations of 2 nd Western Army, Russkii Invalid, August 1912, No.
168, 4.
66 Bagration to Barclay de Tolly, 30 July 1812, No. 454, Headquarters’ Archives, XIV, 166.
67 Journal of Military Operations of 2 nd Western Army, Russkii Invalid, August 1912, No.
168, 4..
68 Butenev, Recollections, 32-33.
69 Ibid., 29.
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