the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

the committee were well aware that after 1805 campaign and disaster at Austerlitz, the
Tsar could not endure Kutuzov who fell likewise about the Tsar. For several hours the
committee hesitated to make this proposal to the Tsar, but finally gathered the courage to
recommend him to the Tsar. Alexander hesitated for three days and finally signed the
decree on 20 August. 129 On the same date special orders were sent to Barclay de Tolly
and Bagration on the appointment of the commander-in-chief. Alexander informed both
commanders that “various grave complications coming after the two armies united, have
impelled me to appoint one commander above all others. I have chosen for this post the
General of Infantry prince Kutuzov, under whose command I place all four armies….”
130 The population, especially the people of St. Petersburg, celebrated Kutuzov’s
appointment. A witness described the public jubilation, when “the people surrounded him
[Kutuzov], touched his clothes and appealed, ‘Save us and defeat this cruel enemy.’
Kutuzov’s departure to the army turned into a majestic and touching [sic] procession” 131
Barclay de Tolly received his copy of the imperial decree on 27 August, while his
army was marching through Vy’azma; he was disappointed by the news, especially since
Tsar’s order was not accompanied by a personal note or any other message. This
treatment, even more than the decision itself, made the blow particularly depressing for
Barclay de Tolly. It was more distressing since the decision was made just when
Barclay’s strategy was showing results and Napoleon’s superiority in numbers was
129 Correspondence of Kutuzov, IV, 74-75. In a letter to his sister Catherine, Alexander
wrote about his opposition to Kutuzov’s nomination. “At first I was against his appointment. But
then Rostopchin told me that all Moscow desires Kutuzov as commander-in-chief, considering
that Barclay and Bagration are both unable to command…. Besides, Barclay made a number of
mistakes at Smolensk, and I had to concede to unanimous request and appoint Kutuzov…. Also,
Kutuzov is in great favour among the public both here [St. Petersburg] and Moscow.” Prince
Nikolay Mikhailovich, Perepiska imperatora Alexandra s sestroy velikoi kniazhnoi Ekaterinoi
Pavlovnoi [Emperor Alexander’s Correspondence With His Sister Grand Duchess Catherine] (St.
Petersburg, 1910) 82, 87-88.
130 Alexander to Bagration, 20 August 1812, Correspondence of Bagration, 239; also
Beskrovny, Kutuzov: Compilation of the Documents, IV, 75.
131 Odental’ to Bulgakov, 28 August 1812, Russkaya starina, 8 (1912): 170.
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