the lion of the russian army - Florida State University

inaccurate in describing events and claiming that fléches were built on Kutuzov’s
orders. 18 On the early morning of 5 September, the sound of gunfire was heard from the
direction of Kolotsky and shortly General Konovnitsyn’s troops came into view, pursued
by the French. Soon entire Grand Army reached the battlefield. Napoleon immediately
examined the Russian positions. It was obvious that the redoubt at Shevardino would
impede the deployment of the French troops, especially since its guns could threaten the
French from the top of the hill. French engineers put up bridges across the Kolotcha and
by afternoon General Jean-Dominique Compans, commanding 5 th Division of Davout’s
Corps, moved his troops toward the Shevardino redoubt; General Poniatowski was also
ordered to attack from the south. Supported by two of Murat’s cavalry corps, General
Compans’ troops drove the Russian skirmishers back and continued their enveloping
movement toward the south. A French battery at Fomkino began bombarding the
Shevardino redoubt, while another battery was set up by Poniatowski’s troops southward.
The Russians returned fire and the battle of Shevardino began. 19
18 Barclay de Tolly, Survey of the Military Operations during 1812 Campaign, 24-25;
Barclay later recalled, “It was decided that if attacked, [Bagration’s troops] will fall back and take
position between Shevardino and Semyeonovskoe. Kutuzov also ordered construction of batteries
and redoubts.” Russian Military Historical Society, VII, 197.
19 Thiers, Consulate and the Empire VIII, 128-29; Lejeune, Memoirs, II, 175-79; Chambray,
Histoire de l'expédition de Russie, 285-86; Bertin, La Campagne de 1812, 98-102; Fezensac,
Journal of the Russian Campaign, 40; Beskrovny, The Patriotic War of 1812, 52; Rossetti,
Journal d’un compagnon de Murat, 112-13; Denniée, Itineraire de l’empereur Napoleon, 65-66;
Zemtsov, V. “Divizia Kompana v boiu za Shevardinskii redut 5 Sentiabria 1812 g.” [Compans’
Division at the Battle of Shevardino on 5 September 1812], Sergeant, No.7 (Moscow 2000), 3-8;
Garnich, Commander Kutuzov: A Compilation of Articles, 178, 196-97.
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