Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

On the way, Suvorov was even in the mood to write a letter to Archduke Karl angrily denounced Emperor Franz's stupid behavior.

"The departure of 60,000 Austrians ultimately led to the almost total annihilation of 20,000 Russians."

Don't worry about this. The Russian army now has only one way to go, which is to turn east to Liechtenstein and then turn to South Germany.

During the military meeting the night before, Suvorov heard the argument between his Austrian generals and Russian generals.

In addition to Weeroser, several Austrian generals expressed their opinions. They believed that they should go to the Austrian camp in Wesson, where there were still several warehouses available to ensure the supply movement of the legion.

At this time, Grand Duke Constantine stood up, his eyes glaring like an angry beast.

"I think you Austrians have not considered the intelligence we have obtained. The French have defeated Korsakov's Army in Zurich. Even if General Hotz is still in Wesson, he will be unable to withstand Massena's 60,000 men. ! If you want to die so much, you can go there yourself and stick your neck out for the French soldiers to chop with their swords!"

This grumpy young archduke, considering his position, even the younger brothers of Emperor Franz, could not suppress him in terms of status, and these Austrian generals were helpless, and what he said was reasonable.

Suvorov was satisfied with His Highness's growth, but he could not express his opinion. Verother, who was on the side, was also unable to express his position on behalf of Austria because he was the chief of staff.

"I think at this time, we should listen to General Rosenberg's thoughts. His column encountered the French before nightfall."

Weerosser did not give his own opinions, but gave the right to speak to the Russian generals. Considering that Rosenberg was a German from the Baltic Sea and the second highest-ranking person here, it was so Speaking with seniority can obviously play a mediating role.

"Your Highness, Alexander Vasilyevich, General Veloser, and all the Russian and Austrian generals, when we arrived at the mountain pass, the Cossacks who had gone to the north to contact us came back. An hour later, we were attacked by the French. According to the confessions of captured prisoners, it can be known that a French division commanded by General Soult, regardless of the outcome of the battle between him and General Hotz. How, our road to Wesson has been cut off. With such a serious shortage of supplies, serious consumption of ammunition, and not even much artillery, it is difficult to use 20,000 people to fight against the French 60,000 people in a few days. The battles we will encounter within are probably more brutal than those we encountered in the previous Italian campaign, especially now that the initiative is in the hands of the French. "

"Well, thank you, Andrei Grigorievich. You spoke very well. It can be said that you have a very good understanding of the enemy's situation."

Several Austrian generals are silent now. They are still a little afraid of the young and arrogant Archduke Constantine. He has been wiping a pistol, as if he does not agree with his opinion and is about to jump out to a duel. Same.

"Then let's vote. There are eleven of us at the table. Let's go to Liechtenstein and fight the French in Wesson. Five against five, I will make the final decision."

Suvorov believes that fighting cannot be carried out at this time. The commanders of the Russian army all like to take the initiative on large-scale battlefields in terms of grand strategy, and they are itchy to command on the spot.

In this kind of voting, even if Weeroser is added to it, the number of Austrians who express their stance is less than half, and the Russian army itself occupies the majority of the column entering Switzerland this time.

"Okay, that's it. Then General Rosenberg leads the troops to the rear. General Offenberg's Austrian column is familiar with the mountain roads. They can go at the front, while Bagration and Miloradovich are behind, close by. The Guards were in the center. We went eastward to Panix, and it was only after passing this pass that we were safe. But we can't let down our guard. The French want to cut off our supply lines and retreat from the mountain passes to the south, but they also want to block the road in front of us. This battle is very difficult, and we only have five days. With enough food rations, it will take ten days at the earliest to travel this distance to Liechtenstein.”

This journey is obviously not easy to walk, and Suvorov is mentally prepared.

Even a lot of unnecessary things need to be discarded. There is no need for the French to pursue them. Marching in the mountains already has to pay a heavy price.

"It's not easy now. We are all trapped in the mountains. Solovyov, what are you doing there?"

Suvorov came out from making a decision in the cabin and saw Solovyov seemed to be comparing something.

"I am roughly observing the height of the mountain opposite. If we really want to retreat this time, the French may launch attacks at several key strongholds. Alexander Vasilyevich, you always have to take the initiative. , and the initiative this time lies with that veteran ruffian who loves robbery and women more than winning battles. He will definitely want to trap us here, just like the Turks in Izmail Fortress were trapped by you. "

"Good idea, you seem to have studied Massena?"

"I just heard a little bit. This veteran ruffian is used to looting and is very lustful. He relies on his keen battlefield sense to fight. He is not that good at military science."

"Sounds like one of our Russian generals, that kind of old fox who loves women and... Like Count Kutuzov. I remember when you wrote to me, you said that when your father was an adjutant, he was always Grushetsky sent to Kutuzov, that gluttonous fat man who has seen you."

"Yes, you remember everything very clearly, and I can't hide it from you!"

"We have to be more careful when dealing with such slick men! Thank you, son, for taking the time to study these French people."

"Ask General Scherer, and you will know a lot of things. The French are all talkative. Give him some gin, steak, and cream soup, and he will pour everything out for you."

"Yes, you caught a big fish. He used to be France's Minister of War. This position should be familiar to many generals."

Suvorov was also looking at the distant mountains. He had now begun to calculate the Russian army's next march route.

"Also, Misha, you should be useless by my side. Go to the Guards column and accompany Grand Duke Constantine. I don't trust His Highness's adjutant. His Guards regiment has to protect our most precious ones. Baggage. Without food, we can’t get out, so we have to kill our horses and end up trapped here.”

The situation was very clear. After Suvorov planned the march route, the Russian rearguard unit Rosenberg's Column fought a fierce battle with Massena. The losses on both sides were considerable. It is said that their reputation had been damaged before. General Chubarov fought bravely in this battle. Although one of his grenadiers failed to capture the French general, his epaulette was snatched off.

This person may be General Massena. It sounds incredible, and it is very similar to the traditional Russian funeral ceremony. For example, a soldier of the Korsakov Legion tried every means to hide the military flag under his personal clothes after being captured. He managed to escape again, and was finally promoted to an infantry second lieutenant.

There are so many things like this in Russia that Suvorov is unwilling to listen. He only focuses on the results.

"Rosenberg has done a good job. At least the enemy will not pursue us, and we will not advance towards Altdorf, but to the east. Weerosser, don't include any retreat in your order." The words, we are not 'retreating', but we are fighting out!"

He still maintains his usual positive attitude and wants to fight his way through.

This is extremely difficult for the forward Austrian army and the Bagration column. Now the troops are short of everything. Even the Austrians who only fought once during the Gotthard detour are short of supplies. Many people's The leather boots are gone.

As soon as they passed the mountain pass and found a road, the French came from behind through a mountain pass in an attempt to intercept the Russian army behind them.

Bagration's column fought bravely here and fought on the bridge for a whole day until Miloradovich's column behind them caught up and fired at the French for a while with the last two light cannons that still had ammunition. You can cross it from the bridge.

This stone bridge where the fierce battle was fought is called "Suvorov Bridge", and the leading troops of the Russian army have only now escaped and continued to move forward.

As for the subsequent soldiers who lacked supplies, only the general and the adjutant who delivered the order could still ride on horseback. Most of the remaining baggage was now carried on the saddles of the Guards column, and even Archduke Constantine was leading the horse.

At least the morale of these people was still very high. Even His Highness did not ride on horseback, but used his good horse to carry vodka to keep the soldiers warm. The old Marshal Suvorov also walked among them. He did not need the support of his servants, but he and two veterans who had served for twenty years supported each other and walked forward.

The French General Molitor, who has been pursuing, is still inspiring the French army and Swiss militia in an attempt to intercept the Russian army.

The Russian army, which was retreating all the way, actually did not stop fighting.

"Look, the French came with a letter of persuasion to surrender. They are really interesting. They can't stop us, so they are trying to use this to shake our will. What should we do with this kind of garbage?"

Suvorov raised this question, but the Grand Duke was the first to speak. He has matured a lot along the way.

"Alexander Vasilyevich, you will collect this French gadget, and when we type it out, read it to the brothers for fun. Misha has a loud voice and a beautiful voice. , you can ask him to come and translate it into Russian.”

"What a joke, Your Highness, I thought you were going to rip this thing off."

"It would be a pity to tear it apart. Pour some fire oil on it and light it with a fire bottle. It can also be used to start a fire."

There was also an interruption from a passing Guardsman, so it was okay for now.

However, there were also wounded soldiers who could not be taken down. They were concentrated in a village on the road, and the French would definitely chase them there.

Although General Massena was keen on robbing and having sex with women, he never robbed wounded soldiers.

"Citizen General, this is a personal letter left to you by the Marshal of Russia."

"Open it and read it to me. If the words in it are too complicated, I won't be able to understand them!"

"General and Citizen, your worries are unnecessary. This old man's words are very concise. Even if he has never been to a military academy, anyone who has passed the 'gangzi' test can understand it."

"Really? Then I'd better take a look and save myself from letting the Russians know about it later and laugh at me, thinking that we are really semi-literate. I can still write love letters to Italian ladies!"

It was very uncomfortable for this guy to talk without dirty jokes, but after he got Suvorov's letter, he knew the other party's attitude.

"We also need to accommodate these Russians. They have 1,300 wounded and sick soldiers, all concentrated in the village ahead. They will be sent to our military stations along the way and properly settled!"

Massena's adjutant looked at this old soldier and knew his superior's old problems. Although he usually looked unreliable, he was loyal to his subordinates and fully respected the enemy.

Bagration's column was the first to reach the Pasnik Pass. After crossing the pass, the Russian army was safe. No French army could come down from the top of the mountain where snow had already accumulated and cut off their retreat.

When he arrived here, he could not forget one thing, which was to widen the road and use the remaining supplies to replenish the follow-up troops. Those Cossacks who still had horses were also sent to nearby villages and towns to collect food.

After eleven days of hard work, the Russian army's marching column finally escaped the pursuit of the French - although Suvorov identified it as an "attack" and did not recognize this action as a retreat.

All the cannons and extra vehicles, as well as many horses and mules, were abandoned on the road. Some boxes of military expenses were thrown on the road or seized by the French.

But escaping from danger is more important than anything else.

Now that the Russian army has crossed the mountain pass, it can continue to advance to Liechtenstein, and then turn to southern Germany, and join General Korsakov's troops and Prince Condé's royalist corps to re-launch defense.

After reaching the mountain pass, the French only saw these things abandoned on the road, which made it impossible for them to use the road to quickly pursue, and the mountain pass was not suitable for the French army to enter.

After forcing Suvorov's troops to retreat, Massena turned back to Zurich and marched towards Bavaria from there. The war in Switzerland ended in such a whimper for both sides.

When Tsar Paul learned of the betrayal, he had already made up his mind to ask Russia to withdraw from the anti-French alliance and no longer send troops to join the war.