Tsar of the Sphinx

Chapter 22 The Russo-Turkish War (Prelude to the Great War)
Five months after the start of the war, the Austrian army finally captured Belgrade and began to march to Moldavia to join the army led by Alexander.

It's so cold!Your Highness, Your Excellency the Field Marshal, the Austrian Legion led by Prince Josiah of Saxe-Coburg has settled down in Adelaide.

Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov came to the tent and brought the long-awaited news to the two commanders, one large and one small, who were huddled in the tent.

Well, it's finally here, and I thought the Austrians were going to keep messing with Turkey in Croatia.Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky put down the vodka in his hand and said.

Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov stared at Marshal Rumyantsev and said: Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski, I advise you again that this has already This is the third time I've caught you drinking vodka in the army, and I'm warning you again.

And Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunaiski, who drank more and more energetically, hugged Prince Gula Ivan Novich Saltykov and said: "Dear Gula , would you like a glass of vodka too?After speaking, he blew the breath of wine on Prince Gula Ivan Novich Saltykov's face.

Prince Gula Ivan Novich Saltykov pushed Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski away and said: Damn it, Rumyantsev, don’t you Thinking of pulling me in, the vodka there.

Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski laughed and said: Gula, this is the special vodka that Alexander asked to bring from the royal winery, and this is the last bottle.

Alexander looked at the two people who were making a fuss, but didn't say anything, but sat quietly on the chair and watched the two old drunkards make a fuss in front of him.

It can't be said that Alexander doesn't respect the old or something, after all, it's too boring, since he arrived in Galati at the end of December last year, he has been staying until now.

The Austrians have been confronting the Turkish defenders in Belgrade, but they have been refusing to attack the city with all their strength, hoping that the Turkish defenders in Belgrade will surrender. This confrontation lasted until more than ten days ago, when Alexander wrote back to Ekaterina when.

After conquering Belgrade, Emperor Joseph II of Austria divided his troops into four parts, and he personally led a part to close the door to fight dogs in Croatia, and Prince Karl Borromous of Liechtenstein cleaned up where Turkey was in Transylvania The third part was led by Prince Josias of Saxe-Coburg to Moldavia to fight jointly with the Russian army.

His Royal Highness, Field Marshal, the Turkish army at Galati is out of town.said Johann Martin von Elmpter, throwing back the curtain of the tent.

What are they doing out of town now.Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski let go of Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov as soon as he heard someone approaching outside.

Our scouts sent news from the south bank that the reinforcements from the Turks had arrived in Foksani. I suspect that the Turkish troops leaving the city wanted to join forces with the reinforcements in Foksani, and then attack and station in Adelaide. Austrians.Johann Martin von Elmpter reported to Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski and Alexandria.

Moreover, the number of Turkish reinforcements stationed in Foksani has exceeded 2. If the Turkish army in Galati is added, the Turkish army in Foksani is estimated to have 3 people.

Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski immediately returned to the table, looked at the map and said: The Austrian army has only 1 people, and it is estimated that less than 8 can participate in the battle People, we must support it, we cannot draw troops from Ismail, send someone to report to the Austrians first.

General Johann Martin von Elmpter How many troops are at our disposal at present.Alexander asked Johann Martin von Elmpter.

Your Highness, the only thing we can use at the moment is your Guards, and less than half of them have been mobilized.Johann Martin von Elmpter reported to Alexander.

How could there be less than 1 people left to transfer.Alexander wondered.

Your Highness, since we set off from Yekaterinoslav, we have lost more than 8000 people.

In addition, we not only besieged Galati and Ismail with our troops, but also sent 1 people to Iasi.This makes our current military strength tight.Johann Martin von Elmpter explained to Alexander the deployment and loss of troops in detail.

Well, John, go out and send the order, let the guards who can be dispatched come out from behind the camp, let Ivanov and Mikhail lead them to Tuluchesti before dark, I will After dark, go to Tuluchesti and lead them to Tekuchi via Pekea and Kudarbi, by the way, let them go out to Tekuchi while reporting to the Austrians The south bank is defended and awaits the arrival of our army there.

Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunsky gave the order with a final word.

Johann Martin von Elmp sent his guards to convey to Ivanov Melkisek Andronikashvili and Mikhail Romanovich Vorontsov Order.

The four continued to study the battle situation.

Marshal, do you want to fight in person?This won't work, let me do it.

Let you come, after joining the Austrian army, will you command or which Josiah of Coburg will command.

A dispute began between Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski and Johann Martin von Elmp.

One is that the other party is too young. After the rendezvous, can he get the command from the Austrian general?
The other felt that it was a bit too hasty for the marshal to go out to fight in person, and it would be better to go by himself.

Prince Alexander and Gula Ivanovich Saltykov belonged to the kind who couldn't get in their mouths at all.

After a while, the two heard Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunaiski say: General Johann Martin von Elmp, I order you to stay in Canada as Marshal of the Russian Empire. Ratz, and shoulder the responsibility to deal with the situation after the defeat of Foksani.

Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski patted Johann Martin von Elmp on the shoulder and continued: If I am defeated, retreat before the Turkish reinforcements arrive in Galatz Kajibei, remember to protect Alexander.

Johann Martin von Elmp had no choice but to accept the order of Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski.

Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunaiski continued: Gula, you and Alexander are also staying here. If the situation is corrupt, then take Alexander directly back to St. Petersburg.

Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov asked suspiciously: Isn't there only 3 people, how come it looks like there are 10 people on the opposite side, and the situation is corrupt...

Rumyantsev, don't tell me that Turkey's reinforcements are not limited to these people.

Alexander looked at the map and said based on his own thinking: It is indeed more than 10 people. We have gathered nearly 8 people here, and there are allies from Austria. If I guess correctly, there should be no less than [-] people behind. Human Turkish reinforcements, after all, once Galatz is broken, no one can stop us on our way to Constantinople.

Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunaiski nodded and said: "Alexander is right. If we conquer Galatz, only the Turkish army can stop us. Now the Turkish sultan will attack in large numbers." The army was also sent out, which means that the Turks blocked us here with the fortifications and troops of Galati and Ismail.Well, it's almost time, and I should go.

Having finished speaking, Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunsky adjusted his military uniform, opened the curtain and went out.

The three of them watched the figure of Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zaduneski gradually disappear into the wind and snow.

After a while, Johann Martin von Elmp also went out to start arranging the evening's defense.

Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov sighed and said: Alexander, you should pack your personal belongings first. If the situation becomes corrupt, I must take you out of the battlefield as soon as possible and go back to St. Petersburg.

Alexander nodded and went to pack his personal belongings, while Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov stared at the map for a few moments before going out to find Johann Martin von Elmp , requiring at least 1000 Cossack cavalry to be on standby at any time.

In this way, the remaining soldiers of the battalion began to move, and continued until the sun set.

A Russian army of tens of thousands entered the barracks under the city of Galaci.

Alexander, reinforcements, our reinforcements are coming.Prince Gula Ivan Novich Saltykov opened the tent and came to Alexander and said.

When Alexander heard Gula say that reinforcements were coming, he was about to ask who was leading the army, Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov said directly.

It was Suvorov, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov came, and he brought a regiment of guards.

Before Alexander could say anything, the curtain of the tent was lifted by someone outside with one hand, and the person who lifted the curtain said: Haha, my dear student, let me love you, teacher.

After finishing speaking, he quickly walked up to Alexander and pinched Alexander's face with his hands.

My dear student, I heard from Potemkin that I cannot enter Turkey because of your siege speed, is that right?
After speaking, he stared at Alexander.

Alexander nodded with difficulty and said: Yes, but my siege did not cause too many casualties, so I consider it a success.

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov saw that Alexander did not speak, and suddenly pulled Alexander into his arms and said: Alexander, you did a good job.

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov let go of his hands and asked the people around him: "Pyotr Alexandrovich Rumyantsev Zadunaisky, that reckless man, why didn't he come out to meet me?"

Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov stepped forward and said: Suvorov, in the morning, we have gathered information from all parties, and we believe that the Turkish reinforcements and the Garati defenders who left the city will go to Adelaide After defeating the Austrian army, half of Alexander's guards were squeezed out, and Rumyantsev took people to support the Austrians...
Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov interrupted Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov as soon as he heard it: How can it be impossible to squeeze out a complete army, a full 10 People, even if they lost some in the siege, it is not impossible to squeeze out a complete army. After all, where did you divide the soldiers?

Well, Suvorov, 1 people are in Iasi, and 8 people are in Ismail and here.Prince Gula Ivanovich Saltykov truthfully reported the distribution of all troops to Suvorov.

Iasi is still in the hands of Turkey?The Austrians didn't shoot down?What about 1 people?Suvorov posed three questions.

Alexander said: At that time, the partial division hit Chisinau, and Potemkin asked to withdraw his troops and join us, and handed over Iasi to the Austrians to solve it, but the Austrians failed to capture them, so they prepared to join us in Galati , the remaining 1 people either died in the siege, or died in the field. Especially after the storming of Kajibei, many wounded died of their injuries.

Suvorov breathed a sigh of relief and continued to ask: How many Turkish reinforcements are there, how many are there in Galati, and where are the Turkish reinforcements stationed.

Johann Martin von Elmp said: Marshal Suvorov, Turkish reinforcements. According to the scouts on the south bank, there will be no less than 10 Turkish reinforcements, and only 3 have arrived. Shani was stationed, and Marshal Rumyantsev meant to swallow the 3 Turkish reinforcements first, and then storm Galatz to the south bank.

Galati still has 2 defenders, and Ismail still has 1 defenders.

Suvorov sighed and said: Well, since you want to fight, you should be more courageous and directly kill the Turkish reinforcements who came to support. This reinforcement of 3 people should be the bait thrown out. If I am not wrong, The rest of the Turkish reinforcements must be near Foksani. Once the war begins in Foksani, the rest of the Turkish reinforcements will definitely rush to Foksani. Rumyantsev wants to fight the Turks there. Isn’t it Teku? strange.The only place suitable for forming formations is here.

Gregory, please send the Augustus Guards left by the ruler and the Volga Guards I brought, and make the two guards ready to go immediately. General John, I will trouble you to take care of the camp.

Grigory Andreevich Repnin and Johann Martin von Elmp took orders.

Alexander, let's go, go to the front line with me to see the soldiers fighting.

Suvorov extended an invitation to Alexander, and Alexander nodded in agreement.

(End of this chapter)