Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796

The Jaeger Company has already set off and is waiting for the arrival of Marshal Suvorov at the original "Gatchina Army" barracks near Gatchina.

The equipment and supplies of this unit are different from other units, especially the issue of new rifles. The hunting companies of each musketry regiment do not have such problems, and even the Guards hunting battalions do not have such problems.

Their ammunition was to be sent regularly, and operations from Tula began before the mobilization. Anyway, the appearance looks no different from an ordinary gunpowder bag. As long as there is no copper primer, it can still be used for general use.

Marshal Suvorov in Konchanskoye was actually prepared. But he still wore his shirt and waistcoat all day long, adhering to a daily schedule at home, just like he often did a few years ago.

Before lunch time, he received an urgent letter from Paul, who sent his adjutant Tolbukhin. The content of the letter was also very simple.

"Count Alexander Vasilyevich! It is not yet time for us to settle scores. God will forgive the guilty. The Roman Emperor asks you to become the commander of his army and entrusts the fate of Austria and Italy to you..."

Anyway, the two of them just looked at each other and expressed their opinions in letters, sometimes with thorns.

The old marshal also quickly made preparations: "Proshka, prepare the car, we are getting ready to go!"

"Sir, I told you that the emperor will never forget you."

"Yes, the emperors of the two countries have entrusted the fate of Austria and Italy to my hands."

Unlike ordinary people who act crazy in front of others, Marshal Suvorov today is particularly serious and serious.

His general entourage, except for the groom, only includes four servants and a doctor. This time he also brought Mr. Antin with him. Although he has not been restored to military status, he can also serve as a secretary at the front.

What really worries Suvorov is that the current military reform of the Russian army has actually cut off a lot of followers who bear staff responsibilities. There are huge problems in the command center system of the entire army.

Fortunately, you can still argue with the Austrians. After a war, you may need to reorganize your troops and pick up those things in the Russian army that were changed and messed up by the Prussian army.

Lacking staff and reconnaissance, what Paul did was more like turning Russia into a large training ground. Some of the Russian army's training measures can be retained.

In addition to these two points, there are also coordination and communication problems among the Russian army. The exercise in Gatchina was completely a show-off. It has an effect on improving the coordination of the army, and problems can be found on a daily basis, so it cannot be called a "show-off". ".

When they arrived at the "Gatchina Barracks", the chasseurs here were already waiting for Suvorov himself. In addition to them, there was also a group of dragoons here.

"Your Excellency, Marshal, the Chasseur Company of the Pavlovsky Grenadier Regiment and the Novgorod Dragoon Regiment are at your disposal."

"Where are the senior officers of the Dragoons?"

"Your Excellency, Marshal, they have set off first, leaving only this company and us on horseback to serve as your escort."

"That's good, Misha. Last time you came to my place, you were on foot. It was like a hound on a horse, or a 'chassis' would be more appropriate."

"If you're on the French side, there's this. But you'd better get in the car first. This is the carriage specially prepared for you by His Majesty. It also has a folding desk on it."

"Your Majesty is still thoughtful. Misha, you can also get in the car. I have something to tell you."

Solovyov dismounted and tried to get into the carriage again.

"Alexander Vasilyevich, His Majesty is in the Gatchina Palace. You still need to see him before departure."

"I know this. You don't need to talk like you are outside in the carriage. But there is one thing to note. We must move quickly. In addition to going to the palace in Gatchina to see the emperor, unless necessary rest and supplies , we don’t have time to rest.”

"Speed ​​is the magic weapon for victory, but when it comes to Vienna, the Austrian emperor may not entrust the entire army to you like our emperor. You know, the Austrians always have their own way."

"Since they invited us, we still have to listen to our opinions. After all, the command of Italy is in my hands, and the young Archduke has some general talents, but it's a pity that he is too cautious."

"But your Excellency, Marshal, you always need to be cautious on the battlefield. After all, it determines the fate of the individual, the fate of the army, and the fate of the country. You cannot gamble."

"Are all young people today so cautious? The young people of our time were like a pack of hungry wolves. Except for your pair of green eyes, you don't look like a wolf at all. You are more like a fox."

Speaking of which, Solovyov is indeed poor in bravery. This is also Suvorov's fault. He has generals but is cautious, which sometimes doesn't work.

Tsar Paul's wait in Gatchina did not last long, both sides knew that at this time, speed was everything.

Even the waiting area is not in the core area of ​​the palace, but in front, where you can see the troops waiting for review outside.

Suvorov saw this army. Although it was not an army that went on an expedition, but a guard that stayed in Petersburg, it was in good shape.

If you just look at the usual military training, it can be said that Paul has used all the screws to create a new army with brand-new equipment. The horses and cannons are the best, but in terms of muskets, Suwo is accompanied by them. Love's company of jaggers is very good, but now the Tula arsenal is busy converting the production of new "Tula rifles" according to the 1796 musket style and the acquired French rifles to provide these more troublesome jaggers with guns. The production sequence is also relatively late.

If Suvorov needs this kind of troops to be dispatched in full, it seems that only the four companies of the Guards Chasseur Battalion can partially meet the requirements. This is because there is still one company that does not have all the guns.

When Paul himself met the old marshal, he directly helped him up and awarded him a knight's diamond necklace of the Knights of Malta and the Knight's Order of St. John of Jerusalem.

"Alexander Vasilyevich, you can come and see the Guardsmen on the parade ground."

Then there was a walking review of the "His Majesty the Emperor's Guards", which is what the General Regiment is now called. Although Suvorov sounded a little uncomfortable, seeing such an army and the legions arriving at the front line all had He couldn't help but admire the warm winter clothes, shiny bayonets and brand-new guns.

"Your Majesty, it is God who is blessing our army!"

"No, it is your responsibility to save the emperor. I entrust the Russian army to Italy to you, Alexander Vasilyevich, the most outstanding commander in Russia. You will lead our army and be invincible on the battlefield!"

The Russian marshal knew that Paul had put aside all his prejudices and must use his full strength when facing the French.

Before setting off, he himself stopped at the altar of the church for a while. It seemed that he had made his final thoughts and prayed to God before deciding to finally set off.

But now Suvorov has nothing to complain about. Since there is no perfect staff system, he can just reorganize one.

In the four days since Solovyov went to his manor, he had already tested the young captain's abilities. At least his response was very fast, which could help him quickly become familiar with the current army organization.

Solovyov felt that there was a lot of pressure. If it were another Russian general, he would not need to do it too fast, he would just get things up when needed. But Suvorov is already thinking about it. route.

“Our full strength on the Italian battlefield on the southern front, including Prince Bagration’s 6th Chasseur Regiment, General Rosenberg’s Moscow Grenadier Regiment, and the Pskov Fusiliers, the commander is Colonel Nesvetayev. The above three regiments and the Butelsky Fusiliers , formed a column, and the remaining Tula Fusiliers, Miroradovich's Absheronsk Fusiliers, Azov Fusiliers and Smolensk Fusiliers formed a column. In addition, they were drawn joint throwing troops. Grenadier Battalion and Nizovsky Fusiliers.”

"Well, that's very good. Did you forget to include your own company and cavalry?"

"Yes, Alexander Vasilyevich. On the battlefield, it is always necessary to prepare reserves and deploy them to the appropriate places. Marching and fighting are two different things. What is important at this time is to separate and attack together."

"Yes, you lack experience, but you still do things in an orderly manner. I sometimes wonder if you are French."

The old marshal had indeed eaten too much bread and salt, which meant that he didn't know that such a thing as a "traveler" could appear in this place. Otherwise, he would have guessed it. After all, he was the real native.

"I'm not French, but according to the organization, there are two columns. We need to coordinate and organize at the same time. On the battlefield, all the troops are put into key places. If necessary, I think we should control the front line at any time. situation.”

"Ha, if I were five years younger, I would do what you say. Not now, I am an old lion, and there will always be young lions coming here. Misha, I hope You are one of the young lions.”

The old marshal still favored him very much, and Solovyov could feel this. Even the initial work of organizing the troops now requires him to organize it in the carriage.

"Speaking of which, this carriage is not that bumpy. I think something must have been added to it."

"Perhaps it's the spring that plays a role. Your Excellency, Marshal, this is a new carriage made by the emperor's order. He is also worried about your bumpy road."

"You can have a good sleep this way. If you use a carriage, it would be more suitable for Kutuzov. He likes to enjoy it the most."

What he said was that the old marshal was indeed a little tired. He wanted to rest for a while and leave the rest of the work to Solovyov.

At this time, he can think about the problem like an army commander. Although the deployment of the Austrian army is not fully understood, on the Russian side, when a general battle is launched, when taking the lead in attacking from the right wing, the attack must be swift and sharp.

You can have time to think about it all, and you have to estimate how the French do it.

But the Frenchman on the opposite side definitely didn't move that fast. When it came to marching speed, no one could beat the Corsican man.

And there were too many issues to consider, and he couldn't handle them alone.

Until nightfall, the convoy continued to move forward. Although the roads in Russia were mostly muddy, the road from Petersburg south to Minsk was still relatively fast.

Fortunately, Archduke Joseph, who came for a blind date, was not allowed to lead this army. He is good at rear-end construction, but if there is a real war, he will probably be defeated.

The known front-line commanders of the French army, except for the unknown one at the door, are Moreau and MacDonald.

Moreau is a first-line famous goalkeeper. Whoever wins will be able to enter this echelon. As for MacDonald, although this Scotsman will not defect after hearing the folk song of his hometown, it is not necessarily said that he is in the first or second tier among French generals, but he is not comparable to the painters and doctors who became generals before the siege of Toulon.

And what is more worrying is that on the battlefield in southern Germany, if the French take the lead and take the initiative to march towards Bavaria, the coalition forces may still be in a temporary passive position.

In that direction, it depends on the performance of Archduke Karl.

At the same time, Solovyov is also considering a question, that is, when the Russian army is commanding on the front line, what will Suvorov do?

If it is him, what will he do? Although he was only the captain of the Jaegers Company, he was now doing preliminary intelligence analysis, which was actually the work of a staff officer.

In terms of military strategy, Suvorov thought that he was probably just a rookie who was diligent in mastering knowledge, and it would take a long time for him to comprehend, but the time was indeed limited.

This war would definitely be the last expedition of this old marshal. In any case, even if he had not died of illness in 1800, he would have reached the age of complete retirement.

Not everyone can lead the army to war like Radetzky at such an old age, and then win, and then there is a song that can be played quite excitingly by accident.

If everything goes well, their group will arrive in Vienna, the capital of Austria, in mid-March, where they will be received by the Austrian emperor and will meet with General Melas, the commander of the Austrian army, who will go south. There will always be a meeting before the war.

Before he fell asleep, he began to worry about his family, but when he closed his eyes, he was in the Winter Palace again.

One thing Solovyov regretted was that he grabbed a handful of almonds and dried peach pits before falling asleep, and now Louisa was on his mind.

Things always develop in a more dangerous and exciting direction.