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The
Battle of
Borodino: Reports
By Alexander Mikaberidze
Mikhail Kutuzov to Emperor Alexander, 27 August [8 September] 1812,
from the position at Borodino
After my earlier report that the enemy attacked with considerable
forces the left flank of my army on 24 August [5 September], the day
of 25 August [6 September] passed without any significant incidents.
However, yesterday [7 September], taking advantage of a morning fog,
at dawn around 4 a.m., the enemy directed all his forces against the
left flank of our army. A general battle ensued and continued under
the nightfall. The losses are enormous on both sides. The enemy casualties,
judging from his resolute attacks on our fortified positions, must
have exceeded our losses. The troops of Your Imperial Majesty fought
with incredible gallantry. The batteries changed hands repeatedly but
the battles ended with the enemy failing to gain even a single step
of the ground in spite of his numerical superiority
Your Imperial Majesty will agree that after this bloodiest battle,
which continued for 15 hours, both our and enemy armies could not but
become disordered and due to the losses suffered this day, the position,
earlier occupied [by the army] now became too vast and inappropriate
[for the remaining forces.] Therefore, when our goal is not claim glory
in winning battles but rather to gain complete destruction of the French
army, I, having spent the night on the battle field, decided to retreat
six versts to a new position behind Mozhaisk, where, having rallied
my troops and replenished my artillery and the Moscow opolchenye and
remain hopeful in the help from the Lord and trusting the incredible
courage of our troops, I will determine my next actions against the
enemy.
Sadly, Prince Peter Ivanovich Bagration was wounded by a bullet to
his left leg. Lieutenant Generals [Nikolai] Tuchkov and Prince [Andrei]
Gorchakov, Major Generals [Nikolai and Aleksei] Bakhmetyevs, Count
[Mikhail] Vorontsov and [Nikolai] Kretov are wounded. The enemy lost
men, cannons and one brigadier general captured. It is already late
at night and I cannot determine the exact losses on our side.
Placed on the Napoleon Series: June 2007
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