United States or Peru ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
He himself was still in a very suffering condition, and made over the command to Rehnskold, a valiant soldier but a doubtful leader, for he did not possess the army's confidence, and, according to Lundblad, "hid his lack of knowledge and strategical powers under gloomy looks and a fierce expression."
Field Marshal Rehnskold, Piper the chancellor, with all his subordinates, over one hundred fifty officers, and two thousand soldiers fell into the victor's hands. The Russians' joy was so extreme that they forgot to pursue the retreating enemy. Their first impulse was to sit down and banquet.
All Rehnskold did was to rage and swear at everyone. Peter, meanwhile, neglected nothing likely to insure success. This stratagem, however, completely failed. In the very beginning of the battle, Rehnskold fell on the regiment, and cut it to pieces. The Russian centre was confided to Sheremetief, the right wing to General Ronne, the left to Menshikoff.
His best generals, Rehnskold and Gyllenkrook, his chancellor Piper, and Mazeppa himself were against any prolongation of the siege, which promised to be a long one. "If God were to send down one of his angels," he said, "to induce me to follow your advice, I would not listen to him!"
Word Of The Day