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It was like a successfully arranged surprise. Mention was made in Kutuzov's report of the Russian losses, among which figured the names of Tuchkov, Bagration, and Kutaysov. In the Petersburg world this sad side of the affair again involuntarily centered round a single incident: Kutaysov's death. Everybody knew him, the Emperor liked him, and he was young and interesting.
That day everyone met with the words: "What a wonderful coincidence! Just during the service. But what a loss Kutaysov is! How sorry I am!" "What did I tell about Kutuzov?" Prince Vasili now said with a prophet's pride. "I always said he was the only man capable of defeating Napoleon." But next day no news arrived from the army and the public mood grew anxious.
This point of view was reflected in the report of Count Kutaysov, who had been sent by the Tzar to South Russia to inquire into the causes of the "disorders." Ignatyev seized upon this flimsy theory, and embodied it in a more elaborate form in his report to the Tzar of August 22.
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