The defeat of the Turkish army at Kagul
D. Bantysh-Kamensky
245 years ago, 21 July (1 August) 1770, a decisive battle took place on the Cahul River. The Russian army under the command of P. A. Rumyantsev, which consisted of no more than 32 thousand people, utterly defeated the Ottoman army of Khalil Pasha with a population of 150 thousand people. The victory at Cahul was of strategic importance, the Ottoman army was no longer able to recover and lost the 1770 campaign of the year.
The position of the parties before the battle
The Grand Vizier Ivazzade Khalil-Pasha, having received news of the defeat of the Crimean Khan Kaplan-Girey, did not lose heart, retaining confidence in his forces. Khalil Pasha gathered a military council, at which it was decided to force the Danube and attack the Russian army. In addition, the Crimean Khan sent several prisoners to the Vizier’s camp and reported that the Russian army was experiencing an acute shortage of food. Crimean Khan Kaplan-Giray, seeking to raise his authority after the defeats at Ryaba Tomb and Larga, argued that the moment to strike at the Russians was the most advantageous. He promised to strike the rear of the Russian troops when the Grand Vizier launched an attack from the front. Huge masses of the Turkish and Tatar cavalry were to crush and completely destroy the small Russian army. The testimony of the prisoners about the comparatively small number of the Rumyantsev army and the food shortage increased the confidence of the Ottoman command in their forces. As a reward, the grand vizier presented to each of our fur coats. Sultan warriors and their commanders vowed not to retreat until they defeated the "infidels."
Ottoman 150-th. The army (according to other sources - 80 thousand soldiers) crossed the river. The army consisted of 50 thousand infantry and 100 thousand cavalry recruited from Anatolia, Rumelia and other places where it was famous for its art. The Ottomans were confident that they would crush the "infidels." Revaluation of their forces was an old mistake of the Turkish army. The army of the Crimean Khan also recovered from the defeats and was even replenished - to 80-100 thousand people. The Tatar cavalry settled down on the left side of the Yalpug Lake (Yalpukh) and was preparing to cross the Salchu (a tributary of the Yalpug River) to attack the wagons of the Russian army that moved along this river and the transport coming from Falch.
17 (28) of June Rumyantsev, wanting to prevent the connection of the army of the Grand Vizier with the Khan's cavalry, crossed the river Kagul and set up his army near the village of Grecheni. To cover the stores and to ensure the movement of carts with 10-day supply of food, which came from Falch, he sent a detachment of General Glebov with 4 grenadier battalions, part of the regular and irregular cavalry. To cover the main forces of the army from Yalpukh, Potemkin and Gudovich detachments were sent there. As a result, the main forces of the army, weakened by the detachment of these detachments, numbered only about 17 thousand bayonets and several thousand regular and irregular cavalry. The artillery park consisted of 118 guns (according to other data - 106 regimental and 149 field guns). In total, the Russian army, together with individual detachments that did not take part in the battle, numbered about 30 thousand people (along with irregular cavalry).
20 (31) July, the army of the Grand Vizier approached the Russian army and was located 6 versts from it, on the southern side of the ancient Traian shaft and the left side of r. Cahul The Grand Vizier Khalil Pasha wanted to take advantage of the fact that the Russians did not retreat and surround and defeat the army of Rumyantsev, using a huge advantage in forces. To solve this problem, he wanted to attack the army of Rumyantsev from the front, leaving the main forces on the left wing, trying to press the Russians against the Kagul River. At the sound of shots, the Crimean Khan had to cross the Salchu River and hit the rear of the Russian army with all his own forces, completing its destruction. The attack was scheduled for July 21 (August 1).
If Rumyantsev had a less decisive commander in place, he could get out of a dangerous situation, retreat to Falchi, and, having provided himself with food, wait for the enemy to attack at a more comfortable position. And failing there, it was possible to retreat to join the 2 army and regroup the troops. So should act according to European rules. After all, the enemy had overwhelming superiority. The situation was really difficult: the Russian army was in an uncomfortable place for a fight, Cagul and Yalpug on the right and left prevented free movement; food remained for several days, that is, it was impossible to wait; 150 thousand Turks stood in front of the front, 80-100 thousand Tatars threatened from the rear. But Rumyantsev remained true to his rule: “not to demolish the presence of the enemy, without attacking him”.
D. Chodovetsky. "Battle of Kagul"
Battle
Rumyantsev decided to get ahead of the enemy, not to let him impose his battle, taking advantage of the number and the huge masses of fast cavalry. It was necessary to seize the initiative and stun the enemy. Rumyantsev wanted to smash the vizier before the Tatars had time to come to his aid. On July 21 (August 1), at one o'clock in the morning, the Russian army entered from the camp and moved in several columns to Trajanov Val.
Infantry columns, approaching the enemy, were to be reconstructed in five squares of various sizes. The largest was the square of the Olitz division, built in the shape of a rectangle and located in the center of the battle formation of the Russian army. To his right was the Plemyannikov square, on the right flank, the Baur square. Leve Olitsa - Bruce's square, on the left flank - Repnin's square. Each car had a small reserve. The cavalry was placed between the infantry, artillery - in the corners and faces of all four of them. Rumyantsev himself was in the square of Olic.
Quartermaster-General Baur was instructed to attack the enemy’s left wing, which was located near Cahul. Nephews and Olitz attacked the center of the Turkish army, General Bruce - the right wing. Prince Repnin had to take more left and go around the right wing of the Ottoman army. In the main vehicle there were about 6 thousand soldiers, in others up to 3 thousand people.
As the troops did not try to go noiselessly, but nevertheless thousands of infantrymen marched to the Trayanov Val on the steppe and rode thousands of horsemen. Sometimes someone stumbled and, unable to stand, cursed in low voices, thundered weapon. More than a hundred guns rattled over the stone potholes. In the beginning, it seemed that the Ottomans did not hear anything. True, once in their camp, a gratuitous firing suddenly began. Apparently, the protection seemed that they see Russian intelligence. But it was a false alarm, soon everything was quiet.
When they approached the ancient fortification, the east was covered up. About two miles to the Ottomans. Our troops lined up in five squares and crossed the Trayanov Val. Our soldiers saw that on the heights adjacent to the Turkish camp, thousands of Turkish horsemen were herding. The Turks, apparently, were also preparing for an offensive. The entire hollow between the crests of the heights was covered by horsemen. It was a very beautiful picture, if not for the closeness of the battle. The Turkish cavalry represented a very motley picture: red, blue, crimson scoops, embroidered with gold, huge turbans, multi-colored trousers, badges, horsetails and the most various weapons, it all moved and worried.
Rumyantsev ordered General Melessino’s main battery to strike the Ottoman camp and cavalry. On a clear morning, cannon shots rang out. The turmoil began in the camp. Turkish spayes (barns, Turkish cavalry) immediately avalanche rushed to the Russians. There was no end in sight to the sea of enemy cavalry. To the thunder of guns was added the tramp of thousands of horses and the raging battle cry of the horsemen.
The Russian squares stopped to take the blow of the enemy. They stood motionless, a formidable wall of bristling steel of bayonets. Thousands of Ottoman riders clung to the Russian division. Kars Bryusov and Repnina were completely surrounded. The main mass of the Turkish cavalry rushed to the left, weak square of Bruce. Russian soldiers greeted the enemy with rifle and cannon fire. Columns of dust and powder smoke hid everything. Spahi with wild howls rushed to the attack.
But the losses from the gun and rifle firing beat off the Turkish riders to rush the infantry. Then the Turkish cavalry rushed to the small Russian cavalry, which stood between the square and with the support of infantry repelled the attacks of the enemy. From the squad of Bruce and Repnin, Major General Kheraskov with a grenadier battalion and 4 guns was sent to help our cavalry, and Lieutenant Colonel Tolstoy also had a grenadier battalion and two guns. Their successful fire put to flight part of the Ottoman cavalry.
Then the Ottoman cavalry rushed along the hollow on the large square of Olic. Part of the Turkish cavalry attacked from the front, part - from the rear, coming out of the moat at the wall. Then the commander of Rumyantsev ordered to throw into reserve a reserve with guns. Reserve troops opened fire along the moat. At the same time, the main square leaned to the left and began to shell the hollow. The Ottomans were forced to retreat.
Source: Bloodless L.G. Atlas of maps and diagrams on Russian military history
The attacks of the huge mass of Turkish cavalry were successfully repulsed. The Ottoman infantry did not reinforce the cavalry attacks and spats exhausted. They needed time to recover, to gather their courage. At 8 in the morning, our troops approached the Turkish trenches, which occupied tens of thousands of janissaries with 140 guns. Both sides fired heavy artillery fire. However, our artillery concentrated efforts on the necessary sites and won the duel. Many Turkish guns were hit by well-aimed shots of our gunners. The Turks concentrated the fire mainly on the square of Olic and Plemyannikov.
Meanwhile, the squares of Plemyannikov and Olica approached the line of enemy trenches and prepared to attack them. The caret of Plemyannikov stood out somewhat, moving faster than the neighboring square of Olitz. Suddenly, from a hollow running across the trenches, thousands of janissaries rushed with a sabers and scimitars on Plemyannikov's square. They apparently sat in ambush. The attack was so unexpected that the right front car, which comprised the Astrakhan and the first Moscow regiments, was immediately broken. Russian infantrymen did not even have time to give a volley. The Janissaries broke into the middle of the square and overturned some of the regiments that ran to seek salvation in the square of Olitz. Turks, triumphant victory, shouted joyfully.
“Now, it’s our turn,” Rumyantsev calmly told the duke of Brunswick, who was with him, and rode to the upset car. The presence of the commander in chief, who was adored by the soldiers, restored order. Kare Plemyannikova closed ranks. The grenadier regiment of the foreman Ozerov stopped the enemy. Rumyantsev at that time stopped the fleeing soldiers: “Stop, guys! Wait! He shouted. “Fathers and mothers are watching you!” Motherland is looking at you! Stop! ”The soldiers came to their senses, becoming shoulder to shoulder.
Rumyantsev, seeing the misstep of the enemy command, which did not support the successful attack of the Janissaries in time, ordered the cavalry to strike at the Turkish infantry. The Russian cavalry of Saltykov and Dolgorukov hit the Janissaries. The cutting has begun. The infantry of the car of Plemyannikov, angry with embarrassment, fiercely hit the bayonets. Selected Turkish infantry wavered and ran. Russian cuirassiers and carabineers chopped the running Janissaries who were trying to hide in the trenches. Behind them attacked the rangers. They were commanded in this battle by a young officer, M.I. Kutuzov, who distinguished himself in this battle and was promoted to prime minister.
Turkish defense collapsed. Our main forces attacked the trenches from the front. Repnin's squad entered the enemy rear and began to smash it with the fire of its artillery. The first in the enemy camp burst troops Baur. The ranger, scattered between tents, beat Turkish commanders to choose from, increasing the confusion. Panic began in the camp, everyone rushed to run, throwing cannons, weapons and all the good that was available. The battle ended at 1 pm on 3. The victory was complete. The army of the Crimean Khan did not have time to intervene. She retreated to Ishmael, and then Akkerman.
The Baur Corps, reinforced by one infantry regiment and two grenadier battalions, pursued the enemy as far as the Danube itself and captured many prisoners and trophies. July 22 (August 2) the troops of Baura captured the old Ottoman camp, located 20 versts from the place of the general battle. On July 23 (August 3), the Baur corps reached Kartal, where defeated Ottoman troops were transported to the other side of the Danube. Although the Turks had many ships at their disposal, there was a complete mess at the place of crossing. Baur, seeing the collapse in the camp of the enemy, built a building and attacked the Ottomans. The Ottomans suffered another defeat. Our troops captured the entire wagon train, an artillery battery in the 30 guns, and more than a thousand prisoners. The Grand Vizier fled to Ishmael.
Results
The victory was brilliant. The losses of the Ottoman troops, according to the most moderate data, extended to 20 thousand people. Russian trophies were 140 guns and 60 banners. Russian troops captured a huge wagon train and Ottoman camps with all the supplies and equipment. Russian losses did not exceed 1000 people.
The success of Rumyantsev was admired by his contemporaries. Empress Catherine II noted in her rescript: “Your one word“ stop! ”Paved the way for new glory, because at that time it was hardly heard that in some people the same people would once again be formed by the same people and in the same place , in view of the enemy, and so that at that very hour, going forward, he had participation in the victory. " The Empress rewarded the General-in-Chief of Count Peter Alexandrovich Rumyantsev with the Order of Saint. George 1 degree. 2 August Catherine raised Rumyantsev to the rank of Field Marshal. In honor of the brilliant victory, the medal "For the Victory at Cahul" was minted. More than 18 of thousands of soldiers and non-commissioned officers were awarded with a medal.
This victory was of strategic importance. The Ottoman army was crushed and scattered, it could no longer in the 1770 year to prevent the Russian offensive and the seizure of fortresses. July 26 (August 6) Repnin's corps took Ishmael, after which he moved on, successively seizing the strongholds left at the disposal of the Turks on the Lower Danube. August 19 Russian troops took Kilius, September 28 - Akkerman, November 9 - Brailov. 14 November Gudovich re-entered Bucharest. The 2 Army, with the support of the troops of the 1 Army, September 16 (27) took Bender. The 1770 campaign of the year ended with the complete success of the Russian army.
- Alexander Samsonov
- Brilliant victories of the Russian army under the leadership of P. A. Rumyantsev over the Turkish-Tatar troops: the battles at Ryaba Mohyla and Larga
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