Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XIII. Reign of Charles XII, 1697–1718 - E. War with Russia Continued
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War with Russia 227
Charles and ably defended by Adam Lewenhaupt, who
was now ordered by Charles to join the main army
with his troops and supplies. Charles also counted on
Polish auxiliaries under Stanislaus.
Peter’s Plan of Defense. It soon became evident that
it was impossible to march directly against Moscow,
for the Russians burned their cities and crops through-
out large districts so that the horizon around the Swed-
ish army seemed to be one great blaze. Peter’s plan
was to fall back inch by inch, devastate the country,
destroy bridges, and in every way wear out the enemy,
and never allow himself to be drawn into battle with
the best army of that day, for then all might be lost in
a single hour. Southward lay a fertile land open to
Charles, from which section, too, were good marching
roads to Moscow. Here he would await Lewenhaupt.
He had learned from scouts that the general was not
far away. But it soon became apparent that these re-
ports were false. Lewenhaupt had not advanced as far
as was reported. But it was now too late to go to his
assistance.
Lewenhaupt’s Misfortunes. Lewenhaupt’s army
made but slow progress over roads made almost im-
passable by heavy fall rains. The long baggage train
carrying supplies for the main army detained him as
did also the obstinacy of some of his subordinates.
Shortly after crossing the Dnieper he was attacked by
superior Russian forces, who were repulsed again and
again, but at great cost. To escape from the enemy
he was at length compelled to leave his artillery and
supplies behind. After untold hardships he finally
reached the king’s army, but with only half of his
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