Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Chapter 546 058 This time it is a fair battle (Part )

If the cavalry were to move, it would indeed be difficult to stop them, especially when the Swedish infantry had already wavered.

The Russian side has fewer people, especially the infantry formation, which can only use two horizontal rows to maintain the formation, making themselves look more numerous and increasing firepower in some areas.

The problem is that the Russian army has always had a third row of auxiliary bullets for loading, but it is no longer available. However, it is not without a way to reload quickly. Hitting the ground with the butt of the gun can effectively improve the loading efficiency.

The situation of the Pavlovsk Regiment was that it was far away in the second line and did not join the battle.

Solovyov still maintained a relatively cautious attitude. This regiment would be needed in future big battles. It would be fine if the first battle had to be won quickly, but this time it really had to be used sparingly.

Even when someone suggested that the Russian reserve troops could take advantage of the higher terrain to launch projectiles, he did not agree.

After all, the average cultural level of the infantry is just that.

And it was not necessary. Seven cavalry regiments attacked from both sides together, and there were two powerful forces of regular cavalry and nomadic cavalry serving one person. This blessing was not small.

As for what the outcome will be, they themselves naturally know it clearly.

The Russian army now began to counterattack on all fronts. The bayonet charge mentioned earlier that was not allowed would not be carried out even if Solovyov had the order online.

As the Russian troops rushed to within ten steps, they launched bayonet charges while shouting "Ura" in the smoke of the crossfire. The scene was still very shocking.

Although the Swedish army had fought against the Russian army last year, and generals like Sanders had experienced the Russian army's "Ura", there was an important problem: Sanders won, while others had hardly ever won a large-scale battle.

However, many of Amfeldt's men had never experienced such a situation before, and many of his troops were still mostly new recruits. Although they had expanded their strength, they had also recruited soldiers from Sweden since the second half of 1808. Therefore, some infantry regiments that usually had only one or two battalions had expanded.
The Russian soldiers shouting "Ura" at this time was a devastating blow to the morale of the new recruits. It was not like the French recruits had an emperor standing behind them and there were old soldiers around them to cheer them up and set an example.

But it was much better than the previous battle. At least the Swedish army reorganized and put up some resistance before retreating into the city.

However, because the Russian army charged too fiercely, these troops were quickly defeated. The Russian army's charge formation turned into a wave-like shape, like a rolling wave of people in winter.

"At times like this, it still feels wonderful. Carl, it's time to advance on all fronts. It would be best if the enemy is trapped in the city so that we can send envoys to persuade them to surrender."

"Still the old way?"

"I have already told Menglik that we should let the Kalmyks play the villains and burn down several villages emptied by the Swedes. Even if there is no killing, it will still create a terrifying atmosphere."

“You can be very bad sometimes.”

"There's no other way. To achieve victory, you have to pay a low price. Sometimes you just have to scare people."

The Russian attack continued, and the Swedish resistance was getting weaker and weaker. The cavalry on both sides were scattered to nowhere, the artillery also abandoned their cannons, and the infantry behind was overwhelmed by the infantry in front. This was very embarrassing.

Armfelt was still in shock at this time, but it was not because he lacked courage. He had the guts to be intimate with the young and beautiful unmarried duchess and even got her pregnant. How could he be considered as extremely bold?

The problem was that the Swedish army collapsed too quickly. This time it was still good. The Russian army's progress in the morning was the result of the cavalry artillery taking the initiative to attack and defeating the cavalry on one side of the Swedish army.

Otherwise, according to the current situation, it would at least be a minor defeat that could be sustained until dark. If the army could be organized to retreat into the city in an orderly manner, at least a stalemate could be maintained.

However, facts always slap one in the face. The problem is that the Swedish army's current performance is too poor. When facing the Russian army, it is often defeated.

Solovyov did not realize that he was so strong. He led a well-selected army and won two consecutive battles with only minor losses on his side.

It seems that his previous opponents were too strong. Even the ambush that made him famous was a strategy. The cuirassiers attacked the Polish army from behind, and the opponent's resistance was somewhat pretentious.

Fighting against the Swedish army is just like a player coming out of a monster room and refreshing his starter village. Too many victories like this will probably make people proud and complacent. But it also illustrates one point: lazy people probably won't fight Germans and Swedes. The old duke's statement deserves a separate note.

When night fell, the Swedes retreated back into the city, but Mahamu and Menglik rode over and asked what to do next.

"Count, we have driven the enemies back into the city. They are now like panicked rabbits waiting for the eagle to pounce on them, which is the final judgment. Do you want to issue an order for us to attack the city overnight or set it on fire?"

"Don't be anxious, the two of you. If we attack the city now, our soldiers will suffer casualties, which is not worth the loss. Setting fire to the city is fine."

"If we set fire, what do you think we should do?"

"Mahamu, you people from Crimea may be different from these Kalmyks. Menglik, do you know how to burn those tents?"

"That's natural, although we have rarely fought directly with other tribes in recent years."

"Mahamu, do you still remember how the Khanates after Jochi Ulus burned down the cities?"

"Of course, I also know about the fire in Moscow that caused the explosion of the ammunition depot."

"It's better to let these German commanders know about this. If the Russian soldiers find out, it will have a bad impact."

"I know that, Count Bartel. It only takes a word from you."

"I don't want to set fire to it. After all, Uppsala University is the university where Mr. Linnaeus, the founder of taxonomy, taught during his lifetime. But we need to protect it."

"It doesn't matter. There's a river between us. If the fire isn't strong, nothing will happen."

Although some people said so, Solovyov was still very cautious. He only asked the Kalmyks to set fire to some villages and did not let the fire enter the city.

After all, a relatively complete Uppsala can also provide support for the army's operations. The Russian army will need to use this place no matter which direction it goes in the future. Moreover, when the ice and snow melt, the sea supply line will not be available for a period of time. At this stage, it is also necessary to replenish supplies in several directions as soon as possible to avoid supply difficulties during that period.

At the same time, supplies also need to be collected from Sweden. The city of Uppsala is naturally suitable as a supply center.

It was obvious that Amfeldt was not convinced by the first wave of envoys he sent. So after the defeat, the Swedish army could still resist by retreating into the city.

However, according to the Swedish army's actions, what they did actually highlighted the Russian army.

Solovyov could not afford to feed so many prisoners, so he left behind a few seriously wounded soldiers and some prisoners who were left to take care of them, and gave the rest of the people dry food and travel expenses and let them go home.

Therefore, rumors that the Russian army had unexpectedly strict military discipline and would not offer large-scale resistance or resort to extreme actions were also spread by these soldiers.

Now let's look at the performance of the Swedish army. If it were the infantrymen who came from the fixed farms, the situation would be better. However, those scattered conscripts have already started looting in the city.

In this situation, even if the Russian troops outside the city used threatening means, they would appear to be much friendlier than the people inside the city.

So the mayor of Uppsala went to discuss with Amfeldt, and his face was obviously worried.

"Sir, we all know that His Majesty's army came here to drive out the Russians, but they have already taken action on the north bank of the river and set fire to the villages outside. In this situation, our soldiers..."

"But I have no other choice. If I had always been in charge of this army, I would have been able to control them. But the recruits now are all vagrants, criminals, and idle hooligans. If they were all like those farm boys, I could still issue orders. Our cavalry is in even worse shape, and they have all run away. If you ask us to leave Uppsala, I do have some ideas."

This was probably all he could do. It was impossible to stop the looting, but he could retreat.

Therefore, Armfelt could only apologize to the mayor.

If these plague gods want to escape, the Swedish soldiers naturally need to leave on their own.

The population of the city at this time was less than 40,000, so there was naturally nothing for the defeated soldiers to plunder. However, those military supply warehouses might be more important.

The food and ammunition inside naturally became the main targets of looting by these Swedish soldiers.

Solovyov did not expect that someone would set fire to the city at this time, but because he wanted to conserve the strength of his soldiers, he was relatively cautious and did not launch an immediate advance, but waited near the ancient castle in the north of the city.

It was not until he saw the torches moving southward, across the river in Uppsala and toward the south bank of the river that he realized the problem.

After all, not everyone can think things through, and opponents like the Swedish army were indeed not something he could have anticipated.

Even though Solovyov was well aware of the French army's movements before, he naturally didn't know that much about an unfamiliar army.

Now, the mayor of Uppsala and representatives of the local nobility suddenly appeared in the tent and presented the keys to the city.

"Who is the commander of the Russian army?"

Solovyov was young, even younger than the regimental commanders under him. The personnel composition of the Finnish division was inverted. The division commander and chief of staff were younger, while the regimental commander was generally older, and there were even some older battalion commanders.
Even when looking at these people, the mayor just made way for the entrance of the tent because the officers were sitting in a semicircle, and even looked at the grenadiers and Tatars, because "Sun God" and Menglik were both older, and the Russian army had precedent of letting Tatars serve as generals.

"It's me, Mr. Mayor. You are now facing the commander of our brave grenadiers and cavalry regiments. I am Count Solovyov, the commander of the Finnish Division, and the general on the side of His Majesty the Emperor. If you have any petition, just tell me directly."

Seeing this, the mayor and the noble representatives also stepped forward.

"I, Baron Eric af Weiterstedt, the mayor of Uppsala, present to you the keys of the city of Uppsala."

By the way, the mayor is 73 years old, but his legs and feet are still quite agile. He has been working in this county and city for 15 years, and he also worked as a surveyor for a long time before that.

Solovyov had great respect for an old civil servant who was older than his father. He stood up and helped him sit down personally.

"Why are you offering the key at this time? Although I saw people retreating from here with torches, we did not achieve complete victory during the day."

"I took the initiative to persuade Baron Armfelt to evacuate. He could not restrain his soldiers from looting, but he could order them to leave. Those who stayed might face severe punishment from you. Young sir, after all, you still have Tatars here, and the Russian army, except for yours, has a bad reputation here."

"That was in the past. Whether it was me or the army led by Prince Bagration, we would restrain our soldiers. You don't have to worry. Even these Kalmyks and the Tatars from Crimea and Astrakhan are honest herdsmen and farmers. They came here with their own cattle and sheep. They will not rob easily."

Having said that, the old baron actually felt a little worried.

"If you say so."

"If you don't trust me, you can sign an agreement here. We are also obliged to protect the safety of Uppsala City, especially since there is Uppsala University here. I have done some research on herbal medicine and I admire Mr. Linnaeus very much. Naturally, I will not destroy the university. Moreover, our soldiers here are not the kind of fools who are so rude as to stab Archimedes in the chest. Although many of them are rough people, they always respect educated people."

"That's good, Count. If you trust me, you can take your entourage and stay in the city tonight. We can arrange accommodation at the university and the city hall."

"That's fine, of course. You are an elder, and I still trust you."

Solovyov did indeed enter the city with only a small entourage, which was something he would only do in a civilized place like Europe.

If he had been at war with the Ottoman Empire or the Persian Empire, he would not have been as credulous as Chitsianov, who ended up being beheaded by the local rat-like Khan of Baku.

It seems that Uppsala is also easy to get, and you can even move in with just a suitcase.

(End of this chapter)