PICTURE GALLERY "RUSSIAN CAMPAIGN OF 1812"

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The Leib-Guards Izmailovsky Regiment In The Borodino Battle (The picture by Kotsebu) The Leib-Guards Izmailovsky regiment in the beginning of the Borodino battle was in the main reserve together with the Leib-Guards Litovsky regiment. Then these both regiment were sent by Kutuzov to the left wing of the Russian army. When the Guards regimetns were on march they got under the terrible fire of the French artillery, but it could not stop their moving even for a moment. In full order they reached the left flank and took their positions continuing to stand the heavy artillery fire. But at that time Napoleon committed to action the huge mass of cavalry to turn the Russian left wing and cut it off from the main forces. And the Cavalry Corps of Latour-Mobourg and Nansouty charged at the Russian Guards Infantry regiments. It was the splendid and grandiose picture, even Napoleon himself admired it and exclaimed : "ils y vont! ils y vont!". But the well-known Napoleonic "iron men" met with strong resistance. When the French cavalry attack began the Izmailovsky regiment was formed into square. The thick squares stayed still and silent waiting for the French cuirassiers. They met them with the mortal fire and then contiued to fight with the bayonet. And so they could repulse three fierce enemy attack under the terrible artillery fire of the French batteries.