Chapter 1223: A Formidable Opponent
Eastern outskirts of Zurich.
Russian Major General Rosenberg reported excitedly to Suvorov, "Marshal, we have repelled the French! Our vanguard has already entered Zurich.
"Clearly, the Austrians severely overestimated the French army's combat strength. Their exchange of fire was decent, but once Zaktsevich launched a bayonet charge, they immediately routed."
Suvorov remained expressionless, spurring his horse toward the city. "Have the soldiers collect as many supplies as possible."
Rosenberg hurried to catch up. "I thought this news would please you."
Suvorov glanced back at him. "Do you truly believe the French have been defeated?"
"Yes, I oversaw the entire command..."
"They merely wanted you to think so," the Russian commander stated. "We must reach the vicinity of Glarus to rescue those 70,000 Prussians.
"The French likely just want us to advance more quickly. I'd wager they are waiting for us somewhere along the way."
"As expected," Suvorov nodded, then asked, "What about the Swiss delegates?"
"Most have fled, Marshal."
"Then help them establish a new parliament," Suvorov declared. "We must make good use of this capital."
As the battle against the French defending Zurich had been relatively easy, the main Russian force continued its advance southwest the next morning.
Meanwhile, the newly "elected" members of the Swiss Confederation parliament were swearing their oaths of office under the watchful eyes of Russian soldiers.
The first resolution passed by the new federal parliament was to declare Switzerland's entry into the Anti-French Coalition and to demand that all cantonal councils provide full support to the Coalition Forces.
At the town of Schlieren, west of Zurich, inside the temporary Russian command post, a staff officer read reconnaissance reports to Suvorov, item by item: "No enemy forces detected in Adliswil. None in Thalwil... None in Horgen..."
After he put away all the reports, Suvorov immediately circled the town of Wädenswil on the map with a pencil. "Then it must be here," he declared.
"Yes, indeed a good spot. If we were to proceed directly to Schwyz, our flanks would certainly be exposed to French attacks."
He set down the pencil and told the staff officer, "The mountains near the Reuss River still need a thorough search."
"Yes, Marshal."
Two days later.
Aside from 4,000 Russian troops left to secure supply lines, Suvorov's main force had arrived some ten kilometers west of Wädenswil.
Their destination, Schwyz, lay directly to the south, while Lake Zurich and Lake Lucerne here formed a narrow strip less than 10 kilometers wide.
Wädenswil, meanwhile, lay to the southeast, bordering Lake Zurich.
A rough-skinned Russian officer rode his horse up beside Suvorov, asking, "Marshal, should we establish a picket line near Wädenswil?"
"Certainly not," Suvorov replied. He turned and gestured to the Lieutenant General beside him. "General Rosenberg, prepare your corps and, supported by 4,000 Cossack Cavalry, assault Wädenswil. Be careful to conceal your movements."
Ignoring the stunned expressions of his subordinates, he continued to issue orders to the other officers:
"General Gorchakov, before the main attack begins, launch a feint from the northern side of Lake Zurich to draw the enemy's attention. After disengaging, pay close attention to reconnaissance to the west.
"General Vorotov will swing around to the north of Schwyz and secure the passes there, ensuring the Prussian army meets no resistance."
Finally, he looked at Colonel Weyrother, the staff officer sent by Austria. "Please contact General Blücher and instruct him to lead his troops toward Schwyz. If the advance goes smoothly, join the battle immediately."
The Prussian forces, currently in Altdorf, were almost directly south of Schwyz. The straight-line distance was only about 15 kilometers, but mountains lay between them. To reach Schwyz, they would have to travel by boat around Senne Lake. This would require troops to meet them on the northern shore of Senne Lake, so the Prussian forces wouldn't be ambushed upon landing.
Suvorov clapped his hands and declared loudly, "Aggressive offense is always the best strategy, no matter the circumstances. We must never allow the enemy to seize the initiative on the battlefield.
"Now, go and teach the French a lesson."
The Russian generals departed, acknowledging their orders. None of them, however, noticed that Suvorov had dispatched only 30,000 soldiers, while over 24,000 remained in the rear.
At half past ten in the morning, thousands of Russian troops suddenly emerged northwest of Wädenswil, launching an attack on the town.
Sérurier, hidden south of the town, felt a jolt of alarm upon hearing the cavalry's report. 'According to General Masséna's deployment, he was supposed to launch a surprise attack from the flank and rear of the main Russian force as it advanced toward Schwyz, and then tie them down.'
'Masséna's Legion would then set out from south of Volhynia to flank the Russians.'
'At the same time, they were to block the Russian retreat route to the north.'
'Hussars had reported to him yesterday that the main Russian force was still over ten kilometers to the west. How could they suddenly be attacking Wädenswil?'
Soon, large numbers of Cossack Cavalry appeared all around. Sérurier's heart sank. 'The Russians must have discovered his position.'
He immediately dispatched a messenger to General Masséna, then ordered his right-flank infantry brigade to turn at once and intercept the Russians, while his entire army consolidated westward.
Heavy artillery fire soon erupted from the northwest, but as Sérurier's main force approached Wädenswil, the sounds of engagement gradually faded.
Sérurier, with his extensive command experience, immediately sensed something was amiss. He hastily ordered an expansion of reconnaissance, and decisively abandoned the ambush plan, repositioning his forces to engage in a frontal battle, using Wädenswil as a strongpoint.
No sooner had he completed his new battle deployment than nearly 20,000 Russian troops assailed him from the south, with a large number of cavalry hovering on his left flank.
Sérurier knew the Russian army numbered 60,000 in total, and Suvorov's main force could appear from anywhere at any moment.
He, however, commanded only 25,000 soldiers, and was at a disadvantage from the outset.
'He had to hold his ground with all his might. General Masséna would arrive in a day and a half.'
'Then, with 56,000 troops combined, they would use a pincer movement to annihilate the Russian army.'
Under Sérurier's focused command, and bolstered by the formidable French firepower, the Russians found no opportune moment to strike.
Finally, around four o'clock in the afternoon, the Russian offensive began to weaken.
This allowed Sérurier to finally breathe a sigh of relief.
What he failed to notice, however, was that the enemy forces currently engaging him numbered fewer than 6,000, and the Cossacks on his flank had long since withdrawn.
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