Read an excerpt from a historical document.
“Meanwhile, his royal majesty sent...his lordship General Prince Menshikov,...with some of the cavalry and infantry to Poltava, in order [to help] the enemy troops...attack and the said city from the blockade...to liberate. And [Menshikov] met on the road an enemy reserve corps consisting of 3,000 people, ... who, after a short battle, were shot down and completely beaten and captured. And then his lordship... returned to the main army...
Meanwhile, His Majesty... immediately ordered two lines from our infantry (infantry)... to set out, and left the third behind... And on our side, the right wing of the cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant General Baur... the left wing was commanded by him His Grace Prince Menshikov, since his stay there was most necessary... And [the main forces] were commanded by His Royal Majesty himself<...>and at the same time, Mr. Field Marshal Sheremetev...<...>And everyone in their designated place was controlled with considerable experience of courage and military art... The attack from our troops was carried out with such courage that the entire enemy army fought for half an hour with little damage to our troops<...>was refuted, so that the Swedish infantry did not stop more than once, but without stopping from our swords, baguettes and pikes, they stabbed, and even to the nearby forest ... they were driven and beaten.”
Using the passage and your knowledge of history, choose three true statements from the list given.
Enter the numbers in ascending order.
1) The battle referred to in the report refers to the period of the Seven Years' War.
2) In this battle, the enemy troops were led by Charles XII.
3) Ivan Mazepa was a participant in the events described in the report.
4) The war, to which the battle described in the report refers, ended inconclusively for Russia, without territorial acquisitions.
5) Under the Russian sovereign, to whose reign the battle described in the report relates, a Manifesto on the freedom of the nobility will be adopted.
6) The text notes the large role of A.D. Menshikov in the successful outcome of the battle.
Explanation.
1) The battle mentioned in the report refers to the period of the Seven Years' War - NO, incorrect.
2) In this battle, the enemy troops were led by Charles XII - YES, that’s right, we are talking about the Battle of Poltava in 1709.
3) A participant in the events described in the report was Ivan Mazepa - YES, that’s right, we are talking about the Battle of Poltava in 1709.
4) The war, to which the battle described in the report refers, ended inconclusively for Russia, without territorial acquisitions - NO, incorrect.
5) Under the Russian sovereign, to whose reign the battle described in the report relates, the Manifesto on the freedom of the nobility will be adopted - NO, incorrect.
6) The text notes the great role of A.D. Menshikov in the successful outcome of the battle - YES, that’s right, we are talking about the Battle of Poltava in 1709.
However, he, in his usual fiery courage, forestalled us in this, and on the 27th, very early in the morning, when it was still dark, from the defiles, in which he had his entire army in formation all night, on our the cavalry, both with cavalry and with his infantry, attacked with such fury [with fury, frenzy] that although he was driven away many times with great damage from our cavalry and from our redoubts, which he was approaching, he was driven away, but our cavalry, before our They couldn’t help us out with infantry [infantry], but they were forced to give in a little before our retranchement; however, the packs soon stopped and attacked the enemy, and their right wing was completely shot down, and Major General Schlipembach, who commanded that wing, was captured.
Meanwhile, His Royal Majesty [Peter I] sent his lordship General Prince Menshikov and with him Lieutenant General Renzel with some of the cavalry and infantry to Poltava, so that even in the face of the enemy the troops would march, also in the trenches [trenches, fortifications] of the remaining enemy Major General Rose with enemy troops to attack and free the said city from the blockade. And the above-mentioned His Lordship [A. D. Menshikov] met on the road an enemy reserve corps consisting of 3,000 people, which they placed behind their right wing near the forest, who in a short battle were shot down [crushed] and completely beaten and taken to the fullest.
And then his lordship returned [again] to the main army, and ordered Lieutenant General Renzel to continue the march to Poltava, upon which arrival Major General Rose retreated [retreated] with three former regiments with him into fortresses and trenches made in front of the city from the enemy; but he was attacked there by the aforementioned Lieutenant General Renzel and, due to a brief resistance, was forced with all the former people with him to surrender at his discretion [here: without any preconditions].
Meanwhile, the enemy cavalry retreated from the main army from our cavalry and united with their infantry, and the Swedes placed their entire army in a battle order [battle formation] in front of the front about a quarter of a mile from our convoy. Meanwhile, His Majesty [Peter I] immediately ordered two lines from our infantry to move out of our trench, and left the third in it back, and so he put that army in formation, with the infantry in the middle, and the cavalry placed on both wings.
And on our side, the right wing of the cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant General Bour (after all, Lieutenant General Ren in the first action, in which he showed many experiences [examples] of courage and good leadership, was shot in the side); the left wing was commanded by His Grace Prince Menshikov, since his presence there was most necessary.
And the corps of the battle [the center of the battle formation with the infantry] was commanded by His Royal Majesty himself, and, moreover, Mr. Field Marshal Sheremetev, as well as the infantry generals Prince Repnin and Alart, together with Lieutenant General Beling and other generals.
And the artillery was controlled by Lieutenant General of the Artillery Bruce. And everyone ruled in his appointed place with considerable experience in his courage and military skill. And as our army thus established itself in the order of battle, it went towards the enemy, and then at the 9th hour before noon the attack and fierce fire on both sides began, which the attack from our troops carried out with such courage that the entire enemy army fought for half an hour with little damage to our troops (which is most naively [most of all] surprising), both cavalry and infantry were greatly refuted, so that the Swedish infantry did not stop even once, but without stopping from our swords, baguettes [bayonets] and stabbing pikes, and even to the forest nearby, like cattle, driven and beaten.
Moreover, first Major General Stackelberk, then Major General Hamilton, also after Field Marshal Reinschild and Prince Wirtemberg, a royal relative, together with many colonels and other regimental and company officers, and several thousand privates, who, mostly with guns and horses, they gave up and were taken in full, and so in herds from our herds.
In pursuit of the departing enemy, our cavalry followed for more than a mile and a half, so that, almost from Poltava itself, in a circumference of three miles or more, in all the fields and forests, dead enemy bodies were found, and, by the way, from 8 to ten thousand beaten.
And how many cannons, banners and kettledrums were taken with them will be followed by a list [list]. And about other circumstances, as well as how many were beaten and wounded on our side, a notification will be sent to him in the future.
And so, by the grace of the Almighty, a perfect Victoria, the like of which has been little heard or seen, with easy difficulty against a proud enemy through His Royal Majesty, a glorious weapon and a personal brave and wise drive [command] was won, for His Majesty is truly his courage, wise generosity and the art of war, without fearing any fear to his high royal person, showed in the highest degree, and at the same time his hat was pierced by a bullet.
Under his lordship, Prince Menshikov, who also showed his courage, three horses were wounded. At the same time, it should be known that of our infantry only one line, in which ten thousand were found, was in battle with the enemy, and the other did not reach that battle, for the enemies, having been refuted from our first line, fled and were thus beaten .
It is not yet known where the king himself is, but his senft [stretcher], in which he was carried for the sake of a previously received wound in the leg, was found in pieces, so Field Marshal Reinshield has a bad opinion of his condition. In pursuit of the enemy further, also for the sake of taking his luggage, the lieutenant general from the guard, Prince Golitsyn, was sent yesterday with both guards, with the Ingermanland and Astrakhan regiments, mounted infantry and Bour with 10 cavalry regiments, and we are waiting every day, what they will do. Count Pieper with some secretaries, not having the opportunity to flee, came to Poltava himself.
And, as a matter of fact, all the enemy infantry was beaten, and there was also little left of the cavalry. Where they will turn next to flee to escape, time will tell.
Today is the 28th day and His Grace Prince Menshikov went after the enemy, followed by several more cavalry regiments. We have information about the enemy that our troops are already close to him and they will certainly find him. We won’t let you know what happens next.
P.S. News was received from those sent to bury the dead from the battle that they counted and buried the Swedish dead bodies of 8,619 people at the battle site and around it, except for those who were beaten in the chase through the forests in different places.
From our army sent for the enemies, we received information that the enemies were fleeing from ours with a sufficient army in a hurry and had already abandoned [left] 3,000 carts as booty for ours; they had also left their wounded, having killed them, on the road and were running, without stopping at all. However, we hope that those troops sent by us will soon catch up with those fleeing and will attack.
A list that during the happy battle at Poltava, on the 27th day of June, was taken in full from the army of the king of Svea, as well as how much was received, it was only possible in the first two days to receive a statement about it[ is given in abbreviated form]
Fully taken
First Minister and Chief Marshal and Privy Royal Councilor Count Pieper.
Field Marshal and Privy Councilor Count Reinschild.
Major General Schliepembach
Major General Stackelberk
Major General Rosen
Major General Hamilton
Colonel Prince of Wirtemberg
Colonels: Yagan Weidemeer, Brunow, Streeck, Reuters
Lieutenant Colonels: Sas, Hendrik Rybender, Sinclair, Friedrich Adolfpaln, Julius Maude, Wrangel
Majors:
Jagan Weidemeer, Brunow, Streeck, Reuters
Rotmistrov 11
Captains 42
Captain-lieutenant 1
Royal Household Quartermaster 1
Regimental Quartermasters 3
Drabantov[bodyguards] 2
Poruchikov 63
Cornets and ensigns 53
Adjutants 3
Trubachey 7
Regimental doctors 4
Clerks 3
Non-commissioned officers from cavalry and infantry 201
Privates from the cavalry, dragoons and musketeers 2528
Medicine students 4
Oboists 12
Drummers 24
On the 20th day of this month we crossed with the entire army across the Vorskla River and on its side about a small mile 1) from the enemy army. Then, on the 24th, we went further with the entire army and stood about a quarter of a mile from the enemy and, so that they would not accidentally attack us, we made a tranquility near the convoy 2). Our cavalry on the right hand was placed between the forest, and between it several redoubts were created, and besieged by people and guns, and His Royal Majesty deigned to make all preparations for an attack on the enemy. However, he, out of his usual impetuous courage, forestalled us in this, and on the 27th, early in the morning, almost in the darkness, from the defiles 4) in which he had his entire army in formation all night, on our cavalry both with cavalry and with our infantry with such a fury 5) attacked that, although he was driven away many times with great damage from our cavalry and from our redoubts, which he attacked, however, our cavalry, before it was only destroyed by our infantry They couldn’t help us out soon, but after a little time we were forced to give in to our retrenchment; However, the packs soon stopped and attacked the enemy, and their right wing was greatly beaten, and Major General Schlipembach, who commanded that wing, was captured. Meanwhile, His Royal Majesty (Peter 1. - Ed.) sent His Grace General Prince Menshikova 6) and with him Lieutenant General Renzel with some part of the cavalry and infantry to Poltava, so that even in the future 7) the enemy’s marching troops, also in the trenches 8) the remaining enemy general-major Rose 9) with the enemy troops to attack the mentioned city from the blockade will be released. And the above-mentioned His Lordship (A.D. Menshikov - Ed.) met on the road an enemy corps of reserves, consisting of 3000 people, which they placed behind their right wing near the forest, who, in a short battle, were beaten and completely beaten and completely captured . And then his lordship returned to the main army, and ordered Lieutenant General Renzel to continue the march to Poltava, upon which 10) Major General Rose retreated with three former regiments with him into fortresses and trenches built in front of the city from the enemy; but he was attacked there by the aforementioned Lieutenant General Renzel and, due to a brief resistance, forced with all the people who were with him to the discretion of the 11) zdatz.
Meanwhile, the enemy cavalry from the main army yielded (retreated) from our cavalry and united with their infantry, and (the Swedes) placed their entire army in the battle order in front of the front a quarter of a mile from our convoy. Meanwhile, His Majesty ( Peter I . - Ed.) immediately ordered two lines from our infantry to move out of our tranquility, and left the third in it back 12), and so he put that army into formation, with the infantry in the middle, and the cavalry on both wings. delivered. And on our side, the right wing of the cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant General Baur... the left wing was commanded by His Grace Prince Menshikov, since his presence there was most needed. And the battle corps 13) was commanded by His Royal Majesty himself<...>and at the same time, Mr. Felt Marshal also generals from the infantry prince Repnin and Alart<...>And the artillery was controlled by the lieutenant general from the artillery Bruce . And everyone in their appointed place was controlled with considerable experience of courage and military skill. And as our army had thus established itself in the battle order, it advanced towards the enemy, and then at the 9th hour before noon the attack and fierce fire began on both sides, which the attack from our troops carried out with such courage that the entire enemy army fought for half an hour with little damage to our troops<...>both cavalry and infantry were refuted, so that the Swedish infantry did not stop more than once, but without stopping from our swords, baguettes 14) and pikes, and even to the nearby forest, like cattle, driven and beaten.<...>
And so, by the grace of the Almighty, a perfect Victoria, the like of which little has been heard or seen, with easy difficulty against a proud enemy through His Royal Majesty, a glorious weapon and a personal brave and wise drive was won, for His Majesty truly has his courage, wise generosity and military art without fear of any fear<...>He showed it in the highest degree, and at the same time his hat was pierced by a bullet. Under his lordship, Prince Menshikov, to whom he also amply showed his courage, three horses were wounded.<...>
News was received from those who were scattered for burial of the dead from the battle that they had counted and buried the Swedish dead bodies of 8,619 people at the battle site and around it, except for those who were beaten in the chase through the forests in different places.<...>
And what guns, standards, banners, etc., were received from the enemies as booty, there will be a signature about that 17).
Letters and papers from imp. Peter the Great. T. IX. Vol. 1. M.-L.. 1950. P. 258-276.
Reader on the history of Russia from ancient times to the present day. A.S.Orlov, V.A.Georgiev, N.G.Georgieva, T.A.Sivokhina. M. 1999
Notes:
1) Small mile- probably English, about 1.5 km long. 2) Tranzhameng - a trench or ditch with a rampart.
3) Redoubt- closed field fortification; For the first time in the history of military engineering, Peter 1 erected redoubts on the approaches to the main position of the Russian army, placing two battalions of soldiers with cannons in them. The breakthrough of the redoubts upset the battle formation of the Swedes before the clash of the main forces of the two armies.
4) Fashion shows- gorge; here: the Swedes’ exits to the troop formation sites before the start of the battle.
5) Furies- among the ancient Romans, avenging goddesses, evil and frantic; with such fury - in a figurative sense: with such rage, fury.
6) Menshikov A.D. commanded cavalry (dragoon regiments) near Poltava.
7) Sukurs(distorted French) - help, support.
8) Shantsy- trenches, fortifications.
9)General Rose(Rosen, modern spelling Ross) after the destruction of the column of the Swedish general Schlippenbach in the Budishchensky forest, he retreated with its remnants to Poltava and joined the troops located there in Swedish shands, left by Charles XII to continue the siege of the fortress, which he hoped to take after the supposed victory in the main battle . The order of Peter I to “free Poltava from the blockade” was carried out.
10) Retreated- retreated.
11)At the discretion of the owner- Here; without any preconditions.
12) As a reserve at the time of deployment of two lines in battle formation on the field
13)Battalion Corps- the center of the battle formation with infantry.
14) Baginet- bayonet. Bagnets were inserted into the barrel of a gun; Peter 1 introduced a bayonet into the Russian army, which was attached to the gun barrel with a tube with a lock screwed onto the front sight, which made it possible to conduct gun fire with an attached bayonet. In the Battle of Poltava they used such a bayonet, called in the old report a bapshet.
15) According to the lists attached to the report, in the battle “at Poltava” 2977 people were captured with 137 banners and standards and 4 cannons (including the first minister of Charles HP Count Pieper, Field Marshal General Rehnskiöld, 4 generals, 4 colonels, 6 lieutenant colonels, 167 officers, 201 non-commissioned officers, 2528 ordinary dragoons and soldiers, etc.). More accurate data on the losses of the parties is as follows: the Swedes left 9 thousand killed at the battle site, about 3 thousand were captured. Russian losses were 1,345 killed and about 3,300 wounded.
STORY
"Our Environment online"— The Battle of Poltava is the largest battle of the Northern War between Russian troops under the command of Peter I and the Swedish army of Charles XII. It took place on the morning of June 27 (July 8), 1709, 6 versts from the city of Poltava on Russian lands (Left Bank of the Dnieper). The decisive victory of the Russian army led to a turning point in the Northern War in Russia's favor and ended Sweden's dominance as one of the leading military forces in Europe.
Here is a “Detailed report” (report) about the battle, written to Peter I immediately after the battle.
“On the 20th day of this month we crossed with the entire army across the (river) Vorskla and on its side a small mile 1) from the enemy army. Then, on the 24th, we went further with the entire army and stood about a quarter of a mile from the enemy and, so that they would not accidentally attack us, we made a tranquility near the convoy 2). Our cavalry on the right hand was placed between the forest, and between it several redoubts were created, and besieged by people and guns, and His Royal Majesty deigned to make all preparations for an attack on the enemy. However, he, out of his usual impetuous courage, forestalled us in this, and on the 27th, early in the morning, almost in the darkness, from the defiles 4) in which he had his entire army in formation all night, on our cavalry both with cavalry and with his infantry with such a fury 5) attacked that, although he was driven away many times with great damage from our cavalry and from our redoubts, which he attacked, however, our cavalry, because of our infantry only They couldn’t help us out soon, but after a little time we were forced to give in to our retangement; However, the packs soon stopped and attacked the enemy, and their right wing was greatly beaten, and Major General Schlipembach, who commanded that wing, was captured. Meanwhile, his royal majesty (Peter 1. - Ed.) sent his lordship General Prince Menshikov 6) and with him Lieutenant General Renzel with some of the cavalry and infantry to Poltava, so that even in the future 7) the enemy would march troops, as well as Chances 8) the remaining enemy general-major Rose 9) with enemy troops to attack and liberate the said city from the blockade. And the above-mentioned His Lordship (A.D. Menshikov. - Ed.) met on the road an enemy corps of reserves, consisting of 3000 people, which they placed behind their right wing near the forest, who, in a short battle, were beaten and completely beaten and completely captured . And then his lordship returned to the main army, and ordered Lieutenant General Renzel to continue the march to Poltava, upon which 10) Major General Rose retreated with three former regiments with him into fortresses and trenches built in front of the city from the enemy; but he was attacked there by the aforementioned Lieutenant General Renzel and, due to a brief resistance, forced with all the people who were with him to the discretion of the 11) zdatz.
Meanwhile, the enemy cavalry from the main army yielded (retreated) from our cavalry and united with their infantry, and (the Swedes) placed their entire army in the battle order in front of the front a quarter of a mile from our convoy. Meanwhile, His Majesty (Peter I. - Ed.) immediately ordered two lines from our infantry to move out of our tranquility, and left the third in it back 12), and so he put that army in formation, with the infantry in the middle and the cavalry in both wings. delivered. And on our side, the right wing of the cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant General Baur... the left wing was commanded by His Grace Prince Menshikov, since his presence there was most needed. And the battle corps 13) was commanded by His Royal Majesty himself<…>and at the same time, Mr. General Felt Marshal Sheremetev, as well as infantry generals Prince Repnin and Alart<…>And the artillery was controlled by the lieutenant general from the artillery, Bruce. And everyone in their appointed place was controlled with considerable experience of courage and military skill. And as our army thus established itself in the order of battle, it went towards the enemy, and then at the 9th hour before noon the attack and fierce fire began on both sides, which the attack from our troops carried out with such courage that the entire enemy army fought for half an hour with little damage to our troops<…>both cavalry and infantry were refuted, so that the Swedish infantry did not stop more than once, but without stopping from our swords, baguettes 14) and pikes, and even to the nearby forest, like cattle, driven and beaten.<…>
And so, by the grace of the Almighty, a perfect Victoria, of which little like has been heard or seen, with easy difficulty against a proud enemy through His Royal Majesty, a glorious weapon and a personal brave and wise lead was won, for His Majesty is truly his courage, wise generosity and military art without fear of any fear<…>He showed in the highest degree, and at the same time his hat was pierced by a bullet. Under his lordship, Prince Menshikov, to whom he also amply showed his courage, three horses were wounded.<…>
News was received from those who were scattered for burial of the dead from the battle that at the battle site and around it they counted and buried the Swedish dead bodies of 8,619 people, except for those who were beaten in the chase through the forests in different places.<…>
And what guns, standards, banners, etc., were received from the enemies as booty, there will be a signature about that 17).
Published by: Letters and papers of imp. Peter the Great. T. IX. Vol. 1. M.-L.. 1950. P. 258-276.
Notes:
1) Small mile - probably English, about 1.5 km long. 2) Tranzhameng - a trench or ditch with a rampart.
3) Redoubt - a closed field fortification; For the first time in the history of military engineering, Peter 1 erected redoubts on the approaches to the main position of the Russian army, placing two battalions of soldiers with cannons in them. The breakthrough of the redoubts upset the battle formation of the Swedes before the clash of the main forces of the two armies.
4) Defilei - gorge; here: the Swedes’ exits to the troop formation sites before the start of the battle.
5) Furies - among the ancient Romans, avenging goddesses, evil and frantic; with such fury - in a figurative sense: with such rage, fury.
6) Menshikov A.D. commanded cavalry (dragoon regiments) near Poltava.
7) Sucurs (distorted French) - help, support.
8) Shantsy - trenches, fortifications.
9) General Rose (Rosen, modern spelling Ross), after the destruction of the column of the Swedish general Schlippenbach in the Budishchensky forest, retreated with its remnants to Poltava and joined the troops located there in Swedish shands, left by Charles XII to continue the siege of the fortress, which he hoped to take after the supposed victory in the main battle. The order of Peter I to “free Poltava from the blockade” was carried out.
10) Retreated - retreated.
11) For discretion - here; without any preconditions.
12) As a reserve at the time of deployment of two lines in battle formation on the field
13) The battle corps is the center of the battle formation with infantry.
14) Baginet - bayonet. Bagnets were inserted into the barrel of a gun; Peter 1 introduced a bayonet into the Russian army, which was attached to the gun barrel with a tube with a lock screwed onto the front sight, which made it possible to conduct gun fire with an attached bayonet. In the Battle of Poltava they used such a bayonet, called in the old report a bapshet.
15) According to the lists attached to the report, in the battle “at Poltava” 2977 people were captured with 137 banners and standards and 4 cannons (including the first minister of Charles HP Count Pieper, Field Marshal General Rehnskiöld, 4 generals, 4 colonels, 6 lieutenant colonels, 167 officers, 201 non-commissioned officers, 2528 ordinary dragoons and soldiers, etc.). More accurate data on the losses of the parties is as follows: the Swedes left 9 thousand killed at the battle site, about 3 thousand were captured. Russian losses were 1,345 killed and about 3,300 wounded.
This month On the 20th day we crossed with the entire army across the Vorskla River and stood on its side a small mile 1) from the enemy army. Then, on the 24th, we went further with the entire army and stood about a quarter of a mile from the enemy and, so that they would not accidentally attack us, we made a tranquility near the convoy 2). Our cavalry on the right hand was placed between the forest, and between it several redoubts were made, and besieged by people and cannons, and His Royal Majesty deigned to make all preparations for an attack on the enemy. However, he, out of his usual fiery courage, forestalled us in this, and on the 27th, early in the morning, almost in the darkness, from the defiles 4) in which he had his entire army in formation all night, on our cavalry both with cavalry and with his infantry with such a fury 5) attacked that, although he was driven away many times with great damage from our cavalry and from our redoubts, which he approached, They couldn’t help us out soon, but after a little time we were forced to give in to our retrenchment; however, the packs soon stopped and attacked the enemy, and their right wing was completely shot down, and Major General Schlipembach, who commanded that wing, was captured. Meanwhile, his royal majesty (Peter 1) sent his lordship General Prince Menshikov 6) and with him Lieutenant General Renzel with some of the cavalry and infantry to Poltava, 7) marching troops to the enemy, also in the trenches of the remaining enemy general Major Rose 9 ) attack enemy troops and liberate the aforementioned city from the blockade. And the aforementioned His Lordship (A.D. Menshikov) met on the road an enemy reserve corps consisting of 3,000 people, which they placed behind their right wing near the forest, who, after a short battle, were completely beaten and captured. And then His Lordship returned to the main army, and ordered Lieutenant General Renzel to continue the march to Poltava, upon which 10) Major General Rose retreated with three former regiments with him to fortresses and trenches made in front of the city from the enemy; but he was attacked there by the aforementioned Lieutenant General Renzel and, after a brief resistance was mounted, was forced with all the people at the discretion of 11) to surrender.
Meanwhile, the enemy cavalry from the main army yielded (retreated) from our cavalry and united with their infantry, and the Swedes placed their entire army in a battle order in front of the front a quarter of a mile from our convoy. Meanwhile, His Majesty (Peter I) immediately ordered two lines from our infantry to move out of our tranquility, and left the third in it back 12), and so he put that army into formation, with the infantry in the middle, and the cavalry placed on both wings. And on our side, the right wing of the cavalry was commanded by Lieutenant General Baur... the left wing was commanded by His Grace Prince Menshikov, since his arrival was most needed there. And the battle corps 13) was commanded by His Royal Majesty himself<...>and at the same time, Mr. Felt Marshal Sheremetev<...>And the artillery was controlled by the lieutenant general from the artillery, Bruce. And everyone in their appointed place was controlled with considerable experience of courage and military skill. And as our army thus established itself in the order of battle, it went towards the enemy, and then at the 9th hour before noon the attack and fierce fire from both sides began, which the attack from our troops carried out with such courage that the entire enemy army fought for half an hour with little damage to our troops<...>both cavalry and infantry were refuted, so that the Swedish infantry did not stop more than once, but without stopping from our swords, 14) and pikes, and even to the nearby forest, like cattle, driven and beaten.<...>
And so, by the grace of the Almighty, a perfect Victoria, of which little has been heard or seen like this, with easy difficulty against a proud enemy through His Royal Majesty, a glorious weapon and a personal brave and wise victory was won, for His Majesty is truly his courage, wise generosity and military art without fear of any fear<...>He showed in the highest degree, and at the same time his hat was pierced by a bullet. Under his lordship, Prince Menshikov, to whom he had shown such courage, three horses were wounded.<...>
News was received from those who were scattered for burial of the dead from the battle that they had counted and buried the Swedish dead bodies of 8,619 people at the battle site and around it, except for those who were beaten in the chase through the forests in different places.<...>
And what guns, standards, banners, etc., were received from the enemies as booty, a record of that will follow at seven 17). According to the lists attached to the report, in the battle “at Poltava” 2977 people were captured with 137 banners and standards and 4 cannons (including the first minister of Charles HP Count Pieper, Field Marshal General Rehnskiöld, 4 generals, 4 colonels were captured “in full” , 6 lieutenant colonels, 167 officers, 201 non-commissioned officers, 2528 ordinary dragoons and soldiers, etc.). More accurate data on the losses of the parties is as follows: the Swedes left 9 thousand killed at the battle site, about 3 thousand were captured. Russian losses were 1,345 killed and about 3,300 wounded.
Quote By: Battle of Poltava// Letters and papers of Emperor Peter the Great. T. IX. Vol. 1. M.-L.. 1950. P. 258-276.