Welcome to Russian History Elite Hole, Episode 267, Mikhail Katozov, military genius

and Napoleon's nemesis, Part 3.

Last time, we covered some of Katozov's military accomplishments in the Russo-Turkish Wars

of the 18th century.

Today, we cover the time between these feats and his eventual conflict with the ground

armée of Napoleon Bonaparte.

In 1791, while the Russians were off fighting both Sweden and the Ottoman Empire, Poland

decided that they wanted to turn things back in time a bit by reversing the cardinal

laws imposed on them by Catherine the Great.

They would create, quote, the first national codified constitution.

This, though, would cause a great deal of consternation amongst the country's bordering

Poland, especially Russia.

This action, by some of the liberal members of the Polish ruling body known as the Great

Seam, was countered by conservative and pro-Russian members of the Confederation of Tegrovice,

who appealed to Catherine to come and restore their, quote, and, quote, ancient traditions

and privileges.

Unfortunately, the outcome of the appeal would not be what they had bargained for.

Catherine decided to send about 100,000 troops into Poland with Lieutenant General Mikhail

Katozov at the head of the First Army.

There would be minor skirmishes, but the Poles were vastly outnumbered and their military

was outclassed.

This would result immediately in the second partition of Poland between Russia and Prussia.

...