"Borodino 200th - Despatches from Bucharest" Topic

The 200th anniversaries of the Napoleonic wars affords todays wargamers the opportunity to commemorate and experience the build up of events within the same timeframe. To that end:

Despatches from the Russian Empire have confirmed that 2 days ago, the Russian envoy to the Ottoman Porte, Marshal Kutuzov, signed on behalf of the Czar the Treaty of Bucharest ending the long running Russo-Turkish war, started in 1806.

Speculation is rife that this is something of a coup for Kutusov, long held in the Czar's disfavour. This diplomatic stroke may release Russian troops from the south for redeployment in the event that the diplomatic froideur with the French Empire may yet descend into war…

Whether Kutuzov will be reinstated in the Imperial Grace sufficient to allow him once more to command the troops is unlikely, in view of his advanced years…

Yes, I heard that was the talk around St. Petersburg… way too old, and besides, he really bungled it at Austerlitz back in '05. Best left Ambassador to the Turks or something harmless like that.

Bah, everyone knows it was the Tsar's fault that Austerlitz went so poorly…he succumbs to flatterers and cronies. Kutuzov is a brilliant man, perhaps the successor to the great Suvarov!

Interesting gossip gentlemen – but do you think it will come to war? Or will there be another Tilsit style rapprochement between the two empererors?

I don't think it will come to war and even if it does that French upstart would never dare to actually invade Holy Mother Russia.

Pish posh I say – pish posh

Perhaps the new reforms will allow the Russian forces to defeat the hated French and recover the lost Polish provinces.

Things haven't been going well for Bonaparte in Spain, and with this treaty with the Porte, no way he'll invade us.

Poland… oooooh, shiney! :-)