Full resolution (TIFF) - On this page / på denna sida - XIII. Reign of Charles XII, 1697–1718 - E. War with Russia Continued
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228 A History of Sweden
original number a few thousand destitute soldiers.
The loss of supplies was irreparable,
New Misfortunes. But disasters did not come singly.
The Russians had preceded the Swedes even southward
and devastated the fertile country, rendering it unfit
for winter quarters. Farther south were the rich
plains of the Ukraine, the land of the Cossacks, whose
aged chief, or hetman, Mazeppa, was planning an in-
surrection against the tsar, and offered Charles his
alliance. Unfortunately, however, the Russians reached
Mazeppa’s capital ahead of Charles and sacked it. Thus
valuable supplies of food, cannons, and ammunition
fell into their hands. Of Mazeppa’s men only some two
thousand followed their chief. With them he came as
a fugitive to the camp of Charles XII. In the mean-
time the Swedes wintered in the Ukraine.
In Winter Quarters. The winter of 1708-1709 was
the severest ever known throughout Europe. It was
especially so on the steppes of Russia. It was at its
worst during the Christmas season. Never before had
the soldiers had so terrible a Christmas. The suffering
was intense and the losses in life and limb most
terrible.
The king shared equally with the soldiers in all these
sufferings, and the soldiers* admiration for him re-
mained the same in all vicissitudes. Willingly they
went wherever he ordered them. It was enough for
them that he commanded it.
The Swedish forces were continually disturbed by
the Russians. Almost daily in this terrible cold the
king would go forth with divisions of his army in
skirmishes against them. The Swedes, to be sure, came
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