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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War with Russia 231
Russia’s enemy, Turkey. There Charles was hospitably
received by the Turkish pasha in Bender, and there he
pitched his camp.
Capitulation at the Dnieper. But a tragedy had been,
enacted at the Dnieper. On the morning of the third day
after Poltava the Swedes beheld on the heights above
the river a Russian division, whose commander pro-
posed capitulation to Lewenhaupt. After carefully
considering the situation of the army and the condition
of the soldiers, Lewenhaupt decided to accept the over-
tures, and subscribed to the articles of capitulation.
Thus the Swedish army of nearly 14,000 men, includ-
ing 5,000 sick and wounded, surrendered to the tsar
on the promise of fair treatment.
Result of the Victory. After this victory Peter
wrote: "The foundations of St. Petersburg are now
secure." Once more the Russians could turn their
forces against the Swedish Baltic Provinces, which fell
into the hands of the Russians. Next the turn came to
Finland, which they overran with fire and sword. The
battle of Poltava is one of the world’s decisive battles.
Had it gone the other way the subsequent history of
the world would have been different from what it is.
The Swedish Captives in Russia. Most of the Swed-
ish soldiers taken captives at Poltava and the Dnieper
were taken into the interior of Russia or Siberia and
were quartered under strict guard in the cities. From
all parts of Sweden and from nearly every larger fam-
ily group there was some member captive in the far-
away country with scarcely any hope of his ever re-
turning home. Only a small part of these unfortunate
soldiers had the joy of again seeing their native land.
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