Battle of Tsaritsyn (1774)  Battle of Tsaritsyn was decisive confrontation between imperial Russian army commanded by Johann von Michelsohnen and serf rebels led by Yemelyan Pugachev. Following Pugachev's victory in Kazan, Michelsohnen was tasked with the suppression of the revolt and he did this in August 21, 1774 near Tsaritsyn, despite being outnumbered. Following the battle, the rebellion quickly collapsed. Pugachev himself escaped, but was captured on September 14th and executed on January 10th of the next year.