Municipal budget educational institution

G. Astrakhan "Average comprehensive school No. 27"

Research project

Kutlambetova Kamilla

Nasanbaeva Elvira

Abakumova Ksenia

Head: Olga Menalieva

Alexandrovna

Content

Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

Main part. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Nadezhda Andreevna Durova. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Vasilisa Kozhina. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . eleven

Praskovya the Lacemaker. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Margarita Mikhailovna Tuchkova. . . . . . . . . .14

Conclusion. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19

Bibliography. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21

Introduction

The history of Russia is rich in significant events. The Patriotic War of 1812 was a war between Russia and the army of Napoleon Bonaparte that invaded its territory. The war ended with the complete destruction of Napoleonic army. Main role The Russian people played a role in the victory over the invaders, who stood up to defend the Fatherland with their breasts.

In this regard, my teacher and I decided to find out whether our peers knew about it. To do this, we used one of the methods of collecting information - questionnaires. A total of 69 fourth and third graders took part in the survey.

The survey revealed the following results:

Do you know anything about the War of 1812?

Out of 69 students, only 27 answered this question positively.

Then we asked these guys to answer the following question:

From what sources do you know this information?

Fiction

mass media

Parents

Three guys learned about this from literature (11.1%). 10 people – from funds mass media(37%), and the remaining 14 people - from their parents (51.8)

The next question was addressed to all students. He was like this:

Name the Russian commanders who took part in the War of 1812?

They know (17 people – 24.6%), don’t know (42 people – 75.4%)

Of the 17 people, only 12 wrote the correct last names.

The answers to the proposed questions turned out to be disastrous. But we, the younger generation, must know about the heroic past of our Motherland. After all, without the past there is no present and future.

The first thing we decided to do after the survey was to help our teachers conduct a classroom lesson...

From this class hour we learned that this victory was over a worthy opponent, over the strongest army in the world, led by the generally recognized military genius of all times and peoples, NapoleonBonaparte Emperor of the French. Napoleon was born in 1769. Since childhood, he was considered a strong-willed and strong-willed person, as well as a very developed and capable person. Military career His career began quite early: at the age of 27, he was appointed to the post of commander-in-chief of the Italian army. Before Bonaparte became emperor, he carried out a coup in the country and became consul at the age of 30. While in this position, he also served the people a lot: he established merchant shipping, social relations between France and the allied countries, with whom he successfully established economic relations. France became stronger, people began to look to the future with confidence.

The defeat of Napoleonic troops in the war of 1812 against Russia marked the beginning of the collapse of the empire of Napoleon I. Soon the entry of anti-French coalition troops into Paris in 1814 forced Napoleon I to abdicate the throne. However, later (in March 1815) he again took the French throne. After the defeat at Waterloo, Napoleon abdicated the throne for the second time (June 22, 1815) and spent the last years of his life as a prisoner on the island of St. HelenaEnglish.

And from the speeches of our classmates, we learned about the great strategists - commanders of the War of 1812. Such as Mikhail Illarionovich - Kutuzov (Golenishchev), Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration, Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay - de - Tolly.

At the end of the class hour, the teacher suggested that we read books about the War of 1812.

While re-reading the literature about the War of 1812, I came across Irina Strelkova’s book “For the Glory of the Fatherland.” Leafing through the pages of this book, we were more and more surprised. Our surprise was due to the fact that war, in our minds, has always been considered a man’s affair, but here from the pages of the book the sweet, feminine, still childish face of Nadezhda Durova looked at us. We wondered why this very young girl picked up a weapon? Which other woman, like Nadezhda Durova, stood up to defend her Motherland?

In this regard, we chose our topic research work- “Women are heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.”

Object of study : women who took Active participation in the War of 1812.
Subject of study : RThe role of women in the War of 1812, their contribution to the victory of the Russian people over Napoleon’s army.

The study is based onhypothesis: Is it only through the unity of the entire people against the enemy that victory comes?

Goal of the work: nFind information about the legendary women participants in those distant events of 1812, and tell your friends and classmates about them.

To achieve this goal, the following are set:tasks:

1) analyze the studied literature on the topic;

2) find out the names of women who participated in the war;

3) provide information on this topic in the form of a presentation.

We believe that the topic of our research is relevant. Indeed, along with the heroes, the commanders of the armies, whose names were now known to us, there were others legendary heroes- women,which played an important role in Russian history.

Main part

« Women make history, although history only remembers the names of men..."wroteHeinrich Heine.

The poet sincerely admired the courage and dedication of women who were able to act collectedly and independently in a critical situation. Indeed, Russian women are able to protect not only the well-being of their family unit, but also their homeland. There are many examples of this in Russian history.

Nadezhda Andreevna Durova

Nadezhda's childhood years were not carefree. The mother really wanted a son, but on September 17, 1783, a girl was born and she disliked her daughter. The father entrusted the upbringing of his daughter to the servants. So the retired hussar Astakhov became a nanny for little Nadya; he could not captivate the girl with anything, but only with the romance of military service. From early childhood, Nadenka fell in love with the beauty and freedom of military service, got used to horses, looked after them with pleasure, and felt weapons.

At the age of 12, Nadya’s father gave her a horse. Nadya fell in love with him so much that she was ready to spend every minute with him. Alcides, as the horse was named, obeyed the girl in everything. Her father began taking her on long horseback rides. « I will become, father, your real son. I will become a warrior and prove that a woman’s fate can be different...” - she once promised her father.

In 1806, on her birthday, Nadezhda finally decided to change her destiny. She cut her hair, took an old Cossack dress that had been prepared in advance, took her father’s saber from the wall and at night, with her Alcides, fled from her home. Once in the Cossack regiment, she called herself the son of a nobleman, Alexander Sokolov, who was not allowed to go to war. Under the name of Alexander Sokolov, in 1807 she joined the Konnopol Ulan Regiment and went with it on a campaign to Prussia.

Alexander Sokolov, despite his youth, showed excellent success on the battlefield, entered the battle first and emerged from all sorts of military alterations unharmed.

The father, concerned about the fate of his daughter, submits a petition to the highest name of the emperor with a request to find his daughter and return her home.

Emperor AlexanderIHe himself was surprised by this act and ordered a courier to be sent to Prussia to deliver this Alexander Sokolov, without revealing his name to anyone. Ulan was taken to St. Petersburg. In his track record The emperor was surprised to read about the excellent fighting qualities of the young officer. Talking with this young lancer,

Alexander initially thought of returning Nadezhda to her home, but surprised by her such ardent desire, the emperor changed his mind.

Russian Emperor AlexanderIpersonally awarded Nadezhda Durova the Cross of St. George for saving the life of an officer on the battlefield. He ordered to be called after him Alexandrov.

Soon the thunder of the Patriotic War of 1812 struck, French troops under the command of Napoleon invaded Russia. Retreating in battle, the Russian army moved towards Moscow. The regiment in which Nadezhda served was one of the best cavalry regiments that covered the retreating army. Cornet Alexandrov takes part in the battles of Mir, Romanov, Dashkovka, and in the cavalry attack near Smolensk.

On August 26, 1812, the village of Borodino (110 km from Moscow). Here the decisive battle took place between the French army of Napoleon I and the Russian army under the command of M. I. Kutuzov. The battle was brutal and bloody.

During the Battle of Borodino, Alexandrov was on the front line, rushing into the thick of the battle. In one of the battles, a bullet grazed his shoulder, and shell fragments hit his leg. The pain was unbearable, but Durova remained in the saddle until the end of the battle.

Kutuzov noticed the efficient lieutenant; he had heard a lot about the exploits of the uhlan and knew that a brave woman was hiding under this name, but did not show that he knew this secret. And Nadezhda began a new service in the role of Kutuzov’s orderly. Several times a day she hurried to her commanders under enemy fire. Kutuzov couldn’t be happier with such an orderly.

The wounds of the Battle of Borodino constantly worried Nadezhda and prevented her from serving. Durova takes a leave of absence for treatment and spends it in home. After the end of her vacation, Nadezhda and her regiment participate in foreign campaigns of the Russian army.

In 1816, Nadezhda Andreevna Durova retired with honors and awards.

Durova spent the rest of her life in a small house in the city of Elabuga, surrounded by her beloved animals. Nadezhda Durova died in 1866 at the age of 83. She was buried in a man's dress with military honors.

Vasilisa Kozhina

A common misfortune brings people together. The entire population of Russia rallied in the fight against the enemy. When the enemy appeared, the Russian people rose up voluntarily, and peasants everywhere waged guerrilla warfare and fought with amazing courage. The organizers of the partisan movement were both officers of the Russian army and simple people, ordinary Russian women did not stand aside either. One of those who was not indifferent to the troubles of the people was Vasilisa Kozhina.

After the death of the headman of the village of Sychevka, Porechensky district, Dmitry Kozhin, fellow villagers unanimously chose his wife Vasilisa.

Vasilisa was an inventive and cunning woman. When the French appeared in the village, she invited them into the house, fed them, and gave them something to drink. But as soon as the unexpected guests went to bed, she burned down the house along with them.

Vasilisa organized a detachment of partisans from teenagers and women. They armed themselves with pitchforks, scythes, and axes, destroyed and captured Napoleonic soldiers and officers during their retreat from Russia.

For her heroism, Vasilisa was awarded a cash prize and awarded the medal “In Memory of the Patriotic War.”There were rumors that His Serene Highness Prince Kutuzov himself met with her.

History has immortalized the name of a simple Russian woman, the great daughter of Russia.One of the Moscow streets, located in the western part of Moscow, is named in honor of Vasilisa Kozhina.

Praskovya the Lacemaker

Spontaneously created peasant detachments provided very significant assistance to the active army. These detachments consisted mainly of peasants who were not familiar with military affairs; they were accustomed to using scythes, pitchforks and axes.

We found information about another heroine of the Patriotic War - Praskovya the lacemaker, it’s a pity we were never able to find out the name of this woman.

In the small village of Sokolovo, Dukhovshchinsky district, Smolensk province, there lived a twenty-year-old beauty Praskovya.

A French detachment came to this village and took away everything they liked from the residents. Two Frenchmen came into Praskovya’s house, the girl was not at a loss, grabbed an ax and hacked them both to death. Then she gathered the villagers and went with them into the forest. “It was a terrible army: 20 strong, young guys, armed with axes, scythes and pitchforks, and at their head the beautiful Praskovya.”

At first they guarded the French along the road and attacked them when they saw no more than ten to twelve people, but soon their scythes and axes were replaced by guns and sabers.

Praskovya herself showed an example of courage, and they, becoming bolder day by day, began to attack armed detachments, and once recaptured a convoy from the French.

The rumor about Praskovya and her assistants spread throughout the district, and guys from neighboring villages began to come to her. She accepted the choice, and soon she formed a detachment of 60 selected young men, with whom Praskovya reached almost Smolensk.

The French general, who was installed as governor of Smolensk, thought with amazement and fear about Praskovye. A large sum was placed on the head of Praskovya, who with her detachment had recaptured a fair share of French equipment and provisions.

But they could not catch Praskovya, although a large reward was placed on her head. For courage and bravery, Praskovya was awarded a medal"In memory of the Patriotic War." Further fate this amazing woman is unknown. But in the memory of descendants, “Praskovya the lacemaker” forever remained as a symbol of the Russian woman.

Margarita Mikhailovna Tuchkova

One of the best daughters of Russia, Margarita Mikhailovna Tuchkova, proved her devotion to her Fatherland. She was a faithful companion of the worthy defender of the Fatherland, General A. A. Tuchkov.

Margarita is the eldest daughter of Lieutenant Colonel Mikhail Petrovich Naryshkin from his marriage to Princess Varvara Alekseevna Volkonskaya. She received her name in honor of her maternal grandmother, Margarita Rodionovna Volkonskaya. Besides her, the family had five more daughters and two sons.

Margarita from the very early years She was distinguished by a passionate, nervous and receptive character, loved reading and music and was gifted with a wonderful voice. She was tall and very slender, but her facial features were irregular, and her only beauty consisted in the striking whiteness of her skin and the lively expression of her green eyes.

At the age of 16, Margarita Naryshkina married Pavel Mikhailovich Lasunsky. The marriage was short-lived: two years later Margarita divorced her husband, a reveler and gambler. The reputation of young Lasunsky was already so well known that a divorce was obtained easily.

Margarita Mikhailovna met Alexander Tuchkov during her first unhappy marriage. The young people fell in love with each other. Having learned about the divorce, he did not hesitate to get married, but the Naryshkins were so frightened by the failure of their daughter’s first marriage that they refused. They did not give consent to her second marriage for a long time. The wedding took place only in 1806 and for 25-year-old Margarita Mikhailovna there came short years of complete happiness in marriage.

She was proud of the beauty of her husband, who was compared in society to Apollo, his courage and valor. Margarita Mikhailovna accompanied her husband on the Swedish campaign and shared with him all the difficulties of military life, accompanying him more than once on horseback in the uniform of an orderly, hiding her braid under her cap, since wives were forbidden to be with the army on a campaign. In her person, a sister of mercy appeared for the first time in the Russian army. She created feeding points for the starving population in battle-torn areas. In the Finnish campaign, she lived in a tent in the bitter cold, she had to make her way with the troops among snow drifts, cross rivers waist-deep in icy water.

In 1812, Margarita Mikhailovna could not follow her husband. At this time, their young son needed her more. It was decided that she would accompany her husband to Smolensk and go to her parents in Moscow. The Naryshkins left Moscow for their Kostroma estate; Margarita Mikhailovna wished to stay in the provincial town of Kineshma, where on September 1, 1812 she learned from her brother Kirill Mikhailovich about the death of her husband, killed in the Battle of Borodino.

Kirill Mikhailovich Naryshkin was Barclay de Tolly's adjutant; he was going to the army and stopped by his sister to report the death of her husband. For several years, Margarita Mikhailovna could not see her brother, so as not to remember their meeting in Kineshma; she felt sick every time he appeared.

Margarita went to the battlefield to look for her husband’s body: from a letter from General Konovnitsyn, she knew that Tuchkov died in the area of ​​the Semyonovsky redoubt. Searches among the tens of thousands of fallen did not yield anything: the body of Alexander Tuchkov was never found. She was forced to return home.

The horrors she suffered had such an impact on her health that for some time her family feared for her sanity. Having recovered a little, she decided to build a temple at the site of her husband’s death at her own expense. Margarita Mikhailovna sold her diamonds and, with the assistance of Empress Maria Feodorovna, bought three acres of land, where in 1818 she began to build the Temple of the Savior Not Made by Hands. While overseeing the construction of the church, Tuchkova lived with her son Nikolai and his French governess in a small lodge.

Initially, Tuchkova intended to build only a small chapel, but “Alexander I granted her 10 thousand rubles, with these funds a stone church-temple was built and consecrated in 1820.” , pilgrims from all over Russia flocked here. Margarita herself lived for a long time on the Borodino field, in a small, specially built house.

Tuchkova decided to devote her life to the memory of her husband and raising her only son, Coco, as she affectionately called him. Nikolai Tuchkov was enrolled in the Corps of Pages, but due to poor health he lived with his mother. He grew up not knowing noisy and frisky games; everyone loved him for his gentleness and kindness. Margarita Mikhailovna could not be happier with her son, but she was worried about his poor health; doctors assured him that he would get stronger over the years, that his growth was exhausting him. In 1826 Nikolai Tuchkov caught a cold and was treated best doctors, the famous doctor Mudrov was invited to the consultation, who confirmed that there was no danger, he would definitely recover. The calmed Margarita Mikhailovna saw off the doctors, and a few hours later her 15-year-old boy unexpectedly died. He was buried in the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands.

The exile of brother Mikhail, a Decembrist, to Siberia, the death of his father in 1825 and his son finally defeated Tuchkova. Now nothing kept her in the world anymore. She moved forever to her lodge on the Borodino field. She wrote to a friend about her life at this time: “The day is like a day: matins, mass, then tea, a little reading, lunch, vespers, insignificant needlework, and after a short prayer - night, that’s all life. It's boring to live, scary to die. The Lord’s mercy, His love - that’s my hope, and that’s where I’ll end!”

In her broken life, Tuchkova sought solace in helping the unfortunate and poor: she helped the surrounding population, treated the sick and attracted those who wanted to share her work for the benefit of their neighbors. She devotes herself to the main task of her entire subsequent life - the establishment of a new nunnery.

In 1838 Tuchkova takes minor monastic vows under the name of nun Melania. The Spaso-Borodinsky community, by the Highest Order, became the Spaso-Borodinsky hostel monastery of the 2nd class in 1839. During the grand opening of the Borodino monument in 1839, Emperor Nicholas I visited the monastery and Tuchkova’s cell. She, who endured so much suffering, made a strong impression on the sovereign. He granted her the forgiveness of her brother Mikhail, and in 1840 he summoned her to St. Petersburg to be the successor of the heir's wife, Maria Alexandrovna, with whom she corresponded until her death.

The nun Melania was tonsured into the mantle and took the name Mary on June 28, 1840. The next day, Maria became the abbess of the Spaso-Borodinsky Monastery. The elevation to abbess was carried out according to the rite of ordination to deaconesses. The name Maria was chosen “in memory of an incident that happened to her on the day of her second wedding: a holy fool ran towards the newlywed, shouting: “Maria, Maria, take the staff!” Under her kamilavka and monastic mantle, Tuchkova remained a completely secular woman and, during her rare appearances in society and at court, she captivated everyone with her brilliant speech and grace of techniques.

Margarita Mikhailovna Tuchkova died on April 29, 1852 and was buried in the Spassky Church of the monastery, next to her husband and son.Conclusion

In the process of researching this topic, we came to the conclusion that Russian women, representatives of the fair sex, never remained aloof from those significant events that worried Russian society, Russian state. Despite the difference in social classes, in the heart of every Russian woman lived hatred for the invaders, love for the Motherland and faith in victory over the enemy.

February 5, 1813 Emperor AlexanderIestablished the medal “In Memory of the Patriotic War of 1812” to reward participants in combat operations. They were received not only by men, but also by women who fought the enemy on an equal basis with men and by those women who worked in hospitals and looked after wounded soldiers.

We learned that on August 1, 2012, the Central Bank Russian Federation issued a series of commemorative coins dedicated to the anniversary of the victory in the Russian-French War. The coins depict famous and distinguished participants in the Patriotic War of 1812. There are 16 coins in the series, each worth 2 rubles: two of which feature girls (Nadezhda Durova, Vasilisa Kozhina).

The material we collected can be used in lessons, classroom hours. While researching this topic, we realized how interesting it is to know about the heroic past of our Motherland. After all, without the past there is no present and future.

Literature

1. Alekseev S.P. Battle of Borodino: Stories. – M.: Bustard, 1998

2. Antonov V.S. Reading book on the history of the USSRXIXcentury - M.: Education, 1989

3. Ishimova I. History of Russia for children. – M.: OLMA-PRESS, 2001

4. Nadezhdina N.A. No wonder all of Russia remembers. – M.: Malysh, 1986

5.Strelkova I.I. For the glory of the Fatherland. – M.: Malysh, 1990

6. Srebnitsky A. Dashing Age cavalryman - maidens. Sports life in Russia. 1997. No. 5.

7. Pokrovskaya N. Lacemaker Praskovya. Moscow truth. 10.10.2011

8. How did the fate of the cavalry girl Nadezhda Durova turn out? [Electronic resource] // URL: http://militera.lib.ru/bio/pushkin_kostin/04.html (date of access: 12/21/2012)

12.A. E. Zarin Praskovya the lacemaker. [Electronic resource] // URL: (date of access: 01/17/2013)

I've done the work

9th grade student "A"

Kanafeev Timurlan

City of Elektrogorsk

Introduction

Heroes of the War of 1812

Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich

Family and clan of Kutuzov

Russo-Turkish wars

War with Napoleon 1805

During the war with Turkey in 1811

Patriotic War of 1812

Start of service

Bagration

Pedigree

Military service

Patriotic War

Personal life of Bagration

Gerasim Kurin

Nadezhda Durova

Biography

Literary activity

Conclusion

Applications on the topic

Bibliography

Introduction

I chose this topic for research because the Patriotic War of 1812, a just national liberation war of Russia against Napoleonic France that attacked it. It was a consequence of deep political and economic contradictions between bourgeois France and feudal-serf Russia.

In this war, the people of Russia and its army showed great heroism and courage and dispelled the myth of Napoleon's invincibility, freeing their Fatherland from foreign invaders.

The Patriotic War left a deep mark on public life Russia. Under its influence, the ideology of the Decembrists began to take shape. The striking events of the Patriotic War inspired the work of many Russian writers, artists, and composers. The events of the war are captured in numerous monuments and works of art, among which the most famous are the monuments on the Borodino field (1) Borodino Museum, monuments in Maloyaroslavets and Tarutino, Triumphal arches in Moscow (3) Leningrad, Kazan Cathedral in Leningrad, "War Gallery" of the Winter Palace, panorama "Battle of Borodino" in Moscow (2).

Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich

Family and clan of Kutuzov

The noble family of Golenishchev-Kutuzov traces its origins to a certain Gabriel, who settled in the Novgorod lands during the time of Alexander Nevsky (mid-13th century). Among his descendants in the 15th century was Fyodor, nicknamed Kutuz, whose nephew was called Vasily, nicknamed Boots. The sons of the latter began to be called Golenishchev-Kutuzov and were in the royal service. M.I. Kutuzov’s grandfather only rose to the rank of captain, his father already became a lieutenant general, and Mikhail Illarionovich earned hereditary princely dignity.

Illarion Matveevich was buried in the village of Terebeni, Opochetsky district, in a special crypt. Currently, there is a church at the burial site, in the basement of which in the 20th century. a crypt was discovered. The expedition of the TV project “Seekers” found out that Illarion Matveyevich’s body was mummified and thanks to this it was well preserved.

Kutuzov got married in the Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in the village of Golenishchevo, Samoluksky volost, Loknyansky district, Pskov region. Nowadays, only ruins remain of this church.

Mikhail Illarionovich's wife, Ekaterina Ilinichna (1754-1824), was the daughter of Lieutenant General Ilya Aleksandrovich Bibikov, the son of Catherine's nobleman Bibikov. She married thirty-year-old Colonel Kutuzov in 1778 and gave birth in happy marriage five daughters (the only son, Nikolai, died of smallpox in infancy).

Praskovya (1777-1844) - wife of Matvey Fedorovich Tolstoy (1772-1815);

Anna (1782-1846) - wife of Nikolai Zakharovich Khitrovo (1779-1826);

Elizabeth (1783-1839) - in her first marriage, the wife of Fyodor Ivanovich Tizengauzen (1782-1805); in the second - Nikolai Fedorovich Khitrovo (1771-1819);

Catherine (1787-1826) - wife of Prince Nikolai Danilovich Kudashev (1786-1813); in the second - I. S. Saraginsky;

Daria (1788-1854) - wife of Fyodor Petrovich Opochinin (1779-1852).

Two of them (Liza and Katya) had their first husbands die fighting under the command of Kutuzov. Since the field marshal did not leave any descendants in the male line, the surname Golenishchev-Kutuzov was transferred to his grandson, Major General P. M. Tolstoy, the son of Praskovya, in 1859.

Kutuzov also became related to the Imperial House: his great-granddaughter Daria Konstantinovna Opochinina (1844-1870) became the wife of Evgeniy Maximilianovich of Leuchtenberg.

Start of service

The only son of Lieutenant General and Senator Illarion Matveyevich Golenishchev-Kutuzov (1717-1784) and his wife, née Beklemisheva.

The generally accepted year of birth of Mikhail Kutuzov, established in literature until recent years, was considered to be 1745, indicated on his grave. However, the data contained in a number of formal lists of 1769, 1785, 1791. and private letters indicate the possibility of attributing this date to 1747. The year 1747 is indicated as the year of birth of M.I. Kutuzov in his later biographies.

From the age of seven, Mikhail studied at home; in July 1759 he was sent to the Noble Artillery and Engineering School, where his father taught artillery sciences. Already in December of the same year, Kutuzov was given the rank of 1st class conductor with an oath of office and a salary. A capable young man is recruited to train officers.

In February 1761, Mikhail graduated from school and with the rank of ensign engineer was left with it to teach students mathematics. Five months later he became the aide-de-camp of the Revel Governor-General of Holstein-Beck. Efficiently managing the office of Holstein-Beck, he managed to quickly earn the rank of captain in 1762. In the same year, he was appointed commander of a company of the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment, which at that time was commanded by Colonel A.V. Suvorov.

Since 1764, he was at the disposal of the commander of the Russian troops in Poland, Lieutenant General I. I. Weimarn, and commanded small detachments operating against the Polish Confederates.

In 1767, he was brought in to work on the “Commission for the Drafting of a New Code,” an important legal and philosophical document of the 18th century that established the foundations of “ enlightened monarchy" Apparently Mikhail Kutuzov was involved as a secretary-translator, since his certificate says “he speaks French and German and translates quite well, he understands the author’s Latin.”

In 1770 he was transferred to the 1st Army of Field Marshal P. A. Rumyantsev, which was located in the south, and took part in the war with Turkey that began in 1768.

Russo-Turkish wars

Of great importance in the formation of Kutuzov as a military leader was the combat experience he accumulated during the Russian-Turkish wars of the 2nd half of the 18th century under the leadership of commanders P. A. Rumyantsev and A. V. Suvorov. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-74. Kutuzov, as a combat and staff officer, took part in the battles of Ryaboya Mogila, Larga and Kagul. For his distinction in battles he was promoted to prime major. As chief quartermaster (chief of staff) of the corps, he was an active assistant to the commander and for his successes in the battle of Popesty in December 1771 he received the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In 1772, an incident occurred that, according to contemporaries, big influence on the character of Kutuzov. In a close circle of comrades, 25-year-old Kutuzov, who knows how to imitate everyone in his gait, pronunciation and grip, allowed himself to imitate Commander-in-Chief Rumyantsev. The field marshal found out about this, and Kutuzov received a transfer to the 2nd Crimean Army under the command of Prince Dolgoruky. As they said, from that time on he developed restraint, isolation and caution, he learned to hide his thoughts and feelings, that is, he acquired those qualities that became characteristic of his future military leadership.

According to another version, the reason for Kutuzov’s transfer to the 2nd Crimean Army was the words of Catherine II repeated by him about His Serene Highness Prince Potemkin, that the prince was brave not in his mind, but in his heart. In a conversation with his father, Kutuzov was perplexed about the reasons for the anger of his Serene Highness, to which he received an answer from his father that it was not for nothing that a person was given two ears and one mouth, so that he would listen more and talk less.

In July 1774, in a battle near the village of Shumy (now Kutuzovka) north of Alushta, Kutuzov, who commanded the battalion, was seriously wounded by a bullet that pierced the left temple and exited near the right eye, which forever stopped seeing. The Empress awarded him the Military Order of St. George, 4th class, and sent him abroad for treatment, bearing all the costs of the trip. Kutuzov used two years of treatment to complete his military education.

Upon returning to Russia in 1776, he again entered military service. At first he formed light cavalry units, in 1777 he was promoted to colonel and appointed commander of the Lugansk pikeman regiment, with which he was in Azov. He was transferred to Crimea in 1783 with the rank of brigadier and appointed commander of the Mariupol Light Horse Regiment. In November 1784 he received the rank of major general after successfully suppressing the uprising in Crimea. From 1785 he was the commander of the Bug Jaeger Corps, which he himself formed. Commanding the corps and training the rangers, he developed new tactical fighting techniques for them and outlined them in special instructions. He covered the border along the Bug with the corps when the second war with Turkey broke out in 1787.

In the summer of 1788, with his corps, he took part in the siege of Ochakov, where in August 1788 he was seriously wounded in the head for the second time. This time the bullet pierced the cheek and exited at the base of the skull. Mikhail Illarionovich survived and in 1789 took over a separate corps, with which Akkerman occupied, fought near Kaushany and during the assault on Bendery.

In December 1790 he distinguished himself during the assault and capture of Izmail, where he commanded the 6th column that was going on the attack. Suvorov outlined the actions of General Kutuzov in his report:

“Showing a personal example of courage and fearlessness, he overcame all the difficulties he encountered under heavy enemy fire; jumped over the palisade, forestalled the Turks' aspirations, quickly took off onto the ramparts of the fortress, captured the bastion and many batteries... General Kutuzov walked on my left wing; but he was my right hand.”

According to legend, when Kutuzov sent a messenger to Suvorov with a report about the impossibility of holding on to the ramparts, he received an answer from Suvorov that a messenger had already been sent to St. Petersburg with news to Empress Catherine II about the capture of Izmail. After the capture of Izmail, Kutuzov was promoted to lieutenant general, awarded George 3rd degree and appointed commandant of the fortress. Having repelled the attempts of the Turks to take possession of Izmail, on June 4 (16), 1791, he defeated a 23,000-strong Turkish army at Babadag with a sudden blow. In the Battle of Machinsky in June 1791, under the command of Prince Repnin, Kutuzov dealt a crushing blow to the right flank of the Turkish troops. For the victory at Machin, Kutuzov was awarded the Order of George, 2nd degree.

Nikolai Nikolaevich Raevsky came from Moscow nobles. His ancestors faithfully served the Moscow sovereigns. His grandfather, S.A. Raevsky, was a participant in the Battle of Poltava. His father, Nikolai Semenovich, also chose the military path and rose to the rank of colonel. In 1769 he married E.N. Samoilova, daughter of Senator N.B. Samoilov, the eldest of the nieces of the future His Serene Highness Prince G.A. Potemkin-Tavrichesky. About a year after the wedding, she gave birth to her eldest son, Alexander, and on September 14, 1771, Nicholas. The Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774 was going on, and N.S. Raevsky voluntarily transferred to the active army in 1770. During the siege of the Zhurzha (Judzhu) fortress, he was wounded and died on April 25, 1771 in Iasi.

Young children who lost their father spent their childhood in St. Petersburg, in the house of their maternal grandfather, Count N.B. Samoilova. Special attention Relatives devoted money to little Nikolai, who was in poor health. The closest person to the boy was Uncle A.N. Samoilov, who held the position in 1792-1796. post of Prosecutor General. Raevsky maintained strong friendly ties with his uncle throughout his life.

Raevsky got a good one home education: confidently owned French, knew German well. He studied mathematics and geometry (fortification) thoroughly, but only to the extent that was necessary for practical activities. He was interested in fiction, but was not one of its passionate fans.

Alexander, the elder brother of Nikolai Raevsky, started early military service and quickly moved up the career ladder. In 1787, he took part in the war with the Turks and received the rank of lieutenant colonel in the Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment. However, on December 11, 1790, he died during the assault on Izmail, having earned it from A.V. Suvorov the title of “brave”.

Nikolai Raevsky in 1774 was enlisted in the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment as a sergeant. He entered the service in 1786 as an ensign. In 1787, another war with the Sublime Porte began. It was in battles with the Turks that he received his baptism of fire. In 1789, Raevsky was in the Cossack detachment of brigadier V.P. Orlov in the brigade of Major General M.I. Golenishchev-Kutuzov, then went to Bendery with Lieutenant General Count P.S. Potemkin, participated “in skirmishes” and “in the defeat of the Turks” - on September 3 at Larga and on September 7 on the river. Salche, for which he earned “approval.” At the forefront of the detachment is M.I. Platov participated in the blockade and capture of Ackerman. Thanks to Potemkin's patronage, Raevsky quickly advanced through the ranks and in January 1792 received the rank of colonel.

No sooner had one war ended than another began - in Poland. Raevsky took part in several minor skirmishes, and on June 7, 1792, in quite major battle at the village An ancient settlement as part of the detachment of Major General N.I. Morkov, where he “entered with honors,” for which he was awarded his first order - St. George, 4th degree. A month later he was under the command of A.P. Tormasova fought at the town of Daragosty and was nominated for the award of a golden sword “For Bravery”.

In June 1794 Raevsky was transferred to North Caucasus and was appointed commander of the Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment, in which his elder brother Alexander once served.

At this time, Raevsky decides to start a family. He takes a vacation and on December 4, 1794 goes to St. Petersburg. His choice fell on 25-year-old Sofya Alekseevna Konstantinova, who was the granddaughter of M.V. Lomonosov. They got married and in June 1795 went to Raevsky’s place of service. On November 16, 1795, the newlyweds had their first child, who was named Alexander in memory of Nikolai Raevsky’s older brother.

At the beginning of 1796, Persian activity intensified on the Caspian coast of the Caucasus. Raevsky takes part in Persian campaign. On May 10, the Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment takes part in the siege and capture of the city of Derbent.

In November on Russian throne Paul I entered, who set out to knock out the “Potemkin spirit” from his subjects. Prussian order began to be imposed in the army. Many of the previously successful generals and officers fell into disgrace. On May 10, 1797, an order was given to expel Raevsky from service.

Upon surrender of the regiment, Raevsky encountered great financial difficulties. The regimental treasury was empty, the equipment was worn out; in order to put things in order, Raevsky was forced to ask his uncle for a significant amount of money. His mother came to his aid. Ekaterina Nikolaevna allocated a significant share of her estates, which she inherited from Prince Potemkin, to her son. Raevsky had to learn economic wisdom. He settled in the village. The talker of the Chigirinsky district of the Kyiv province plunged headlong into calculations, devoted a lot of time to improving the estate, building a house.

After the accession to the throne in March 1801 of Emperor Alexander I, Raevsky was returned to service and awarded the rank of major general, but on December 19, 1801 he retired for family reasons. Only a serious threat to Russia from Napoleon forced Nikolai Nikolaevich to leave his family and return to active military service. In April 1807 he arrived in the army, and from May 24 entered into a series of continuous battles. Raevsky commanded the Jaeger brigade as part of the vanguard of P.I. Bagration. For distinction in the battle of Heilsberg on May 28-29, he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree. In the battle of Friedland on June 2, 1807, superior French forces surrounded the Russian army. During the battle, as reported in the report, “Generals Markov and Baggovut were wounded, and the detachments under their command came under the command of General Raevsky.” Raevsky, who commanded all the rangers of the vanguard, was faced with the task of repelling massive enemy attacks in his sector and saving the army from complete destruction. He completed this task with honor. Positions changed hands several times, with Raevsky “the first to enter the battle and the last to leave. In this disastrous battle, he himself several times led the troops entrusted to him at the bayonet, and not before retreating, as only when there was no longer the slightest hope of success.” For the campaign of 1807, Nikolai Nikolaevich received the Order of St. Anne, 1st degree.

After the signing of peace in Tilsit in 1807, Raevsky was soon assigned to the main apartment in the quartermaster department. Regular transformations were carried out in the army, the troops were urgently retrained and re-uniformed in the French way. “We have re-Frenched everything here, not in body, but in clothes - every day there is something new,” wrote Raevsky.

On February 9, 1808, military operations against Sweden began. This allowed Raevsky to return to the active army. For participation in the Russian-Swedish War of 1808-1809. he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general.

In St. Petersburg, the Ministry of War understood that a war with Napoleon was coming, and considered it necessary to strengthen the southern flank. The Russian-Turkish War, which began in November 1806, was fought without much enthusiasm. It was decided to intensify military action against Turkey. The young, but well-proven General N.M. was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Moldavian Army. Kamensky, and N.N. Raevsky was appointed commander of the 11th Infantry Division.

In the army, he encountered generals and senior officers who looked at war as a profitable business. They were least concerned about enhancing the glorious Suvorov traditions. These military leaders paid little attention to the combat training of their troops, tried to avoid serious battles, but they knew how to attack a weaker enemy en masse, after which reports to their superiors followed with reports of “brilliant victories.” It was the ability to compose magnificent reports that was especially revered in this circle. A.S. Pushkin talked about one general who picked up cannons abandoned by the enemy and passed them off as captured in battle. Having once met Raevsky, this general rushed to him with hugs, to which Nikolai Nikolaevich mockingly said: “It seems that Your Excellency takes me for a cannon without cover.”

At the beginning of 1811, Nikolai Nikolaevich achieved a transfer to the western border. Here he first commanded the 26th Infantry Division, and in April 1812 he was appointed commander of the 7th Infantry Corps, which was part of the 2nd Western Army of P.I. Bagration.

On June 12, 1812, Napoleon's army, having crossed the Neman River, invaded Russian Empire. The main forces of the “Grand Army” of the French emperor quickly advanced after the retreating 1st Western Army of M.B. Barclay de Tolly, while Bagration's 2nd Western Army remained in place. Only on June 18, Bagration received an order from Alexander I to “act offensively... on the enemy’s right flank” with the goal of linking up with the 1st Army. Raevsky wrote to his uncle on June 28: “Prince Peter Ivanovich then received orders to reinforce Platov, who was in Bely Stok with 8 Cossack regiments. Platov was ordered to strike at their rear. This weak sabotage at a time when the main army was retreating put us in danger of being cut off.” The time to unite the armies was lost. A 40,000-strong detachment of L.-N. was sent from Vilno against Bagration. Davout, and from the south, across, three corps under the command of J. Bonaparte numbering 70 thousand people. Bagration’s task was especially complicated by the fact that Davout’s group, wedged between the two Russian armies, was moving along the shortest route, while the 2nd Western Army had to make circuitous marches, the slightest sluggishness in which could lead to disaster. Alexander I accused Bagration of indecisiveness and reproached him for the fact that his troops were not approaching, but moving away from the 1st Army. The 2nd Western Army moved to Mogilev. On July 11, Raevsky’s corps began a fierce battle near the city, near the village of Saltanovka.

The feat of Raevsky's soldiers near Saltanovka. Hood. N.S. Samokish.

In this battle, troops under the command of Raevsky delayed the advance of the L.-N. corps. Davout and ensured the withdrawal of the 2nd Western Army to Smolensk. The name of Raevsky became widely known in Russia thanks to a beautiful legend about how he led his two young sons into an attack. The stubborn rearguard battles that the Russian armies waged throughout the first month of the war allowed them to unite near Smolensk.

4(16) the battle for Smolensk began. In the preparation and conduct of the defense of Smolensk, Raevsky’s military leadership talent was fully revealed. He managed to achieve results with limited funds, showed firmness and determination in carrying out decisions made, outstanding analytical skills. Raevsky concentrated his few forces on particularly dangerous areas of the city’s fortifications, and used the surrounding area as a battlefield. He did not intend to sit behind the fortress walls, characterizing the actions of his corps not as the defense of Smolensk, but as a “barrier battle.” The bulk of his forces (20 of 28 battalions) were stationed outside the city fortifications, in the suburbs, which provided more room for maneuver. The principle of concentrated concentration of forces was retained when placing artillery. On the first day of the battle, almost one of Raevsky’s corps heroically defended the city from the French. Only by nightfall the soldiers exhausted by the siege were replaced by fresh units of General D.S.’s corps. Dokhturov Thanks to the actions of Raevsky, Napoleon's plan - to bypass the left flank of the Russian troops, capture Smolensk and impose a general battle on the Russians - was thwarted.

On August 17, M.I. took command of the Russian army. Kutuzov. On August 26, 120 km from Moscow on the Borodino field, a battle was fought under his leadership, which became the central event of the entire war. At the Borodino position, Raevsky’s 7th Corps was located near the Kurgan Heights, which was in the center of the Russian army’s positions and was soon recognized as “the key of the entire position.” It went down in history as “Raevsky’s battery.” The corps commander personally supervised the creation of an artillery battery on a hill. The work was completed only at 4 am on August 26th. Raevsky said: “Now, gentlemen, we will be calm. Emperor Napoleon saw a simple, open battery during the day, and his troops will find the fortress.”

By successfully positioning the troops, while abandoning the linear order, Raevsky prevented unnecessary losses from artillery fire. The attacks on the battery began in the morning. During one of the attacks, the French temporarily captured a battery on Kurgan Heights. Raevsky planned and carried out a counterattack on the troops of E. Beauharnais, thanks to which he held back further enemy attacks on the center of Russian positions for an hour and a half. Napoleon said of him that “this general is the stuff marshals are made of.”

Behind heroic defense At Kurgan Heights, Raevsky was presented with the Order of Alexander Nevsky. It was on the Raevsky battery that in 1839, according to the design of the architect Antonio Adamini, the main monument to the Battle of Borodino was erected. At its foot, on the initiative of D.V. Davydov, the ashes of P.I. were reburied. Bagration, close friend and commander of N.N. Raevsky.

The main monument to Russian soldiers on the Borodino field: “Grateful Fatherland to those who laid their bellies on the field of honor.” Opened in 1839 on the site where N.N.’s battery fought. Raevsky. Architect A. Adamini.

After leaving Mozhaisk, Nikolai Nikolaevich commanded the rearguard for 24 hours, repelling Murat’s attacks, and then participated in the military council in Fili. At the council he spoke in favor of leaving Moscow. During the retreat of the Russian army from Moscow to Tarutin, he successfully commanded the rearguard and through his actions ensured the army's secret withdrawal. Near Maloyaroslavets, the corps of Raevsky and Dokhturov blocked the path of Napoleon’s troops to the Kaluga road and forced them to turn back to Mozhaisk. For the Battle of Maloyaroslavets, Raevsky was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree. During the pursuit of the enemy from Vyazma to Smolensk, he was in the vanguard. In the battle of Krasnoye, where Napoleon lost almost a third of his army, the desperate attacks of the French crashed against Raevsky’s battle formations.

In December 1812, Raevsky became seriously ill. He returned to the troops in April 1813 and was joyfully greeted by both soldiers and officers. Raevsky’s manner of dealing with subordinates was described by I.I. Lazhechnikov: “Nikolai Nikolaevich never fussed in his orders: in the very heat of battle he gave orders calmly, intelligently, clearly, as if he was at home; he always asked the executor whether his order was understood correctly, and if he found that it was not clear enough, he repeated it heartlessly, calling the adjutant or orderly he always sent “darling” or other affectionate names. He had a special gift for binding his subordinates to himself.” A young staff captain also appeared among Raevsky’s adjutants famous poet K.N. Batyushkov. The brave officer soon became the general's confidant.

In the foreign campaigns of the Russian army in 1813-1814. Raevsky took part in the battles of Bautzen, Dresden, and Kulm. In the Battle of Leipzig, Raevsky's grenadier corps stopped the French attack on the headquarters of the allied monarchs. For this feat, Raevsky was awarded the rank of cavalry general in October 1813. From February 1814, he commanded the vanguard of the Main Army, personally led the attack of the allied forces in the battle of Arcy-sur-Aube, and particularly distinguished himself during the capture of Paris. For the distinction shown during the defeat of Napoleon, he was awarded the Prussian Order of the Red Eagle, 1st degree, and the Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa, 3rd degree. From 1815 he commanded the 4th Infantry Corps.

In the first decade after the end of the wars with Napoleon, Raevsky’s house in Kyiv was eagerly visited by many visitors. The general was a famous person. According to diplomat S.R. Vorontsov, after the death of Barclay de Tolly in 1818, Raevsky was considered one of the six most experienced generals (along with P.H. Wittgenstein, M.A. Miloradovich, F.V. Osten-Sacken, A.F. Langeron and F. P. Uvarov), who went through most of the wars late XVIII - early XIX V. and were still in service. He was compared to ancient heroes. Even the emperor himself honored Raevsky with his visit during his visit to Kyiv in 1816 and 1817, and Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich dined at his house. And for the rest of the visitors, the general invariably remained a hospitable host. Raevsky provided patronage to A.S. Pushkin during the period of the poet’s southern exile. Raevsky's youngest son, Nikolai, was friends with the poet, who dedicated the poems “Prisoner of the Caucasus” and “Andre Chenier” to him.

After 1821, Alexander I's favor towards Raevsky began to wane, although outwardly he continued to show signs of favor. The fact is that the tsar received denunciations about the existence of a secret society, and Raevsky and Ermolov were named as “secret missionaries” spreading the influence of the revolutionary party “in all layers of society.” In 1824, Raevsky retired. His high authority in Russian society was the main reason that the leaders of the Northern and Southern secret societies planned the candidacy of the general for the Provisional Government. But the illustrious general had neither ideological nor organizational ties with the Decembrist societies, although in his circle there were many young people who were part of secret societies or who supported them.

The uprising on Senate Square came as a complete surprise to Raevsky. The news of the arrest of his sons Alexander and Nikolai came as a blow to him. He was eager to go to St. Petersburg, but the difficult situation of his daughter Maria, who had given birth to a son the day before, kept him at home. Among his relatives were representatives of secret societies. The head of the Kamensk council of the Southern Society was his half-brother N.N. Raevsky V.L. Davydov. Members of the Southern Society, Second Lieutenant V.N. Likharev and retired staff captain I.V. The Poggios were married to the Borozdin sisters - Raevsky's nieces. Daughter Catherine was married to General M.F. Orlov, head of the Chisinau administration of the secret society. Member of the Southern Society Prince S.G. Volkonsky was married to Raevsky's daughter Maria. Volkonsky was sent to hard labor for participating in the December uprising of 1825. Maria followed her husband into exile in Siberia. The Raevsky brothers were acquitted. The more than biased investigation was unable to present them with any evidence. After two interrogations, they were released with acquittal certificates.

In 1826, Raevsky was appointed a member of the State Council, but did not participate in the meetings; he devoted the rest of his days to caring for relatives and helping the families of exiled Decembrists. He paid a lot of attention to his family responsibilities, setting an example of an exemplary husband, son and father. The general's wife Sofya Alekseevna devoted herself entirely to household chores, was infinitely devoted to her husband and created a real cult of the head of the family. The relationship between the spouses was warm and trusting. The children, especially the younger ones, bowed before their father, but not blindly, but retaining a feeling self-esteem. For a wealthy landowner, owner of 3,500 peasants, Raevsky lived quite simply. He did not seek to resolve his financial difficulties at the expense of the peasants, increasing taxes. He enjoyed gardening and home medicine. Raevsky died on September 16, 1829. He was buried on his estate in the village. Boltyshka in the family tomb (according to other sources, in the village of Erazmovka, Chigirinsky district, Kyiv province).

In 1961, on the 150th anniversary of the Patriotic War, one of the streets of Moscow was named in honor of N.N. Raevsky. There are also streets named after this hero of the war with the French in Kyiv, Smolensk and Mozhaisk. In 1987, a bust of Raevsky was installed in the Park in Memory of Heroes in Smolensk. In 2012, the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, in the series “Commanders and Heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812,” issued a commemorative coin of 2 rubles with an image on the reverse of a portrait of cavalry general N.N. Raevsky.

Elena Nazaryan,
Researcher at the Research Institute
military history of the General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces, candidate of historical sciences

All dates are given according to the old style.

The story about this episode was included in the “Complete Collection of Anecdotes about the Most Memorable War of the Russians with the French.” Raevsky himself subsequently, in a conversation with K.N. Batyushkov denied the fact that his sons participated in this attack. The general’s words are indirectly confirmed by the fact that of the participants in the events who were part of the 2nd Army and left memories (I.F. Paskevich, M.S. Vorontsov, A.P. Butenev), no one mentions this episode. There is no mention of participation in the Battle of Saltanovsky in the formal list of the youngest son of Nikolai Raevsky. This issue is still being discussed among historians, because Available sources are contradictory and incomplete.

After the death of her husband, N.N.’s mother Raevsky Ekaterina Nikolaevna married Major General L.D. Davydova. From her second marriage she had three sons and a daughter.

Putintsev Sevastyan, Mitrafanov Vadim

HEROES OF THE WAR OF 1812

Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration

1778 - 1834

Prince, Major General. From the Georgian family of the Bagratid kings, brother of P.I. Bagration. In 1791 he joined the Chuguev Cossack Regiment as a constable. In 1796 he took part in the capture of Derbent, for which he was promoted to cornet. In 1802 he was transferred to the Hussar Regiment as a lieutenant. Fought against the French in 1805 and 1807. In 1809 and 1810, while volunteering inDanube Army , fought with the Turks. Awarded the Order of St. George, 4th class “in reward for the excellent courage and bravery shown in the battle against the Turkish troops at Rasevat, where, while under General Platov, he carried his orders in the middle of the fire from one flank to the other and when the cavalry was ordered to do the enemy with a quick blow, then with the two hundred Cossacks received, being in front, he hit the enemy until the very end of the matter.” Promoted to colonel in 1810. In 1812, he was at the headquarters of the 3rd Western Army, seconded to the Alexandria Hussars and was in the 3rd Observational Army. He fought near Kobrin and Brest, distinguished himself in the battle of Gorodechnya (awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree). He took part in the foreign campaigns of 1813-1814, on May 21, 1813, he was promoted to major general for distinction under Bautzen, and was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 1st degree, during the siege of Dresden. During the campaign of 1814 he was at the siege of Hamburg and Harburg. Awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd class, “in reward for the excellent feats of courage, bravery and stewardship performed during the attack on Hamburg on January 13.” In 1817 he was appointed commander of the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Hussar Division. Awarded the Order of St. Anne, 1st degree with diamonds for excellent courage shown in the battle against the Persians on July 5, 1827, where, commanding the equestrian zemstvo militia, he rushed with the cavalry to attack the enemy, pursuing and defeating him, setting an example for his subordinates fearlessness. Promoted to lieutenant general for distinction in the war with the Turks on June 25, 1829. In 1832 he was sent to Abkhazia, where he fell ill with a fever, from which he died in 1834. He was buried in Tiflis in the Church of St. David.

Denis Vasilievich Davydov

1784 – 1839

The son of the commander of the Poltava Light Horse Regiment, Brigadier Davydov, who served under the command of Suvorov, Denis Davydov was born on July 17, 1784 in Moscow. His family, according to family tradition, goes back to Murza Minchak Kasaevich (baptized Simeon), who entered Moscow at the beginning of the 15th century.

At the age of 17, he began military service as an estandard cadet in the Cavalry Regiment, a year later he was promoted to the first officer rank, and two years later he was expelled from the guard to the army for writing “outrageous poetry.”Belarusian Hussar Regiment. Davydov quickly got used to his new environment and continued to write poetry in which he sang the delights of the reckless life of a hussar. These poems were distributed in numerous lists and brought young Davydov his first poetic fame.

In 1806 he was returned to the guard, having just returned to St. Petersburg after a campaign in Austria. D.V. Davydov writes in his autobiography: “I smelled of milk, she (the guard - A.P.) smelled of gunpowder.” Dreaming of the laurels of a hero, favored in childhood by Suvorov, who promised him a brilliant military future, Davydov decided on a daring act: at four o’clock in the morning, “in order to forestall a new column of relatives” who were busy taking care of their loved ones, he entered the hotel where Field Marshal M. was staying. F. Kamensky, appointed commander-in-chief in the upcoming new campaign against Napoleon, asked to be sent to the active army. Davydov's persistence was ultimately crowned with success, and he became Bagration's adjutant. Together with him, the young officer went through the campaign of 1807, participated in all battles and received five military awards, including a golden saber with the inscription “For Bravery.”

In 1808 - 1809, during the war with Sweden, Davydov, being in the vanguard detachmentKulneva committed with him hiking in northern Finland to Uleaborg and famous crossing the ice of the Gulf of Bothniato the shores of Sweden. In the same 1809, as Bagration’s adjutant, in 1810, he transferred to Kulnev, with whom, in his own words, “he completed the course of outpost service begun in Finland.”

Denis Davydov gained great military fame during the Patriotic War. At the beginning of the campaign, he commanded a battalion with the rank of lieutenant colonelAkhtyrsky Hussar Regimentin the army of Bagration, to whom he turned shortly before the Battle of Borodino with a project guerrilla warfare. Kutuzov approved Bagration’s proposal, and on August 25, on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Davydov, having received 50 hussars and 80 Cossacks at his disposal, moved behind enemy lines. On his first “search,” on September 1, when the French were preparing to enter Moscow, Davydov defeated Smolensk road, near Tsarev Zaimishcha, two gangs of marauders who covered carts with “robbed belongings from residents” and a transport with bread and ammunition, taking more than 200 people prisoner. He immediately distributed the weapons captured in this case to the peasants who were rising up to fight the people's war. Davydov's success was complete. Almost every day his detachment captured prisoners, convoys with food and ammunition. Following the example of Davydov’s detachment (its number increased to 300 people), other partisan detachments were created from regular and Cossack troops.

Davydov’s success was largely explained by his close connection with the population - the peasants served him as scouts, guides, and themselves took part in the extermination of gangs of foragers. Since the uniform of the Russian and French hussars was very similar and the peasants often mistook Davydov for a Frenchman, he dressed in a Cossack caftan, grew a beard, and is depicted in this form in several engravings of that time.

The particularly wide scope of military action partisan detachments received during the French retreat from Russia. Day and night, the partisans did not give the enemy a moment’s rest, destroying or capturing small groups and uniting to attack large columns. So, on September 28, Davydov’s partisan detachmentsSeslavina, Figner and Orlov-Denisov were surrounded in the village of Lyakhov, attacked and captured a two-thousand-strong French column led by General Augereau. About the case near Lyakhov, Kutuzov said: “This victory is all the more famous because for the first time in the continuation of the current campaign, an enemy corps laid down weapons in front of us.”

Denis Davydov and his detachment “accompanied” the French to the very border. For his distinction in the 1812 campaign, he was awarded the St. George Cross and promoted to colonel. In 1813, Davydov fought at Kalisz, Bautzen andLeipzig. At the beginning of the 1814 campaign, he commanded the Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment; for his distinction in the battle on January 20 at Larotiere, he was promoted to major general and, at the head of the hussar brigade, entered Paris.

In 1823, Davydov resigned, but in 1826 he returned to service. Participated in the Russian-Persian War of 1826-1828. On September 21, 1826, he defeated a 4,000-strong Persian detachment. He commanded a detachment during the suppression of the Polish uprising in 1830-1831 and only then finally “loose his belt and hung his cap on the wall.”

The name of Davydov as a “partisan poet” was covered with loud romantic glory. He had a close friendship withPushkin, Yazykovym, Vyazemsky, Baratynskyand other poets who praised him in their poems; his ownlyrical and satirical poems. Back in 1821, he published “An Experience in the Theory of Partisan Action,” and after retiring, “he plunged into military notes,” creating a number of essays about the events of which he was a witness and participant. Written, according to Pushkin, “in an inimitable style,” these bright and lively essays are of exceptional historical and literary interest.

In 1839, when, in connection with the 25th anniversary of the victory over Napoleon, the grand opening of the monument on the Borodino field was being prepared, Denis Davydov suggested the idea of ​​​​transferring Bagration’s ashes there. Davydov’s proposal was accepted and he was to accompany the coffin of Bagration, whose memory he revered, but on April 23, a few months before the Borodino celebrations, he died suddenly in the village of Verkhnyaya Maza, Syzran district, Simbirsk province.

Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov

1745 - 1813

Born into a noble family with ancestral roots on Novgorod soil. His father, a military engineer, lieutenant general and senator, had a great influence on the education and upbringing of his son. Since childhood, Kutuzov was gifted with a strong build, combining inquisitiveness, enterprise and agility with thoughtfulness and a kind heart. He received his military education at the artillery and engineering school, which he graduated from in 1759 among the best, and was retained as a teacher at the school. In 1761, he was promoted to the first officer rank (ensign) and, at his own request, was sent as a company commander to the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment. Due to his excellent knowledge of languages ​​(German, French, and subsequently Polish, Swedish and Turkish), in 1762 he was appointed adjutant to the Governor-General of Revel. In 1764 - 1765 served in Poland in the troops of N. Repnin. In 1767 he was recruited to work in the “Commission for the Drawing up of the Code”; in 1769 he again served in Poland

From 1770, during the decisive events of the Russian-Turkish war of 1768 - 1774, Kutuzov was sent to the 1st. Danube Army of P. Rumyantsev. As a combat and staff officer, he took part in the battles that were the pride of Russian weapons - at Ryabaya Mogila, Larga and Kagul; at Larga he commanded a battalion of grenadiers; at Cahul he acted in the vanguard of the right wing. For the battles of 1770 he was promoted to major. As chief of staff of the corps, he distinguished himself in the battle of Popesti (1771) and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In 1772, due to manifestations of a cheerful disposition (sometimes he imitated the gait and speech of his superiors, including the commander), Kutuzov was sent by Rumyantsev to the 2nd Crimean Army of V. Dolgorukov. From that time on, Mikhail Illarionovich changed dramatically, learning to completely control his behavior and expression of thoughts. In 1774, in a battle with the Krymchaks near Alushta, with a banner in his hand, he led soldiers into battle; while pursuing the enemy, he was seriously wounded: a bullet entered below the left temple and exited at the right eye. Mikhail Illarionovich was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree, and sent by Catherine II for treatment abroad. While recovering, he simultaneously became acquainted with the experience of military affairs in Austria and Prussia, and had a conversation with Frederick II the Great.

In 1776, upon returning to Russia, Kutuzov was sent by the Empress to Crimea to help Suvorov, who ensured order there. Gained his trust by performing important tasks; on the recommendation of Suvorov, he received the rank of colonel (1777), and then brigadier (1782). In 1784, on behalf of G. Potemkin, he negotiated with Crimea-Girey, the last Crimean Khan, convinced him of the need to abdicate the throne and recognize Russia’s rights to the lands from the Bug to the Kuban; for this he was awarded the rank of major general. From the next year, Mikhail Illarionovich commanded the Bug Jaeger Corps, which he himself formed; supervising his training, he developed new tactical techniques for the rangers and outlined them in special instructions. In 1787 he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd degree.

At the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787 - 1791. Kutuzov and his corps guarded the southwestern borders of Russia along the Bug River. As part of Potemkin's Yekaterinoslav army, he took part in the siege of Ochakov (1788). Here, while repelling a Turkish attack, he was seriously wounded for the second time (a bullet hit the cheek and exited the back of the head). When he recovered, the doctor who treated him remarked: “Apparently, Providence is preserving this man for something extraordinary, because he was healed of two wounds, each of which was fatal.” The very next year, commanding a separate corps, Kutuzov successfully fought at Akkerman and Kaushany, participated in the capture of Bender by Potemkin, and received new awards.

Karl Osipovich Lambert

1773 - 1843

Count, adjutant general (1811), cavalry general (1823). French nobleman, whose family has been known in France since late XIII century. John de Lambert was elevated by Queen Anne in 1644 to the dignity of marquess and count. His descendant Heinrich Joseph during french revolution emigrated to Russia. His sons Karl and Yakov Osipovich were ranked in 1836 as counts of the Russian Empire. Karl Lambert entered the Russian service in 1793 with the rank of second major. He distinguished himself in the 1794 campaign against the Poles (participant in the assault on Prague). In 1799 he took part in the Swiss campaign, fought at Zurich as part of Rimsky-Korsakov's corps. Around 1803, with the rank of colonel, he was commanderElisavetgrad Hussar Regiment. In the campaign of 1806-1807 against the French, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd class, for his heroism in battle. In 1812, with the rank of major general, he commanded a cavalry corps in the vanguard of Tormasov's 3rd Army. He distinguished himself in the battles of Gorodechno, Minsk, Borisov (where he was seriously wounded). In 1814 he took part in the capture of Paris. ChiefAlexandria Hussars Regiment(commander - colonelEfimovich). In 1823 he was promoted to cavalry general. He was considered one of the best and bravest cavalry commanders of the Russian army in the Napoleonic era. A.P. Ermolov, stingy with praise, calls Lambert in his “Notes” one of the most excellent and most managerial generals.

I offer my top list, top 5 Heroes of the War of 1812 and their exploits.
Every battle of that war was bloody and led to great casualties. Initially, the forces were not equal: on the French side - about six hundred thousand military, on the Russian side - more than half as much. The War of 1812, according to historians, posed a question for Russia - a choice: either win or disappear. In the war against Napoleonic troops, many worthy sons of the Fatherland showed themselves in battle, many of them died on the battlefield or died from wounds (like, for example, Prince Dmitry Petrovich Volkonsky, we wrote).

The exploits of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812:

1. Kutuzov Mikhail Ivanovich

A talented commander, perhaps one of the most famous heroes of the War of 1812. Born in St. Petersburg, into a noble family, his father was a military engineer, a participant in the Russian-Turkish war of 1768-74. Since childhood, the strong and healthy boy was talented in sciences, received special education, graduated with honors from the artillery engineering school. After graduating from school, he was presented to the court of Emperor Peter III. During the years of service, Kutuzov had to carry out various assignments - he was a commander and fought in Poland with opponents of a supporter of Russia elected to the throne of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in Poland, fought and proved himself in battles in the Russian-Turkish war under the command of General P.A. Rumyantsev, took part in storming the fortress in Bendery, fought in the Crimea (where he was wounded, costing him an eye). During his entire service, Kutuzov gained extensive command experience. And during the second Russian-Turkish war of 1787 -1791, he fought together with Suvorov against a five-thousand-strong Turkish landing force. The Turkish detachment was destroyed, and Kutuzov received a second wound to the head. And even then, the military doctor who performed the operation on the commander said that fate, by not allowing Kutuzov to die after two wounds to the head, was preparing him for something more important.

Kutuzov met the War of 1812 when he was already quite mature. Knowledge and experience made him a great strategist and tactician. Kutuzov felt equally comfortable both on the “battlefield” and at the negotiating table. At first, Mikhail Kutuzov opposed participation Russian army together with the Austrian army against Austerlitz, considering that this was largely a dispute between two monarchs.

The then Emperor Alexander I did not listen to Kutuzov, and the Russian army suffered a crushing defeat at Austerlitz, which became the first defeat of our army in a hundred years.

During the War of 1812, the government, dissatisfied with the retreat of Russian troops from the borders into the interior of the country, appointed Kutuzov as Commander-in-Chief instead of Minister of War Barclay de Tolly. Kutuzov knew that the skill of a commander lies in the ability to force the enemy to play by his own rules. Everyone was waiting for a general battle, and it was fought on the twenty-sixth of August near the village of Borodino, one hundred and twenty kilometers from Moscow. During the battle, the Russians chose a tactic - to repel enemy attacks, thereby exhausting them and forcing them to suffer losses. And then on the first of August there was the famous council in Fili, where Kutuzov made a difficult decision - to surrender Moscow, although neither the tsar, nor society, nor the army supported him.

4. Dorokhov Ivan Semyonovich

Before the start of the War of 1812, Major General Dorokhov had serious military experience. Back in 1787, he took part in the Russian-Turkish war, fighting in Suvorov’s troops. Then he fought in Poland and took part in the capture of Prague. Dorokhov began the Patriotic War of 1812 as the commander of the vanguard in Barclay's army. At the Battle of Borodino, a bold attack by his soldiers drove the French back from Bagration's fortifications. And after they entered Moscow, Dorokhov commanded one of the created partisan detachments. His detachment inflicted enormous damage on the enemy army - one and a half thousand prisoners, of which about fifty were officers. The operation of Dorokhov’s detachment to capture Vereya, where the most important French deployment point was located, was absolutely brilliant. At night, before dawn, the detachment burst into the city and occupied it without firing a single shot. After Napoleon's troops left Moscow, a serious battle took place near Maloyaroslavets, where Dorokhov was seriously wounded in the leg by a bullet right through, and in 1815 he died, the lieutenant general of the Russian army was buried in Vereya, according to his last will.

5. Davydov Denis Vasilievich

In his autobiography, Denis Davydov would later write that “he was born for 1812.” The son of a regiment commander, he began military service at the age of seventeen in a cavalry regiment. He took part in the war with Sweden, the battle with the Turks on the Danube, was Bagration’s adjutant, and served in Kutuzov’s detachment.

He met the War of 1812 as a lieutenant colonel of the Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment. Denis Davydov perfectly understood the situation on the front line and proposed to Bagration a scheme for waging guerrilla warfare. Kutuzov reviewed and approved the proposal. And on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, Denis Davydov and his detachment were sent behind enemy lines. Davydov's squad carried out successful guerrilla actions, and following his example, new detachments were created, which especially distinguished themselves during the French retreat. Near the village of Lyakhovo (now - partisan detachments, among which was a detachment under the command of Denis Davydov, captured a column of two thousand French. For Davydov, the war did not end with the expulsion of the French from Russia. He, already with the rank of colonel, fought valiantly near Bautzen, Leipzig , and with the rank of major general - in the battle of Larotiere. Denis Davydov gained fame and recognition as a poet. In his works, he mainly glorifies the hussarship, “Lieutenant Rzhevsky" - this, by the way, is “the work of his hands.” Creativity Davydov was valued by Pushkin, Denis Davydov died suddenly in 1839.