To understand who the infantry general is, the dignity of this rank, it is necessary to explain what the infantry itself is. This word, which came from a foreign language, means infantry or infantry army. The Russian army consisted of artillery, infantry and cavalry. Until 1796, the army had the rank of both a fortification general and an artillery general.
High military rank
General from infantry - this phrase denoted the highest rank in the infantry in pre-revolutionary Russia. In the Table of Ranks, he ranks between Field Marshal General and Lieutenant General. The rank was introduced in 1699 and lasted for the rest of the imperial period. From 1763 to 1796 it was abolished, then re-introduced by Emperor Paul I. This military rank, which corresponds to the civil "Privy Councilor", refers to the ranks canceled by history. Kornilov L. G., Yudenich N. N., Wrangel A. E. - the last White Guard ranks who bore the title of "general of infantry."
Known speakers
From famous historicalYermolov A. P. and General M. I. Miloradovich, who fell at the hands of a Decembrist named Kakhovsky, were honored with his personalities. All the legendary generals of the war of 1812 were infantrymen: this is the magnificent M. B. Barclay de Tolly, and the strategist P. I. Bagration, and the victorious M. I. Kutuzov. In that war, General of the Infantry Dokhturov Dmitry Sergeevich became famous for his heroic deeds. who was elevated to this rank in 1810. The personification of all the best that the concept of "Russian officer" contains, Dokhturov D. S. before the Russian-French company was awarded the highest domestic and foreign awards. Among them are the "Golden Sword" and "Sword with Diamonds", he was awarded almost all significant orders of the Russian Empire, even Prussia awarded him the title of Knight of the Order of the Red Eagle.
The best members of the nobility
The founder of the family Dokhturov Kirill Ivanovich came to Russia from Constantinople during the time of Ivan the Terrible. This noble family name is included in the genealogical books of 3 provinces: Oryol, Tula and Ryazan. The future General Dokhturov was the son of Sergei Dokhturov, who retired with the rank of captain of the Life Guards of the famous Preobrazhensky Regiment. The future infantry general received his military education at an educational institution of the highest class - His Imperial Majesty's Corps of Pages. He began his service with the rank of lieutenant, the Life Guardsman of the elite Semyonovsky regiment - this was in 1781. In 1784 he became a captain-lieutenant, in 1788 - a captain.
Brilliant career
For thatthat, being wounded, he did not leave the battlefield in the battle between Sweden and Russia near the fortress city of Rochensalm, and later near Vyborg, he was awarded the Golden Sword. He always showed miracles of courage and military talent, but Dokhturov D. S. especially distinguished himself after the Napoleonic invasion. Having escaped from the encirclement, General of Infantry Dokhturov took command of the 6th Infantry Corps, passing 60 miles a day, broke away from the furiously
French chasing him. His corps connected with the First Army, commanded by Barclay de Tolly. On his own behalf, Dokhturov D. S. led the defense of Smolensk and fought off the brutal attacks of the French for 10 hours, thus giving the main forces the opportunity to retreat to Moscow. In the famous Battle of Borodino, under his command was the center of the Russian army. After Bagration was wounded, Infantry General Dokhturov assumed the role of commander of the Second Army, defending the left wing with Bagration's flashes. He firmly entrenched himself in position, bringing the troops, upset after Bagration's wound, into battle order. In the report, M. I. Kutuzov noted the constant firmness of Dokhturov D. S. and the fact that, having taken command, he did not give up a single centimeter of his positions.
From victory to victory
This brilliant and fearless general distinguished himself from the infantry in the battle near the village of Tarutin, where the Russians fought against Murat's army. Dokhturov also commanded the center. But his main merit in the campaign of 1812 was the defense of Maloyaroslavets. The fact is that Napoleon's troops ruthlessly plundered and ruined everything that was located along the Smolensk road, along which they went to Moscow. The French had to retreat along a different path. And, heroically defending Maloyaroslavets for a day and a half, the brilliant Russian infantry general Dokhturov Dmitry Sergeevich did everything to direct Napoleon to the legendary Smolensk road, the retreat along which finished off the invincible army. "Smolensk road" has become a household expression and means a humiliating and complete defeat. For the battle near Maloyaroslavets, Dmitry Dokhturov was honored to become a knight of the Order of St. George, second class. The Russian hero distinguished himself in all subsequent battles with Napoleon:
- near Dresden;
- "Battle of the Nations" near Leipzig;
- siege of Magdeburg and Hamburg.
After many wounds, the general went to Bohemia for treatment in 1814, but in 1815, during the second campaign against France, he returned and commanded a significant part of the Russian army (right wing).
Married Dokhturov D. S. was the sister of Prince Obolensky, a representative of one of the best Russian families. Numerous wounds could not but affect the general's he alth, and, having retired after the French company, he died upon arrival in Moscow. Obviously, the hardships of the road affected. The hero was buried in the monastery of the Moscow Patriarchate - the Ascension David's Hermitage.
