War is an extremely terrible thing, even the word itself evokes the most terrible associations.
Patriotic War of 1812
The War of 1812 took place between Russia and France due to violations of the Treaty of Tilsit signed by both sides. And although it did not last long, almost every battle was extremely bloody and devastating for both sides. The initial alignment of forces was as follows: six hundred thousand soldiers from France and two hundred and forty thousand from Russia. The outcome of the war was obvious from the very beginning. But those who believed that the Russian Empire would lose were deeply mistaken. On December 25, 1812, Emperor Alexander the First signed an appeal to his subjects, which announced the victorious end of the war.
Heroes of yesteryear
The heroes of the war of 1812 look down on us from the pages of history books. Whoever you take - entirely majestic portraits, but what is behind them? Behind pompous poses and magnificent uniforms? Boldly going into battle against the enemies of the Fatherland is a real feat. In warin 1812, a lot of worthy and wonderful young heroes fought and died against the Napoleonic troops. Their names are honored to this day. Portraits of the heroes of the war of 1812 are the faces of those who spared nothing for the sake of the common good. To take responsibility for command and control of the troops, as well as for success or, conversely, defeat on the battlefield and eventually win the war - this is the highest feat. This article tells about the most famous participants in the Patriotic War of 1812, about their deeds and accomplishments.
So, who are they - the heroes of the war of 1812? Photos of portraits of famous personalities presented below will help fill in the gaps in the knowledge of native history.
M. I. Kutuzov (1745-1813)
When the heroes of the war of 1812 are mentioned, Kutuzov, of course, comes to mind first. The most famous student of Suvorov, a talented commander, strategist and tactician. Golenishchev-Kutuzov (real name) was born in a family of ancestral nobles, whose roots were traced back to the Novgorod princes. Mikhail's father was a military engineer, and it was he who largely influenced his son's future choice of profession. From a young age, Mikhail Illarionovich was in good he alth, inquiring mind and courteous in handling. But the main thing is still his undeniable talent in military affairs, which his teachers noted in him. He was educated, of course, with a military bias. He graduated from the artillery and engineering school with honors. For a long time he even taught at his alma mater.
However, about his contribution to the victory: Count, His Serene Highness Prince Kutuzov at the time of the war was already at an advanced age. He was elected commander of the firstPetersburg, and then the Moscow militia. It was he who came up with the idea to give up Moscow, thus making a gambit, like in chess. Many generals who participated in this war were practically brought up by Kutuzov, and his word in Fili was decisive. The war was won largely thanks to his cunning and skill in military tactics. For this act, he was granted on behalf of the tsar to the rank of Field Marshal, and also became Prince of Smolensk. The great commander did not live long after the victory, only a year. But the fact that Russia did not submit in this war is entirely the merit of M. I. Kutuzov. The enumeration of the list "People's Heroes of the War of 1812" is most appropriate to start with this person.
D. P. Neverovsky (1771 - 1813)
A nobleman, but not from the most famous family, Neverovsky began to serve as a private of the Semyonovsky regiment. By the beginning of the war of 1812, he was already the chief of the Pavlovsky regiment of grenadiers. He was sent to defend Smolensk, where he met with the enemy. Murat himself, who led the French near Smolensk, wrote in his memoirs that he had never seen such selflessness. These lines were dedicated specifically to D. P. Neverovsky. Having waited for help, Dmitry Petrovich made the transition to Smolensk, which glorified him. Then he participated in the Battle of Borodino, but was shell-shocked.
In 1812 he received the rank of lieutenant general. Even after being wounded, he did not stop fighting, his division suffered the greatest losses in the war. Only this is not from unreasonable command, but rather from dedication and dedication tothe most difficult positions. Like a real hero, Neverovsky died from his wounds in Halle. Later he was reburied on the Borodino field, like many heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.
M. B. Barclay de Tolly (1761 - 1818)
This name during the Patriotic War has long been associated with cowardice, betrayal and retreat. And very undeservedly.
This hero of the Patriotic War of 1812 came from an ancient Scottish family, but his parents sent the boy to study in Russia at an early age, where his uncle lived and served. It was he who in many ways helped the young man get a military education. Mikhail Bogdanovich independently rose to the rank of officer at the age of sixteen. By the beginning of the war with Napoleon, he was appointed commander of the first Western Army.
This commander was an interesting personality. Completely unpretentious, he could sleep under the open sky and dine with ordinary soldiers, he was very easy to handle. But he held on by virtue of his character and, perhaps, his origin, it was cold with everyone. In addition, he was very cautious in military affairs, which explains his numerous retreat maneuvers. But it was necessary: he did not want to waste human lives thoughtlessly and, as he himself noted, he had no right to do so.
He was the Minister of War, and all the "bumps" from military failures fell on him. Bagration will write in his memoirs that during the Battle of Borodino Mikhail Bogdanovich seemed to be trying to die.
Still, the idearetreat from Moscow will come from him, it will be supported by Kutuzov. And, whatever it was, Barclay de Tolly would be right. He personally participated in many battles, by his example showing the soldiers how to fight for their country. Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly was a true son of Russia. The gallery of heroes of the war of 1812 was replenished with this name for a reason.
I. F. Paskevich (1782-1856)
The son of very we althy landowners living near Poltava. Everyone predicted a different career for him, but from childhood he saw himself only as a military leader, and that's how it all happened. Having proved himself in the best way in the wars with Persia and Turkey, he was also ready for a war with France. Kutuzov himself once introduced him to the Tsar as his most talented young general.
Participated in the army of Bagration, wherever he fought, he did it in good faith, sparing neither himself nor the enemy. He distinguished himself near Smolensk and in the Battle of Borodino. He was subsequently awarded the Order of St. Vladimir of the second degree. It was St. Vladimir, for the most part, that was awarded to the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.
P. I. Bagration (1765-1812)
This hero of the Patriotic War of 1812 came from an ancient royal Georgian family, in his youth he served in a musketeer regiment. And even took part in the battles of the Russian-Turkish war. He studied the art of war with Suvorov himself, for his valor and diligence he was extremely loved by the commander.
During the war with the French led the second Western Army. Alsovisited the retreat near Smolensk. At the same time, he was extremely opposed to withdrawing without a fight. Participated in Borodino. At the same time, this battle became fatal for Peter Ivanovich. He was seriously wounded, and before that he fought heroically and twice with the soldiers threw the enemy away from his positions. The wound was extremely serious, he was transported to the estate of a friend, where he quickly died. In twenty-seven years, his ashes will be returned to the Borodino field to be buried with honors in the land for which he spared nothing.
A. P. Ermolov (1777-1861)
This general was at that time known to literally everyone, all of Russia followed his progress, and they were proud of him. Very brave, strong-willed, talented. He participated in not one, but in as many as three wars with the Napoleonic troops. Kutuzov himself appreciated this man very much.
He was the organizer of the defense near Smolensk, personally reported to the tsar about all the details of the battles, he was very weary of the retreat, but he understood all its necessity. He even tried to reconcile two opposing generals: Barclay de Tolly and Bagration. But in vain: they will fight to the death.
Brightest of all in this war, he showed himself in the battle of Maloyaroslavtsev. He left Napoleon no choice but to retreat along the already devastated Smolensk route.
And although the relationship with the command because of the ardent nature at the end of the war went wrong, yet the importance of his actions and courage in battles, no one dared to diminish. General Yermolov took his rightful place on the list, wheregenerals - heroes of the war of 1812 are listed.
D. S. Dokhturov (1756-1816)
Another hero of the war of 1812. The future general was born into a family where military traditions were highly revered. All of his male relatives were in the military, so there was no need to choose a matter of life. And in fact, in this field he was accompanied only by luck. The Great Empress Catherine the First herself presented him with a sword for achievements during the Russian-Swedish war with a pompous inscription: “For courage.”
Fought near Austerlitz, where, again, he showed only courage and courage: he broke through the encirclement with his army. Personal courage did not save him from injury during the war of 1805, but the wounds did not stop this man and prevent him from joining the ranks of the Russian army during the war of 1812.
Near Smolensk, he fell very seriously ill with a cold, but this did not tear him away from his direct duties. Dmitry Sergeevich treated each of his soldiers with great care and participation, he knew how to restore order in the ranks of his subordinates. That is what he demonstrated near Smolensk.
The surrender of Moscow was extremely difficult for him, because the general was a patriot. And he did not want to give even a handful of land to the enemy. But he endured this loss steadfastly, continuing to try for the sake of his homeland. He proved himself a real hero near Maloyaroslavets, fighting next to the troops of General Yermolov. After one of the battles, Kutuzov met Dokhturov with the words: "Let me hug you, hero!"
N. N. Raevsky (1771 - 1813)
Nobleman, hereditary military man, talented commander, cavalry general. This man's career began and developed so rapidly that in the middle of his life he was already ready to retire, but could not. The threat from France was too great for talented generals to sit at home.
It was the troops of Nikolai Nikolayevich who had the honor of holding the enemy army until other units united. He fought at S altanovka, his units were thrown back, but time was still won. Fought at Smolensk, near Borodino. In the last battle, it was on his flank that the main blow fell, which he and his soldiers steadfastly held back.
Later it will be very successful under Tarutin and Maloyaroslavets. For which he will receive the Order of St. George of the third degree. Unfortunately, soon he will get sick and very seriously, so that he will finally have to give up military affairs.
P. A. Tuchkov (1769 - 1858)
Not much is known about him. He came from a military dynasty and served for a long time under the leadership of his father. Since 1800 he served in the rank of Major General.
He fought zealously near the small village of Valutina Gora, then personally took command near the Strogan River. He boldly went into battle against the army of the French Marshal Ney, but was wounded and taken prisoner. He was introduced to Napoleon as a Russian general, and the emperor, admiring the courage of this man, ordered that his sword be returned to him. The end of the war, victorious for Russia, met, tounfortunately, in captivity, but received freedom in 1814 and continued to work for the good of the Fatherland.
A. A. Skalon (1767 - 1812)
A hero of the war of 1812, he was from an old French family, but only his ancestors had long ago moved to Russia, and he did not know any other Fatherland. For a long time he served in the Preobrazhensky, and then in the Semenovsky regiment.
Skalon began hostilities against France only in 1812, when there were not enough generals, and until now the emperor, knowing about his roots, removed Anton Antonovich from interfering in the war with France. Participated in the battle of Smolensk, and this day was the last for the major general. He was killed, Scalon's body fell to the enemy, but was interred with honors at the behest of Napoleon himself.
Real Heroes
Of course, these are not all the heroes of the war of 1812. The list of glorious and worthy people could be continued indefinitely. And much more can be said about their exploits. The main thing is that all of them spared neither their strength, nor their he alth, and many of their lives for the sake of the main task - to win the war. It is so amazing to understand that once the real heroes were not on the book pages, but really performed feats just for the sake of the Fatherland flourishing. And it is not surprising that monuments to the heroes of the war of 1812 were erected throughout the country. Such people must be honored and remembered, they must live for centuries. Honor and glory to them!
