The Absheron regiment is the pride and glory of Russia. He, along with Fanagoria, was A. Suvorov's favorite military unit. It was with them that he stormed the impregnable Turkish fortress of Izmail, went on a Swiss campaign. The global importance of the Russian Empire, its respect as a great power was won by the victories of the army. The regiment took part in all wars, starting from the time of Peter I.
Formation of the Absheron Regiment
After returning from a campaign in Persia, an infantry regiment under the command of Matvey Trade, on its basis, in 1724, the Astrabad regiment was formed. It was enlarged, and it included the grenadier company of the Zykov regiment, four companies each from the Velikolutsky and Shlisselburg regiments. Under this name it existed for eight years. After the signing of a peace treaty between Persia and Russia, the regiment was renamed, since the city of Astrabad remained in Persian possessions. Russian regiments were not namedsettlements outside the country.
In November 1732, he received the name of the Absheron Infantry Regiment. It was under this name that he was to enter the history of Russia, covering himself with glory. In its ranks, many prominent people of the country served and fought, who for the most part served as officers in it. These are generals P. A. Antonovich, F. D. Devel, N. I. Evdokimov, P. F. Nebolsin, M. G. Popov, D. I. Pyshnitsky, D. I. Romanovsky, K. N. Shelashnikov, E. K. Shtange, military doctor V. A. Shimansky, hero of the Caucasian War Samoila Ryabov.
Its official name is "81st Apsheron Regiment of Empress Catherine the Great". The second part of the name, namely "His Imperial Highness, Grand Duke Georgy Mikhailovich" (grandson of Nicholas I), most likely was added during the First World War or later. However, which prince is related to the regiment is unknown. He was a purely civilian, but in the First World War he wore the rank of general.
Shelf shape
During the reign of Catherine II, the uniform of the soldiers and officers of the Apsheron regiment was determined by Prince Potemkin as follows. The soldier was supposed to have a green caftan made of cloth. Turn-down collar, cuffs and lapels made of red cloth, red pants to the knees. Two ties: black and red. The boots are white. Boots, round-toed boots. Tricorne hat with white trim. A cape was put on a white sleeveless overcoat, called an epancha.
The officers powdered their hair, the soldiers sprinkled it with flour. Shoulder straps were yellow or red. CompaniesMusketeers were part of the Apsheron regiment. He never was a hussar, but for some time he was called a musketeer. Within the framework of the article, we will briefly consider the participation of the Apsheron people in wars.
The capture of the Azov fortress in 1736
For access to the Black and Azov Seas in 1736, Russia undertook a military campaign led by B. Munnich. The Absheron regiment took part in this campaign. 16 kilometers from the place where the Don River flows into the Sea of Azov, on a high hill located on the left bank of the river, back in the 6th century BC. e. The Greeks founded the fortress city of Tanais. It was the strategic location of the fortress, from the high walls of which the area was viewed, that was of great value.
The fortress of Azov from the 15th century was under the rule of the Turks, who controlled the waterways along the Don to the Sea of Azov and beyond - the Black Sea. It was from this fortress that the Turks raided Russian settlements, taking the inhabitants into slavery. The June assault on the fortress was preceded by a three-month siege, during which its walls were fired from 46 siege guns. The assault, in which the soldiers of the Apsheron Regiment of Empress Catherine the Great took part, lasted two days. The successful actions of the Russian army forced the Turkish garrison to surrender.
The Crimean campaign of 1736-1739 was a continuation of the successful capture of the Azov fortress, followed by the assault on Perekop, crossing the shallow Sivash, taking Bakhchisarai and Simferopol.
War with Sweden in 1741-1743
After the defeat in the Northern War, Sweden decided to takerevenge and unleashed a new war in 1741. The goal of the Swedish troops was to return the lands that had gone to Russia under the Nishtad Peace Treaty, as well as the lands between the White Sea and Ladoga. The Russian army opposing the Swedes was commanded by Field Marshal Lassi. At this time, important political changes took place within the country. As a result of the coup, the daughter of Peter I, Elizabeth, came to power, who at first, in 1741, signed a truce with the Swedes.
But since the Swedish side did not withdraw its claims and, at the instigation of France, demanded the cancellation of the peace treaty, in 1742 Russia organized a campaign in Finland, which at that time was under the rule of Sweden. The Absheron Infantry Regiment under the command of Colonel Ivan Leskin participated in it. Friedrichsgam, Helsingfors, Borgo, Tavastgus were taken by the Russian army. After that, a surrender agreement is signed between the Russian troops and the commander of the Swedish army, Major General J. L. Busquet. According to him, the Swedish army should be sent home, and its artillery pieces go to the Russians.
Participation in the Seven Years' War of 1756-1763
By the middle of the 18th century, the foreign aggressive policy of Prussia, on the side of which was England, intensified. Despite the fact that Russian-English relations were more than satisfactory, Russia broke off relations with Prussia in 1756 and entered the war with her in alliance with France and Austria. The Prussian army had a well-armed 145,000-strong army at the beginning of the war. The troops under the command of Field Marshal S. F. Apraksin opposed her. They included Absheronskya regiment under the command of Colonel Field Marshal S. F. Apraskin, who ruled it until 1761. After him, the post of commander was taken over by Lieutenant Colonel, Prince P. Dolgorukov. In 1762 he was replaced by Prince A. Golitsyn.
It was in this war that the regiment distinguished itself, participating in victorious battles at Gross-Jegersdorf, Palzig, Zorndorf. In the battle of Kunersdorf, the regiment, standing knee-deep in blood, defended the height of Spitsberg and lost most of its composition, but did not retreat, ensuring victory for the Russian troops. For this, the highest command of Emperor Nicholas II, in honor of the anniversary of the battle, ordered the soldiers and officers of the Apsheron regiment to wear red leather boots and red socks in memory of the heroism of the soldiers of the regiment.
When Berlin was captured on August 23, 1760, the regiment as part of the detachment of Count Chernyshev showed courage and heroism. In the period from August to December 1761, he participated in the siege and assault on the Kolberg fortress. This was the last victory of Russia in the Seven Years' War, since the death of the Empress and the accession to the throne of Peter III, who sympathized with the Prussian King Frederick, did not allow him to take full advantage of the fruits of glorious victories. The history of the Apsheron regiment was replenished with glorious victories over the powerful army of Prussia. In 1769, the regiment took part in the Polish campaign, in which the Confederates were defeated.
Russian-Turkish war of 1770
In 1770, Turkey, taking advantage of the military actions of the Russians against the Commonwe alth, declared war on Russia, which was interested in going to Chernoyesea. The goal of the Ottoman Empire was: Podolia, Volhynia, expansion of its borders in the Black Sea region and the Caucasus. The Russian army under the command of Rumyantsev and Suvorov, which included the Apsheron regiment of Empress Catherine, won a number of important victories at Kozludzhi, Larga, Cahul.
In February 1773, the regiment took part in the capture of Bucharest, in May, as part of a detachment under the command of A. Suvorov, it took part in the assault and capture of the Turtukai fortress. In June of the same year, during a raid across the Danube, the rearguard of the regiment, consisting of 153 soldiers and 3 officers, was killed, saving the entire detachment from death. The Russian Mediterranean Fleet under the command of A. Orlov and G. Spiridov defeated the Turkish fleet at Chesma. On June 10, 1774, a peace treaty was signed in the camp near the village of Kuchuk-Kainardzhi. The ports of Kerch and Yenikale went to Russia. In 1783 Crimea was completely annexed to Russia.
Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791
Turkey sought to take revenge for the previous war and return the Crimea. The reason for the war was the treaty on patronage and supreme power between Russia and Kartli-Kakheti (Eastern Georgia), which sharply reduced the influence of Turkey and Iran in the Caucasus, as well as the annexation of the Crimean Khanate to Russia. The Turks demanded the restoration of the vassalage of the Crimean Khanate and Georgia.
In this war, the Absheron regiment under the command of Colonel Pyotr Telegin enters the army under the command of A. Suvorov and takes part in famous battles. In July 1789, the battle of Focsani and the Coburg battle with the detachments of Osman Pasha took place, in September 1789 - the battle of Rymnik. Suvorov personally took part in the training of the soldiers of the regiment, preparing them to storm the fortresses.
During the siege and capture of Izmail, Suvorov takes with him the Phanagoria and Apsheron regiments of Empress Catherine, believing in the zeal and valor of the soldiers. The regiments under the command of Suvorov took Izmail on 1790-11-12. But there were heavy battles with the Turkish garrison, which turned every house into a fortress. The Turks did not hope for mercy, so they fought to the last, but the Russian soldiers did not have to take courage. Ishmael fell.
Italian campaign of A. Suvorov
The creation of a second coalition against France, which included Russia, was the reason for the Russian-Austrian campaign against the Napoleonic army in Italy under the command of Suvorov. It took place from April to August 1799. Its purpose was to stop the victory of Napoleon's revolutionary army in Italy.
After training the Austrian troops in the tactics developed by him, Suvorov with his army, which included soldiers and officers of the Apsheron regiment of Empress Catherine the Great, set out on a campaign in April, passing 28 miles every day. The Absheronians took part in the famous crossing of the Alps by Suvorov.
On April 14, the decisive battle took place on the Adda River, when Suvorov's opponent from the French side was the legendary Napoleonic Marshal Moreau. Suvorov's army wins the battle. Then there were battles near Lecco, near Trebia, Novi, attacks near Ober Alma and Saint Gotthard, Devil's Bridge, the capture of Almsteg and Mutental. After that, the Absheron people returned to Russia with honor.
War with Napoleon in Europe
In 1805, the Apsheron regiment under the command of Colonel Prince A. V. Sibirsky, as part of a detachment under the command of Prince Bagration, participated in the battles of Almsteten and Krems, as well as in the battles of Shengraben and Austerlitz, after which the regiment, which was in the rearguard of Bagration, covered the retreat of the entire army.
War with the Turks 1806-1812
The beginning of this war was caused by a number of reasons, the main of which were the resignations in 1806 of the rulers of Moldavia and Wallachia, the uprising of the Serbs in 1804 against the Ottoman authorities, and the declaration of war by the Turks against England, which, along with Russia, was part of a coalition against Napoleonic France. Turkey was supported by France.
The troops of General I. Mechelson with a 40,000-strong army entered Moldavia and Wallachia. It was not possible to conduct active operations against the Turks of Russia, therefore in 1806 Mechelson was ordered to carry out only defensive measures. Until 1809, there were small battles with varying success and negotiations were underway for the conclusion of new truces.
The 1809 campaign started badly. Attempts to take the fortresses of Zhurzhu and Brailov failed. The ailing commander Prozorovsky could not lead the army; Prince Bagration was sent to help him. Together with him, the 81st Apsheron Infantry Regiment arrived, which in October participated in the battle near Obileshti, where a large detachment of Turks was defeated, and in the capture of Bucharest. In October 1810, he took part in the assault on the fortresses of Zhurzhi and Rushuk, which fell under pressure from the Russian regiments.
The Patriotic War of 1812 and the foreign campaign of 1813-1815
By the beginning of Napoleon's invasion of Russia, the 81st Apsheron Infantry Regiment was part of the 3rd Observation Army, whose duty was to monitor the enemy, his movement, and also to observe the borders. But nevertheless, he had to take part in three battles with the Napoleonic army: at Kobrin, Gorodechno and Berezina.
After Napoleon was expelled from Russia, the regiment took part in the European campaign of the army of the Russian Empire. With his participation, battles took place near Bautzen, Leipzig, Brienne, Champobury, Larotieri, he participated in the capture of Paris. Reading these lines, one can only be surprised that the history of Europe and Russia of that time is a continuous series of bloody wars, as a result of which borders changed, new countries disappeared and appeared. Russia withstood these trials thanks to the bravery of Russian soldiers, including those who served in the 81st Apsheron Infantry Regiment.
Temporary renaming of the regiment
In 1819, the regiment was transferred to the Caucasus. For some unknown reason, the regiment became known as Troitsky. There is an unconfirmed explanation for this, according to which General Yermolov signed an order to change the name of all regiments in the Caucasus and replace their banners. Therefore, for seven years, the 81st Apsheron Regiment fought in the Caucasus under a false name and banner. In 1826, his historical name and banner were returned to him.
Caucasian War
After the victorious Patriotic War of 1812Russia needed to resolve the issue with the Caucasus. The war in this region dragged on for a long 47 years. It was not continuous, since under the name of the Caucasian War the military operations of the imperial army of Russia were united in connection with the annexation of the North Caucasus. The 81st Apsheron Regiment participated in the defense of the village of Chirak, the fortifications of Zaryansky, Tsinatihsky, Belokansky. He took part in the Dargin campaign, in the battles at Kaka-Shura, Jansoy-Gala, the village of Gunib, a raid on the Dalymov redoubt, and also in the capture of Shamil.
The village of Gunib, where he was located, is located on an impregnable rocky mountain, which can be approached only along the road fired upon by the mountaineers from above. It was 130 Apsheron volunteers who took part in climbing the impregnable rocks in order to remove the guards, and behind them the companies began to climb, using ladders, ledges and potholes in the rocks. Therefore, the assault on Gunib was launched not from below (in this case there would have been many losses), but from above, from where they were not expected. Thanks to the surprise effect, Shamil was quickly captured.
The Caucasian war was an example of solidarity between soldiers and officers of the Russian army. This can be explained by the fact that there were no careerists here, who were mostly in the capital. Here they honored the traditions of the time of Suvorov, for whom the soldier was primarily a person on whom victory depended. Here, the lower ranks unquestioningly carried out the commands of officers who believed in their subordinates. After the Caucasian War, the regiment took part in the Khiva campaign, participated in the capture of the fortress of Avli, Khiva and the city of Chandyra. After that, he was sent backto the Caucasus - to pacify the uprising in Dagestan and Chechnya.
Building villages
The policy of the Russian government in the Caucasus was reduced to the organization and construction of Cossack villages up to the foothills of the Caucasus. It should be noted that the Cossacks lived in Ciscaucasia from time immemorial. After the beginning of peaceful life, by order of the commander of the city of Stavropol, an order was issued on 1863-03-04 to the head of the Pshekh detachment No. 24 on the construction of five villages for the Cossacks. They were supposed to be placed across the Belaya River, along the Pshekha River. One of them was named in honor of the regiment, actively participating in the Caucasian War, and became known as the village of Apsheronskaya. Cossacks living here were assigned to the 24th regiment of the KKV of the Maikop department.
Participation in World War I
The regiment fought in many battles of the First World War, but the defense of the Osovets fortress, in which it participated, entered its history. Despite the fact that the German siege corps outnumbered the besieged, the Germans decided to use a gas attack. More than half of those in the fortress died, the rest went to the bayonet, which was later called the attack of the dead. The Germans, who did not expect such a turn, abandoned their positions and ran. But the Russian command, due to heavy casu alties, decided to leave the fortress.
Revolution of 1917
During the civil war, the regiment fought in the White Army, in 1920 it was evacuated from the Crimea. It is believed that at this time it ceased to exist. He probably ceased to exist much earlier, togetherwith the imperial army, after the abdication of Nicholas II from the throne. In the period after the civil war, there was the 56th Apsheron Cavalry Regiment, part of the Maykop Division, which ended the Great Patriotic War as the Grodno Guards Division.
