Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov is considered by compatriots to be one of the most famous Russian commanders. In addition, he was a statesman and diplomat. The main merit of the field marshal is his victory over Napoleon's troops on the Borodino field. This battle was a turning point, soon after the French troops had to flee from Russia. Many poets and prose writers sang in their works the military art of Kutuzov, an excellent strategist and tactician.
The high professionalism of this man was perfectly combined with intuition, visionary gift, diplomatic talent. He was a student and colleague of Suvorov, who spoke highly of Kutuzov's abilities, calling him smart and cunning. Some contemporaries did not approve of the field marshal's desire to achieve victory with little bloodshed, but history has shown that this was the only correct way to preserve the Russian people.
Childhood[]
The field marshal was born in the northern capital on September 5, 1747. His father, Lieutenant General Illarion Matveyevich Golenishchev-Kutuzov, was considered by contemporaries to be an outstanding person, a true professional. Anna Illarionovna, the mother of the future savior of Russia, was the daughter of a retired captain Berdinsky. There are many inaccuracies in the biography of the field marshal. Some researchers believe that he was born in 1745, this is the date inscribed on Kutuzov's tombstone. Other biographers consider the nobles Beklemishevs to be the ancestors of the commander on the maternal side.
There is also information that the Kutuzov family had two sons - Mikhail and Semyon. The second son, who earned the rank of major, became mentally damaged in the middle of his life, his parents had to take care of the unfortunate one until the end of his life. This information became a logical conclusion from the commander's letter of 1804, which he wrote to his wife. In his message, Mikhail lamented that Semyon's condition did not improve at all, his brother was haunted by some kind of obsession, characteristic of such patients.
Father, Illarion Matveevich, was an outstanding engineer of that time. He began his career under Peter I, received a military engineering education, and served in the engineering troops. Colleagues highly appreciated the sharp mind, erudition of the officer, called his officer a walking encyclopedia. Under Elizabeth Petrovna, the engineer was engaged in the design of the Griboyedov Canal, thanks to which the devastating consequences of the Neva flood were prevented. The engineering concept was already implemented under Catherine II. For a successful project, Kutuzov Sr. received an award - a gold snuffbox encrusted with precious stones.
The well-known name and patronage of his father, who taught artillery sciences at this educational institution, helped.
Currently, the noble school has been transformed into the Mozhaisky Military Space Academy. During the time of Kutuzov, the teachers here were the best scientists of the country. Thus, lectures on physics were read by the famous M. V. Lomonosov, a scientist with encyclopedic knowledge. Pupil Kutuzov showed himself from the very best side, he graduated from the academy as an external student. Instead of three years, he spent half of this period at school.
Military career[]
Already at the beginning of the winter of 1761, the young talent was awarded a certificate of maturity. The young man, who received the rank of ensign engineer, was left at the educational institution as a teacher of mathematics. After some time, he was appointed adjutant wing of the Duke of Holstein-Beck. Kutuzov, who managed the duke's office, showed himself to be an efficient, diligent officer. In 1762 he was promoted to the rank of captain.
At the same time, the young man became close to Suvorov, he was appointed company commander of the Astrakhan 12th Grenadier Regiment. The commander here was Alexander Vasilyevich. It was a famous regiment, in whose ranks Bagration, Meshchersky, Levashov, and other famous generals served at one time. Two years later, Kutuzov ended up in Poland, where he had to fight the Polish Confederates. He commanded small detachments formed to fight the Polish insurgents. Kutuzov's army was inferior in number to the Confederates, but his skillful leadership, enterprise, and swift marches made it possible to win a quick victory.
In 1767, Kutuzov was involved in the work of the Commission for the drafting of a new Code, a code of laws adopted once by Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich. Here he acted as a secretary-translator, as he was fluent in several languages.
A year later, the Russian-Turkish campaign began, which became a significant milestone in the biography of the future field marshal. It was here that he gained real combat experience, showed himself to be an outstanding military leader. At the end of the Turkish campaign, Kutuzov commanded a regiment. During the assault on enemy fortifications in the Crimea, the officer was seriously wounded, but survived. The bullet, entering near the left temple, found an exit at the right eye.
Thanks to the French physician Jean Massot, who used non-standard, innovative methods of neurosurgery in the treatment, Kutuzov managed to save his life. The officer's eye was damaged, looked "lopsided", but his vision was not affected. The Empress, who awarded the hero with the Order of St. George, sent him to Austria for treatment at public expense. Kutuzov spent two years of forced leave with benefit, he was engaged in military education. Abroad, he joined the Masonic Lodge.
Returning to his homeland, the commander was engaged in the formation of light cavalry units. Having received the rank of colonel, he served in Azov, commanded the Lugansk regiment. Five years later, in 1783, he was transferred to the Crimea, having been appointed commander of the Mariupol Light Horse Regiment. A year later, Kutuzov participated in the suppression of the Crimean uprising, then he was engaged in the formation of the Bug Chasseur Corps. Standing at the head of this corps, the commander developed new tactics for the rangers, which he outlined in a special instruction.
During the second war with Turkey, Kutuzov with rangers covered the borders along the Bug. In October 1787, the commander with his army under the leadership of Suvorov became a participant in the battle of Kinburn. Then the Russian troops almost completely destroyed the Turkish landing force, consisting of five thousand soldiers. A year later, Kutuzov became a participant in the siege of Ochakov. Here Mikhail Illarionovich was again seriously wounded. The bullet passed through almost the same channel, and this surprised the doctors very much. She pierced her cheek, flying into the back of her head.
After being mortally wounded, the brave warrior survived again. Surgeons believed that Providence itself saves the life of this man, destining him for a great feat. A year later, the commander already commanded a separate corps, took part in the battle of Causeni, stormed Akkerman, Bendery. In the battle for Izmail, Kutuzov proved to be not only a fearless commander, but also an excellent tactician. He timely brought reserve troops into battle, completely defeated the enemy in the direction entrusted to him.
This played a decisive role in the capture of the fortress. Suvorov highly appreciated the actions of the commander, Kutuzov was promoted to lieutenant general, and was appointed commandant of the conquered Ishmael. In June 1791, Kutuzov made a surprise attack on the Turkish army at Babadag. He also distinguished himself in the battle of Machinsky, bypassed the enemy from the flank and, attacking from the rear, defeated the enemies.
In 1794, the commander was placed at the head of the land gentry cadet corps. For the next four years, he commanded troops in Finland, inspected them, while also acting as a diplomat - he negotiated with Sweden and Prussia. In 1798 he was promoted to general of infantry. For three years, the officer served as the Lithuanian, and then the St. Petersburg military governor. In 1802, the commander fell into disfavor and was forced to retire.
But three years later they remembered him. During the Russian-Austrian-French war, the commander was appointed commander in chief of the army, which was sent to help Austria. Already during the campaign, Kutuzov, who learned that the allied army of General Mack had been defeated near Ulm, made a brilliant move. Having made a forced march from Braunau to Olmutz, he saved the Russian troops from meeting with superior enemy forces. During the retreat, the commander won victories at Krems and Amstetten.
But the action plan developed by Kutuzov against Napoleon did not suit Alexander I and his Austrian advisers. The commander was actually removed from the leadership of the troops. Despite his objections, Alexander I and Franz I organized a general battle with the French army near Austerlitz. It ended with the defeat of the allied forces. Kutuzov managed to save the Russian troops from total extermination, but the monarch accused him of his own mistakes.
After that, Kutuzov served in secondary posts, was a Kyiv, Lithuanian military governor, a corps commander in Moldova. In March 1811, the famous commander had to be remembered - the war with Bonaparte was approaching, it was necessary to end the war with Turkey. Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Moldavian army, he switched to active operations with the help of mobile corps. Near Roschuk (Bulgaria), the Russians won a major victory, and a few months later Kutuzov near Slobodzeya captured the entire Turkish army. For a brilliant victory, he was awarded the title of count.
For this, the sovereign granted Kutuzov the title of His Serene Highness. At the beginning of the war of 1812, the commander was elected head of the St. Petersburg, then Moscow militia. When the Russian troops had to leave Smolensk, Kutuzov became commander in chief. After arriving in the army, the commander made an important decision about the general battle with Bonaparte on the Borodino field.
The French failed to achieve victory, but the Russian troops, for many reasons, could not go on the counteroffensive. The strategic situation, fatigue, lack of strength did not allow to finish off the French. Kutuzov set himself the task of preserving the army, giving it the necessary respite, and replenishing the army. He had to surrender Moscow without a fight, and after a brave march maneuver from the Ryazan to the Kaluga road, camp in Tarutino. Here, the talented commander not only replenished the troops, but also became the organizer of the partisan movement.
On October 18, near the village of Tarutino, Kutuzov defeated Murat's corps, because of which Bonaparte had to speed up his flight from the capital. A talented strategist did not allow the French to get into the southern Russian provinces, blocking their way near Maloyaroslavets. The enemies had to retreat along the plundered Smolensk road, the Russians pursued them, imposing battles near Krasnoye and Vyazma. The main forces of the French were defeated by Kutuzov's troops on the Berezina River.
A strong and experienced enemy was defeated. At the end of 1812, the Russian commander-in-chief, who received the title of Prince of Smolensk, was awarded the Order of St. George I degree, became the first full St. George in Russia. At the beginning of the next year, the great commander smashed the remnants of the Napoleonic troops in Poland and Prussia, but did not live to see a complete victory over the enemy.
Field Marshal Kutuzov was distinguished by his deep mind, brilliant talent as a commander and diplomat. He loved his homeland, and tried to act for the good of his country. He was a successful military leader, used various types of maneuvers under all circumstances, very accurately determined the need to move from one maneuver to another. The rulers highly appreciated his services to the Motherland, for military prowess the officer earned many awards and encouragement.
Death[]
The Most Serene Prince died on April 28, 1813 in the small Silesian town of Bunzlau (now the Polish city of Boleslawiec).