Barclay De Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich (1757-1818) (Michael Andreas). Born December 13 (24), 1757, Pamušis estate near Žaime, Lithuania. Died - May 14 (26), 1818, Insterburg (Prussia), now Chernyakhovsk, Russia) - prince (1815), Russian field marshal general (1814). Division and corps commander in the wars with France and Sweden. In 1810-12, Minister of War. During the Patriotic War of 1812, he was the commander-in-chief of the 1st Army, and in July - August of virtually all active Russian armies. In 1813-14, commander-in-chief of the Russian-Prussian army, from 1815 - the 1st Army.
Origin and beginning of service
Barclay De Tolly came from an ancient Scottish baronial family. At the beginning of the 17th century, due to religious persecution, his ancestors moved to Germany and then to the Baltic states, his grandfather was the burgomaster of Riga, his father served in the Russian army and retired with the rank of lieutenant.
Barclay himself was raised from the age of 3 in the family of his uncle, the brigadier of the Russian army E. von Vermeulen. According to the custom of that time, in 1767 he was enlisted as a corporal in the Novotroitsk Cuirassier Regiment, and began active service in 1776 in the ranks of the Pskov Carabineer Regiment, already having the rank of sergeant.
In 1778 Barclay De Tolly received the first officer rank- cornet, and from 1783 to 1790 he held adjutant positions with a number of generals. Barclay received his baptism of fire during Russian-Turkish war in 1788 during the storming of Ochakov in the army of Grigory Aleksandrovich Potemkin, then participated in the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-90 and the 1794 campaign against Polish insurgents, where for his bravery he was awarded the order St. George 4th grade. His diligence and courage in battle were very soon noticed, and from 1794 Barclay De Tolly consistently climbed the rungs of the career ladder: he commanded a battalion, regiment, brigade, and division. In 1798 he became a colonel, and in 1799 - a major general.
Barclay De Tolly especially distinguished himself in the campaign of 1806-1807, commanding rearguard detachments, he fought near Pultusk and Preussisch-Eylau, where he was wounded and carried unconscious from the battlefield. For heroic behavior he received the rank of lieutenant general and again distinguished himself in the Russian-Swedish war of 1808-1809. For crossing the ice through the Kvarken Strait and occupying the Swedish city of Umeå, he was awarded the rank of infantry general, and was soon appointed commander-in-chief of the army in Finland.
Minister of War and commander
The military and administrative abilities of Barclay De Tolly were appreciated by Emperor Alexander I. From 1810 to 1812, he served as Minister of War, and it was he who was entrusted with all the preparations for the upcoming war with Napoleonic France. During this time, Barclay managed to carry out a number of important events: construction engineering structures, creation of rear bases, improvement of the divisional and creation of the corps system, streamlining of the headquarters service, creation of intelligence agencies, reform of field and senior military command. Under him, new principles of combat training of troops began to be introduced into practice - training in marksmanship and operations on rough terrain.
His merits include the development before 1812 the right strategy against an opponent like Napoleon. Based on the received intelligence data about the significant numerical superiority of the French forces, Barclay De Tolly proposed an operational plan designed to prolong military operations over time and into the depths of Russian territory. In the first period Patriotic War 1812 Barclay served as commander-in-chief of the 1st Western Army and was able, despite the resistance of part of the generals and officer corps, bring the pre-war plan to life. From the beginning of hostilities, he organized the withdrawal of Russian troops, and his units avoided attacks from superior enemy forces. After the unification of the two Western armies at Smolensk, Barclay De Tolly began to exercise overall leadership of their actions and continued to retreat, which caused an explosion of discontent and accusations against him in the army environment and Russian society. After the appointment and arrival of Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov to the troops, he remained commander-in-chief of the 1st Western Army. In the Battle of Borodino, the center and right flank were subordinate to him. According to many contemporaries, on this day he was looking for death and during the battle he appeared in its most dangerous areas.
Skillful leadership under Borodino Barclay De Tolly received received highly appreciated Kutuzov, who believed that largely thanks to the firmness he showed, the desire of the superior enemy to the center of the Russian position was “restrained,” and “his courage surpassed all praise.” As a reward he received the Order of St. George, 2nd class. At the military council in Fili, Barclay acted as the main opponent of Leonty Leontievich Bennigsen, criticizing his chosen position on the Sparrow Hills, and was the first to decisively speak out for leaving Moscow in order to preserve the army.
Barclay De Tolly organized the passage of the retreating troops through Moscow. On September 21, after being dismissed from command at his own request, he left the army. During foreign trips Russian army 1813-14 on February 4, 1813 he took command of the 3rd Army. The troops under his command took the Thorn fortress, distinguished themselves in the battle of Koenigswart, and participated in the Battle of Bautzen.
In 1813, Barclay De Tolly was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian-Prussian troops, and after Austria joined the ranks of the Allies, he commanded the Russian-Prussian troops as part of the Bohemian Army. Under his leadership, the victory was won at Kulm (awarded the Order of St. George, 1st class), and as one of the main heroes of the victory in the Battle of Leipzig, he and his descendants were elevated to the dignity of count Russian Empire. In the campaign of 1814, he successfully commanded troops at Fer-Champenoise and during the capture of Paris, for which he received the rank of field marshal.
After the end of hostilities, Barclay De Tolly became commander-in-chief of the 1st Army, at the head of which he made a second campaign in France in 1815 and received a princely title for reviewing Russian troops near the city of Vertue.
Barclay De Tolly was buried on the estate of his wife Bekhof in Estland.
On December 27, 1761, Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly, a famous military leader and minister of war, was born. Scots by birth, he was one of the founders of the Russian military intelligence and could have become the main hero of the Patriotic War of 1812.
The Mystery of Birth
To this day, discussions and debates among historians about the date and place of birth continue. famous commander.. In most publications, until recently last year, the year of birth of Mikhail Bogdanovich was indicated as 1761. However, modern researchers increasingly called more early year birth - 1757. Thus, in Barclay’s request dated November 7, 1812 to Emperor Alexander I for leave “to improve my health,” the commander himself indicates: “I am 55 years old.” On this moment 1757 as the year of birth of Barclay de Tolly is gradually gaining official recognition. So, in 2007, in Chernyakhovsk (at the time of the commander’s death - Insterburg) commemorative events on the occasion of the 250th anniversary of the commander.
Through the Gulf of Bothnia
One of the most striking campaigns of Barclay de Tolly was the Russian-Swedish war of 1808-1809, when in March 1809 Russian troops crossed to the shores of Sweden across the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia. Contemporaries compared this feat with Suvorov’s crossing of the Alps. At the same time, Barclay proved himself to be an excellent organizer and administrator, who managed not only to carry out, but also, above all, to competently prepare an operation that was considered extremely risky. The soldiers received additional warm uniforms. The food was also organized taking into account the fact that the troops would have to cross the ice in conditions of secrecy and without the possibility of making fires. The horses were shod with special spiked shoes, and the wheels of the guns and charging boxes were notched to prevent them from slipping on the ice. The difficult march was successfully accomplished and Umeå was occupied. Unfortunately, the military results of the transition were offset by political actions, but nevertheless, the capabilities of the Russian army to carry out an invasion of Swedish territory in winter were demonstrated.
Minister of War
On January 20, 1810, Barclay de Tolly was appointed to the post of Minister of War, and a number of transformations that had a positive impact during the Patriotic War of 1812 were associated with his name. A permanent corps organization was introduced in the Russian army, which had a positive effect on the command and control of troops during large-scale combat operations. Barclay also paid considerable attention to strengthening the fortresses - unfortunately, most of these measures were unfinished at the time of Napoleon's invasion of Russia. Nevertheless, the Bobruisk fortress, which remained deep in the rear French army, the enemy was never able to take possession. On March 19, 1812, Barclay took command of the 1st Western Army, stationed along the main route of Napoleon's army.
Enemy assessment
Barclay also received high praise from the enemy in the spring of 1812. Shortly before the Patriotic War of 1812, General Lauriston's adjutant, Captain de Longerue, gave short description character, military abilities, family and financial status of a number of military leaders of the Russian army. M.B. Barclay de Tolly was given the following description: “Minister of War. A Livonian, he married a Courlander who only sees ladies from these two provinces. This is a man of about 55, a little haggard, great worker, enjoying an excellent reputation."
The vicissitudes of fate
Having made a brilliant and fast career, M.B. Barclay de Tolly often experienced envy and very unflattering reviews from ill-wishers. Barclay had a very difficult relationship with M.I. Kutuzov during the Patriotic War of 1812. Shortly after the military council in Fili, Barclay, citing deteriorating health, left the army. The immediate cause, but far from the cause, was the transfer of 30 thousand soldiers from Barclay’s 1st Army to the rearguard of General M.A. Miloradovich by Kutuzov. Kutuzov, as commander-in-chief, could make such decisions, but it was insulting to Mikhail Bogdanovich that he was not even officially informed about this. Subsequently, Barclay returned to the active army, where the difficult campaign of 1813 awaited him.
Commander's Awards
M. B. Barclay de Tolly was one of four military leaders awarded all four degrees of the Order of St. George (in addition to Barclay, M. I. Kutuzov, I. I. Dibich, I. F. Paskevich became full knights). Barclay was awarded the fourth degree in 1794 for the capture of the fortifications of Vilna, occupied by the Poles. The general was awarded the 3rd degree for successful actions in the battle of Pultusk, and was awarded the 2nd degree of the order for the Battle of Borodino. A complete gentleman Barclay de Tolly became the same Order of St. George after the defeat of the 30,000-strong Russian troops French corps near Kulm in 1813 Highest award The Russian Empire - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called M.B. Barclayde-Tolly was awarded for the victory at Koenigswart in Saxony. On May 7, 1813, he, at the head of a 23,000-strong detachment, suddenly attacked and defeated the Italian division of General Perry. The Italians alone lost a division commander, three brigadier generals, 14 officers and more than 1,400 soldiers as prisoners.
Intelligence organizer
With significant military experience, Barclay de Tolly as Minister of War, he carried out a number of activities to organize permanent and systemic nature intelligence. At the beginning of 1812 it was created Special office under the Minister of War. The office carried out its activities in conditions of strict secrecy; it did not appear in annual ministerial reports, but reported directly to the Minister of War. Barclay personally selected specialists for this structure. The Special Office carried out its work in three areas: strategic intelligence(obtaining strategic information abroad), tactical intelligence (collecting data about enemy troops located in neighboring states) and counterintelligence (searching for and neutralizing Napoleonic agents).
Barclay de Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich(1757-1818), prince (1815), Russian field marshal general (1814). Division and corps commander in the wars with France and Sweden. In 1810-12, Minister of War. During the Patriotic War of 1812, he was the commander-in-chief of the 1st Army, and in July - August of virtually all active Russian armies. In 1813-14, commander-in-chief of the Russian-Prussian army, from 1815 - the 1st Army.
Barclay de Tolly Mikhail Bogdanovich (Michael Andreas), prince (1815), Russian commander, Field Marshal General (1814).
Origin and beginning of service
He came from an ancient Scottish baronial family. At the beginning of the 17th century, due to religious persecution, his ancestors moved to Germany and then to the Baltic states; his grandfather was the burgomaster of Riga, his father served in the Russian army and retired with the rank of lieutenant. Barclay himself was raised from the age of 3 in the family of his uncle, the brigadier of the Russian army E. von Vermeulen. According to the custom of that time, in 1767 he was enlisted as a corporal in the Novotroitsk Cuirassier Regiment, and began active service in 1776 in the ranks of the Pskov Carabineer Regiment, already having the rank of sergeant. In 1778 he received his first officer rank - cornet, and from 1783 to 1790 he held adjutant positions with a number of generals. He received baptism of fire during the Russian-Turkish war in 1788 during the storming of Ochakov in the army of G. A. Potemkin, then participated in the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-90 and the 1794 campaign against Polish insurgents, where he was awarded the Order of St. George for his bravery 4 th class. His diligence and courage in battle were very soon noticed, and from 1794 he consistently climbed the steps of the career ladder: he commanded a battalion, regiment, brigade, and division. In 1798 he became a colonel, and in 1799 - a major general. He especially distinguished himself in the campaign of 1806-1807, commanding rearguard detachments, he fought near Pultusk and Preussisch-Eylau, where he was wounded and carried from the battlefield unconscious. For heroic behavior he received the rank of lieutenant general and again distinguished himself in the Russian-Swedish war of 1808-1809. For crossing the ice through the Kvarken Strait and occupying the Swedish city of Umeå, he was awarded the rank of infantry general, and was soon appointed commander-in-chief of the army in Finland.
Minister of War and commander
His military-administrative abilities were appreciated by Emperor Alexander I. From 1810 to 1812, he served as Minister of War, and it was he who was entrusted with all the preparations for the upcoming war with Napoleonic France. During this time, he managed to carry out a number of important events: the construction of engineering structures, the creation of rear bases, the improvement of the divisional and creation of the corps system, the streamlining of the headquarters service, the creation of intelligence agencies, the reform of field and senior military command. Under him, new principles of combat training of troops began to be introduced into practice - training in marksmanship and operations on rough terrain. His merits include the development before 1812 of the correct strategy against such an enemy as Napoleon. Based on the received intelligence data about the significant numerical superiority of the French forces, he proposed an operational plan designed to prolong military operations over time and into the depths of Russian territory. During the first period of the Patriotic War of 1812, Barclay served as commander-in-chief of the 1st Western Army and was able, despite the resistance of some of the generals and the officer corps, to bring the pre-war plan to life. From the beginning of hostilities, he organized the withdrawal of Russian troops, and his units avoided attacks from superior enemy forces. After the unification of the two Western armies near Smolensk, he began to exercise overall leadership of their actions and continued to retreat, which caused an explosion of discontent and accusations against him in the army environment and Russian society. After his appointment and arrival to the troops, M. I. Kutuzov remained commander-in-chief of the 1st Western Army. In the Battle of Borodino, the center and right flank were subordinate to him. According to many contemporaries, on this day he was looking for death and during the battle he appeared in its most dangerous areas. His skillful leadership at Borodino was highly praised by Kutuzov, who believed that largely thanks to the firmness he showed, the desire of the superior enemy to the center of the Russian position was “restrained,” and “his courage surpassed all praise.” As a reward he received the Order of St. George, 2nd class. At the military council in Fili, Barclay acted as the main opponent of L.L. Bennigsen, criticizing his chosen position on the Sparrow Hills, and was the first to decisively speak out for leaving Moscow in order to preserve the army. Organized the passage of retreating troops through Moscow. On September 21, after being dismissed from command at his own request, he left the army. During the foreign campaigns of the Russian army in 1813-14. on February 4, 1813 he took command of the 3rd Army. The troops under his command took the Thorn fortress, distinguished themselves in the battle of Koenigswart, and participated in the Battle of Bautzen. In 1813, Barclay was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian-Prussian troops, and after Austria joined the ranks of the Allies, he commanded the Russian-Prussian troops as part of the Bohemian Army. Under his leadership, the victory was won at Kulm (he was awarded the Order of St. George, 1st class), and as one of the main heroes of the victory in the Battle of Leipzig, he and his descendants were elevated to the dignity of count of the Russian Empire. In the campaign of 1814, he successfully commanded troops at Fer-Champenoise and during the capture of Paris, for which he received the rank of field marshal. After the end of hostilities, he became the commander-in-chief of the 1st Army, at the head of which he made a second campaign in France in 1815 and received a princely title for reviewing Russian troops near the city of Vertue. He was buried on the estate of his wife Bekhof in Estland.
Material last updated - December 2016
On December 27, 1761, in the small Lithuanian village of Pamušis, a man was born whose family descended from the Scottish Highlanders. Although one can say this - the future great Russian commander was born, full Knight of St. George, founder of Russian army intelligence and counterintelligence. It can be even simpler - the savior of Russia. Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly.
The memory of him has shrunk to the point of an offensive and unfair saying. Or rather, even a mocking joke based on a kindergarten play on words. After the retreat and surrender of Smolensk in the campaign of 1812, some wits changed the name of the commander: “He chats, and that’s all.” You can guarantee that this “funny” episode will definitely be heard on school lesson on the topic of the Patriotic War of 1812
Monument to Barclay de Tolly (Riga). Photo: Commons.wikimedia.org / Edgars Košovojs
With such a disdainful attitude towards the memory of a truly great man, we at one time reached the point of outright absurdity. They tried to steal Mikhail Bogdanovich from Russia. Posthumously. And not without success. In 1841, German nationalists placed his bust with great pomp in the Valhalla, the hall of fame. German people, which is near the city of Regensburg. The Germans were able to appreciate the greatness Russian citizen and a Scotsman by blood, whose relationship to Germany was limited, perhaps, only by his place of birth - Livonia, Riga. However, it is not too late to remind who is who.
Finland is ours!
Researchers of soldier's folklore have recorded another saying that was common among the troops several years before the start of the Patriotic War of 1812. It sounded like this: “Looking at Barclay, you are not afraid!” And it was connected with Russian-Swedish war 1808-1809 At that time the Swedes, who were repeatedly beaten Peter the Great, suddenly showed the famous Nordic temper and ability to fight. The beginning of the war for Russia was clearly unsuccessful - several units were defeated, others retreated, and units Rear Admiral Nikolai Bodisko and completely capitulated.
There was still a danger that the Russians could arrange amphibious assault into the soft underbelly of Sweden. But the Swedes were confident that General Frost was now on their side. The Gulf of Bothnia, which separated Russia and Sweden, was covered that winter with particularly thick shell ice, which precluded sea sabotage.
Barclay's plan was daring to the point of madness. And certainly unprecedented. No one has ever dared to do something like this before. military history humanity.
He proposed raising troops directly from winter quarters and throwing them across the ice of the bay, first to the Åland Islands, and then to Stockholm. Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army General Bogdan Knorring in horror he reported to the king about the “madness” of his subordinate: “Sovereign! The battalions are not frigates, and the Cossacks are not shebeks to walk the bays!” But the emperor unexpectedly liked Barclay’s idea.
250 miles across the icy desert. Five transitions. Five nights, during which they were not even allowed to make fires that could be unmasked. To the question: “How can we warm ourselves?” — the imperturbable Barclay replied: “You can jump.” However, they weren’t that cold. At Barclay's insistence, the appropriate provisions were taken - crackers, lard and vodka.
The fact that the Russians were not expected is putting it mildly. The first point - the Åland Islands - was taken on the fly. The Swedish garrison could not believe that this was possible. He hardly even resisted - the losses on both sides amounted to about 100 people. Barclay took more than 3 thousand prisoners.
They didn’t expect ours in Stockholm either. Eyewitnesses, perhaps lying somewhat, say that he King Gustav IV On March 7, 1809, he was awakened by a volley of Russian cannons in close proximity from the palace. On the outskirts of the city, and this is absolutely certain, Cossack patrols have already appeared. In any case, Gustav was instantly deposed, and new king He immediately sent envoys to Barclay de Tolly. Not only the strategically important Åland Islands, but also the whole of Finland went to Russia. The ideal way to wage war.
Forerunner of Stirlitz and fighting rabbi
Beautifully executed operations are half the battle for a true commander. According to Chinese thinker Sun Tzu, who is considered the highest ace military strategy: “The best thing is to defeat the enemy’s plans.” Here the palm should also be given to Barclay. It was he who created a device in our army that is capable of breaking plans. Military intelligence.
About the exploits of the Russian resident Alexander Chernyshev more or less known. A brilliant officer, he, on Barclay’s instructions, infiltrated the highest Parisian circles. He was singled out by Napoleon himself, who loved to have conversations with the Russian about tactics and strategy, hunting and philosophy. Chernyshev himself, according to rumors, even started an affair with Napoleon's sister, Pauline Borghese. And in the intervals between conversations and courtship, he bribed a certain Michel, a captain in the French military department. He had access to top-secret documents. Let's say the schedule numerical strength of the French army were compiled on the basis of battalion and regimental reports every two weeks. In a single copy - for Napoleon himself. True, after Chernyshev’s efforts, it was no longer the only thing - Michel made a copy for the Russian Tsar Alexander I and the Russian Minister of War Barclay de Tolly.
It is much less known that Barclay’s department covered not only the circles of the highest aristocracy with its network. The clergy also worked for him, and very specific ones at that.
Rebbe Shneur Zalman bar Boruch, founder of the Chabad Hasidic movement, was perhaps the only Jewish authority who publicly spoke out against Napoleon: “Do not lose heart and do not attach importance to the temporary victories of the hater, for complete victory will be on the side of the Russian Tsar!” In addition to propaganda, he flooded Bonaparte’s army, which had invaded Russia, with his spies. In the very first weeks of the war, the students of the Lubavitcher Rebbe created a network that entangled the entire territory of Lithuania and Belarus. This is how the hero of the war of 1812, Mikhail Miloradovich, spoke about their work: “These people are the most devoted servants of the sovereign, without them we would not have defeated Napoleon and would not have been decorated with these orders.” However, if we think impartially, all the laurels in the area of intelligence should have gone to Barclay de Tolly.
Second place or oblivion?
In life Pushkin from his famous poem“The Russian Tsar has a chamber in his palace” one stanza was removed. Here she is:
Your successor has achieved hidden success
In your head. And you, unrecognized, forgotten
The hero of the occasion is dead. And at the hour of death
Perhaps he remembered us with contempt.
Now this has to be explained, but in those years it was clear to everyone - Pushkin is talking here about Barclay and his “successor”, Kutuzov. Public opinion, and especially the descendants of Kutuzov, were terribly outraged. How so? Who, according to Pushkin, is the savior of Russia? Is it really not Kutuzov, but some kind of foreigner? Who, moreover, did not fight a single battle, but only retreated ingloriously?
To show Barclay’s “insignificance”, the correspondence was immediately brought to light Prince Bagration, who did not mince words: “Our minister is indecisive, a coward, stupid, slow and has all the worst qualities.” Or even more scathingly: “Scoundrel, bastard, creature Barclay gave up such a wonderful position for nothing!”
Now let's compare two quotes.
First: “With the loss of Moscow, Russia is not lost yet. But when the army is destroyed, both Moscow and Russia will perish.”
Second: “Moscow is nothing more than a dot on the map of Europe. I will not make any movement for this city that could expose the army to danger, since it is necessary to save Russia and Europe, and not Moscow.”
It may seem like one person is speaking. However, in fact, the first phrase belongs to Kutuzov, and the second belongs to Barclay.
It was he who, having become Minister of War in 1810, having comprehensive intelligence from the service that he himself created, developed a plan for the war with Napoleon. The plan of that very “Scythian war”. Retreat. Stretching communications. Disturbing blows. In the future, the enemy will flee.
Here's the evidence Barclay's adjutant, Vladimir Levenstern: “He more than once instructed me to write to His Majesty that the loss of several provinces would soon be rewarded with the complete extermination of the French army... Barclay begged His Majesty to endure until November and guaranteed with his head that by November French troops will be forced to leave Russia more hastily than they entered there.”
We already know that events developed exactly according to Barclay’s scheme. However, his name is almost never mentioned in this context. And if it is mentioned, the reaction to it will be indignant.
Therefore, it is best to quote Alexander Pushkin again, whom it is difficult to suspect of insufficient patriotism: “Should we really be ungrateful to the merits of Barclay de Tolly because Kutuzov is great? You say that his merits were recognized, appreciated, and awarded. Yes, but by whom and when? Of course, not by the people and not in 1812.”
The last statement, unfortunately, remains true more than a hundred years later.
From the editor: Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly died on May 26, 1818 in East Prussia.
The fate of this commander is an example of historical injustice. All the glory went to Bagration and, while Barclay de Tolly’s contemporaries obstructed him, and his descendants “relegated” him to minor characters. To use Pushkin’s expression, he has become something like a “Russian god” - it is recognized that he exists, but no one really counts on him.
Scottish German
Played a significant role in this matter national question(at that time Great Russian chauvinists already existed). The ancestors of Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly, Scottish monarchists, emigrated to the Baltics to escape Cromwell. There their blood mixed with the blood of the Livonian Germans.
As a result, Mikhail Bogdanovich (years of life: 1761-1818) was considered a “thin-born” person and generally questionable in his origin. He received an excellent upbringing and education, began military service(real, not on paper!) at less than 15 years old, and it took him 20 years to rise to the rank of colonel.
At the same time, the officer managed to take part in the capture of Ochakov and Ackerman, the war with Sweden, military operations against the Kosciuszko rebels, and the conquest of Finland (where he later served as governor).
In 1807, Barclay made an invaluable military discovery. He proposed a “scorched earth” strategy to the Tsar, proposing to use it in the event of an attack by France. Contemporaries used it, but did not praise it, and later generations also found the invention useful.
Minister of War
In 1810-1812, Barclay was Minister of War. In this post, he sought to reform the management of the army and make it more organized. The country owes him the increase in combat effectiveness on the eve of the war - he spent 1811-1812. 4 additional recruits, increasing the army by 1.5 million people. Some of them were already combat-ready by the beginning of the war, others could replace trained soldiers in remote garrisons.
Thanks to the efforts of Barclay, Russia did not lack both military equipment and artillery.
Did not get along
At the beginning of the war, Barclay commanded the 1st Army in Lithuania, ignored the worthless plan to repel Napoleon (drafted by General Foul) and began to “burn the earth” and retreat, avoiding a pitched battle.
Appointed commander in chief in August, he did the same. But his contemporaries recognized him as a genius, and Barclay, for the same actions, as a coward and almost a traitor.
The fact is that Barclay was decidedly at odds with the majority of the senior officers. Hussar prowess was in fashion, and Barclay was a polite, reserved, cautious “German”, and the violent Bagration was preferred to him, although he with his thirst decisive battle directly played into the hands of Napoleon (he also really wanted big battle). But this German was such a patriot of Russia that for her sake he endured ridicule and bullying, dodged and flattered, but knew how to insist on his own. It was he who saved the army not only for Borodino, but also for the subsequent offensive. It was Barclay who was the first to support in Fili the idea of leaving Moscow for the sake of saving Russia, although everyone present (including Kutuzov!) chose not to notice this. And it was he who created the scorched “corridor” in which the retreating “Grand Army” perished.
After the war
When Napoleon was defeated, Russia's allies valued Barclay very highly, the tsar also expressed gratitude to him, but ignored the “light” almost demonstratively. The landowners, who preferred the “estate” to the Motherland, did not forgive him for the “scorched earth.” And the field marshal (he received this title in 1815) further spoiled their mood by speaking out against military settlements and demanding that retiring soldiers be given land...
He died a natural death before reaching the resort where he was heading for treatment...
In 1837, a double monument by the sculptor Orlovsky was erected in St. Petersburg: to Kutuzov and Barclay. So history finally recognized that it was the two of them who achieved victory in 1812.