Miloradovich's speech on Senate Square. Miloradovich is with us, laurel is blooming everywhere...

Miloradovich

Mikhail Andreevich

Battles and victories

Russian infantry general (1809), participant in Suvorov's campaigns, the War of 1812, military governor of St. Petersburg, a man of great personal courage, holder of many Russian and European orders.

Military General Miloradovich forever remained an example of selfless service to Russia, and his unexpected death at the hands of the Decembrists became a bitter reproach to the Russians for internal strife.

Mikhail Andreevich came from a Serbian family that moved to Russia under Peter I. His father was a participant in the Russian-Turkish wars of Catherine’s era, and with the rank of lieutenant general became governor of Little Russia. The future hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, his son Mikhail received home education, and also took some courses in European universities and military schools. Even as a child, Miloradovich was enlisted in the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, in its ranks he participated in Russian-Swedish war 1788-1790, and in 1796 received the rank of captain. A fit, dashing and efficient officer under Paul I quickly advanced and already in 1798 he became a major general and commander of the Absheron Musketeer Regiment.

In terms of courage, Miloradovich was not inferior to any of the famous commanders, but in terms of luck he had no equal. “The bullets knocked the sultan off his hat, wounded and beat the horses under him,” wrote adjutant F. Glinka, “he was not embarrassed; changed horses, lit a pipe, straightened his crosses and wrapped an amaranth shawl around his neck, the ends of which fluttered picturesquely in the air.”

Participation in the Italian and Swiss campaigns in 1799 played a significant role in Miloradovich’s development as a military commander. He always went on the attack ahead of his regiment, and more than once his example turned out to be decisive for the outcome of the battle. On the battlefield, Miloradovich showed extraordinary resourcefulness, speed and courage - distinctive properties his talents, which developed even more strongly in the school of the Russian commander Suvorov. Suvorov fell in love with Miloradovich and appointed him general on duty, in other words, made him a person close to him, and did not miss the opportunity to provide him with the opportunity to distinguish himself.

Always dapper and elegantly dressed, Miloradovich, under bullets, could calmly light his pipe, adjust his ammunition and joke. Surrendering himself to the music of battle, he was successful everywhere, rousing the troops by personal example; He was the first to mount his horse and the last to get off it, when everyone had settled down to rest.

An episode of the campaign through St. Gotthard can serve as a characteristic of his fearlessness and courage. While descending from a steep mountain into a valley occupied by the French, Miloradovich’s soldiers suddenly hesitated. Noticing this, Mikhail Andreevich exclaimed:

“See how your general is captured!” - and rolled on his back off the cliff. The soldiers, who loved their commander, followed him in unison.

During the campaigns of 1799 he was awarded with orders St. Anne 1st degree, St. Alexander Nevsky and the Order of Malta.

In 1805, during the Russian-Austro-French War, commanding a brigade as part of the army of M. Kutuzov, he distinguished himself in battles near Amstetten and near Krems. In the latter, he was tasked with a frontal attack on the enemy position. For courage and valor in the battle, which lasted all day, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree and the rank of lieutenant general.

In 1806, with the outbreak of the Russian-Turkish War, Miloradovich, at the head of a corps, crossed the Dniester and, having occupied Bucharest, saved Wallachia from ruin. Continuing to operate as part of the Moldavian army, he gained fame as a fearless and wise commander, and was awarded a golden sword with the inscription: “For courage and the salvation of Bucharest.” In 1809, having shown best features commander's talent, won the battle of Rassevat and was promoted to infantry general, becoming a full general at the age of 38. After this, due to disagreements with the commander-in-chief of the Moldavian army, Prince Bagration, he was transferred to Wallachia as commander of the reserve corps.

In 1810, Miloradovich retired and for some time served as Kyiv governor-general. His tenure in this post was marked unprecedentedly comfortable conditions officials' services. The lavish balls that he gave at the Mariinsky Palace, to which the public often appeared in national costumes, still remain an urban legend. The atmosphere of goodwill and tolerance created for the entire Kyiv society allowed it to successfully overcome a serious crisis: in the summer of 1811, a devastating fire destroyed almost all lower city. The bulk of the buildings were wooden, so the number of victims and the scale of destruction caused natural disaster, was huge. Miloradovich was personally present when fires were put out, often returning home wearing a hat with a burnt plume.

The enormous amount of damage, the population left without a roof over their heads and a means of subsistence - all this fell on the shoulders of Mayor Miloradovich. He was forced to turn to the Kyiv nobility for help. The latter willingly responded to the call of the Governor-General. Thanks to his initiative and sense of duty, Miloradovich was eventually able to establish a normal life in Kyiv.

In July 1812, Miloradovich received a letter from Alexander I, in which he was entrusted with the mobilization of the Left Bank regiments, Sloboda Ukraine and the south of Russia for their location between Kaluga, Volokolamsk and Moscow. On August 18, 1812, M. A. Miloradovich with 15 thousand reinforcements was already in the Gzhatsk region, where he joined the ranks of the army fighting Napoleon.

Commander-in-Chief Kutuzov was pleased with this circumstance and praised the general:

You walk faster than angels fly.

At the Battle of Borodino, he commanded the right wing of Barclay de Tolly's First Army, successfully repulsing all French attacks. Then he led the rearguard and managed, in front of Murat (who led the vanguard of the French troops), to organize the unhindered advance of the Russian army through Moscow. During negotiations with the French marshal, he clearly stated: “Otherwise, I will fight for every house and street and leave you Moscow in ruins.”

When the Russian troops crossed the old Kaluga road, Miloradovich's rearguard, with its energetic attacks on the enemy, unexpected and cunning movements, ensured the covert conduct of this strategic maneuver. In hot battles and skirmishes, he more than once forced the French units rushing forward to retreat.

His adjutant Fyodor Glinka left the following portrait of M.A. Miloradovich in those battles:

“Dressed smartly, in a brilliant general’s uniform; there are crosses on his neck (and how many crosses!), stars on his chest, a large diamond burning on his sword... Average height, width at the shoulders, high, hilly chest, facial features revealing Serbian origin... He seemed to be dressed for a party! ... The French called him the Russian Bayard; In our country, for his daring, a little dapper, he was compared to the French Murat. And he was not inferior in courage to both.

When, near Maloyaroslavets, the corps of Dokhturov and Raevsky blocked the path French army to Kaluga, Miloradovich from Tarutino made such a swift march to their aid that Kutuzov called him “winged” and instructed the general to directly pursue the enemy. In the battle of Vyazma (October 28), Miloradovich’s vanguard, with the support of Platov’s Cossack detachment, defeated four French corps and occupied the city. Miloradovich attacked the French without the field marshal's permission. Instead of a disposition, it was sent to Kutuzov in an envelope Blank sheet paper On the shoulders of the French, he captured Dorogobuzh, and then distinguished himself in the battle of Krasnoye, forcing the French troops to turn along the country roads to the Dnieper.

The prisoners shouted to him:

Long live the brave General Miloradovich!

In Vilna, Alexander I personally presented the brave general with diamond insignia for the Order of St. George, 2nd degree. On behalf of the Tsar, Miloradovich was sent to occupy the Duchy of Warsaw, where he managed to oust the Austrians almost bloodlessly and captured Warsaw. The Patriotic War of 1812 made the name of Miloradovich extremely popular and famous.

The military glory of the Russian general Mikhail Andreevich confirmed in foreign trips Russian army 1813-1814 Holding back enemy attacks, he quickly reorganized his troops and counterattacked. His actions delighted Alexander I himself, who watched the battle of Bautzen. Under the command of Barclay de Tolly, he successfully acted in the battle of Kulm. During the Leipzig “Battle of the Nations,” he was entrusted with command of the Russian guard. The successful actions of the military leader so impressed the emperor that Miloradovich was promoted to count, choosing the words “My integrity supports me” as his motto, and subsequently commanded not only the Russians, but also the Prussian guards and grenadier corps.

In addition, Alexander I allowed him to wear the soldier's St. George award - a silver cross on St. George's ribbon, saying:

Wear it, you are a friend of the soldiers.

After returning to Russia, Count Miloradovich headed the flower of the army - the guard, and in 1818 he was appointed to the post of Governor-General of St. Petersburg. Knowing for himself only one worthy occupation - war, he had no satisfaction from the position of mayor. But during various types of incidents, especially during floods, the general was invariably seen as managerial, courageous and energetic. Mikhail Andreevich remained true to his convictions and an atmosphere of goodwill, justice and humanity reigned in all his affairs and endeavors. Open and benevolent, he wrote to the emperor more than once: “I urge your Majesty not to reward me... For me, it is better to beg for ribbons from others than to receive them while sitting by the fireplace.”

Mikhail Andreevich, trying to avoid bloodshed, refused to lead the Horse Guards regiment against the rebels during the Decembrist rebellion; instead, he personally galloped to Senate Square, where, rising in his stirrups and taking out a golden blade, he addressed the soldiers:

“Tell me, which of you was with me near Kulm, Lützen, Bautzen?” The square became quiet. “Thank God,” exclaimed Miloradovich, “there is not a single Russian soldier here!”

The confusion that arose in the square was interrupted by a single shot from Kakhovsky, which put an end to the life of this valiant and just man.

Miloradovich spent half his life in hot battles and skirmishes, took many risks and often, but remained alive. And death in Peaceful time at the hands of a compatriot became a reproach and a lesson for Russia. The only thing that consoled Mikhail Andreevich before his death was that the bullet removed from his body was not a rifle, and therefore not a soldier’s. Just before his death, he dictated his last will. Among other things, it read: “I ask the Sovereign Emperor, if possible, to release all my people and peasants.”

A darling of fate, he went through all the battles without a single scratch, although more than once he personally led bayonet attacks and influenced his soldiers by personal example.

There are memories of his behavior in the battle of Basignano in 1799, when the general rode around under enemy bullets and grapeshot:

Death actually threatened him when a French shooter aimed at him three steps from behind a bush and the enemy officer, galloping up, swung his saber to cut off his head, but Providence showed him obvious protection that day. Three horses were killed under him, the fourth was wounded. In this battle, seeing the general confusion of the troops, he grabbed the banner and shouted: “Soldiers! Watch how your general dies! - galloped forward...

He lived by war, and was bored without war. He had the rare gift of speaking with soldiers and, without sparing himself, shared with them all the hardships of wartime. The soldiers loved him very much - for his boundless courage and good relations to subordinates. He was not a strategist, but he was an excellent tactician. Faith in their soldiers, in success and personal heroism often changed the outcome of a seemingly predetermined battle.

Mikhail Andreevich had an open, cheerful face, a sincere, direct character. Away from the army, the dapper Miloradovich was known as the first dancer, led an extremely wasteful life and was famous for his love for women, although he died a confirmed bachelor. “I don’t understand what’s the point of living without debt,” the general joked. After his death, the sold estate was barely enough to cover his debts.

Surzhik D.V., IWI RAS

Literature

Shikman A.P. Figures of Russian history. Biographical reference book. M., 1997

Kovalevsky N.F. History of Russian Goverment. Biographies of famous military figures of the 18th - early 20th centuries. M., 1997

Zalessky K.A. Napoleonic Wars 1799-1815. Biographical encyclopedic Dictionary. M., 2003

Glinka V.M. M.A. Miloradovich. Pushkin and the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace. L., 1988

Soviet military encyclopedia. T. 5. M., 1973

Bondarenko A. Miloradovich. M., 2008

Internet

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Kosich Andrey Ivanovich

1. During his long life (1833 - 1917), A.I. Kosich went from a non-commissioned officer to a general, commander of one of the largest military districts of the Russian Empire. He took an active part in almost all military campaigns from the Crimean to the Russian-Japanese. He was distinguished by his personal courage and bravery.
2. According to many, “one of the most educated generals of the Russian army.” He left behind many literary and scientific works and memories. Patron of sciences and education. He has established himself as a talented administrator.
3. His example served to shape many Russian military leaders, in particular, gene. A. I. Denikina.
4. He was a resolute opponent of the use of the army against his people, in which he disagreed with P. A. Stolypin. "An army should shoot at the enemy, not at its own people."

Prince Svyatoslav

Dubynin Viktor Petrovich

From April 30, 1986 to June 1, 1987 - commander of the 40th combined arms army of the Turkestan Military District. The troops of this army made up the bulk of the Limited Contingent Soviet troops in Afghanistan. During the year of his command of the army, the number of irretrievable losses decreased by 2 times compared to 1984-1985.
On June 10, 1992, Colonel General V.P. Dubynin was appointed Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces - First Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation
His merits include keeping the President of the Russian Federation B.N. Yeltsin from a number of ill-conceived decisions in the military sphere, primarily in the field of nuclear forces.

Ushakov Fedor Fedorovich

During the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791, F. F. Ushakov made a serious contribution to the development of tactics sailing fleet. Relying on the entire set of principles for training naval forces and military art, incorporating all the accumulated tactical experience, F. F. Ushakov acted creatively, based on the specific situation and common sense. His actions were distinguished by decisiveness and extraordinary courage. Without hesitation, he reorganized the fleet into battle formation even when approaching the enemy directly, minimizing the time of tactical deployment. Despite the current situation tactical rule finding the commander in the middle order of battle, Ushakov, implementing the principle of concentration of forces, boldly placed his ship in the forefront and occupied the most dangerous positions, encouraging his commanders with his own courage. He was distinguished by a quick assessment of the situation, an accurate calculation of all success factors and a decisive attack aimed at achieving complete victory over the enemy. In this regard, Admiral F. F. Ushakov can rightfully be considered the founder of the Russian tactical school in naval art.

Spiridov Grigory Andreevich

He became a sailor under Peter I, participated as an officer in the Russian-Turkish War (1735-1739), Seven Years' War(1756-1763) graduated as rear admiral. His naval and diplomatic talent reached its peak during the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774. In 1769 he led the first passage of the Russian fleet from the Baltic to the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the difficulties of the transition (the admiral's son was among those who died from illness - his grave was recently found on the island of Menorca), he quickly established control over the Greek archipelago. The Battle of Chesme in June 1770 remained unsurpassed in terms of loss ratio: 11 Russians - 11 thousand Turks! On the island of Paros, the naval base of Auza was equipped with coastal batteries and its own Admiralty.
The Russian fleet left the Mediterranean Sea after the conclusion of the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Peace in July 1774. The Greek islands and lands of the Levant, including Beirut, were returned to Turkey in exchange for territories in the Black Sea region. However, the activities of the Russian fleet in the Archipelago were not in vain and played a significant role in world naval history. Russia, having made a strategic maneuver with its fleet from one theater to another and achieved a number of high-profile victories over the enemy, for the first time made people talk about itself as a strong maritime power and an important player in European politics.

Antonov Alexey Inokentevich

Chief Strategist USSR in 1943-45, practically unknown to society
"Kutuzov" World War II

Humble and committed. Victorious. Author of all operations since the spring of 1943 and the victory itself. Others gained fame - Stalin and the front commanders.

Kuznetsov Nikolay Gerasimovich

He made a great contribution to strengthening the fleet before the war; conducted a number of major exercises, initiated the opening of new maritime schools and maritime special schools (later Nakhimov schools). On the eve of Germany's surprise attack on the USSR, he took effective measures to increase the combat readiness of the fleets, and on the night of June 22, he gave the order to bring them to full strength. combat readiness, which made it possible to avoid losses of ships and naval aviation.

Zhukov Georgy Konstantinovich

The commander, who was repeatedly placed in the most difficult areas, where he either achieved success in the offensive or defensive, or brought the situation out of crisis, transferred a seemingly inevitable catastrophe into non-defeat, a state of unstable equilibrium.
G.K. Zhukov showed the ability to manage large military formations numbering 800 thousand - 1 million people. At the same time, the specific losses suffered by his troops (i.e., correlated with numbers) turned out to be lower over and over again than those of his neighbors.
Also G.K. Zhukov demonstrated remarkable knowledge of the properties of the military equipment in service with the Red Army - knowledge that was very necessary for the commander of industrial wars.

Dovmont, Prince of Pskov

On the famous Novgorod monument to the “Millennium of Russia” he stands in the “military people and heroes” section.
Dovmont, Prince of Pskov, lived in the 13th century (died in 1299).
He came from a family of Lithuanian princes. After the murder Lithuanian prince Mindovga fled to Pskov, where he was baptized under the name Timofey, after which the Pskovites elected him as their prince.
Soon Dovmont showed the qualities of a brilliant commander. In 1266, he completely defeated the Lithuanians on the banks of the Dvina.
Dovmont took part in the famous Rakovor battle with the crusaders (1268), where he commanded the Pskov regiments as part of the united Russian army. When Livonian knights Pskov was besieged, Dovmont, with the help of the Novgorodians who arrived in time, managed to defend the city, and the Grand Master, wounded in a duel by Dovmont himself, was forced to make peace.
To protect against attacks, Dovmont fortified Pskov with a new stone wall, which until the 16th century was called Dovmontova.
In 1299, the Livonian knights unexpectedly invaded the Pskov land and devastated it, but were again defeated by Dovmont, who soon fell ill and died.
None of the Pskov princes enjoyed such love among the Pskovites as Dovmont.
Russian Orthodox Church She canonized him as a saint in the 16th century after Batory's invasion on the occasion of some miraculous phenomenon. The local memory of Dovmont is celebrated on May 25. His body was buried in the Trinity Cathedral in Pskov, where his sword and clothes were kept at the beginning of the 20th century.

Senate square

The square in the center of St. Petersburg is one of the oldest in the city. Yours current name first received in 1763 after the Senate was placed on it. After the installation of the Bronze Horseman, it was renamed Petrovskaya, but people continued to call it Senateskaya. In Soviet times it was renamed Decembrists Square.

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Decembrists

An opposition movement named after the month of the organized uprising. It united members of various secret societies of the second half of the 1810s - the first half of the 1820s. They advocated the overthrow of the autocracy and the abolition of serfdom.

The speech on December 14 (26), 1825 was an attempt coup d'etat. A group of nobles, with the support of guards units, intended to prevent Nicholas I from ascending the throne. The events were reflected in culture and significantly influenced the socio-political life of Russia.

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Bronze Horseman

The monument to Peter I was unveiled in August 1782. Friends of Catherine II, philosophers Denis Diderot and Voltaire, took part in the discussion of the concept of the monument. The monument was supposed to symbolize the victory of reason and will over wild nature. By order of the Empress, it was indicated that this monument to Peter I was from Catherine II. What was meant was the continuity of state affairs.

The model of the equestrian statue was made by the Frenchman Etienne Falconet. It is installed on a thunder stone, which was found in the vicinity of the village of Konnaya Lakhta. At the site where it was taken out of the ground, Petrovsky Pond still exists. To transport the stone to St. Petersburg, a special pier was built on the shore Gulf of Finland, a special vessel was also designed. To unload the stone from the bank of the Neva, a technique that had already been used during loading was used: the ship was sunk and sat on piles previously driven into the river bottom, which made it possible to move the stone to the shore. While the stone was being transported, it was being hewn.

Casting the monument took several years. Falconet himself was unable to complete the work - he had to return to France. Yuri Felten closed the project. Falcone was not invited to the opening of the monument.

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Evgeny Obolensky

Prince, officer, one of the most active participants in the Decembrist uprising. Since 1818 he was a member of the “Union of Welfare”, then participated in the creation of “ Northern Society", was one of its leaders.

After the events on Senate Square, he was arrested and imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. By court decision, he was stripped of his princely title and sentenced to eternal hard labor. On July 21, 1826, Obolensky was sent in chains to Siberia. While he was on the way, his sentence of hard labor was reduced to 20 years, and later to 13 years. In 1856, his rights were restored. Died in Kaluga.

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Peter Kakhovsky

Nobleman, retired military man. He was very poor, had neither family nor friends. Deciding that there was nothing to lose, in 1825 Kakhovsky went to Greece to fight for its independence. However, he stayed in Russia - he joined the Northern Secret Society. He was a supporter of the overthrow of the autocracy, the murder of the royal family and the establishment of a republic.

According to the Decembrists, he was an excellent candidate for the regicide. On Senate Square on the day of the uprising, Kakhovsky shot Miloradovich and Colonel Sturler, wounded a retinue officer, but was unable to kill Nikolai.

He was one of the five Decembrists who was hanged. It is unknown where his body was buried.

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Not a soldier's bullet

The bullet pierced Miloradovich's lung and lodged under his right nipple. After extraction, it turned out that, firstly, it had a special notch, which damaged the tissue more, and secondly, it was fired from a pistol. Upon learning this, the count said: “Oh thank God! This is not a soldier's bullet! Now I’m completely happy!”

Already dying, the general jokingly expressed regret that after a hearty breakfast he could not digest such an insignificant pellet.

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Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich

Count, Russian infantry general, one of the leaders of the Russian army during the Patriotic War of 1812, St. Petersburg military governor-general and member of the State Council.

After the death of Alexander I, at first he advocated an oath to Konstantin Pavlovich. However, the latter abandoned the throne. Then Miloradovich, in full dress, arrived at Senate Square, where the Decembrists came out to convince the troops, who had already sworn allegiance to Constantine, to re-swear allegiance to Nicholas.

He received two wounds from the Decembrists: Kakhovsky shot, and Obolensky struck with a bayonet.

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Inflicting a mortal wound on M. A. Miloradovich on December 14, 1825. Engraving from a drawing belonging to G. A. Miloradovich

Portrait of Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich.
George Dow. Military gallery Winter Palace, State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg)

The ancestor of Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich - Mikhail Ilyich Miloradovich (an associate of Peter I), was from a glorious Serbian family from Herzegovina and went against the Turks at the head of armies of up to 20 thousand people. He responded to the call of Peter the Great to beat the Ottomans and, having gathered an army in Montenegro, made several successful expeditions. But Peter the Great’s campaign against Constantinople ended in defeat, and Miloradovich with his relatives, officers and a detachment of 148 guns was forced to leave his homeland.

His great-nephew, Mikhail Andreevich’s father, Andrei Stepanovich Miloradovich, rose to the rank of lieutenant general and was the Chernigov governor.

Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich was born in 1771. When he grew up, he was sent to study in German universities, but did not have time to acquire much knowledge. At the age of seventeen he got into battle for the first time.

By the time Emperor Paul ascended the throne, Miloradovich had risen to the rank of captain. He was honest, proved himself in battle and loved military service to the point of adoration.
Mikhail Andreevich began the Italian campaign together with Suvorov, the commander of the Absheron regiment. In the battle of Lecco he showed resourcefulness and contempt for death, becoming a general at the age of 27. Those who began to say that the rank was given beyond their years soon fell silent.

In September 1799, the attack of Miloradovich’s detachment predetermined the defeat of the enemy on the approaches to the St. Gotthard Pass. At the height of the battle, Miloradovich's soldiers stopped at the edge of a steep, icy slope. The French bayonets glittered below.
“Well, look how they take your general prisoner!” - Mikhail Andreevich shouted and was the first to slide down. The soldiers rushed after and knocked the enemy out of position.

But it was not through courage alone that Mikhail Andreevich achieved the respect of the army, but also through love for the soldiers. A few years later, Tsar Alexander the Blessed will allow Miloradovich to wear the soldier’s St. George’s award - a silver cross on the St. George’s ribbon with the words: “Wear it, you are a friend of the soldiers.” The reward is unprecedented.

Suvorov noticed both the courage and nationality of Mikhail Andreevich and gave him lessons, bringing him closer and closer. One day, as a sign of favor, he gave his student a miniature portrait of himself. Miloradovich immediately ordered to insert it into the ring, inscribing four words on four sides: “Swiftness, bayonets, victory, hurray!” - all the tactics of a great mentor.
Alexander Vasilyevich, seeing the ring, remarked with a smile: “I should also add the fifth word “attack” between “bayonets” and “victory”, then my tactics would be completely contained in these five words.”

In 1805, Russia entered into a series of wars that lasted ten years. The French and Turks have become stronger in Europe. Miloradovich began the war commanding a brigade as part of Kutuzov's army. During the retreat, he distinguished himself in battles with the French near Amstetten and in the battle of Krems. In the latter, he was tasked with a frontal attack on the enemy position. The hot battle continued all day. As a result, Napoleon's plans to encircle the Russian army were thwarted and Marshal Mortier's corps was defeated. Miloradovich was awarded the rank of lieutenant general.

“Here is a general who earned his rank with a bayonet!” - Emperor Alexander I exclaimed.

But Mikhail Andreevich acquired European fame a year and a half later. In the early summer of 1807, the Ottoman command decided to capture Bucharest, driving the Russians out of Moldavia and Wallachia. Two Turkish detachments moved towards us - one of forty, the other of thirteen thousand people. We had only 4.5 thousand bayonets and sabers in Bucharest under the leadership of Miloradovich.

Everyone expected that the general would take up the defensive and the defense would be unsuccessful. But Miloradovich did not even think about defending himself. Not allowing the Turkish corps to connect, he went on the offensive. The Russians attacked Mustafa Pasha's detachment near the village of Obilesti and defeated it. The Turks lost three thousand people killed, ours only three hundred. The enemy was frightened and rolled back beyond the Danube. The Danube principalities and all of Wallachia were saved from ruin.

On the eve of the Patriotic War of 1812, Miloradovich was appointed Kyiv Governor-General.
Miloradovich was entrusted with the formation of reserve and replacement troops in the Kaluga region. At the head of 15 thousand militias, he joined the main army at Gzhatsk. Borodino was ahead.

After the Battle of Borodino, officer Fyodor Glinka will write his “Vanguard Song” in memory of that great day:
Friends! Enemies threaten us with battle,
Already, the neighbors sat down on fire,
Already, Miloradovich is before the formation
Flies like a whirlwind on a horse.
Let's go, let's go, friends, to battle!
Hero! Death is sweet to us with you...

Retired colonel and Decembrist Glinka, in his Ode in prose in honor of the 27th anniversary of the Battle of Borodino, wrote about Miloradovich:
“Here he is, on a beautiful, jumping horse, sitting freely and cheerfully. The horse is saddled richly: the saddle cloth is covered in gold, decorated with order stars. He himself is dressed smartly, in a shiny general’s uniform; there are crosses on his neck (and how many crosses!), on his chest there are stars , on the hilt of the sword a large diamond burns. But more valuable than all the diamonds are the words carved on this memorable sword: “To the Savior of Bucharest the grateful people presented this trophy to the winner at Obileishti.”
Average height, width at the shoulders, high, undulating chest, facial features revealing Serbian origin: these are the signs of a pleasant-looking general, then still in middle age. His rather large Serbian nose did not spoil his face, which was oblong, round, cheerful, and open. Brown hair easily set off the forehead, slightly lined with wrinkles... The outline of the blue eyes was elongated, which gave them a special pleasantness. A smile brightened the lips, which were narrow and even pursed. For others, this means stinginess; in him it could mean some kind of inner strength... his generosity reached the point of wastefulness.
The tall sultan was worried on his high hat. He seemed to be dressed for a dinner party!.. Cheerful, talkative (as he always was in battle), he rode around the killing field, as if in his home park: he forced his horse to do lansades, calmly filled his pipe, even more calmly lit it and talked friendly with the soldiers.
“Stop, guys, don’t move! Fight where you stand! I went far back: there is no shelter, there is no salvation! Cannonballs are flying everywhere, hitting everywhere! There is no place for a coward in this battle!” The soldiers admired such antics and the kind appearance of the general, whom they knew from the Italian campaigns.
"Everything is a mess here!" - they told him, pointing to the broken columns. “My God! (his usual word), I love this: order in disorder,” he repeated drawlingly, as if chanting.
For many years, Glinka served as Miloradovich’s adjutant, so Mikhail Andreevich eventually became his friend and teacher. But...

On the eve of the Decembrist revolt, Glinka came to Ryleev with the words:
- Make sure, gentlemen, that there is no blood.
“Don’t worry, all measures have been taken to ensure that there is no blood,” lied Ryleev, who was privy to the plans to kill the royal family.

And Glinka believed. And the first to fall was the man he loved like a father.

However, all this will come later. Let's return to the fields of the Patriotic War, when we still knew who was our enemy and who was our brother.

In the Battle of Borodino we met an army worthy of us. There was, however, one important difference. We were Orthodox. We had several thousand militia men all the time while the battle was going on, collecting the wounded under bullets. The Europeans forgot about their own as soon as they were out of action. The last of the crippled people was picked up only 50 days later.

Before the battle, the Russians made a vow to Our Lady Theotokos herself to “lay down their heads for the faith and the Fatherland” and honestly followed it.
There is a story about a wounded grenadier who was spent a long time feeling by a doctor. The comrades watched this with compassion:
“And suddenly they hear the grenadier gnashing his teeth, and then a quiet groan escapes him... What is it? And the grenadier, with difficulty turning his head to the officer, says:
- I am not out of weakness, but out of shame, Your Honor... Order that the doctor does not offend me.
“Why does he,” asks the officer, “offend you?”
“Why is he feeling my back, I’m Russian, I walked forward with my chest.”

Such was the Russian army. We have something to be proud of.

General Miloradovich, acting as part of Barclay de Tolly's army, commanded three infantry corps on the right flank and successfully repulsed all attacks by French troops.

After Borodin, he had the honor of leading the rearguard, that is, covering the withdrawal of our troops. For 26 days his regiments fought continuously. Little is known about this, but other battles lasted ten hours or more. Peasants - militias and partisans - especially distinguished themselves in those battles. Miloradovich retained his admiration for them throughout his life, and in those days he wrote:
“Armed men exterminate enemies without mercy. One headman in Krasnaya Pakhra gathered 3,000 mounted men and defended his settlement with such success that I awarded him the 5th class St. George Cross. Yesterday they brought men from Kamenka to me. I gave them guns, taken from the enemy. Men come to me from all sides for these guns. These venerable Russian patriots are so fierce against the French that they buy weapons from the Cossacks at a high price."

Perhaps such an episode can be attributed precisely to this period of the war. Once Miloradovich was informed that Murat, while at the French outposts, under fire from Russian rangers, drank champagne. Then Miloradovich, touched to the quick, ordered a light camp table to be placed in front of the Russian posts - and not only drank champagne, but also ate a three-course lunch.

The enemy approached the mother throne exhausted, and at that moment an important psychological turning point in the war occurred. Miloradovich demanded that the Napoleonic vanguard, led by Marshal Murat, stop. He explained that if Russian troops and refugees were not allowed to leave Moscow peacefully, the French would be met with fighting with bayonets and knives on every street and in every house of the ancient capital.

Murat had no doubt that Mikhail Andreevich would keep his promise. As a result, the French waited obediently for three weeks until the Russians, weakened but undaunted, would allow them to enter the city. So we imposed our rules of war on them, dooming them to defeat.

If during the retreat Miloradovich covered the retreat of the army, then during the offensive his rearguard, on the contrary, became the vanguard.
The main task was to cut off Napoleon's path to rich Little Russia. Only Dokhturov's corps stood in the way of the French. And then Mikhail Andreevich, having covered 50 versts with his troops in a day, came to Dokhturov’s aid. Kutuzov then nicknamed Miloradovich “winged”. The troops of the "Corsican", unable to break through our defenses, were forced to retreat through the area, which they had devastated to the ground.

Twelve versts from Vyazma, several Russian regiments crashed into an enemy column and cut off Nagel’s brigade, almost completely destroying it. A battle broke out in which three Napoleonic corps were defeated.

The surviving French fled, littering the road with corpses. On the shoulders of the enemy, ours burst into the city - with music, drumming and waving banners, cleared Vyazma with bayonets and put out the fires. After this, the first thing Miloradovich did was to call out to the surrounding residents to restore the churches of God and give shelter to those who had lost it.

The next big battle took place on the road from Smolensk to Krasnoe. With a swift throw, Miloradovich once again covered a huge distance. For three days in a row he earned himself an overnight stay in battle, knocking out the French from villages.

“Napoleon really didn’t like it,” writes Glinka, “that Miloradovich was standing under the road and smashing his hull to pieces; but there was nothing to be done!.. The last wound inflicted on him yesterday is more sensitive than all the others.”
We are talking about the defeat of Marshal Ney, where the enemy lost 15-20 thousand killed and 22 thousand captured. At the decisive moment of the battle, Marshal Ney exclaimed: “We will defeat the Russians with their own weapons - bayonets.” Silently, without firing, the two armies met in hand-to-hand combat. Of the four enemy columns, one was stopped in place, the rest fled.
About six hundred Frenchmen fortified themselves with cannons in the forest, declaring that they would surrender only to Miloradovich, otherwise they would fight to the last.
"Long live the brave General Miloradovich!" - the prisoners shouted.

Mikhail Andreevich took care of them as if they were his own, distributing bread and money. On the battlefield, two French children, Pierre and Lizaveta, were picked up not far from the murdered mother. Under the fire of grapeshot, they rushed about, holding hands, not knowing what to do. Miloradovich took them under his wing. At night, the children prayed, remembered their relatives, and approached the general to kiss his hand. Fortunately, a few days later the children’s father was found among the prisoners, whom the kind Miloradovich also took in with him.

Europe was ahead. They were having fun. Friends recalled how Miloradovich, having bought carts of apples, stood by the road and gave gifts to Russian soldiers. The Germans were amazed. Once he promised to give an expensive shawl to the first pretty girl he met in the city. So I did. He loved to do two things more than anything else - fight and give gifts.
Along the way, Miloradovich took Warsaw, fought at the head of the Russian guard in the Leipzig “Battle of the Nations”, his contribution to the victory was as significant as Raevsky, Ermolov, Dokhturov... It was a brotherhood of not just great commanders, Ney and Murat were no worse, but we beat them. Because they knew: God is with us!

And then peace came. Miloradovich became Governor-General of St. Petersburg. In soul he belonged to a completely different, non-St. Petersburg, era. He believed that if you don’t interfere with others’ work, then everything will work out on its own (it’s wise not to interfere; I warned the sovereign about the Decembrists, but he shrugged it off).

Let us remember Mikhail Andreevich’s favorite saying: “I love order in disorder.” Nature lives by this rule, and Russia followed it. In appearance, everything is terrible: the shavings are flying, the steam is in a column, it’s not like this here, it’s not like that here, but meanwhile things are moving, and the earth is prospering.

Russia had barely begun to recover from the war when a cry was heard: “The covenants are forgotten!” - and Colonel Pavel Pestel appeared to us. The son of a villainous governor who brought terror to Siberia, Pestel himself was a master of walking with a stick on the backs of soldiers. And most importantly, he laid out everything for us a hundred years in advance, and decided to restore order everywhere. To begin with, he dreamed of increasing the number of gendarmes in Russia 10 times: “To compile internal guard, I think, 50,000 gendarmes will be sufficient for the entire state."
Next, deploy a powerful network of informers: “Secret searches, or espionage, are therefore not only permissible and legal, but... one might say, the only means by which the highest deanery is able to achieve its intended goal.”

He called the highest deanery what would later be called the NKVD, etc. The sovereign stood in the way of these plans, so it was planned to exterminate all members of the royal family (the future Tsar-Liberator Alexander II was included in the lists. That’s when he was sentenced for the first time!). Kakhovsky had to do this with 11 “apostles”. Then it was supposed to announce that the other Decembrists had nothing to do with it and hang the murderers.

This is what Miloradovich faced on Senate Square. For him, freedom and brotherhood were not a theory. He embodied them without attaching any importance to it, just from his heartfelt feeling. All the time he was saving and rescuing someone. Helped raise money for the ransom of self-taught poet Ivan Sibiryakov from slavery. And when another poet, Pushkin, was brought to him, accused of writing seditious poetry, he asked:
- Is it true what they say about these verses?
Pushkin replied that it was true: he, however, burned the poems, but he could restore them so as not to look like a coward. And he restored it. This honesty pleased Mikhail Andreevich, as he used to say later: “Pushkin captivated me with his noble tone...” On behalf of the Tsar, Miloradovich forgave the poet.
The Emperor, having learned how everything had turned out, frowned, but limited himself to exiling Pushkin to blessed Chisinau.

Miloradovich, having finished this, sat down with Fyodor Glinka to discuss how to finally arrange his estate near Poltava. A magnificent palace was built there and destroyed wonderful garden- Mikhail Andreevich loved gardening. But for whom did he try?
For the institute of poor girls of the Poltava province, for whom this lovingly constructed nest was prepared as a gift.

Meanwhile, fatal events were approaching when the throne was empty and the conspirators took advantage of this confusion.
What did they want? Ever since we christened the Decembrists Freemasons, we decided that everything was clear to us, but it was just self-deception. Freemasonry only weakened them and spoiled them. Of more than a hundred rebels sent to Chita, only thirteen attended church, and the rest were alien to the faith. But when they were released thirty years later, they gravitated not to Chernyshevsky, but to the circles of Slavophiles.

So what was their idea?
That one, devoid of the Russian breadth and complacency, is the patriotism that Napoleonic armies possessed. They imagined themselves, and not God, as the source of good for the Fatherland. With a blow from Kutuzov’s boot, this idea was thrown back to Europe. And she returned with us from Paris, along with other French diseases.

The uprising broke out simultaneously in both ends of the empire. In the south, Muravyov-Apostol’s regiment drank 184 buckets of wine per thousand people in a day, the soldiers began to tear off the epaulettes from their commanders and rob the townspeople. In one hut, the rebels lifted the corpse of a hundred-year-old man from his coffin and began to dance with him.

In St. Petersburg, they went out to Senate Square and crowded around the monument to their idol - Peter I. The soldiers were lured out by deception. They said that a whole army stands near the capital and will destroy everyone who swears allegiance to Nicholas. Bestuzhev lied that he was sent by Grand Duke Konstantin, etc.

When Metropolitan Seraphim (Glagolevsky) of St. Petersburg arrived on the square, he was greeted with ridicule and abuse. “Enough lies,” Kakhovsky shouted, “go back to your place in the church.” In response, Vladyka raised his cross and asked in that voice that chills the blood in your veins:
- Doesn't that inspire confidence in you?
And then Kakhovsky kissed the cross. Was he thinking at that moment about his predecessor, Judas?

Let all who hope to unite faith and revolution remember this kiss.

Following Vladyka, General Miloradovich rode out onto the square. He wanted one thing - to prevent bloodshed from happening.
- Tell me, which of you was with me near Kulm, Lutzen, Bautzen? - the general shouted.
The rebels, not knowing where to hide from shame, remained silent.
“Thank God,” exclaimed Miloradovich, “there is not a single Russian soldier here!”
There was confusion in the ranks of the rebels. There were soldiers there who had seen both Kulm and Lützen.

And then Kakhovsky fired.

Others began to fire behind him. Kuchelbecker aimed at Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, but a sailor pushed him under the arm. In response, volleys of buckshot rang out.
Meanwhile, Miloradovich was lying in the snow, still alive.

He died then, all day and half the night, and even then he continued to lead the Russians behind him, rising higher and higher above the murderers.
When the bullet was taken out, he joked to his friend Apollon Maikov: “This is what I can’t stomach after your hearty breakfast.” And he added with a sigh of relief: “Thank God, this is not a rifle bullet, not a soldier’s bullet... I was sure that some naughty guy shot at me.”

What about the Decembrists? Here are a few words that descendants will say about this: “The most serious sin of the Decembrists: they betrayed soldiers... told everything about ordinary people who blindly trusted them."

Before his death, Miloradovich freed his peasants. The rebels wanted to go even further - to completely abolish serfdom. But they never released their own men.

Miloradovich did what they chatted about. They only wanted to be generous, but he already was. They believed that they would make up for their ugliness with someone else's blood, but he covered up other people's sins with his blood. And I didn’t even really understand that I had once again defeated my enemies with nobility.

When the envoy from the sovereign, Prince Eugene of Württemberg, arrived, Miloradovich nodded to him in a friendly manner. In response to an attempt to reassure, he noted:
"This is not the place to indulge in seduction. I have an Antonov fire in my guts. Death is not a pleasant necessity, but you see, I am dying as I lived, first of all with clear conscience... Goodbye in a better world."

At three o'clock in the morning, Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich passed away.

A few months later, when the Decembrists were executed, none of the condemned shook hands with Kakhovsky...

Awards of General M.A. Miloradovich.
Order of St. Anne 1st class. (May 14, 1799, for distinction at Lecco);
Order of St. John of Jerusalem, commander's cross (June 6, 1799, for distinction at Basignano);
Diamond insignia for the Order of St. Anne (June 13, 1799, for distinction under the Trebbia);
Diamond insignia for the Order of St. John of Jerusalem (September 20, 1799, for distinction at Novi);
Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (October 29, 1799, for distinction in Switzerland);
Order of St. George 3rd class. (January 12, 1806, for distinction in the campaign of 1805);
Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd class. (March 16, 1807, for distinction against the Turks);
Golden sword with diamonds and the inscription “For courage and salvation of Bukarest” (November 23, 1807);
Diamond signs for the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (August 26, 1812, for distinction at Borodino; Highest rescript October 15, 1817);
Order of St. George 2nd class. (December 2, 1812, for distinction in the current year’s campaign);
Order of St. Vladimir 1st class. (December 2, 1812, for distinction in the current year’s campaign);
Imperial monogram for epaulettes (February 9, 1813, for the occupation of Warsaw);
Title of Count of the Russian Empire (May 1, 1813, for distinction in battles in April - May);
Golden sword with laurels (1813, for distinction under Kulm);
Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (October 8, 1813, for distinction near Leipzig);
Diamond signs for the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (August 30, 1821).
Foreign awards
Order of Saints Mauritius and Lazarus, grand cross (Kingdom of Sardinia, 1799);
Order of Leopold 1st class. (Austria, 1813);
Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia, 1814);
Order of the Red Eagle (Prussia, 1814);
Military Order of Maria Theresa, 2nd class. (Austria, 1814);
Military Order of Maximilian Joseph, 1st class. (Bavaria, 1814);
Order of Loyalty 1st class. (Baden, 1814);
Kulm Cross (Prussia, 1816).

December 26 (old style - 14) is an unforgettable date in Russian history. And - an irreparable, sorrowful loss. The speech of the Decembrists was interpreted in different ways. They are both heralds of freedom and dangerous rebels. And the heroes who sacrificed themselves - and the rebels who wanted to wash Russia with blood. And patriots who openly opposed worship of foreignness - and cosmopolitans who wanted to transfer the practice of the French Jacobins to Russia.

There is a grain of truth in each of these statements, but in general it is a mysterious phenomenon. It does not lend itself to a laconic diagnosis. And we can speak categorically about only one thing: on that day, on Senate Square, Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich, a fearless soldier, was mortally wounded, outstanding commander, a bright, brilliant person, whose memory should not fade.

His very origin obliged him to military service. Father - General Andrei Stepanovich, Suvorov's comrade-in-arms, brave and efficient officer, grandson famous Mikhail Ilyich Miloradovich - a Serb in Russian service, whom Peter the Great himself trusted. Mother, nee Maria Andreevna Gorlenko, came from the Little Russian nobility, from Cossack elders. The Miloradovichs played a significant role in the fate of the Zaporozhye army and Little Russia as a whole.

Andrei Stepanovich enrolled his nine-year-old son in the guard, in the Izmailovsky regiment. So in November 1780, the service of the future hero of all Napoleonic wars formally began.

Young, but already at war with the Swedes, Captain Miloradovich (like his idol Suvorov) accepted the military innovations of Emperor Paul without enthusiasm. He even thought about resigning. But unexpectedly he became almost the favorite of the exalted emperor. In less than a year, he is promoted first to colonel, and then to major general.

It was believed that Pavel was attracted by the dashing bearing of the gallant officer. In this rank, at the head of the Absheron regiment, he found himself in Suvorov’s army, which was to recapture Italy from the French. Suvorov immediately discerned the heroic soul. In the very first battles, Miloradovich showed not only personal courage, but also the ability to motivate soldiers to heroism.

After the first battles in Italy, Suvorov reported to the emperor:

“Prince Bagration, as in many cases the most accurate general and worthy higher degrees, I have the greatest duty to bring Your Imperial Majesty into Your Highest favor; behind him is Major General Miloradovich, who gives great hope about his merits.”

Suvorov did not skimp on his enthusiasm, literally sang the hero in his reports:

“The courageous Major General Miloradovich, who distinguished himself already at Lecco, seeing the aspiration - the danger, took the banner in his hands and attacked with bayonets; hit the opposing enemy infantry and cavalry, two horses under him were wounded...”

With desperate courage, he managed to avoid injury. Of course, the soldiers attributed this to miraculous power: a charmed general! He rode around imposingly under fire - and remained unharmed. At Basigliano, three horses were killed under him, but he again escaped injury! During the assault on Altdorf, to the delight of Suvorov, Miloradovich crossed the burning bridge ahead of the column - and again, not a scratch.

Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, a participant in the campaign of 1799, brought the hero closer to himself. At the instigation of Suvorov, Miloradovich earned the trust of the royal family, for whose honor he would die on Senate Square in December 1825.

It was difficult not to fall under the charm of the witty and brave man. Miloradovich gave the impression of a straightforward man; it was clear that he would not stab in the back or betray. And he didn’t betray Konstantin Pavlovich until last day. It is not for nothing that when Miloradovich wins the title of count in battle, he will choose the motto: “Directness supports me.” And – written on the coat of arms: “Without fear and reproach.”

While crossing St. Gotthard, noticing the hesitation of the troops, Miloradovich exclaimed: “Watch how your general will be captured!” - and was the first to roll off the cliff. He performed feats in every battle - right up to the victorious campaign in France in 1814.

The soldier general soared high: he became the Governor General of St. Petersburg.

Miloradovich was not a supporter of Nikolai Pavlovich. And the late policies of Alexander the First did not completely suit him. Is it true, political intrigues he studied not out of lust for power or deceit, but out of boredom. The old soldier was drawn to battle.

Miloradovich's guests noticed that paintings and furniture kept changing places in his house. “There is no war, I move furniture - and that’s what I amuse myself with,” answered the general. He liked the theater, he loved wild practical jokes, and yet he suffered from boredom.

Partly out of boredom, he tried to prepare for the rise to power of Konstantin Pavlovich, a comrade in arms from Suvorov’s times. He held the threads of the political game in his hands, and negotiated with representatives of secret societies. In the most formidable battles, the guard ended up in his hands, which more than once placed monarchs on the throne.

But Miloradovich’s plans were disrupted by Konstantin himself, who abandoned the struggle for power. Apparently, the general did not know that the Grand Duke renounced the succession to the throne back in January 1823 (the renunciation was kept secret) or believed that, under the pressure of circumstances, Constantine would still accept the imperial crown.

After Alexander's death, the army swore allegiance to Constantine, but the Grand Duke twice confirmed his long-standing abdication of the throne. On December 13, Nikolai Pavlovich proclaimed himself emperor - and the re-oath began, which became the formal reason for the December unrest.

Why didn’t they immediately announce Constantine’s abdication and begin swearing allegiance to Nicholas? Miloradovich insisted: you must first swear allegiance to Constantine - and then the Grand Duke will decide whether to confirm the secret renunciation of the throne. Nikolai did not like Miloradovich’s insistence, but he was forced to obey. And the general tried to use any loophole just to bring Konstantin Pavlovich to power.

Constantine's reluctance to take power depressed the general. Miloradovich stopped in front of the portrait of the Grand Duke and said to Fyodor Glinka: “I hoped for him, but he is ruining Russia.” When it became clear that Nicholas would be the new emperor, Miloradovich lost heart. But on the 14th he fulfilled his duty as a subject and swore the army to Nicholas...

He entered the rebellious Senate as a winner, as a general, whose words decide the fate of thousands of people. Although for the first time that day he appeared there in a sleigh - and the matter ended in an offensive incident. Miloradovich was not recognized and thrown out of the cart, unless they were disarmed. The uncontrollable crowd raged.

He then came to Nikolai on foot, disheveled, and unlike a self-confident dandy. What could he report? The situation is dangerous, we need to calm down the rebels, who were incited and misled by the leaders of the uprising.

The basis of the rebels is the Moscow regiment. The duty of the Governor General is to restore order, even at the cost of his life. And Miloradovich undertook to explain to them the nuances of succession to the throne in soldierly language. He hoped to solve everything alone, without raising the guard. If no blood is shed on this day, new emperor will appreciate the zeal and will of the Governor General. I got a horse and headed to the square. Adjutant Alexander Bashutsky hurried after him. Perhaps if then, in the chaos, Bashutsky had managed to find a horse, he would have saved the life of his commander.

The Governor-General did not hide behind anyone and tried to turn the situation around alone. Why should he be afraid of his native army, which carried out his orders unquestioningly, and even with passion? He believed that only rakes and boys had gathered in the square.

And here he is among the rebels, on horseback, in front of the troubled sea. He stood up in his stirrups and began to explain that Constantine was renouncing the throne, that Nicholas was the legitimate emperor. As proof of his commitment to Constantine, he drew a sword with an engraving: “To my friend Miloradovich” - a gift from the Grand Duke.

He said: I, a follower of Constantine, urge you to obey the law... Then the time came to remember the great battles. Which of you was with me at Borodino? Near Kulm, Lutzen, Bautzen? The square was silent. “Thank God, there is not a single old soldier here! Just boys!” A wave of confusion ran through the square.

Prince Obolensky hit the general with a bayonet - it is believed that he was trying to drive away his horse. For the first time, Miloradovich was wounded - and from a Russian officer... And then a shot rang out. The man in civilian clothes - Pyotr Kakhovsky - lowered the smoking pistol. And the hero of Novi, the most powerful military leader of the then Russia, fell into Bashutsky’s arms, and then lay in the snow.

“Kakhovsky, as can be seen from many testimonies, finally confirmed by his own confession, fired a pistol and mortally wounded Count Miloradovich at the very moment when he appeared alone in front of the ranks of unfortunate deceived soldiers to bring them to reason and return them to duty. Prince Evgeniy Obolensky also wounded him with a bayonet, and, as he claims, only wanted to hit the horse in order to force him to leave,” the Investigative Commission stated.

“They wanted to take him to his house, but he, saying that he felt that the wound was mortal, ordered that they put him on a soldier’s bed in the Horse Guards barracks. While they carried him past the horse guards regiment, which was already lined up, none of the generals and officers approached the wounded hero, whose name will remain an adornment of our military chronicles; there were some people who were called his friends and who were in his house every day, and they did not even express the slightest sympathy.

I will complete the description of the vileness of our contemporaries by saying that when, after bringing him to the barracks, they began to undress him, they stole his watch and ring, given to him a few days before by the Dowager Empress,” said Bashutsky.

This is important: in last hours he strove to go to the barracks, to become a soldier. A sense of sacredness lived in his soul - this is a soldier’s duty, a soldier’s brotherhood, the memory of victories and campaigns. There he died, not paying attention to the looters. In his farewell letter he asked the emperor to release all his peasants.

“But if he is thrown into a political whirlwind, he will die,” Suvorov wrote about General Bonaparte. It turns out that it’s about General Miloradovich too.

The change of rulers in Russia rarely took place without bloodshed. When in southern city In Taganrog, Alexander I suddenly died under strange circumstances, and anarchy ensued.

The king left no male heirs. In his will, he indicated that his younger brother Nikolai Pavlovich should lead Russia. But his older brother Konstantin Pavlovich did not intend to give up the throne. To do this, he used Count Miloradovich and the Decembrists.

Two brothers near the Russian throne

The ambitious brother of Alexander the First, Konstantin Pavlovich, who by that time was married to a Polish woman, was in Warsaw.

Members of the Senate State Council under pressure from Miloradovich, they insisted on an oath to Constantine. Nikolai was among them. He was forced to reconcile himself after he presented his rights to the throne to the military governor-general of St. Petersburg, Mikhail Miloradovich, but received a decisive refusal from him. It was a military coup in its purest form.

Miloradovich's trail

Serbian by birth, Count Mikhail Miloradovich was a combat veteran. He served under the command of Alexander Suvorov and Mikhail Kutuzov, participated in several wars: the Russian-Swedish 1788, the Russian-Turkish 1806, the Great Patriotic War 1812. After all the wars, having received a high appointment, he began to reorganize the city economy. And he was very successful in this matter. Miloradovich acted like a military man quickly and decisively. He knew about the will of Alexander the First, but took the side of Konstantin Pavlovich. It was he who went to the Senate and persuaded its members to swear allegiance to Constantine.

There is even a coin with the image of the new emperor - one ruble.
Moreover, Miloradovich and Konstantin Pavlovich in 1799, together with Alexander Suvorov, took part in the Italian campaign and the famous Swiss crossing. They became friends. Konstantin Pavlovich repeatedly wrote letters to Miloradovich with words of gratitude for his diligent service. In 1812 they again fight together against the French. The combat officers helped each other well. Including when it came to the authorities.
In 1825, Nikolai was 29 years old, Konstantin Pavlovich was 46 years old. He has unlimited influence over the cavalry and guard, being the inspector general and commander of the Guards Corps. Nikolai merely inspects engineering units and commands one guards division.

King for 16 days and nights

These days, the couriers were off their feet, shuttling between Warsaw and Moscow with the Tsar’s letters. For three weeks, all government officials asked Constantine to come home and pick up the scepter. What Konstantin answered is not known for certain. Allegedly he said that they would strangle him like a priest. By official version, he abdicates the throne twice.

For sixteen days Konstantin Pavlovich ruled Russia. This was the shortest reign in the entire history of the country.

Miloradovich did not carry out the second order

At the instigation of Miloradovich, the Decembrists knew what was happening between the two brothers.

Finally, Nikolai decides to take power into his own hands. Some of the troops have already sworn allegiance to Nicholas. But the guard has not done this yet. Her re-oath is scheduled for December 14. On this day the Decembrists decided to open performance to defend the legitimate interests of Konstantin Pavlovich. Nikolai, having learned about this, orders Miloradovich to immediately arrest the rebels. But the combat general again did not carry out the order.

The fate of Miloradovich is tragic. He did not receive a single wound in numerous wars. And on Senate Square, during negotiations with soldiers who had already begun to lean towards his side, retired lieutenant Pyotr Kakhovsky shot at him - the bullet hit him in the lung, cornet Evgeniy Obolensky stabbed him with a bayonet. By the way, Kakhovsky, even before the uprising, wrote many letters addressed to Emperor Alexander the First about the reorganization of Russia.

Guard - ahead

It was the Life Guards that lined up on Senate Square in the December days of 1825. The square under the leadership of Alexander Bestuzhev included 671 people from the Life Guards of the Moscow Regiment. Bestuzhev was also able to bring about 1000 people from the Guards naval crew. About 1,250 soldiers from five companies of the Life Guards Grenadier Regiment were led by lieutenants Alexander Sutgoft and Nikolai Panov, who arrived at 11 o’clock in the morning. Sergei Muravyov-Apostol was able to raise about 1000 soldiers of the Chernigov regiment to revolt.

At the time of the uprising, Sutgoft was 24 years old, Panov was 22 years old, Muravyov-Apostol was 29 years old, Bestuzhev was 28 years old, Pavel Pestel was 32 years old.

Masonic trace

Kondraty Ryleev was a member of the Flaming Star Masonic Lodge. Sergei Trubetskoy (35 years old) first joined the Three Virtues Masonic Lodge, and then, together with the brothers Alexander and Nikita Muravyov, they founded their own lodge called the Union of Salvation. Pavel Pestel was one of the main founders of the Masonic lodge “Union of Prosperity”, and then headed it.
Most of the officers of the Guards naval crew were also members of Freemasonry.