To put it mildly, the contents of this telegram were quite unusual. A government claiming to be vested with “full power” could hardly expect that a man obliged to submit to military discipline would allow himself to impose conditions before agreeing to accept a position. The first condition set by Kornilov in itself created constitutional confusion. As Gen. later wrote about this in his memoirs. Denikin, Kornilov’s demand opened the question of who is really the head of state: the Supreme Commander-in-Chief or the Provisional Government? Kerensky, who had agreed to Kornilov's appointment only under pressure from the commissars, at a time when he and the reduced Provisional Government were appointing themselves, was now furious and ready to cancel the appointment he had made. Ultimately, a way out of this constitutional difficulty was found: the government sent its commissioner, Filonenko, to unravel the situation with Kornilov. M. M. Filonenko, a skilled lawyer with a penchant for adventurism, describes his negotiations with Kornilov in this way:
I told General Kornilov that his demand for responsibility to the people and conscience could cause the most serious concerns, but that, as far as I know his point of view, I believe that by responsibility to the people he means responsibility to its only authorized body - the Provisional Government. General Kornilov confirmed his understanding of his responsibility in this sense.
Filonenko assured Kornilov that the Provisional Government had accepted his second condition, clarifying that he alone would have the right to appoint senior military commanders, but that the Provisional Government “considers it necessary to reserve the right to control these appointments.” Kornilov was satisfied with this compromise. Regarding Kornilov’s third demand, Filonenko explained that it was met with sympathy, but needed legal documentation, the details of which were decided to be worked out jointly with the government. Although, as presented by Filonenko, Kornilov more or less conceded to all the government’s demands at these negotiations, it is possible that Kornilov himself believed that he had not made any concessions, but only participated in the detailed elaboration of the conditions set in three points of his telegram to Kerensky ultimately agreed to Kornilov's appointment under pressure from members of his government, including Savinkov, who had previously been seconded to Kornilov as a political commissar and had just been appointed comrade minister of war. But from subsequent events it is clear that Kornilov accepted this appointment with certain internal reservations.
The difficulties described above were barely eliminated when Filonenko had to resolve another conflict. Taking over the supreme command, Gen. Kornilov expressed the wish that he be replaced on the Southwestern Front by General P.S. Baluev. But shortly before leaving for Mogilev, he learned that the Provisional Government had already appointed General Commander-in-Chief of the Front. V. A. Cheremisova. Based on telegrams transmitted through the Hughes apparatus, Kornilov’s own report and Martynov’s comments, we can reconstruct what happened in sufficient detail.
According to Martynov, Cheremisov, being the son of a minor official, came from the same background as Kornilov. In 1915, he was already a general and held the position of Quartermaster General of the 5th Army. He then found himself involved in an unpleasant story: he was accused of trying to hide the act of one of his subordinates, suspected of fraud and, possibly, espionage. Cheremisov was demoted to brigade commander. In these circumstances, it was quite natural for such an ambitious person as Cheremisov to harbor ill feelings towards his superiors, and his resentment could well have been the reason for the revolutionary enthusiasm that he actively showed after the February Revolution
In June 1917, Cheremisov commanded the right flank of the 8th Army under Kornilov and replaced him at the head of the army when Kornilov received the Southwestern Front from General. Gutora. He distinguished himself during the June offensive, taking the city of Kalush: then, of course, Kornilov could not doubt his courage in battle. But after the breakthrough of the Russian front near Tarnopol, Cheremisov (according to Kornilov, stated in the report of the Investigative Commission) did not show enough firmness and strength of character to prevent the defeat of his troops.
In addition, Kornilov, with whom the appointment of Cheremisov was not agreed upon, probably treated this as a violation of the government’s promise not to interfere in the appointment of senior military commanders. The government commissioner located at Cheremisov’s headquarters, Tsipkevich, fully supported him, insisting that the Provisional Government should not change its decision. When Filonenko, displaying all his lawyerly diplomacy, asked Cheremisov whether he would agree to accept command of the Southwestern Front if it was confirmed by Kornilov, pointing out that otherwise he would have to remain only the commander of the 8th Army, Cheremisov answered sharply:
I won't bother you with a long answer. If the government recognized me as fit to serve the cause of the revolution in the role of the commander-in-chief, then I don’t understand how, to please anyone, this can change, unless we already have a counter-revolution and debauchery has not begun. Even under the old regime, I never served individuals, but served Russia, and even more so I will not do this now. I will not give up my right to serve Russia to anyone and I will not hire myself out to serve anyone as a lackey. For this view, I have already suffered a lot in my time, when service to the homeland and service to the person, if they differed, it was in favor of the person, and not the homeland. Even then I fought, having nothing behind me, and now I will defend my right to serve the army and the cause of the revolution in this difficult time, even with a bomb in my hands.
Filonenko then informed him that his reluctance to give up command of the Southwestern Front, combined with his general intractability, could lead to the resignation of the general. Kornilov, whom many now look at as a people's leader. Cheremisov replied
If the fatherland is in danger and this is a serious phrase and not a joke, then I don’t care about anyone’s career. Let whoever wants to resign, I don’t care about that. I think that those who understand that in a moment of danger their homeland must be saved, without sparing human lives, not just quarries, cannot care about this. If you were here and knew what was happening here over the past two weeks, you would understand that it is not a matter of principles, but of the work of dark forces...
Filonenko replied that if Cheremisov really thinks so, he should consider both Savinkov and himself among the “dark forces.”
Here the commissar under Cheremisov, Tsipkevich, joined the conversation. His statement was also recorded on the recording of the negotiations. He told the Provisional Government that “the non-appointment of Cheremisov as commander-in-chief and even, I would say, commander-in-chief will be fatal for the army and for the war.”
It’s hard to believe that there is no sinister meaning hidden in Tsipkevich’s words. Fiercely insisting on the legality of his appointment made by the government, Cheremisov apparently hoped to achieve the resignation of Kornilov and, perhaps, even replace him as Supreme Commander-in-Chief. But Filonenko was too experienced a person to be deceived by such primitive moves. He convinced Kornilov not to interfere with Cheremisov’s arrival at the headquarters of the Southwestern Front and only there to inform him that he had been replaced by the general. Baluev and that he should go to Petrograd and become “at the disposal of the government.” Only after this Kornilov went to Mogilev and on July 18, 1917, a week after the transfer of supreme command to him, began to fulfill his duties.
This may not be true. Even minor officials stood much higher in the Russian social hierarchy than a retired Cossack, such as Kornilov’s father. But, of course, it is quite possible that Cheremisov’s career was based only on his personal merits.
Cheremisov's statements are quoted from: E. I. Martynov. Kornilov... P. 37-38. The “dark forces” then usually meant Rasputin and his supporters surrounded by the royal family.
Kornilov Vladimir Alekseevich(1806, Tver province - 1854, Sevastopol) - hero of the Crimean War.
| Born on the family estate of a retired naval officer. In 1823 he graduated from the Naval Cadet Corps in St. Petersburg and served on ships of the Baltic Fleet. He received baptism of fire on the ship "Azov" in the Battle of Navarino (1827); distinguished himself in the Russian-Turkish war of 1828 - 1829. His teacher M.P. Lazarev believed that Kornilov had “all the qualities of an excellent commander of a warship.” After commanding the ships of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets, Kornilov in 1838 became the chief of staff of the Black Sea squadron, and the next year he combined this work with the command of the 120-gun ship “Twelve Apostles”, became exemplary. Kornilov developed a training system for sailors and officers, which is a continuation of the military pedagogical views of A.V. Suvorov and F.F. Ushakova. In 1846 he was sent to England to supervise the construction of steam ships ordered there. |
After commanding the ships of the Baltic and Black Sea fleets, Kornilov in 1838 became the chief of staff of the Black Sea squadron, and the following year he combined this work with the command of the 120-gun ship "Twelve Apostles", which became an exemplary one. Kornilov developed a training system for sailors and officers, which is a continuation of the military pedagogical views of A.V. Suvorov and F.F. Ushakova. In 1846 he was sent to England to supervise the construction of steam ships ordered there. In 1848 Kornilov was promoted to rear admiral, and in 1849 he was appointed chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet and ports. In 1852, Kornilov was promoted to vice admiral and actually commanded the Black Sea Fleet. He tried to achieve the replacement of the sailing fleet with steam and to re-equip the ships. He was one of the founders of the Sevastopol Naval Library. During the Crimean War of 1853 - 1856, Kornilov became one of the organizers and leaders of the defense of Sevastopol. He managed not only to create a line of coastal fortifications, strengthening it with artillery and naval crews, but also to maintain high morale of the defenders. On October 5, he was mortally wounded by a cannonball on the Malakhov Kurgan.
Kornilov Vladimir Alekseevich (1806 - October 17, 1854, Sevastopol), Russian vice admiral. Since 1849, chief of staff, since 1851, in fact, commander of the Black Sea Fleet. During the Crimean War, one of the leaders of the heroic defense of Sevastopol. Mortally wounded on Malakhov Kurgan.
He was born on February 1, 1806 in the family estate of Ivanovsky, Tver province. His father was a naval officer. Following in his father's footsteps, Kornilov Jr. entered the Naval Cadet Corps in 1821 and graduated two years later, becoming a midshipman. Richly gifted by nature, an ardent and enthusiastic young man was burdened by coastal combat service in the Guards naval crew. He could not stand the routine of parade parades and drills at the end of the reign of Alexander I and was expelled from the fleet “for lack of vigor for the front.” In 1827, at the request of his father, he was allowed to return to the fleet. Kornilov was assigned to M. Lazarev’s ship Azov, which had just been built and arrived from Arkhangelsk, and from that time his real naval service began.
Kornilov became a participant in the famous Battle of Navarino against the Turkish-Egyptian fleet. In this battle (October 8, 1827), the crew of the Azov, carrying the flagship flag, showed the highest valor and was the first of the ships of the Russian fleet to earn the stern St. George flag. Lieutenant Nakhimov and midshipman Istomin fought next to Kornilov.
On October 20, 1853, Russia declared a state of war with Turkey. On the same day, Admiral Menshikov, appointed commander-in-chief of the naval and ground forces in the Crimea, sent Kornilov with a detachment of ships to reconnoitre the enemy with permission to “take and destroy Turkish warships wherever they are encountered.”
Having reached the Bosphorus Strait and not finding the enemy, Kornilov sent two ships to reinforce Nakhimov’s squadron sailing along the Anatolian coast, sent the rest to Sevastopol, and he himself transferred to the steam frigate “Vladimir” and stayed at the Bosphorus. The next day, November 5, Vladimir discovered the armed Turkish ship Pervaz-Bahri and entered into battle with it. This was the first battle of steam ships in the history of naval art, and the crew of the Vladimir, led by Lieutenant Commander G. Butakov, won a convincing victory. The Turkish ship was captured and towed to Sevastopol, where, after repairs, it became part of the Black Sea Fleet under the name “Kornilov”. 
At the council of flagships and commanders, which decided the fate of the Black Sea Fleet, Kornilov advocated for the ships to go to sea to fight the enemy for the last time. However, by a majority vote of the council members, it was decided to scuttle the fleet, excluding steam frigates, in Sevastopol Bay and thereby block the enemy’s breakthrough to the city from the sea. On September 2, 1854, the sinking of the sailing fleet began. The head of the city's defense directed all the guns and personnel of the lost ships to the bastions.
On the eve of the siege of Sevastopol, Kornilov said: “Let them first tell the troops the word of God, and then I will convey to them the word of the king.” And around the city there was a religious procession with banners, icons, chants and prayers. Only after this did the famous Kornilov call sound: “The sea is behind us, the enemy is ahead, remember: do not trust retreat!”
On September 13, the city was declared under siege, and Kornilov involved the population of Sevastopol in the construction of fortifications. The garrisons of the southern and northern sides were increased, from where the main enemy attacks were expected. On October 5, the enemy launched the first massive bombardment of the city from land and sea. On this day, while detouring the defensive formations of V.A. Kornilov was mortally wounded in the head on Malakhov Kurgan. “Defend Sevastopol,” were his last words. Nicholas I, in his letter to Kornilov’s widow, indicated: “Russia will not forget these words, and your children will pass on a name that is venerable in the history of the Russian fleet.”
After Kornilov’s death, a will was found in his casket addressed to his wife and children. “I bequeath to the children,” the father wrote, “to the boys, having once chosen the service of the sovereign, not to change it, but to make every effort to make it useful to society... For daughters to follow their mother in everything.” Vladimir Alekseevich was buried in the crypt of the Naval Cathedral of St. Vladimir next to his teacher, Admiral Lazarev. Soon Nakhimov and Istomin will take their place next to them.
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In the Battle of Navarino (1827). During the Crimean War - one of the leaders of the Sevastopol defense. On October 5, 1854, he was mortally wounded on the Malakhov Kurgan during the bombing of Sevastopol.
Biography
Childhood and studies
Vladimir Alekseevich Kornilov born on February 1 (13), 1806, on the family estate of the Staritsky district of the Tver province in the village of Ivanovskoye. The father of the future admiral was also a military sailor in his youth. 29-year-old Alexei Mikhailovich Kornilov, a lieutenant in the fleet, was awarded the highest officer award - the Order of St. George, IV degree "For courageous deeds and bravery performed on August 13, 1789 during the battle of the Russian galley fleet with the Swedish." Following in his father's footsteps, Kornilov Jr. entered the Naval Cadet Corps in 1821. In the graduation list of 86 people, which was compiled based on the results of training in the corps, non-commissioned officer Kornilov was listed as ninth. At the beginning of February 1823, he left the corps as a midshipman. At that time he was 17 years old.
In the ranks of the Navy
At the beginning of 1825, Kornilov was assigned to the elite Guards crew. However, after enlisting, the young officer was dismissed from there “for lack of vigor for the front.” And in April 1826 Kornilov V.A. again ended up in naval service. He was assigned to the new 74-gun sailing battleship Azov, whose commander at that time was Captain 1st Rank Mikhail Petrovich Lazarev, a future admiral, outstanding not only as a fleet reformer, but also as an educator of young officers. It was this ship that became a true school for the 3 future admirals who became popular in the Russian fleet. Lieutenant Nakhimov and midshipman Istomin served together with Kornilov on the Azov. Together they experienced their first military test on this ship in the famous Battle of Navarino.
Plan of the Battle of Navarino
In September 1830, Kornilov was appointed commander of the ship. For a long time, the young commander was almost constantly on voyages, but soon his service in the Baltic came to an end. At the beginning of 1833, he handed over the ship to another commander, and he himself went to a new duty station, the Black Sea Fleet, whose commander at that time was M.P. Lazarev.
The period from 1836 to 1842 was full of many events for Kornilov. First of all, during these years he took a personal part in the construction of ships of the Black Sea Fleet, while commanding three ships. During these years, Kornilov was constantly on voyages with Admiral Lazarev, serving as chief of staff on his squadrons. For his distinction in military operations in 1840, he was awarded the rank of captain 1st rank. He was appointed commander of the 120-gun battleship Twelve Apostles, which had a crew of approximately a thousand men. Kornilov equipped this ship with advanced weapons - bomb artillery.
I. K. Aivazovsky “The Ship “The Twelve Apostles”
Kornilov closely followed the development of advanced military thought abroad, translated the works of English authors, introducing the best into the practice of naval service in the Black Sea Fleet. So, he advocated for the rearmament of all Russian ships with new artillery, to replace the sailing fleet with steam. V. A. Kornilov actively took part in the development of the new Maritime Charter and Manual. The organizational skills of V. A. Kornilov and his constant concern for improving the fleet made him the successor of M. P. Lazarev. In 1849, Rear Admiral Kornilov was appointed to the post of chief of staff of the Black Sea Fleet.
Fighting
On October 20, 1853, Russia declared a state of war with Turkey. On the same day, Admiral Menshikov, appointed commander-in-chief of the naval and ground forces in the Crimea, sent Kornilov with a detachment of ships to reconnoitre the enemy with permission to “take and destroy Turkish warships, “wherever they are encountered.”
On November 5, Kornilov's steam frigate Vladimir came across the armed Turkish ship Pervaz-Bahri and entered into battle with it. This was the first battle of steam ships in the history of naval art, and the crew of the Vladimir, led by Lieutenant Commander G. Butakov, won a convincing victory in it. The Turkish ship was captured and towed to Sevastopol, where, after repairs, it became part of the Black Sea Fleet under the name “Kornilov”.
The unsuccessful actions of Menshikov's ground army in the fight against the Anglo-French troops that landed on the Crimean shores put Sevastopol in a critical situation. At the beginning of the defense of Sevastopol, V. A. Kornilov was given supreme power to organize the defense of the city. On September 15, 1854, addressing the soldiers of the garrison who were erecting fortifications, V. A. Kornilov said: “...we will defend Sevastopol; Yes, we have nowhere to retreat: the sea is behind us, the enemy is ahead... Remember, do not trust retreat. Let the musicians forget to play the retirade; he is the traitor who trumpets the retreat! And if I myself order a retreat, stab me!”
On September 11, 1854, a sailing fleet was sunk in Sevastopol Bay to save the city. Under the leadership of V. A. Kornilov, a line of land defense was built in the shortest possible time, where, together with infantrymen, sailors successfully defended Sevastopol, installing guns on the bastions taken from sunken ships. The reward of the head of defense was the general mobilization of not only the soldiers, but also the population of the city to repel the enemy. And here the high personal qualities of the admiral played a big role: his courage, strong will, flexible mind, which allowed him to boldly introduce into the defense of Sevastopol everything that served the benefit of the defenders.
In fact, from that moment on, all responsibilities for the defense of Sevastopol fell on Kornilov’s shoulders. As the chief of defense of the Northern side, and then the chief of staff of the garrison of Sevastopol, he organized the city’s defense system, and as a result of the selfless efforts of its defenders, more was done in Sevastopol in a few days than in all the pre-war years.
Death
On October 5, 1854, on the “day of the baptism of Sevastopol with fire and iron,” the admiral arrived at Malakhov Kurgan at about 11 a.m., where a fierce battle with the enemy was taking place. The fortifications, dugouts, batteries and platforms of the Malakhov Kurgan were strewn with a hail of enemy shells. Kornilov was going to continue to bypass the remaining fortifications of Sevastopol, but at that moment he was struck by an enemy core. “Are you hurt?!” - exclaimed the adjutant, leaning towards the admiral. "Worse! This is the end,” Kornilov whispered. When the officers and sailors ran up, the admiral, overcoming the pain, said: “It’s good to die when your conscience is calm! Defend Sevastopol... I am happy that I am dying for the fatherland...”
The mortally wounded Kornilov was taken to the hospital. He managed to say goodbye to V. Istomin and P. Nakhimov, rejoiced at the news that Russian sailors were successfully repelling the fire of English batteries, and died. The next day, all the defenders and residents of Sevastopol came to see off the organizer and leader of the city’s defense, a talented military leader, an outstanding admiral of the Russian fleet, on his final journey.
Memory
Monument to Kornilov at the site of his fatal wound
The ship "Azov" in Aivazovsky's painting "The Battle of Navarino" (fragment, 1848)
Ships
- "Admiral Kornilov" - Russian armored cruiser;
- "Admiral Kornilov" - an unfinished Svetlana-class cruiser;
- "Admiral Kornilov" is an unfinished cruiser of Project 68bis-ZIF.