Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich became one of the symbols of that beautiful era at the turn of the century, which includes the time from the end of the reign of Empress Catherine the Great to the beginning of the reign of one of her younger grandsons, Nikolai Pavlovich. Becoming organic part this brilliant period of Russian history, he was so firmly connected with it that it was precisely at its final stage that he died at the hands of those who thirsted for change more than life.

Brilliant youth
Mikhailo Andreevich, as his family and friends often called him, came from an old Serbian family, whose offspring had left Ottoman Empire to their northeastern co-religionists back in the time of Peter the Great and received an estate and a position in Little Russia. The main task The ancestors of the future general and brilliant spendthrift were extremely hoarding, which they, without distinguishing between means, were engaged in for almost half a century, mercilessly “robbing” their subordinates and entrusted to them in the care of military formations, territories, etc., as well as bargaining new handouts from those in power.

As a result, by the time Mikhaila was born, the Miloradovichi were quite wealthy people who had a number of high-ranking acquaintances and, in their turn, the Suvorov family. It was thanks to these connections, as well as to the service merits of his father, that Mikhail Andreevich was fortunate enough to be transferred from the army to his beloved in infancy. guards regiment empress - Izmailovsky, famous for his brilliant officers and very loose morals.

However, the young officer did not immediately arrive at the place of service - at first he was sent to study in Europe, where he was a student at the University of Königsberg and even attended lectures by the founder of German classical philosophy I. Kant, and later moved to Göttingen. But nothing good came of this idea: despite the teacher assigned to him for the duration of the trip, during the time that the young man arrived in Europe, he, as P.A. Vyazemsky, “did not even acquire a thorough knowledge of foreign languages and, subsequently, especially fond of speaking French, Miloradovich incessantly made the most amusing mistakes.

Upon his return from Europe, he nevertheless joins the Izmailovsky regiment, where his passion for a luxurious life, good-natured parties, beautiful women and permanent outrageous is manifested with all his might. Miloradovich quickly grows into insane debts that his father is forced to pay, as well as a heap of rumors, legends and anecdotes that only stir up interest in him. high society. Soon the fame in society and the "sweet ignorance" of this young officer do their job: he receives the first promotions in rank and salary.

Carier start
It should be noted, however, that Miloradovich was not at all just a young barchuk who scattered daddy's money right and left - already in the guard it became clear that Mikhail Andreevich was also an extremely courageous and purposeful officer, a caring commander who knew how to inspire his soldiers and with beloved by them with all devotion and enthusiasm, and besides, he is an excellent executor of the orders of his superiors on the battlefield.

First big deal, in which Miloradovich managed to participate, was the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-90, which seemed rather boring to the young officer. Returning to St. Petersburg, Mikhailo Andreevich makes a brilliant career and, after a series of promotions, leads the Izmailovsky Guards Regiment. In 1798, Miloradovich became a major general and was assigned to the famous Apsheron Musketeer Regiment, with which he participated in the Italian and Swiss campaigns of A.V. Suvorov. This trip has become one of key points in life young general, here he gets the opportunity to show himself in all its glory. Without leaving his St. Petersburg habit of pretentious outfits and every minute flaunting, Miloradovich shows himself to be an excellent military general, although he competes in courage and dexterity with others, but he knows how to subordinate his vanity to the interests of the common cause. So, for example, during this campaign, the first act of the drama of confrontation between two close associates of A.V. Suvorov - Prince Bagration and General Miloradovich. The prince, being older than his competitor, unlike him, went through all the stages of military service and earned the rank of general only by 1799, which made him younger than Miloradovich in rank. However, on the battlefield, the latter, despite this circumstance, seeing Bagration's military talent, submitted himself to his will, just as in the war of 1812 the prince himself would submit to the Minister of War Barclay de Tolly.

Life without war
Returning with his Apsheron regiment to Rovno, Mikhail Andreevich began to lead his usual theatrically brilliant lifestyle. Without a war, he was terribly bored, spent crazy money on arranging festivities, women and drinking, got musicians in his house, and monitored the situation in his house a lot. In general, many people remember that Miloradovich made rearrangements and reconstructions in his apartments with great pleasure. He himself explained this passion by his boredom in the absence of war, but nevertheless it should be noted that these “design hobbies” of the general became more like another hobby to which he gave himself with the same passion as everything else. In his interiors, he skillfully combined the latest trends in Parisian fashion and a variety of exotic trinkets.

Miloradovich was very fond of traveling, but, being tied to his regiment on duty, he was content with descriptions of other people's wanderings. So, Fyodor Glinka, stationed in his regiment, said that one day the general asked him to read aloud to him French book about traveling through Pacific Ocean as his eyes quickly became inflamed due to an illness he got in the Alps. This reading, by the way, played in the life of Glinka big role, after him he was invited to the chief "to dine" and then spent a lot of time with him.

With some periodicity, Mikhail Andreevich, after another visit to some of his old colleagues, decided to make cardinal changes in his life, stop senseless and numerous expenses, and also put his affairs in order. The same Fedor Glinka says that, after trips to Belaya Tserkov every time he took care of the household. “Do you know (he said) how neatly General P lives ... Here is the owner! I will definitely live like this. He gave me forms for keeping household books both at home and in the countryside; I have a terrible mess everywhere; but this will no longer be! .. ”And then the work began to boil. They bound books, graphed sheets, distributed positions among the servants, and even recorded expenses and income for two or three days. But soon it got boring: the books were already lying under the table, and the old went on in the old way ... "

Miloradovich passionately loved and various games: chess and billiards, where, as in the war, he amazed everyone with his unexpected notions, blows, brave movements - he did not like schematics, German punctuality in anything. His real antagonist was Colonel Inzov, who had long commanded the Apsheron regiment and was able to drill soldiers for hours, forcing them to redo an exercise that was not quite clearly performed over and over again. Fyodor Glinka recalls in his memoirs that “Miloradovich, having learned about the hour and time of such a teaching, said to his people:“ This Ivan Nikitich is for me! .. He will turn my grenadiers into Germans! .. ”, - and, jumping on a jumping horse ... he rushed to the place where , singly and in a row, mustachioed hussars swam. Flying up to the front, Miloradovich shouted: “Line up! .. Grenadiers, remember Italy! ..” and, making up the front for a minute, he began to break it into platoons, split the platoons into squads: he twisted, muddied, turned over ... He often finished gluing very successfully frunta, and sometimes he could not cope with the glued parts, and then, as in many cases of his home life, he used to say: “Ivan Nikitich, fix everything!”, - and went home.

Austerlitz
After more than four years without a war and several hundred rearrangements of furniture, Miloradovich finally receives the long-awaited order to be promoted to the active army - the Austrian campaign of 1805 begins. This campaign, as it seemed to the general, was supposed to bring him fame and new promotions, but turned into a disaster near Austerlitz, in which many of Mikhail Andreevich's ill-wishers were inclined to see his great fault.

At the very beginning of the battle, he did not carry out reconnaissance and did not establish the true proximity of the enemy, which is why even his guns were not loaded at his column and the French put the first Novgorod regiment in the column to flight, which, in turn, crushed and forced Miloradovich's Absheronites to retreat. This blow of Napoleon in many ways led to the victory of the French.

General A.F. Lanzheron would later blame Miloradovich for the defeat: “If the emperor had at that time the military experience that he has gained since then, he would have seen that Miloradovich alone was the cause of such a catastrophe, would have taken command from him after the battle and would have brought him to justice: it was impossible to be more guilty than he . But it turned out the other way around: Miloradovich fell into greater favor than ever ... ". Even if we accept the words of Langeron, who never loved Mikhail Andreevich, at least partly on faith, it becomes completely clear why after the Austrian campaign Miloradovich is in some kind of shock and during the Russian-Turkish war even receives a reprimand from the command for his indecision.

Miloradovich will never forget this Austerlitz mistake, Ermolov's student N. Muravyov-Karsky will write down later: Miloradovich enjoyed fame brave general but I had no reason to be sure. Others considered him even a skilled commander; but whoever personally knew this stupid general, it is true, had a different opinion about his merits.

A crisis
After Austerlitz, the general is covered with all the troubles that could befall a young, rich, vain and prone to wasteful man. Firstly, during the Russian-Turkish war, Mikhail Andreevich, it seems, for the first time, really falls in love, but the daughter of the famous Wallachian intriguer and enemy of Russia Konstantin Filipesko becomes the subject of passion, through which the old schemer finds out and informs the Sultan of many important information about the plans Russians. Secondly, his old rival, Prince Bagration, bypasses him in the service, who ultimately seeks his transfer to the reserve army. Thirdly, Miloradovich is finally mired in huge debts, many of which he either does not want or is unable to repay.

In connection with the latter circumstance, F.F. Vigel retells next story: “... When he was in charge in Bucharest, he borrowed from one food official up to 10 thousand state money. Soon another official came to replace the first and began to demand surrender. He convincingly begged the debtor for a payment, imagining that he was at risk of being sued and demoted. "Wait, have mercy, don't you believe me?" - there was always an answer; the last one was an invitation to his ball. The unfortunate man appeared and, in the interval between the dances, stood in the middle of the hall and exclaimed: “Do you know, gentlemen, who are we with? The villain, the thief." At the same time, he took out a pistol and immediately shot himself. “My God (the famous saying of Miloradovich), he shouted, what does this mean? Please get rid of this lunatic as soon as possible." And after that, as if nothing had happened, he set to work on the mazurka. This story in the style of Thacker's Becky Sharp, quite possibly never happened at all, but the fact that such rumors appeared about the very sloppy debtor Miloradovich is quite characteristic in itself.

View of Bucharest

In 1810, Miloradovich, with the rank of general from infantry, was transferred to Kyiv as a military governor. Here, of course, he, as before, lives in grand style in the old Elizabethan palace, flirts with several pretty young ladies, sorts out gossip and constant conflicts local philistinism and officers, which does not at all benefit his already shattered reputation. One French agent before the invasion of the Grand Army into Russia wrote: “The military governor of Kyiv, very popular, but not a very good general; never made great progress in the art of war; formerly was Marshal Suvorov's adjutant, and this greatly contributed to his elevation. At the beginning of the war with the Turks, he commanded the vanguard and there he received the rank full general. A bad man who has eaten all his fortune. Miloradovich needed a war.

1812
Indeed, for the general, the Patriotic War became a salvation from the troubles of civilian life. In the army, all his recklessness, extravagance and outrageousness were driven into the strict framework of wartime and field conditions, so Miloradovich was forced to confine himself to mostly pathos speeches and different kind antics on the battlefields. Of course, Miloradovich's extravagance also made itself felt in the army, though it quickly turned into a need for him. P.A. Vyazemsky in his notes retells the story he heard about the general: “It was said that during campaigns, it happened that he would return to his tent after a battle and say to his servant: “Let me have lunch!” “We don’t have anything,” he replies. "Well, give me some tea!" “And no tea.” - “So give me the phone!” - "The tobacco is all out." “Well, give me a cloak!” he will say, wrap himself in it and immediately fall into a heroic sleep.

As for outrageousness, in this, of course, Mikhail Andreevich did not know his equal in the Russian army. His developing multi-colored silk shawls, lush feathers on his hat, long trips under enemy bullets and fearlessness worthy of better use became an occasion to call Miloradovich Russian Murat. Indeed, according to Yermolov's caustic remark, "two of these were not to be found in the armies."

In confirmation of the extraordinary courage of Miloradovich, an anecdote is often told about his breakfast, allegedly started in spite of Barclay, who was leaving for the very front line, under the crossfire of French batteries. Alas, in most cases, such stories are soldier's legends. Miloradovich, although he liked to show off in front of the troops, never did this against common sense giving more effort to the cause than to personal fame.

Last years
After the war M.A. Miloradovich was appointed to accompany the emperor for some time, and in 1818 he was appointed governor-general of St. Petersburg.

The infliction of a mortal wound on Miloradovich on December 14, 1825. Engraving from a drawing by G.A. Miloradovich

This magnificent position frankly burdened the hero of the war of 1812. In addition, during this period he closely converged with the Decembrists, supporting some of their ideas for the reorganization of Russia. Interestingly, during his governorship, both in Kyiv and St. Petersburg, Miloradovich finds a substitute for war: saving people from fires and floods. The figure of the governor on a horse, with a sultan on fire from the heat and in sparkling orders is one of the common memories of extremely different memoirists.

Miloradovich's life ends with a rather sad event: after a deliberate attempt to put pressure on imperial family in order to elevate the weak Konstantin Pavlovich to the throne and abdicate the latter, the general is forced to oppose his own former friends, who led troops to Senate Square. There on Senate Square he gets his mortal wound, which to this day raises some questions - after all, the bullet hole in his uniform turned out to be on his back, while the Decembrist Kakhovsky seemed to be shooting from the front.

One way or another, but the day after Senate uprising Miloradovich dies, leaving behind a good memory, a lot of debts and a will, in which he asks the sovereign to give his peasants freedom.

St. Petersburg. Senate Square December 14, 1825. Drawing by Kolman from Count Benckendorff's office in Phall.

Suvorov's students

For half a century, the color of the Russian army was Suvorov's students - the officers whom he blessed.

In the first row of outstanding commanders of this galaxy, the names of generals Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich and Alexei Petrovich Yermolov should be mentioned. Without a doubt, the thunderstorm of 1812 became the main test and field of glory for these heroes. Their fates are related by the drama of a general's career: ups and downs, great fame and painful resignations. The relations between the generals and political authorities and court elite. The first tragically died in the hours December uprising, the second received a humiliating resignation on the eve of the war with the Persians and long years was in deep thought.

Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich (1771 - 1825)

The Serbian family of Miloradovichs, originating from Herzegovina, moved to Russia under Peter the Great. In 1711, by decree of our first emperor, Colonel and Cavalier Mikhail Ilyich Miloradovich was enrolled from Serbia to the Little Russian service. He married the daughter of Yesaul Butovich, amassed his only son, Stepan, who led the life of a Little Russian landowner in the rank of a bunchuk comrade. Stepan Miloradovich had six sons, one of whom - Andrey Stepanovich - clearly showed himself at military service. Suvorov knew well this brave cavalryman, who ended his service as a lieutenant general. He knew as a veteran of the Russian-Turkish wars - in Kozludzha, Andrei Miloradovich grappled with the Turks under the banner of Suvorov. The son of A.S. Miloradovich and the daughter of brigadier A. Gorlenko, Mikhail Miloradovich, as a child, was enrolled in the Life Guards of the Izmailovsky Regiment, where he began his service, falling into the Russian-Swedish war in 1788.

The gallant, well-trained officer was to the taste of Emperor Paul, and already in 1798 he received the rank of major general. The young General Miloradovich takes command of the Apsheron Musketeer Regiment. With this regiment, a year later, as part of Suvorov's army, he follows to Italy under the direct command of General Rosenberg. In the battle of Lekko on April 14, 1799, Miloradovich's daring, which became legendary in the future, his impudent contempt for death, had an effect. He and the grenadiers, like a landing party, arrived on the battlefield on carts, rushed at the enemy like a tornado, immediately enticing military luck to his side. Suvorov, who was eyeing the son of a comrade-in-arms, quickly appreciated the brave man (that's what it means to "command happiness"!), A born officer, and made him his general on duty. Suvorov liked Miloradovich's quickness and quickness. He thought quickly and acted hastily without wasting a second. As you know, Suvorov considered this quality the foundation of military art. With enthusiasm, Suvorov spoke of Miloradovich's bayonet attack on the French cavalry. Strictly reprimanding General Rosenberg after the unsuccessful attack on Basignano, Suvorov demonstratively praised Miloradovich, set him as an example to older generals both in age and rank: “The courageous Major General Miloradovich, who distinguished himself already at Lecco, seeing the desire for danger, taking up the banner , hit on bayonets, struck and stabbed the enemy infantry and cavalry standing against him, and, chopping himself, broke his saber: two horses under him were wounded. Many followed him, and finally all the different battalions between him, having crossed, united behind. The battle took on a different look, the enemy was already retreating, the Russians bravely drove him and hit him, the victory shone ... "

The exploits of Miloradovich were talked about in the army, gossip in secular salons. With desperate courage, he managed to avoid injury. Of course, the soldiers attributed this to miraculous power: a charmed general! He drove imposingly under fire - and remained unharmed. Under Basigliano, three horses were killed under him, and he again escaped injury! During the assault on Altdorf, to the delight of Suvorov, Miloradovich crossed a burning bridge in front of the column - and again not a scratch. Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich - a participant in the campaign of 1799 - brought the hero closer to him. With the filing of Suvorov, Miloradovich earned trust royal family, for whose honor in December 1825. he will die on the Senate Square. When crossing St. Gotthard, noticing the fluctuations of the troops, Miloradovich exclaimed: “Look how your general will be taken prisoner!” - and rolled off the cliff first. In Suvorov's way, he knew how to influence the soldiers with an honest example: "Do as I do." Memories of the battle of Basignano have been preserved, in which Miloradovich appears in all his glory as a Suvorov student: “Here, in addition to the general danger from buckshot and bullets, which General Miloradovich neglected, always driving ahead under shots, death threatened him when the French shooter aimed at him three paces from behind a bush, and an enemy officer, galloping up, waved his saber to cut off his head, but Providence showed him obvious protection that day. Three horses are killed under him, the fourth is wounded. In this battle, seeing the general confusion of the troops, he grabbed the banner and, shouting: “Soldiers! Watch how your general dies!” - jumped forward ... "

If we judge Miloradovich and Suvorov by historical anecdotes, they may seem to be psychological antipodes. Ascetic and modest, zealous and economical Suvorov and dandy Miloradovich, who from his youth was famous for his love of dancing and the fair sex. Indeed, away from the battles, their lifestyle varied remarkably. For Miloradovich, being the first dancer at the ball was as much a matter of honor as superiority on the battlefield. And Miloradovich, who died an eternal bachelor, was fantastically wasteful. He surprised St. Petersburg snobs with a sable coat - and remained in debt, being the capital's governor-general.

In the campaign of 1805, Miloradovich's merit was one of the few victories over great army- at Krems. First, on October 30, he led his brigade in a frontal attack on the positions of Marshal Mortier (according to different information, there were concentrated from 11 to 25 thousand French). The first attack was led by Lieutenant Colonel Igelstrem with the Mariupol Hussars. Ygelström put the French to flight, but he himself was mortally wounded by buckshot. At a critical moment, Miloradovich himself led his native Apsheron and Smolensk grenadiers into a bayonet attack. Visible from afar, the dapper general skillfully inspired the troops, restored self-control to those who were seized by horror, who hesitated. After Krems, Miloradovich headed the Russian rearguard - the most responsible army link in that campaign. According to Yermolov (who fought under the command of Miloradovich near Krems), it was on him and Bagration that year "the army was guarded." Later, Krems was taken by Miloradovich's troops in a bloody assault. When Yermolov wrote to Miloradovich: "In order to be always with Your Excellency, one must have a spare life," this was not a duty guards compliment. For Krems, Miloradovich receives the rank of lieutenant general.

Under Borodin, Miloradovich commands cavalry corps on the right wing of the Russian troops, repelling all attacks.

“He drove around the killing field, as in his home park,” writes Fyodor Glinka. In a report to the emperor, Kutuzov wrote: “The troops, in the center under the command of the general from infantry Miloradovich, occupied a height lying near the mound, where, placing strong batteries, they opened a terrible fire on the enemy. The brutal cannonade on both sides continued until deep night. Our artillery, inflicting terrible damage to the enemy with its whole shots, forced the enemy batteries to be silent, after which all the enemy infantry and cavalry retreated. Bonaparte's hypnosis did not work on the generals who beat the French in Italy. Borodino confirmed this truth.

After Borodin, our hero commanded the rearguard, taking on the attacks of the French, and allowed the main troops to retreat to Moscow in an organized manner. It is known how Miloradovich persuaded Murat with threats, similar to him in psychology Napoleonic marshal, to suspend the offensive (otherwise we will fight for every house in Moscow), which made it possible for Kutuzov's army to retreat. Miloradovich led the Second Army of Bagration. One Suvorov favorite replaced another.

In the foreign campaigns of 1813, the allies, as a rule, entered into battle with Napoleon, having a numerical superiority. The more expensive is the Kulm feat of Miloradovich, who, with a small guard unit, repulsed the attack of the 37,000-strong corps of General Vandam. They were ready to die, but not retreat, sometimes snarled with counterattacks, causing damage to Vandam. The approaching troops, the long-awaited reinforcements, surrounded and finished off the corps, captured Vandam, but the main thing was achieved by the persistence of Miloradovich.

Like the heroes of Dumas (which, let me remind you, were not even planned in 1812), Miloradovich and Marshal Murat competed in prowess, feasting at outposts. If Murat, under fire, only drank champagne, Miloradovich also thoroughly ate a three-course dinner. Before leaving Moscow, Miloradovich managed to reach an agreement with Murat by dashing blackmail, when Kutuzov's army was on the road every day for an organized retreat.

Napoleon left more than 600 thousand in Russia - an army of about 30,000 returned to Europe from a winter campaign. But by the spring of 1813, the great mobilizer again managed to collect at least 450 thousand with the help of an accelerated set ... And they fought in Europe skillfully and selflessly.

Near Leipzig, in the Battle of the Nations, Miloradovich commands the guard, which, as usual, is thrown into the most critical places of the battle. Miloradovich raises soldiers in a bayonet attack, disperses enemy positions. What is the Battle of the Nations? This is a three-day battle on the plain near Leipzig, by the beginning of which Napoleon had 155 thousand soldiers, and the allies had 220 thousand. On the very first day total losses amounted to about 70 thousand! But the armies did not flinch. The reinforcements that arrived on the second day were unequal. Bonaparte received a fresh fifteen thousandth corps, and the allies - more than a hundred thousand under the command of Bennigsen and Bernadotte. In the midst of a new battle, the Saxon army turned its bayonets against Napoleon. The balance of power has become critical, but french emperor and did not think to lay down their arms. Only on the night of the 19th did Napoleon begin his retreat. About 130 thousand died in those days near Leipzig. But it was clear that, despite the ingenious ability of Napoleon to recruit new and new armies, his resources near Leipzig were depleted. Miloradovich and the guards entrusted to him in the Battle of the Nations proved to be better than all the allied units.

And the lucky general was distinguished! Alexander grants him, in addition to the title of count received in May, the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, as well as the honorary right to wear a soldier's George Cross: "Wear it, you are a friend of the soldiers!" That was the glory of the daring Miloradovich. The motto of the count's coat of arms was the words "Directness supports me." In the retinue of the emperor, Miloradovich enters Paris as a victor.

Even a cursory story about these episodes of the combat biography of the infantry general Miloradovich explains why, after the victories of 1813-1814. he was the most popular "servant of the king, father of the soldiers". After the death of Bagration, he and Yermolov (well, maybe Matvey Platov, extremely beloved by the Cossacks) were the personification of military prowess, loyalty to the soldier's vocation, invincible Russian prowess. Best students Suvorov! Rumor enthusiastically repeated Miloradovich’s creed: “I never made the army wait for me, neither on a campaign nor on training place; he did not ride behind the columns, not in a carriage, but always on horseback, always with the soldiers in mind; did not exhaust them in the war with empty worries; came first into the fire; in case of accidents was more cheerful than usual. He did not give unnecessary "exhaustion" to the troops, and in Peaceful time: the head of the guard was repeatedly reproached for the licentiousness of the regiments entrusted to him, for encouraging revelers. But the general was ready to prove the resilience of the guard on the battlefield.

Miloradovich died not from an enemy bullet. As Metropolitan Governor General, December 14, 1825. The role of Miloradovich in the December events was not easy. There are versions of a cunning conspiracy, at the center of which was a popular governor-general. It is curious that Miloradovich insisted on the scrupulous execution of the laws on succession to the throne: first, the oath to Konstantin, then the publication of Konstantin's abdication, and, finally, the oath to Nikolai Pavlovich. Emperor Nicholas remembered with what persistence Miloradovich demanded from the Senate an oath to Konstantin. It is believed that the adventurous soul of Miloradovich demanded the restoration of traditions XVIII century, when the guard played a decisive role in the accession and palace coups. Therefore, he - the governor-general and commander of the guards - behaved in the December days with an emphasis of independence. But, having learned about the rebellion, he hastened to prove loyalty to the throne and restore order.

When the rebels gathered on the square, fearing bloodshed, the general refused to lead the dismayed Horse Guards Regiment to the square, he intended to solve everything by personal example, in the Suvorov way. The governor-general wanted to avoid bloodshed in the center of the capital with all his might.

He rode on horseback to the participants in the rebellious performance - a dashing cavalryman, confident that his commanding voice, which carried the soldiers to storm the Alps, would save the situation on Senate Square. He was recognized, but not everyone saluted. The voice of Miloradovich, who drew his blade, sounded over the crowded square: “Which of you was with me near Kulm, Lutzen, Bautzen?” The crowd was silent in confusion. “Thank God, there is not a single Russian soldier here!” Miloradovich concluded loudly, rising in the stirrups. It wasn't like that. Among those present were veterans of the campaigns of 1813, which is why Miloradovich's words had an effect on them. Miloradovich also addressed the officers, cursing those who refused the oath. He urged them to kneel before the new Emperor Nicholas. It was felt that the situation should change in favor of the general, who reminded the soldiers of the faithful service to the tsar and the Fatherland.

Lieutenant Yevgeny Obolensky, the head of the headquarters and soon the "dictator of the uprising", suggested that Miloradovich leave the square: "Do not interfere with the soldiers to do their duty." The general replied sharply that no one could forbid him to speak to the soldiers. Then Obolensky, tearing the gun out of the soldier's hands, tried to turn the general's horse with a bayonet, hitting Miloradovich's thigh. This meant that "everything is allowed", that the rebels were ready to go for broke, regardless of the authority of the hero of the Alps and Kulm. Miloradovich was well aware of secret societies, about the mood among the officers, but he could not expect such shameless insubordination.

A moment later, a shot by Peter Kakhovskiy treacherously struck down the general. Miloradovich collapsed into the arms of adjutant Alexander Bashutsky. The wounded general rushed to the barracks, to the troops loyal to him. He was taken to the barracks of the Horse Guards Regiment, whose chief was Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich. Miloradovich knew him from Suvorov campaign 1799 and was a supporter of Konstantin, but died for Nikolai ... When the bullet was removed, he thanked God: “The bullet is not a soldier's, not a rifle. I knew it was some kind of rascal." Nikolai wrote an affectionate note to Miloradovich: “Trust in God as I trust in Him. He will not deprive me of a friend. If I could follow my heart, I would be with you, but my duty keeps me here. On the night of the 15th, Miloradovich died. soldier general, who despised the free-thinking hobbies of noble officers, died at the hands of a retired Russian lieutenant, took on himself a bullet intended for the new emperor. By royal decree, the 38th Tobolsk Infantry Regiment was named after Miloradovich.

Miloradovich was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. And in 1937 he was reburied in the Annunciation tomb of the Lavra, very close to the grave of Suvorov. All his life Miloradovich carried with him a portrait of Suvorov - a memory of the battle godfather. And I found peace in the neighborhood of the teacher's gravestone.

To be continued…

Count (since 1813) Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich from Khrabrenovich (1771-1825) - Russian general from infantry (1809), one of the leaders of the Russian army during Patriotic War 1812, St. Petersburg military governor-general and member State Council(since 1818).

Biography

Youth

A descendant of immigrants from Herzegovina, Mikhail Andreevich was born on October 1, 1771 and was the great-grandson of Mikhail Ilyich Miloradovich, an associate of Peter I; Mikhail Andreevich's father, Andrei Stepanovich, was the governor of Chernigov. He was enrolled in the guard, from the age of seven abroad, in Germany and France. Studied with cousin Gregory French and German languages, arithmetic, geometry, history, architecture, law, drawing, music and fencing, military sciences: fortification, artillery and military history. Four years he studied at the University of Königsberg, two years in Göttingen, then went to Strasbourg and Metz to improve his military knowledge.

First period of military career

On April 4, 1787, he was promoted to ensign of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment. In the rank of lieutenant, he participated in the Russian-Swedish war of 1788-1790. On January 1, 1790, he was promoted to lieutenant, on January 1, 1792 - to captain-lieutenant, on January 1, 1796 - to captain, on September 16, 1797 - to colonel of the same regiment. From July 27, 1798 - Major General and Chief of the Apsheron Musketeer Regiment. In the autumn of 1798, with his regiment, he entered the allied Russia of Austria, and in the spring of the following year he was already in Italy. Participated in the Italian and Swiss campaigns; 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. So, on April 14, 1799, a bloody battle followed at the village of Lekko, in which 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 a general on duty, in other words, he made him a person close to himself, and did not miss the opportunity to give him the opportunity to distinguish himself on the military field.

Upon returning to Russia, Miloradovich with his regiment stood in Volhynia. In 1805, as part of the forces of the anti-Napoleonic coalition, he led one of the detachments sent to help the Austrians. For his qualities he received the rank of lieutenant general and other awards. He took part in the battle of Austerlitz. In Russian- Turkish war 1806-1812 - commander of the corps, which on December 13, 1806 liberated Bucharest from the Turks, in 1807 defeated the Turks in the battle of Turbat and the battle of Obileshti. On September 29, 1809, for the victory at Rassevat, he was promoted to general of infantry. In April 1810 he was appointed military governor of Kyiv. In September 1810, he was dismissed at the request, but on November 20 of the same year he was again accepted into the service and appointed chief of the Apsheron regiment, and on December 12 - the military governor of Kyiv.

Kyiv military governor

The short stay of Miloradovich as the Kyiv governor-general was marked by the maximum comfortable conditions service of officials subordinate to him, as well as an atmosphere of extraordinary tolerance and goodwill that he created for Kyiv society. The magnificent balls that he gave at the Mariinsky Palace, and to which the audience often appeared in national costumes, still remain an urban legend.

On July 9, 1811, a devastating fire began in Kiev Podil, which destroyed almost the entire lower city. The main part of the Podolsk buildings was wooden, so the number of victims and the scale of destruction caused by the natural disaster was enormous. The military governor personally supervised the extinguishing of the fire. In the evenings he returned home in a hat with a burnt plume. A week after the fire, the Kiev provincial government informed Miloradovich about enormous size losses: Podolsk philistines, artisans and merchants were left without a roof over their heads and a livelihood. On September 22, 1811, Miloradovich sent the emperor a detailed plan for paying compensation to the victims of the fire. However, Miloradovich's proposals were not successful with the ministers and were considered inconvenient to put them into action and inconsistent with the charitable intention of the emperor.

In service:

• October 16, 1780 - ensign;
• August 4, 1783 - sergeant;
• April 4, 1787 - ensign;
• January 1, 1788 - second lieutenant;
• January 1, 1790 - lieutenant;
• January 1, 1792 - captain-lieutenant;
• January 1, 1796 - captain;
• September 16, 1797 - colonel, in the life guards. Izmailovsky regiment;
• July 27, 1798 - transferred to the army as a major general;
• November 8, 1805 - for distinction against the enemy and multiple merits, he was promoted to lieutenant general;
• September 29, 1809 - for distinction - to generals from infantry;
• December 5, 1809 - appointed chief of the Apsheron Musketeer Regiment;
• April 30, 1810 - the post of Kyiv military governor was entrusted;
• September 14, 1810 - at the request of dismissed from service, with a uniform;
• November 20, 1810 - still accepted into service, with the appointment of the chief of the Apsheron Infantry Regiment;
• December 12, 1810 - appointed Kyiv military governor;
• in 1812 - during the entry of the enemy into Russia, he was, by the Highest command, in Kaluga, where he was entrusted with the formation of a detachment of troops of 15,000 people for active army between Kaluga, Volokolamsk and Moscow, with whom, by order of the commander in chief, he arrived at the army in the city of Gzhatsk on August 14, 1812;
• May 15, 1814 - appointed commander of the foot reserve of the army;
• November 14, 1814 - Commander of the Guards Corps;
• August 19, 1818 - St. Petersburg military governor-general.

On the trips I had:

• 1788 and 1790 - in Swedish;
• 1798-1799 - in Italian campaign and participated in the battles: on April 14, 1799, near Lecco, for which he was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 1st class; 17 - under p. Verderier, during the surrender of the attacked French General Serurier and the troops that were with him; May 1, near Cassano and Piseta, where he was awarded the Order of St. John of Jerusalem for distinction; June 7 and 8 at r. Tidone and R. Trebbia, and 9 and 10 - when pursuing a retreating enemy; for the distinction rendered here, he was awarded a star and a cross of the Order of St. Anne, adorned with diamonds; from 4 to 11 July, during the siege and bombardment of the Citadel of Alexandria; August 4 at the city of Novi, and 5 - when pursuing the enemy; for distinction he was awarded the Order of St. John of Jerusalem with diamonds; in September, commanding the vanguard, he went to Switzerland through the Alpine mountains and on September 13-15 dealt with the enemy in the St. Gotthard Pass, at the Devil's Bridge; 19 - participated in the battle with. Muttental and for distinction was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky;
• 1805 - August 15, entered the Austrian possessions and participated in battles against French troops: October 24 at Amsteten; 30 - at the city of Stein; for distinction he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd class. and on November 8 he was promoted to lieutenant general; November 20 at Austerlitz;
• in 1806 and 1807 - participated in the Turkish war and was in battles: on December 11, with. Glodenyakh; 13 - at the city of Bucharest; 1807 March 5, when taking over the enemy trenches at the village. Turbate; 6 - during a sortie of the enemy from Zhurzhi; 19 - when defeating the enemy, who made a strong sortie from Zhurzhi; for the difference rendered in these battles he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 2 tbsp. big cross; On June 2, he participated in the defeat of the enemy corps at the village. Obilesti, for which he was awarded a sword adorned with diamonds, with the inscription "for courage and the salvation of Bucharest";
• in 1812 - during the entry of the enemy into Russia, he was, by the Highest command, in Kaluga to form troops; On August 14 of the same year, by order of the commander in chief, he arrived with 15,000 formed troops in the city of Gzhatsk and on 26 - was in the general battle of Borodino, where he commanded the right wing and the center of the army; then he was entrusted with the rearguard, with which he defeated the French avant-garde on the 29th; from 2 to 22 September, commanding the rearguard, he, in addition to everyday skirmishes, had several significant battles, of which the main ones were under the SS. Krasnaya Pakhra, Chirikov and the village of Chernishnaya; On October 6, in the battle of Tarutino, he commanded the entire cavalry; 12 - participated in the battle of Maloyaroslavets; 22 - warning the retreating French army, flank march near the city of Vyazma defeated 50,000 enemy troops; 26 - was during the capture of the city of Dorogobuzh, from where, with the corps entrusted to him, he followed an indirect march past Smolsnek to Krasnoy, where the corps entrusted to him, with the assistance of other troops, on November 3, 4 and 6, the Viceroy of Italy and Marshal Davout were struck and completely defeated Marshal Ney; upon the arrival of the army in Vilna, he is from own hands Sovereign Emperor was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 1 tbsp. and St. George 2nd class;
• 1813 - at the beginning of the year, when the Russian troops crossed over. Neman, he followed to Warsaw and occupied it, for which he received the right to be with the person of His Imperial Majesty and wear monograms on epaulettes, and 10,000 rubles; then the troops under his command laid siege to Glogau in Silesia; upon the entry of troops into Saxony, he occupied Dresden; On April 21, after the battle of Lutsen, he was entrusted with the command of the rear guard, and from that date to May 11 he had several big battles with an enemy superior in strength; On May 7 and 8, he was in the general battle at Bautzen, where he commanded the left wing of the entire army; 9 - had a big battle at Reichenbach; 10-between Reichenbach and Görlitz; as a reward for victories in all these battles, he was granted the title of count of the Russian Empire; On August 18, he was in the battle of Kulm, for which he was awarded a golden sword with laurels and the inscription "for courage", and 50,000 rubles; On October 6, at Leipzig, he commanded the Life Guards and was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called;
• in 1814 - on a campaign beyond the Rhine, was in battles: at Brienne, Ferchampenoise and during the capture of Paris, commanding all the guards of the allied troops.

Mortally wounded in St. Petersburg 14 (

Participation in wars: Russian-Swedish war 1788-1790. Italian campaign (1799). Swiss trip. Russo-Turkish War 1806-1812. Napoleonic Wars.
Participation in battles: Battle of Krems. battle of austerlitz. Battle of Dolgobuzh. Battle of Vyazma. Battle of Red. Battle of Borodino. Battle of Lutzen. Battle of Kulm. Battle of Leipzig. Battle of Bautzen. Battle of Arcy-sur-Aube. Battle of Fer-Champenoise. Battle of Brienne. Battle of Paris.

(Mikhail Miloradovich) Hero of the wars with Napoleonic France, the famous Russian infantry general

FROM early childhood was enrolled in the guard, and in 1780 he was assigned to the Izmailovsky regiment as a lieutenant. He improved his knowledge in the field of military affairs abroad: in Germany and France.

Military career Mikhail Andreevich developed at a rapid pace: in the course of Russian-Swedish war he was promoted to lieutenant, a little later to colonel, and then to major general. In 1797, Miloradovich took over the command of the Apsheron regiment, and together with him was involved in Italian campaign. In the course of Swiss campaign led the actions of the vanguard of the army of the great commander Suvorova A.V.

In 1805 he distinguished himself in the battles of Amstetten, Austerlitz and Krems under the command of Kutuzova M.I. For his courage and valor, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant general. During the war with the Turks, he inflicted crushing defeats on the enemy at Bucharest, at Turbat, at Obileshti and at Rassevat. For military merit Mikhail Andreevich Miloradovich He was promoted to General of the Infantry.

In 1810, the general was appointed to the post of Kyiv military governor. During the war of 1812 he was engaged in the creation of a reserve army corps. AT Battle of Borodino assumed command of the right flank of the Russian troops, and during the counterattack on the enemy, he led their vanguard.

Distinguished in battles near Dolgobuzh,near Vyazma. In battle under Red with battery fire and cavalry blows, demoralized the marshal's corps Davout, to which he was forced to rush to help himself Napoleon .

During foreign campaign Russian troops Miloradovich showed himself as a brilliant tactician and strategist. Distinguished in battles near Lützen, near Kulm, under Leipzig and near Bautzen, received as a reward a golden sword with an engraving "For Bravery" and was promoted to the dignity of a count. He was awarded a number of foreign military orders for battles under Arcy-sur-Aube,Fer-Champenoise,Brienne,Paris.

In the summer of 1819, Mikhail Andreevich was appointed military Governor-General of St. Petersburg, acting as a member of the State Council. He was killed by the Decembrists on Senate Square and buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra in St. Petersburg.