The history of Russian revolutions is rich in paradoxes. One of them was positive attitude to the February events and to the Provisional Government of the future leaders of the White movement, who subsequently branded the revolution and revolutionaries. Readers are invited to a letter discovered in the United States by the Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Western Front, Major General S.L. Markov to the Minister-Chairman of the Provisional Government and Minister of War A.F. Kerensky on July 15, 1917.

"Leather Captain"

Sergei Leonidovich Markov (1878-1918) was one of the outstanding officers of the Russian army 1 . A participant in three wars, a man of great personal courage, an intellectual (he wrote works on the military geography of Russia and foreign countries, as well as military historical works and documentary publications), a talented military educator, he did not belong to the type of General Staff officers who can be called armchair workers. preserved bright characteristic Markova, dating back to the time of his service as the head of the intelligence department of the headquarters of the South-Western Front in 1914, which gives an idea of ​​​​the personality of this person: "At the front headquarters, this energetic, slightly expansive, thirsty for activity officer felt ... out of place ... Being by nature a man of impulse, exceptional mobility and energy, a little impatient in the sense of calmly waiting for the development of events, naturally he could not even feel satisfactorily at the headquarters of the front, removed a hundred - one and a half miles from the battle lines "2.

Markov's character traits were noticed by General N.M. Tikhmenev, who wrote to the widow of General A.I. Denikin on November 25, 1953: “I personally knew little of S.L. Markov. I remember in the Japanese war, the captain - we called him the “leather captain”, because from head to toe he was dressed in leather - a black jacket, black pants. Then I met briefly in St. Petersburg, and then at Headquarters (Mogilev). I confess, I was not very sympathetic then: his noisiness, ardor seemed to me somewhat insincere, and the fact that he was always "by leaps and bounds" did not excite in trust me ... in Markov I was mistaken ... he was truly an outstanding man of heroic courage" 3 .

Subsequently, S.L. Markov became one of the prominent figures of the White movement. His ideological choice in the Civil War was due, among other things, to joint military service and close friendly relations with the future leader of the White movement in the South of Russia, General A.I. Denikin. During the First World War, Denikin and Markov repeatedly served in the same headquarters. From the end of 1914, Markov served as chief of staff of the 4th rifle brigade(then - the division), commanded by Denikin, later became the 2nd Quartermaster General of the Stavka under Chief of Staff Denikin, Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the Western Front under Commander-in-Chief Denikin, and, finally, Chief of Staff of the Commander-in-Chief of the armies of the South-Western Front under Commander-in-Chief Denikin. On the eve of the Kornilov speech, on August 16, 1917, Markov was promoted to lieutenant general.

"We must save not the revolution, but Russia"

The published document reflects the worldview of the Russian military elite between the February revolution and the Kornilov uprising. Then the General Staff spoke critically of the old regime and were not yet disappointed in the Provisional Government. In a letter, 39-year-old Markov wrote that he entrusted A.F. Kerensky's hopes for saving the army and the country ("My personal short acquaintance with you convinced me of your sincerity and your desire to give Russia a bright future"). The general noted that he was opposed to the return of the old regime ("I wholeheartedly do not wish my homeland the return of the nightmarish old"). It is difficult to say what exactly Markov was protesting against (he only mentions the "nightmarish Rasputin rule") and whether he simply sought to demonstrate his loyalty to Kerensky. Be that as it may, these statements cast doubt on Markov's monarchism and his adherence to the idea of ​​a constitutional monarchy 4 . Markov's main demand to Kerensky was to restore unity of command in the army by limiting the powers of the committees. According to the general, it is necessary to protect not a revolution that has already taken place, but a dying country.

Soon, however, Markov's attitude towards the Provisional Government changed radically. Not far off was the speech of General L.G. Kornilov, which was supported by A.I. Denikin, and S.L. Markov. As Markov himself noted, "until August 27, I, firstly, did not assume the possibility of General Kornilov's dismissal, and, secondly, I did not know anything that when he was dismissed from the post of Supreme [Commander-in-Chief], he would oppose the Provisional Government I, on the contrary, have long been aware of his a good relationship to A.F. Kerensky and to B.V. Savinkov, who, as I thought, fully support all the undertakings of General Kornilov, and I firmly believed that these three persons would follow the path of strengthening the army. I knew that the program proposed by General Kornilov had been approved and was waiting for its publication, but at the same time I understood that the announcement of this program might provoke an energetic protest from the Bolsheviks.

After the failure of Kornilov's speech, Markov ironically called Kerensky "comrade." Arrest and imprisonment followed, first in Berdichev, and later in the Belarusian town of Bykhov, Mogilev province, located not far from Headquarters. From there, Denikin, Markov and other future leaders of the Whites fled in November 1917 to the Don, where the anti-Bolshevik Volunteer Army arose. In its ranks, Markov received mortal wound in battle 12 (25) June 1918 and died the next day.

The letter to Kerensky was discovered by us among the papers of the military investigator R.R. von Raupach in the collection of the Bakhmetev Archive of Russian and East European History and Culture in the USA. It should be noted that it was Raupakh who drew up a fictitious document on the release of the Kornilovites held in Bykhov (including Markov), which contributed to their rescue in November 1917.

The document is published in accordance with modern rules spelling and punctuation while saving stylistic features original.

"I know what to expect..."

Copy
Into your own hands.

Chief of staff
Commander-in-Chief of the Armies
Western front
July 15, 1917
No. 9238

Mr. Minister

I know that every minute counts for you, and letters like mine are a flood, but even under these conditions I consider it my duty as a person who loves his Motherland to say a few words to you.

My personal brief acquaintance with you convinced me of your sincerity and of your desire to give Russia a bright future.

A soldier by nature, birth and education, I can judge and speak only about my military affairs. All other reforms and alterations of our political system I am interested only as an ordinary citizen. But I know the army, I gave it my best days, I paid for its successes with the blood of people close to me, I myself left the battle bloody.

When, at the beginning of the revolution, certain orders were issued in Petrograd, when a declaration that destroyed the army was issued, we all, who know the Russian soldier and his spirit, are more and closer than random arbiters of military destinies from an element alien to the army, soldiers only in a gray overcoat, young ensigns cynically arranging for fashionable During the course of their careers, officers and workers who did not understand anything in military affairs, loudly and honestly said that the army was perishing, and Russia would perish with it. Of course, they did not listen to us, they began to accuse us of counter-revolutionary plans, of the desire to restore the nightmarish Rasputin rule. And now, when the end was almost approaching, when those soldiers who shouted cheers to you carried you in their arms and swore to fulfill their duty to the Motherland and in the name of a beautiful, but unrealizable formula of freedom, equality and fraternity, like vile cowards fled before the ghost of the enemy , fled, letting the best die and killing the most worthy of your midst, you take a number of measures to restore the dying army.

These measures, extreme on the one hand, are leveled general position Affairs.

No army, in its essence, can be controlled by many-headed institutions called committees, commissariats, congresses, etc. Responsible to his conscience and to you, as Minister of War, the chief can hardly honestly fulfill his duty, unsubscribing, persuading, appeasing members of the committee who are semi-literate in military affairs, having, like fetters on their feet, perhaps very good souls, but also ignorant, fantasizing and pretending to special role commissioners. All these are people who are alien to military affairs, people of the moment and, most importantly, who do not bear any legal responsibility. Give them everything, tell everything, report everything, do as they want, and the boss is responsible for the results.

It is painful for the cause and insulting for each of us to have a face around us, as if following our every 7 steps.

After all, this is a continuation of the destruction of the army, and not its creation.

It's easier to fire all of us, who still cannot be trusted, and put the same commissars and the same committees instead of headquarters and directorates in our place.

Introduction death penalty for scoundrels and cowards is not a solution to the issue.

Commanding the regiment for more than 15 months during this war, 8 I, having the right and reason, never sent anyone to the next world, and, nevertheless, the regiment held firm, fought exceptionally valiantly. Need for the most part not work with a stick, but the consciousness of everyone that this stick is in the hands of the boss and can always be put to work.

In short, power with all its prerogatives must be returned to the chiefs. Discipline is not empty sound, you can’t plant it with words alone. Words will have an effect on smart, honest, decent people, but such people are everywhere in the minority.

Discipline is military decency, obedience, military smartness; is it all there now? Of course not, there is no shadow.

The discipline of mind and heart must be manifested by superiors, but subordinates must always remember only the discipline of firm authority.

By pursuing democratic principles in the army, they create many powers, which is contrary to the essence of military affairs. There is not and will not be an army in a world where the power of the chief is paralyzed by committees. It is no longer possible to abandon committees, but they must be placed within a certain framework with limited scope activities.

A wide, accessible to all worthy path to higher knowledge (bad is the soldier who does not want to be a general), recognition in the soldier of the same person as every officer, this is the military democratization that, without disintegrating the army, will bring a healthy spirit into it.

But after all, all this is not new, and all this has long been confessed by the best of the military environment.

This is the most important thing that I consider my duty as an honest soldier - a citizen, and not vice versa, for every military man must be, first of all, a soldier, and then a citizen, I tell you, Mr. Minister of War.

Just like you, with all my heart I do not wish my homeland the return of the nightmarish old, and just like you I believe in the bright future of great Russia, but I think that this is possible only if there is a strong, formidable army and not crowds of cowards and traitors.

Now it is not the revolution that needs to be saved, but Russia. The revolution has been made, the old has been overthrown, Russia is perishing.

In sending you this letter, I know what may await me, but I would rather be driven out of the ranks as soon as possible. revolutionary army than unwittingly participate in its further decomposition.

It's hard to stay these days honest man, but this is the only right that no one can take away from us, old and real officers, by any decree. It is this right that made me write to you.

Sincerely respecting you,
ready for service
Sergey Markov

Bakhmetevsky archive of Russian
and Eastern European history
and culture (BAR).
R.R. Collection von Raupach. Box 2.
Typewritten copy.

* The publication was prepared with the support of the Russian Humanitarian Science Foundation within the framework of project N 14-31-01258a2 "Russian officer corps at the turn of the eras (1914-1922)".

1. For more details, see: Markov and Markovites. M., 2001.
2. GA RF. F. R-5881. Op. 2. D. 680. L. 43.
3. BAR. Anton & Kseniia Denikin collection. Box 32.
4. Gagkuev R.G. General Markov // Markov and the Markovites. M., 2001. S. 45.
5. BAR. R.R. Collection von Raupach. Box 1.
6. Gagkuev R.G. General Markov. S. 51.
7. The document is wrong - yours.
8. In 1915-1916. S.L. Markov commanded the 13th Rifle Regiment of Field Marshal Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolaevich.

06/25/1918 - Killed in battle white general Sergei Leonidovich Markov.

"A knight, a hero, a patriot, with a warm heart and a rebellious soul, he did not live, but burned with love for Russia and feats of war", - these words from the order of General Denikin on the death of General Markov characterize Sergei Leonidovich in the best possible way. Eternal memory to him!

“Believe that the Motherland will again be strong, Great, United and Mighty ...” - General S.L. Markov.

In November 1916, Markov was recalled to teaching at the academy. At his first lecture, he told front-line officers: "Gentlemen! This is the first time I have had to give a lecture in such a brilliant audience. But gentlemen, officers! Let's not forget that, perhaps, the worthiest are not here, but remained on the wire!". One of the listeners, Lieutenant Colonel Permyakov, recalled: “Professor Markov’s lectures were a great success. These lectures, presented in short and sharp strokes not by a theoretical professor, but by a combat professor general who had experience in the combat and staff stages of combat activity, were the most valuable contribution for “those who have ears to listen.” But Markov was inexorably drawn to the front. last lecture he ended with the words: "All this, gentlemen, is nonsense, only dry theory! At the front, in the trenches - that's where the real school is. I'm going to the front, where I invite you too!"

Gene. Denikin wrote in "Essays on the Russian Troubles": "I remember the days of the difficult retreat from Galicia / 1915 /, when the troops spontaneously moved, burning their houses and villages, a distraught crowd of people, with women, children, cattle and belongings ... Gen Markov was in the rear guard and had to immediately blow up the bridge over the Styr River, which was crowded with a living human sea. But human grief touched him, and he still fought for the crossing for six hours, risking being cut off, until the last wagon of refugees passed. " There is the gen. Denikin writes: “Once I completely lost hope of seeing him / Markov /. At the beginning of Sept. 1915 during the glorious first Lutsk operation for the division, the left column, commanded by Markov, broke through the front of the Austrians and disappeared. The Austrians closed the line. The whole day there was no news, Evening came. Alarmed by the fate of the 13th regiment, I rode to a high cliff, observing the enemy and the silent distance. Suddenly from afar, from dense forest, in the deep rear of the Austrians, the bravura sounds of the regimental march of the 13th Rifleman were heard. shelf. Relieved from the heart. “I got into such a mess,” Markov later said, “that the devil himself can’t figure out where my shooters are, where the Austrians are; and then the night comes. I decided to cheer up and gather the shooters with music. "His column then defeated the enemy, took guns, two thousand, prisoners and drove the Austrians in disorder, fleeing to Lutsk.

And what is your rank?— —What do you think? Gen answered. Markov. — Lieutenant? ——It was a long time ago. Already forgot. - Such an answer made the officers add two ranks: -Captain? - I was also a captain. Markov laughed. — Colonel? - they asked him, already beginning to suspect something was amiss. - He was also a colonel! - General? - and even closed their eyes, it looked painfully unsuitable. “Don’t you remember who was in Bykhov with Gen. Kornilov? - General Markov? — —I am!

April 3rd, at st. Medvedev's army had to cross the railway, where red armored trains were operating. The further fate of the army depended on this. This operation is entrusted to Gen. Markov. Leaving his brigade one verst from the crossing, he and several scouts ride forward. At the crossing there is a railway booth, Markov and his scouts enter it. There are three people, one by the phone. They are disarmed and tied up. Markov sends an order to the brigade to move forward and stop two hundred paces from railway. At this time, a phone call, Markov picks up the phone. - "Who's talking?" - asks the general. - "Medvedovskaya station. What, can't you see the cadets?" “No,” Markov answers, “everything is quiet.” There are two armored trains at the station. The Reds offer to send one of them to the crossing. “Send it, comrades. Markov. Hastily, in order to meet the armored train, Markov sets up two guns at the railroad track. roads. The red armored train is slowly approaching the booth. Gene. Markov, having taken off his white hat, with a grenade in his hand, jumps out onto a canvas of zhel. roads. “Who is on the way?” they shout from the armored train. “Can’t you see that they are yours?” - Markov answers and, running close to the locomotive, throws a grenade into the furnace and shouts, running away from the locomotive: - “The gun is fire!” The first shell hits the wheels of the locomotive, the second hits the locomotive itself. , perishes completely ... As a result of the battle, the road was opened and the army was saved. And most importantly, the army felt that it was not defeated and could still win victories. At the same time, 360 gun shells, about 100,000 rifle cartridges, machine-gun belts, products food, i.e. what was vital for the army at that moment, the reserves were all used up.In the army in those days, General Markov was greeted everywhere with an unceasing "Hurrah". April 7 at night white army crossed again. road. Gen, Markov, who was at the crossing / he was again entrusted with this operation /, when the last white fighter crossed the road, could not resist, and in order to mock the Reds he telephoned them: - “Good. the army safely again crossed the railway. road."

Leadership of the Volunteer Army. Spring 1918

Denikin and Markov

1st Officer Regiment

Markov Field School

Markov banner

Markov sign

Markov shoulder straps

June 12th, around st. Shablievka, the last shell from the retreating red armored train, General Markov was mortally wounded. The shell exploded three steps away from him, he fell like a mowed down man, next to him lay his famous white hat. He was taken to a nearby house. He was unconscious. After a while, when he came to his senses, he asked: “Like a bridge!” and, having learned that he had been taken, he calmed down, kissed the icon, which he always carried with him, and, with difficulty pronouncing the words, said: “I am dying for you ... like you died for me ... bless you .... "A few minutes later he was gone. He was only 40 years old. In the morning, the 1st Kuban Rifle Regiment, part of Markov's division, saw off the remains of his beloved commander. There was a command: - “Listen! On guard!" For the first time, the regiment so carelessly saluted its general: guns fell from their hands, bayonets swayed, officers and Cossacks wept bitterly. / Gen. Denikin "Essays Russ. Troubles" 3rd volume /. On June 13, General Denikin gave the following order to the army: - "The Russian army suffered a heavy loss: on June 12, while taking the station of Shablievka, the mortally wounded general fell. S.L. Markov. Knight, hero ", a patriot with a warm heart and a rebellious soul, he did not live, but burned with love for the Motherland and abusive deeds. The iron arrows honor his deeds near Tvorilnia, Zhuravin, Borynya, Przemysl, Lutsk, Czartorysky ... The volunteer army will never forget the beloved general, who led its units into battle in the Ice Campaign.In continuous battles, in two campaigns, an enemy bullet spared him.Blind fate wanted the great Russian patriot to fall from the fratricidal Russian hand. Everlasting memory with glory to the fallen!" And the second order: "To perpetuate the memory of the first Commander of the 1st Officer Regiment, this unit will henceforth be called the 1st OFFICER GENERAL MARKOV REGIMENT.

The coffin with the body of Gen. Markov was sent for burial in Novocherkassk. On June 15, the whole of Novocherkassk buried the gene. Markov. Behind the coffin were the gene. Alekseev, Don ataman, higher ranks Good. army, family Markova: mother, wife and children... as well as the 1st Officer's gene. Markov Regiment. military cemetery. There is a dug grave. The last lithium... and the coffin is lowered. Several volleys of the Officer General Markov Regiment. Gene. Alkseev, somehow heavily turning his head towards those present, says his funeral sermon /gen. Markov became a very close person to him and he fell in love with him as his own son /. Gene. Alekseev spoke of the Christ-loving warrior Sergius, who laid down "his life for his friends"; spoke of him as a son of the Fatherland, for whom life was inexpensive, only Russia would live; he spoke of an example for everyone, which the warrior Sergius gave ... hoarse Gen. Alekseev spoke in a strangled, interrupted voice. Finishing, he turned to the family of the deceased and, raising his voice with an effort, turned to all those present: faithful son Russia" - and falling to his knees, he bowed to her, and after him all those present. - "We bow to his wife, who shared life with him and blessed him to serve the Motherland" - and bow to the earth again. And turning to the grave, he threw the first handful of earth on the coffin. A new fresh grave with a modest wooden cross, like on other graves, appeared at the Novocherkassk military cemetery. There was no inscription on the cross, only crown of thorns. Until the very end in Dobr. the army felt the loss of the gene. Markov - he did not find a worthy deputy. Already in exile, Gen. Denikin wrote: “How many times later, in search of right person, against the backdrop of desertion, I said to myself: - "No Markov ..."-

In 2003 in the city of Salsk Rostov region, not far from the place of death of the general, the first monument in Russia to the leader of the White movement, General Markov, was erected. On the pedestal, from afar, you can see the sign of the 1st Kuban campaign - a sword passing through a crown of thorns - and the words belonging to Markov: "Believe that the Motherland will again be strong, great, united and mighty ..."

- (1878 1918) lieutenant general (1917). From August 1917 Chief of Staff of the Southwestern Front. For participation in an armed uprising, L. G. Kornilova was arrested by the Provisional Government, but fled to the Don, where he participated in the formation of the Volunteer ... ... Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

White Guard military figure, lieutenant general (1917). From nobles. Graduated from the Academy of the General Staff (1904). Participated in Russian Japanese war 1904‒05, in 1908‒11 ... Big soviet encyclopedia

- (1878 1918), lieutenant general (1917). From May 1917 chief of staff of the Western, from August 1917 of the South Western fronts. For participation in the rebellion, L. G. Kornilova was arrested by the Provisional Government, but fled to the Don, where he participated in the formation of ... ... encyclopedic Dictionary

Sergei Leonidovich Markov 1878 1918 of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sergei Leonidovich Markov Place of birth the Russian Empire, St. Pe ... Wikipedia

- (1878 1918) Lieutenant General of the General Staff. Graduated from the 1st Moscow cadet corps, the Konstantinovsky Artillery School and the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff (1904). Member of the Russo-Japanese and World War I. From the school I went to Leib ... ... Big biographical encyclopedia

Wikipedia has articles about other people with that surname, see Markov. Markov, Sergei: Markov, Sergei Alexandrovich (b. 1958) Russian political scientist, director of the Institute political research, MP State Duma since 2007. Markov, ... ... Wikipedia

1878 1918 of the General Staff Lieutenant General Sergey Leonidovich Markov Place of birth Russian Empire, St. Pe ... Wikipedia

General S.L. Markov. Artist D. Trofimov, 2013

Sergei Leonidovich Markov was born on July 19 (7), 1878 in the St. Petersburg province in the family of an officer, a hereditary Moscow nobleman. Russian.

• In 1895 he graduated from the First Moscow Cadet Corps with honors
• He was transferred on August 26 (September 8) to the Konstantinovsky Artillery School. On August 8 (21), 1898 he was promoted to second lieutenant of the guard and was released from the school in the Life Guards 2nd Artillery Brigade. Being interested in military sciences, in 1901 he decided to enter the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. In October of the same year, he passed a double competitive exam and was enrolled in junior class Academy. During his studies, on August 8 (21), 1902 he was promoted to lieutenant. After graduating from the first category of two classes and additional course, May 31 (June 12), 1904 received the rank of staff captain: 9.
• After graduating from the Academy, he volunteered for the Manchurian Front of the Russo-Japanese War:59. In July 1904 he began serving in the 2nd Manchurian army at the Office of the Chief of Military Communications in Liaoyang City. On August 7, he was placed at the disposal of the Quartermaster General, on August 8, through the Military Topographic Department, he received the task of reconnaissance of roads and terrain in the direction from Liaoliang to Mukden and between Mukden and Sypingai Heights:60. He was at the headquarters of the 1st Siberian army corps and ensured his connection with the Manchurian army. From August 16 to 19, he participated in the battles near the village of Shoushanpu and at the "height 99": 10. From August 22, at the head of a group of officers, he provided route reconnaissance of the retreat routes of the Russian army from Mukden to Telin: 10.
• From September to December 1904 he was an officer of the General Staff at the headquarters of the Eastern Detachment of the Manchurian Army. At this time, on October 3, in the battle on the Novgorod (according to other sources - Putilovskaya: 60) hill, his brother Leonid Markov, second lieutenant of the 86th Vilmanstrand regiment, was wounded, who died in the infirmary on October 13: 10. On December 6, as a result of the disbandment of the headquarters of the Eastern Detachment, he was appointed to the headquarters of the 1st Siberian Army Corps. Participated in the battle of Sandepu on January 12-16, 1905:61 and in the battle of Mukden in February - March 1905.
• On June 11 (24), 1905, he received the rank of captain and was transferred to the General Staff with the appointment of a senior adjutant of the headquarters: 61. For military merit from the summer of 1904 to February 1905 he was awarded five orders: St. Anna of the 4th degree with the inscription "For courage" and 3rd degree with swords and a bow, St. Stanislav 2nd and 3rd degree with swords, St. Vladimir 4th degree with swords and a bow: 28. Following the results of the Russo-Japanese War, he wrote the pamphlet Once Again About Sandepa (1911) and a chapter in the collective study The Russo-Japanese War in the Reports of the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff (1906).
• On October 20 (November 3), 1905, he was transferred to the disposal of the Chief of Staff of the Warsaw Military District: 28. He passed the drill qualification as commander of the 4th company of the Life Guards of the Finnish Regiment: 61 from December 5 (18), 1905 to January 10 (23), 1907. From January 1907 - senior adjutant of the headquarters of the 16th Infantry Division, from June 1907 to January 1908 - assistant to the senior adjutant of the headquarters of the Warsaw Military District: 61. From June 1908 to October 1911, he was Assistant Chief of the Clerk in the Department of the Quartermaster General of the Main Directorate of the General Staff. March 29 (April 11), 1909 promoted to lieutenant colonel (officially approved in December): 29.
• In the interwar period, he was awarded two foreign orders - the Montenegrin order of Prince Daniel the First 3rd degree and the Bukhara gold star 3rd degree - and received permission to wear them on September 12 (25), 1908 and July 25 (August 7), 1911, respectively . From May 3 (16) to August 3 (16), 1910 he was on a business trip in Germany "in order to improve the knowledge of the German language." According to the assumptions of the researcher of the biography of Markov N. Kalitkina, it was during this trip that he carried out a secret task of photographing the improved forts of the German fortress Thorn: 61-62.
• From 1908 he taught tactics, military geography and Russian military history at the Pavlovsk Military School and the Mikhailovsky Artillery School. Together with Colonel Georgy Gisser, he was a co-author of the textbook “Military Geography of Russia. Study of individual theaters of military operations "(1st edition - 1909, 2nd - 1911) and the textbook" Military Geography foreign countries"(1911). Participated in the preparation of the textbook "Geography of non-European countries" (1915). Published "Notes on the history of the Russian army. 1856-1891". From October 8 (21), 1911 - a full-time teacher at the Nikolaev Military Academy: 31-32.
• With the outbreak of the First World War, he was transferred to active army and was appointed head of the intelligence department of the department of the quartermaster general of the headquarters of the armies of the Southwestern Front. From September 22 (October 5), 1914 - Head of the Quartermaster General, from October 22 - Chief of Staff of the 19th Infantry Division: 62. As part of the division, he participated from October 28 to October 30 in the blockade of the Przemysl fortress, and from October 30 to November 26 in all the main battles of the division in the Carpathians in the area of ​​the Duklin passages. For participation in these battles later, on February 18 (5), 1915, he was awarded swords to the Order of St. Anna, 2nd degree: 39.
• Denikin about the first meeting with Markov: “He came to our brigade, unknown and unexpected to anyone: I asked the army headquarters to appoint another. therefore, he will not go to the position. I grimaced, the staff exchanged glances. To our " Zaporizhzhya Sich”, Obviously, it will not work - “professor” ... I left with the headquarters to the shooters who were fighting a hot battle in front of the city of Frishtak. The rapprochement with the enemy is large, strong fire. Suddenly we were covered in a burst of shrapnel. What's happened? Markov quite openly drives up to the chain in a huge chariot harnessed by a pair of horses - cheerful, laughing fervently. - I got bored at home. I came to see what was being done here... From that day on, the ice melted, and Markov took his real place in the family of the "iron" division:40.
• "Essays on Russian Troubles". Chapter X
• Service record of the chief of staff of the 2nd Caucasian Cossack division Colonel Sergei Markov dated August 6, 1916. First and second pages of the document
• On December 7 (20), 1914, he accepted the post of chief of staff of the 4th rifle brigade (then the "iron" division) under the command of Major General Anton Denikin. From this period, active cooperation and friendship between Markov and Denikin began, which then continued in 1917 during the command of Denikin's Russian fronts. imperial army(Markov was invariably the chief of staff with him), as well as in the Volunteer Army (where Markov was one of the first to express confidence in Denikin when he took command of the army after the death of Lavr Kornilov). On January 15 (28), 1915 he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree.
• On February 14 (27), at a personal request with the permission of Denikin, he temporarily took command of the 13th Infantry Regiment of Field Marshal Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich, acting jointly with the 4th Brigade. Immediate supervisor Denikin and Markov himself repeatedly asked to be approved as a regiment commander, but the “dead line of seniority” did not allow this, according to which he was constantly in the second ten in the order of candidates. From May 1915, Denikin repeatedly nominated Markov to the rank of general, but the application was rejected due to the candidate's youth:41
• In July 1915, for the battle near Tvorilnya, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree: 62. With his regiment, he achieved success in the battles near Zhuravin, Gorynya, Przemysl, Lutsk, Czartorysk: 43. In August he was awarded the St. George weapon: 62-63. October 5 (September 22) approved as regiment commander: 42. In December 1915 he was promoted to major general.
• In the spring of 1916, he prepared his regiment for participation in forthcoming offensive Southwestern Front. At the insistence of the Stavka Supreme High Command due to the shortage of officers of the General Staff, and also in accordance with the procedure for taking command of the division, he was re-appointed chief of staff of the 4th division. At the end of April, he handed over command of the regiment to Colonel Pyotr Nepenin.
• On April 20 (May 3, 1916), with the rank of major general, due to a shortage of General Staff officers in senior positions in large formations operating at the fronts, he was appointed chief of staff of the 2nd Caucasian Cossack division: 45. The new appointment required him to be moved to the Caucasian front. In the "farewell" order for the transfer of Markov, his boss Denikin wrote: IN hard days Creativity Colonel Markov received the 13th Infantry Regiment. Since then, having become related to him, for more than a year with high valor, selflessly and gloriously led him through Zhuravin, Zubovets forest, Myslyatychi, along the way of the cross for the withdrawal of armies, through Dyuksin, Oleshva, Novoselki, Dolzhitsa and Budki. We are all remembered , and these names are dear. With a feeling of sincere regret, parting with my employee (at headquarters), comrade-in-arms and friend, I wish him recognition, happiness and good luck on the new front

• He left for the Caucasus and on May 12 (25), 1916 arrived at a new place of service. Took in battles Caucasian front personal involvement. In the autumn of 1916 he was summoned to the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff to lecture on common tactics for first crash courses:63. He was dissatisfied with leaving the front and filed a petition to return to duty. According to the memoirs of Vasily Pavlov, Markov said goodbye to his listeners with the words: “All this, gentlemen, is nonsense, dry theory! At the front, in the trenches - that's where the real school is. I'm going to the front, where I invite you too!
• From January 1 (January 13), 1917 - General for assignments under the commander of the 10th Army, General Vladimir Gorbatovsky. In early February, he was in Petrograd on a business trip, which he left the day before February Revolution. On March 10 (March 23), he received an order to leave through Minsk to Bryansk to calm the city's soldier garrison, caught his rebellion and, as an officer, almost became a victim of lynching. At the end of March, he was elected to the officer-soldier committee of the headquarters of the 10th Army, in which he participated until mid-April, went as a speaker to military units, agitated personnel for the continuation of the war: 48-49. In March - April he was appointed to the post of 2nd quartermaster general of the headquarters Supreme Commander, where he again met with Denikin, appointed at the end of March as the chief of staff of the Supreme Commander. From April 28 (April 15) - Commander of the 10th Infantry Division. On May 12 (May 25) he was transferred to Headquarters and appointed 2nd Quartermaster General under the Supreme Commander. From June 10 - acting chief of staff of the armies of the Western, from August 4 - of the South-Western Front under the commander of the fronts, General Denikin
• In May 1917 he was promoted to lieutenant general.
• He actively supported the Kornilov uprising, for which on September 11 (August 29), 1917 he was removed from office and arrested along with other generals of the Southwestern Front on the orders of Front Commissar Nikolai Jordansky. He was imprisoned in Berdichev Prison, where he was kept in cell No. 2. On October 9 (September 26), along with other generals, while being sent to Bykhov, he almost became a victim of lynching by a crowd of soldiers, from which they were largely saved by an officer of the cadet battalion of the 2nd Zhytomyr School warrant officers Victor Betling. At the end of September, together with other Berdichevsky arrested, he was taken to the Bykhov prison, where Kornilov and his associates were kept. In prison, he entertained himself and other arrested generals by organizing leapfrog games.
• During his imprisonment, he wrote in his diary: “Why are we being judged when our fate is sealed! Let them be shot right away… People are cruel, and in the struggle of political passions they forget a person. I am not a thief, not a murderer, not a traitor. how can it: now 39 years of hard work is going down the drain. best case you have to start all over again ... Military affairs, to which he devoted himself entirely, took forms in which there is only one thing left: to take a rifle and join the ranks of those who are still ready to die for the Motherland.
• After the fall of the Provisional Government, the new Bolshevik government temporarily forgot about those arrested, and on November 19 (December 2), 1917, Supreme Commander Dukhonin, having learned about the approach of echelons with Bolshevik troops led by Ensign Krylenko, who threatened to kill them, and relying on the one brought from Petrograd captain Chunikhin order with the seal of the Supreme commission of inquiry and forged signatures of members of the commission, military investigators R. R. von Raupach and N. P. Ukraintsev, released the generals from Bykhov prison.
• He disguised himself as a "batman" of another former prisoner of Bykhov, Quartermaster General Ivan Romanovsky, who disguised himself as an "ensign", and made his way to the Don by train. Part of the journey was made on the emergency train of Lieutenant Colonel Pavel Kusonsky. At the railway station in Kharkov, I met with Denikin, who also made his way to the Don under the guise of a Polish civilian
• One of the first to join the Volunteer Army, took Active participation in its creation. Markov's tasks included the urgent formation of units and bringing them to combat readiness: 51-52. December 24, 1917 (January 6, 1918) was appointed commander volunteer troops, and in January he accepted the post of chief of staff of the 1st Volunteer division. During the two-month offensive of the Bolsheviks on Rostov-on-Don, he led the Batai Front, organizing the defense of the approaches to the city with the Naval Company.
• From the speech of General Markov at the parade of the Volunteer Army (village Olginskaya, February 25 (12), 1918): “There are not many of you here. In truth, out of the three hundred thousandth officer corps I expected to see more. But don't be upset. I am deeply convinced that even with such small forces we will achieve great things. Don't ask me where and why we're going, or I'll still say that we're going to hell with the blue bird."
• On the day of the beginning of the First Kuban campaign of the Volunteer Army (February 9 (22), 1918), he was in Zarechnaya, from where he went to the village of Olginskaya along the left bank of the Don: 64. On February 12 (25), he took command of the Consolidated Officer Regiment, consisting of three officer battalions, a detachment of sailors and a student battalion of General Alexander Borovsky
• The troops led by Markov distinguished themselves on February 21 (March 6), 1918 in the battle near the village of Lezhanka (the first victory of the Volunteer Army in the campaign), then in the battles near the village of Berezanskaya on March 1 (13), at the Vyselki station 2 (15) - 3 (16) March, at the crossing of the Laba River near the village of Nekrasovskaya on March 7 (20) - 8 (21), in the battle at the village of Filippovskaya on March 9 (22), while crossing the Belaya River on March 10 (23). The transition of the Markov regiment in difficult weather conditions under the Novo-Dmitrevskaya station and the successful capture of the village with a battle on March 15 (28), 1918 made it possible to unite the Volunteer Army with the Kuban Army: 65-66. On March 22 (April 4) he took command of the 1st Infantry Brigade of the Volunteer Army.
• During the assault on Yekaterinodar, Markov's units were in the rear guard and in reserve, so they were brought into battle in parts. On March 29 (April 11), he received an order from Kornilov "to take possession of the cavalry artillery barracks, and then advance along the northern outskirts, going out to the flank of the enemy units occupying the Chernomorsky railway station." The barracks were taken by Markov's troops, and his troops entrenched themselves on them, preparing for a new offensive, but the death of Kornilov on March 31 (April 13), 1918 canceled the further assault on the city:67.
• He expressed full confidence and submitted to the new commander of the Volunteer Army, Denikin, who decided to withdraw the army from Yekaterinodar. In the renewed army, he took command of the 1st separate infantry brigade. On April 2 (15), 1918, Denikin issued order No. 198, according to which “General Markov with units of the 1st brigade should leave the Gnachbau colony at 17 o’clock and follow the direction of Medvedovskaya, after taking which, set up barriers to the north and south along railroad, follow it along the aisle of the convoy, making up the rear guard. In the convoy the army was carrying a large number of wounded, with him were civilians and Commander-in-Chief of the Volunteer Army, Infantry General Mikhail Alekseev. At night, the 1st brigade of Markov approached the village of Medvedovskaya: 68.
• At about 4 o'clock in the morning parts of Markov began to cross the railroad tracks. Markov, having captured the railway gatehouse at the crossing, deployed infantry units, sent scouts to the village to attack the enemy, hastily began crossing the wounded, the convoy and artillery. Suddenly, the armored train of the Reds separated from the station and went to the crossing, where the headquarters was already located along with Generals Alekseev and Denikin. There were a few meters left before the crossing - and then Markov, showering the armored train with merciless words, remaining true to himself: “Stop! Such-rasta! Bastard! You will suppress your own!”, rushed on the way. When he really stopped, Markov jumped back (according to other sources, he immediately threw a grenade), and immediately two three-inch guns fired grenades point-blank at the cylinders and wheels of the locomotive. A heated battle ensued with the crew of the armored train, which was killed as a result, and the armored train itself was burned.
• He especially distinguished himself in the battle on the night of April 2-3, 1918 near the village of Medvedovskaya, when the energetic actions of General Markov saved the remnants of the Volunteer Army retreating from Ekaterinodar from complete defeat. As a result of the military cunning And personal achievement Markov volunteers were able to take railway station Medvedovka (Vedmidivka) and the village of Medvedovskaya, capture and destroy one armored train of the Soviet forces and force the second to withdraw, take a lot of captured cartridges and shells, break through the encirclement and escape the persecution of the many times superior Red troops: 68.
• The result of the battle is estimated modern historiography as the salvation of the remnants of the Volunteer Army after the unsuccessful assault on Yekaterinodar at the end of March 1918 from the final defeat. The battle at the Medvedovskaya station made it possible for the remnants of the volunteer forces to avoid complete defeat and continue the development of the White movement in the South of Russia in 1918-1920
• Among the Volunteer Army, Markov received a number of nicknames for his significant military successes in the First Kuban campaign, such as "White Knight", "General Kornilov's sword", "God of War", and after the battle near the village of Medvedovskaya - "Guardian Angel"
• Historian Ruslan Gagkuev writes that despite Markov's formal non-belonging to the leaders of the Volunteer Army, his name gained fame as one of the symbols of the White movement.
• In the second half of April, the Markov brigade completed the task of raiding the Sosyku station in order to replenish the army with weapons, ammunition, and paralyze movement. Soviet troops. The brigade captured 3 trains and 70 machine guns. On April 30 (May 13), with the end of this operation, the First Kuban Campaign of the Volunteer Army ended. On May 1 (May 14), his brigade settled down to rest in the village of Yegorlykskaya: 69, then the Officer Regiment moved to Rostov-on-Don.

Markov Sergey Leonidovich. May 1918

• During a break in the fighting, he made presentations on the political situation and the results of the First Kuban campaign in Rostov-on-Don and Novocherkassk, visited the wounded and prepared his units for further military operations.
• From the beginning of June, he was appointed commander of the 1st Infantry Division of the Volunteer Army, which included an Officer Regiment, the 1st Kuban Rifle Regiment, an artillery battery, a sapper team and an Ordinary team at Markov. He refused to form his own headquarters, choosing the only assistant - Colonel Nikolai Timanovskiy: 69-70.
• At the head of the 1st Infantry Division, from June 9 (22), together with units of the 2nd Group of the Volunteer Army, the 1st Cavalry Division and the Don units, he set out on the Second Kuban Campaign.
• On June 12 (25), 1918, with his units, he approached the Tsaritsyn-Torgovaya railway line, where he met strong resistance from the Reds at the Popov farm near Shablievka station. The battle for the volunteers developed with difficulty, but by noon Markov's troops took the farm, and Soviet forces began to move away from Shablievka. Markov ordered to send several hundred infantry to occupy the station with a team of demolition men to damage the tracks in the direction of Velikoknyazheskaya station, and he himself, with Colonels Tunenberg and Timanovskiy, moved to an open area and made an observation post on folded sleepers near the station. At this time, fire was opened from a Soviet armored train on an observation post, and a grenade exploded near Markov, mortally wounding him in the head and left shoulder.
• He was taken out from under the fire and placed nearby in the house, where he died at four in the morning on June 13 (26), 1918. At five o'clock in the morning, with a guard of honor of the 1st Engineering Company, he was transported to the Torgovaya station, to the location of Denikin's headquarters. Denikin, who, by his own admission, had a hard time surviving Markov's death, wrote on his wreath: "Both life and death are for the happiness of the Motherland." Immediately after receiving the news of Markov's death, the 1st Officer Regiment was renamed by Denikin's order into the 1st Officer General Markov Regiment - one of the four "colored" regiments of the White Army in the South of Russia, later deployed into the Markov division
• On June 15 (28) a farewell ceremony was held for the general in the Holy Ascension Cathedral of Novocherkassk: 70-71. The mourning speech at the coffin was delivered by General Mikhail Alekseev, who bowed to the wife and children of Markov who were present at the funeral. Markov was buried at the military cemetery of the Holy Ascension Cathedral in Novocherkassk.

1918.06.15(28) Novocherkassk. The coffin with the body of General Markov in the Holy Ascension Cathedral

• Markov's burial is considered lost. During the retreat under the blows of the Reds, the Markovites could not take out the remains of their commander (perhaps they did not want to, because they did not believe that the Reds had captured the city for a long time).

1918.06.15(28) Novocherkassk. The funeral of General Markov

Wife - Marina (Marianna) Pavlovna, nee Princess Putyatina, daughter of a real state councilor

Children - son Leonid, born December 24, 1907 (January 6, 1908), and daughter Marianna, born June 11 (24), 1909. In 1920, the family emigrated from Russia, after the Second World War they lived in Belgium, and in the 1950s, the children of General Markov moved to the United States.

Military teacher of the Academy of the General Staff (1911-1914, 1916). Commander of the First World War, Chief of Staff of the 4th Infantry Iron Brigade (1914-1915). Commander of the 13th Infantry Regiment (1915-1916). Deputy Chief of the Operations Department of the Headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, then Chief of Staff of the Western and Southwestern fronts (1917) .

Lieutenant General of the General Staff (1917).

About Markov:

• Historian V. V. Litvinov: "Markov, according to contemporaries, belonged to a galaxy of generals of the Skobelev type, combining personal courage and the talent of a commander"
• General A. I. Denikin: “ His brightly individual personality reflected the pathos of volunteerism, free from dark plaque our inner infirmities, from the corrosive influence political struggle. Markov completely and undividedly belonged to the army. Fate allowed him to escape the political whirlpool that sucked others in. "He loved the Motherland, honestly served her - that's all,"
• A.N. Tolstoy in the novel "Walking through the torments": " Markov was one of those people who fought in world war who were forever poisoned by her cadaverous breath; with binoculars on a horse or with a saber in the advancing chain, commanding scary game battle, he must have experienced incomparable pleasure. After all, he could fight anyone and for anything. In his brain there were few ready-made formulas about God, the king and the fatherland. For him, these were absolute truths, nothing more was required. He, like a chess player, solving a game, from all the world space saw only the movement of pieces on the squares. He was ambitious, arrogant and harsh with his subordinates. The army was afraid of him, and many harbored resentment against this man, who saw in people only chessmen. But he was brave and knew well those sharp moments of the battle, when the commander for the decisive move needs to joke with death, stepping out ahead of the chain with a whip under the cutting lead.
• Lieutenant Rezak Bey Khadzhiev, adjutant of General Lavr Kornilov, recalled Markov from the time of Bykhov's imprisonment: "General Markov by nature was an officer of the old Russian cavalry - reckless, knee-deep sea, joyful life, wide open soul."

State awards:

• Order of St. Anne, 4th class with the inscription "For Bravery" (1904)
• Order of St. Stanislaus 3rd class with swords (1904)
• Order of Saint Anne 3rd class with swords and bow (1905)
• Order of St. Stanislaus 2nd class with swords (1905)
• Order of St. Vladimir 4th class with swords and bow (1905)
• Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd class (1914)
• Order of St. Anne 2nd class (1915)
• Order of St. George 4th class (1915)
• George Arms (1915)
• Medal "In Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Patriotic War of 1812" (1913)
• Medal "In memory of the 300th anniversary of the reign of the Romanov dynasty" (1913)
• Highest Favor (1916)

Foreign:

• Montenegrin Order of Prince Daniel I 3rd class (1908)
• Bukhara Order of the Golden Star (1910)

Memory:

• The settlement near the Torgovaya station was allocated to the city in 1918 and was called Markov for a year and a half. After the establishment on the Don in 1920 Soviet power the city was renamed Salsk
• In the Volunteer Army, the Officer Regiment was named after Markov, and then a block of its non-ferrous units (Markovites). These military units also had a similar name in emigration, where they also created several emigrant organizations using Markov's name in the title.
• June 17, 1919 as part of armed forces South of Russia in Dzhankoy from the Armored Train No. 3 of the Crimean-Azov Army, a light armored train "General Markov" was created, which existed and operated on the territory modern Ukraine in 1919-1920.
• In the same year, in Moscow, the publishing house "Posev" published the capital edition "Markov and Markovites", based on archival documents and memoirs of the general's associates. In 2012, an updated and revised reprint of this book was made.
• In October 2002, in the Cathedral of the Holy Ascension Cathedral in the city of Novocherkassk, a memorial icon case was opened in honor of Sergius of Radonezh as the heavenly patron of General Sergei Markov and the Markovites.
• On December 13, 2003, in the city of Salsk, Rostov Region, a bronze monument to General Markov was unveiled, which became the first monument in Russia to a leader of the White movement.

To answer

On June 25, 1918, in a battle with the Reds, one of the most indisputable and morally impeccable heroes of the Civil War, an associate of A.I. Denikin on the First Kuban (Ice) campaign, General Sergei Leonidovich Markov.

REFERENCE. Markov Sergey Leonidovich (1878 - 1918) - Russian military leader and military scientist, participant in the First World War and White Movement. Taught at the Academy General Staff. From 1908 he also taught tactics, military geography and Russian military history atPavlovsk military school AndMikhailovsky Artillery School . With the outbreak of the First World War, he was transferred to the active army, in 1914 - 1915 - the chief of staff of the Iron Rifle Brigade, commanded by A.I. Denikin. It was to this period that the beginning of friendship between the two military leaders, which lasted until the death of Markov, belongs.

Anton Ivanovich Denikin described in his memoirs his acquaintance with Markov: "He came to our brigade, unknown and unexpected to anyone: I asked the army headquarters to appoint another. He arrived and declared from the place that he had just undergone a minor operation, while he was unwell, he could not ride a horse and therefore would not go to the position. I grimaced, the staff looked at each other. Obviously, the “professor” will not fit our “Zaporozhian Sich” ... I left with the headquarters to the shooters who were fighting a hot battle in front of the city of Frishtak. The rapprochement with the enemy is large, strong fire. Suddenly we were covered in a burst of shrapnel. What's happened? Markov quite openly drives up to the chain in a huge carriage drawn by a pair of horses - cheerful, laughing fervently. - I got bored at home. I came to see what was being done here ... From that day on, the ice melted, and Markov took his real place in the family of the "iron" division".

S.L. Markov and A.I. Denikin during the First World War

Then there were battles, there was a revolution, there was the notorious "Kornilov rebellion" (I will write about it separately someday). Joint conclusion in Bykhov ... Denikin recalled thatonce I found Markov walking around the room and muttering under his breath: “So, is it a monarchy or a republic? Monarchy, of course, is better. But if the monarchy is for ten years, and then new revolution then God forbid!"

When the Bolsheviks came to power in October and it became clear that the front was living its last days, Acting Supreme Commander-in-Chief Dukhonin decided to release the "Bykhov prisoners", who otherwise faced imminent reprisal. White was born on the Don, in Rostov and Novocherkassk Volunteer Army- the main headache of the Moscow Bolsheviks for the next two years. The army, which, according to the right word of Protodeacon Andrei Kuraev, saved the honor of Russia - for it would be simply a shame to live in a country that accepted the Trotsky and Tukhachevskys without any attempt at resistance. And again fights.

S.L. Markov during the Ice Campaign.

Here is just one episode. " April 3rd, at st. Medvedev's army had to cross the railway, where red armored trains were operating. The further fate of the army depended on this. This operation is entrusted to Gen. Markov. Leaving his brigade one verst from the crossing, he and several scouts ride forward. At the crossing there is a railway booth, Markov and his scouts enter it. There are three people, one by the phone. They are disarmed and tied up. Markov sends an order to the brigade to move forward and stop two hundred paces from the railway. At this time, a phone call, Markov picks up the phone. - "Who's talking?" - asks the general. - "Medvedovskaya station. What, can't you see the cadets?" “No,” Markov answers, “everything is quiet.” There are two armored trains at the station. The Reds offer to send one of them to the crossing. “Send it, comrades. Markov. Hastily, in order to meet the armored train, Markov sets up two guns at the railroad track. roads. The red armored train is slowly approaching the booth. Gene. Markov, having taken off his white hat, with a grenade in his hand, jumps out onto a canvas of zhel. roads. “Who is on the way?” they shout from the armored train. “Can’t you see that they are yours?” - Markov answers and, running close to the locomotive, throws a grenade into the furnace and shouts, running away from the locomotive: - “The gun is fire!” The first shell hits the wheels of the locomotive, the second hits the locomotive itself. , perishes completely ... As a result of the battle, the road was opened and the army was saved. And most importantly, the army felt that it was not defeated and could still win victories. At the same time, 360 gun shells, about 100,000 rifle cartridges, machine-gun belts, products food, i.e. what was vital for the army at that moment, the reserves were all used up.In the army in those days, General Markov was greeted everywhere with an unceasing "Hurrah". On April 7, at night, the White Army again crossed the railway. road. Gen, Markov, who was at the crossing / he was again entrusted with this operation /, when the last white fighter crossed the road, could not resist, and, in order to mock the Reds, telephoned them: - “Good. the army safely again crossed the railway. road." (cm.).

We read about the last days of Sergei Leonidovich in Denikin's "Essays on the Russian Troubles": " On June 11, Markov cleared the area between Yula and Manych of small Bolshevik gangs and began an operation against Shablievka. The station was occupied by a strong detachment with artillery and armored trains. It was not possible to take it that day. The whole day of the 12th, a heavy and stubborn battle continued, causing serious losses, and only in the evening, obviously, in connection with general situation, the Bolsheviks began to retreat. The armored trains also left, sending their last, farewell shells towards the abandoned station. One of them near Markov was seriously wounded by Captain Durasov. Another shot - the penultimate one - was fatal. Markov, covered in blood, fell to the ground.".
Markov's last words were: "You died for me, now I'm dying for you."
The body of this valiant warrior was transported to Novocherkassk, where at that time the Officer's Department he had created was located. regiment. This regiment on June 26, in memory of its first commander, received the name of the 1st Markovsky Officer Regiment. Subsequently, the regiment was deployed into a division, which became one of the most combat-ready formations of the White Army.
By the way, Markov managed to come up with the form of a new regiment (later - a division): black tunics with white piping, black shoulder straps for all ranks - both privates and officers, white caps with a black band. White color symbolized the purity of thought and the aspiration of the coming General Resurrection of the Dead. Black - mourning for the humiliated and desecrated Russia. Now the regiment received, in addition to this spectacular, albeit gloomy uniform, letters on shoulder straps - "M" ("Markov") or "GM" ("General Markov").

The death of Markov was an irreplaceable loss for the entire White Movement. Denikin lost in his face not just a fighting friend. The army has lost charismatic leader, whom she was ready to follow to the most desperate events, a gifted commander and an undoubted hero who repeatedly proved his personal courage. And more than once in critical situations, reading reports from the fronts, Denikin shook his head bitterly: "No Markov!"

Markov was the author of several military-theoretical works that studied the experience of the Russian-Turkish (1877 - 1878) and Russian-Japanese (1904 - 1905) wars, as well as works on military geography. He was married, raised two children - Leonid and Marianne.

The fate of his burial in Novocherkassk is unknown. The grave of the general, for obvious reasons, was not preserved: the Whites could not take the ashes of Sergei Leonidovich into exile, the winners were by no means interested in preserving the memory of the "enemy of the people." But by a strange irony of fate, it was Markov who was destined to become the FIRST leader of the White Movement, to whom a monument was erected in Russia.

This bronze monument was unveiled in the city of Salsk, not far from the place where the general died, in 2003. Eternal memory to the hero! Who read these lines - pray for the repose of the servant of God Sergius.

I want to finish this note of mine with the words of Sergei Leonidovich himself: “It is easy to be honest and brave when you realize that better death than slavery." These words, like a call addressed to us from almost a century ago, are the best monument to General Markov.