Kutuzov Mikhail is a great commander. Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov - great Russian commander
Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov is a famous Russian commander, field marshal general, commander-in-chief of the Russian army during the Patriotic War of 1812. He is the first full holder of the Order of St. George.
Mikhail Kutuzov was born in 1747 (previously it was believed that in 1745). Participated in many battles and battles. He remained in Russian history as one of the most famous commanders. Currently, more than ten monuments have been erected to Kutuzov, which are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Veliky Novgorod (one of the figures on the “1000th Anniversary of Russia” Monument), Kaliningrad, Smolensk, Tiraspol, near Alushta, etc.
Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov died on April 16 (28), 1813. According to historians, he caught a cold and received a severe form of polyneuritis. Doctors could not save him, and he died in the town of Bunzlau (Prussia, now the territory of Poland).
Where is Kutuzov buried?
Kutuzov is buried in two places at once. After his death, he was embalmed, and his entrails were buried in a lead coffin on a hill three miles from the city of Bunzlau, near the village of Tillendorf. Currently, at the site of Kutuzov’s first burial there is a monument in the form of a broken column; on the pedestal there is an inscription: “Prince Kutuzov-Smolensky passed from this life to a better world on April 16, 1813.” The embalmed body of the commander, as well as his heart, enclosed in a silver vessel, was taken to St. Petersburg to perform all the necessary ritual services and see off the commander-in-chief with all honors. Several months passed from the time of death to burial in St. Petersburg. Here he was buried on June 13 (25), 1813 in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg. There is an inscription above the grave that reads: “Prince Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov-Smolensky. Born in 1745, died in 1813 in the city of Bunzlau."
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov(1745-1813) - comes from an old noble family.
Biography and beginning of military career
Received a military education. Then there were the Russian-Turkish wars of 1768-1774 and 1787-1791. and appointment as envoy to Turkey. In 1805, under his command, Russian-Austrian troops were defeated by the French at Austerlitz. He managed to rehabilitate himself by defeating the Turks and signing the Bucharest Peace Treaty, which was beneficial for Russia, in 1812. In the same year, Alexander I granted him the title of His Serene Highness.
This truly Russian gentleman was distinguished by military courage and the favor of fortune. He looked death in the eye more than once: he received two wounds in the head, but, to the surprise of doctors, he remained alive; at the age of 28, a dashing Turkish bullet knocked out his eye. Kutuzov managed to establish himself as a far-sighted strategist and a brilliant diplomat. But the apogee of his glory was the Patriotic War of 1812.
At the head of the army in the terrible year of 1812
When, in the difficult days of the summer of 1812, the question arose about a single commander-in-chief of the Russian troops, the choice fell on Kutuzov. This was an ideal candidate: a general with a Russian name (unlike Barclay de Tolly), endowed with the trust of the nation, with enormous experience. He was 67 years old at that time and had 8 months to live. The Russian troops greeted him with general jubilation. Napoleon was also happy with this appointment, in the hope that the commander would give a general battle!
The commander-in-chief assured the sovereign that he would rather die than let the enemy get to Moscow, but soberly assessing the situation, he continued his retreat. Only 110 km from Moscow near the village of Borodino did he decide to give battle to the enemy.
Borodino. Difficult decision
Historians are still arguing about who won the battle on August 26, 1812. The commander-in-chief himself assessed the outcome of the battle in a report to the emperor: “The enemy did not win a single step of land.” Alexander I granted Kutuzov the rank of field marshal, 100 thousand rubles and looked forward to news of new victories. But…
On September 1, 1812, at the military council in Fili, Mikhail Illarionovich made a painful but correct decision - to leave the capital without a fight. He was afraid that in case of failure, it would be difficult for the Russian troops to retreat through the narrow streets of Moscow, and losing the army meant finally deciding the outcome of the war in Napoleon's favor. Moscow was abandoned, and Russian troops settled down near the village of Tarutino on September 21, covering Kaluga food supplies and Tula arms factories. The Tarutino camp became a preparation for the Russian counteroffensive.
The commander waited until the French troops left the capital and skillfully organized a parallel pursuit of the retreating enemy. Then he was reproached more than once for failing to prevent Napoleon from fleeing Russia. But the main thing was achieved: the enemy left the country in November 1812.
Last months of life
At the beginning of 1813, under the leadership of the Field Marshal, military operations were carried out on the territory of Poland and Prussia with the aim of defeating the remnants of the French army. At the height of the campaign on April 28, 1813, in the Silesian town of Bunzlau, the field marshal died - just 4 days before a new meeting with Napoleon. His body was transported to St. Petersburg, where it found rest in the Kazan Cathedral. But his name continues to live on the pages of history, and during the Great Patriotic War of 1941-45. The Order of Kutuzov of 3 degrees was established in the USSR.
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We present a selection of interesting facts from the life of the great commander - Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army Mikhail Kutuzov.
Glorious family
Mikhail Illarionovich came from the Golenishchev-Kutuzov family. According to one version, his ancestor was Gavrila Aleksich: an associate of Alexander Nevsky became famous for his military prowess in the Battle of the Neva. The field marshal's father began serving under Peter I. A talented military engineer designed the Catherine Canal in St. Petersburg to prevent the disastrous consequences of Neva spills.
Illustration: still from the film “Alexander Nevsky”. From left to right: Vasily Buslaev, Alexander Nevsky and Gavrila Aleksich
The myth of the commander
Contrary to existing opinion, there is no confirmation of the fact that the commander was blind in his right eye. Just as there is not a single written mention of the bandage by contemporaries. In all lifetime portraits, the field marshal is depicted without her. For the first time, the notorious bandage, like a pirate’s, appeared on Kutuzov’s part in 1943 in the film of the same name. The Second World War was going on, and the viewer needed to be shown that even after being seriously wounded one could continue to fight.
Illustration: still from the film “Kutuzov”. Alexey Dikiy as Mikhail Kutuzov
Bright mind
Having received a serious education at home, Mikhail Kutuzov graduated from the Artillery and Engineering Gentry Cadet Corps. By the age of 14, he helped teachers teach geometry and arithmetic to students. He knew French, English, German, Swedish, and Turkish perfectly well. The famous French writer Madame de Stael, after a conversation with Kutuzov, noticed that the Russian general spoke French better than the Corsican Bonaparte.
Illustration: Portrait of M.I. Kutuzov in the uniform of a Colonel of the Lugansk Pike Regiment
Experienced courtier
Mikhail Kutuzov knew how to find a common language with rulers. He was favored not only by Catherine II - he also achieved the favor of Emperor Paul, who fell into disgrace with numerous associates of his mother-empress. Contemporaries noted that Mikhail Illarionovich was the only one with whom both Catherine the Great and Paul the First spent their last evening on the eve of their death.
Illustration: Kutuzov in front of the bust of Catherine II. Miniature by unknown artist
Cunning fox
Restraint, prudence, secrecy, the ability to flatter - these are the qualities with which contemporaries characterized Kutuzov. He gained a reputation as a cunning man, and Napoleon called him “the old fox of the North.” According to acquaintances, the character of the future commander was influenced by an incident during his service in the army of Field Marshal Pyotr Rumyantsev. Kutuzov, among his friends, imitated the military leader. For fun, I copied his mannerisms, voice and gait. The lieutenant colonel's prank was reported to the commander-in-chief - and young Kutuzov was punished: he was sent from the Moldavian army to the second Crimean army.
Illustration: Snuff box with a portrait of M.I. Kutuzova
Suvorov warrior
Under the command of Alexander Suvorov, Mikhail Kutuzov was listed more than once. It was the future generalissimo who noticed that the recruit of the Astrakhan regiment, Kutuzov, had a penetrating mind and exceptional fearlessness. After the victorious assault on Izmail, Suvorov wrote: “General Kutuzov walked on my left wing, but was my right hand.”
Illustration: Suvorov’s capture of the Izmail fortress. Painting by A. Sokolov
Sky near Austerlitz
Kutuzov suffered one of his main defeats during the war with Napoleon in 1805. Alexander I and the Austrian Emperor Franz II demanded an offensive against the French. Kutuzov was against it and suggested retreating, waiting for reserves. In the battle of Austerlitz, the Russians and Austrians faced a defeat, which for a long time sowed distrust between Alexander I and Kutuzov. Recalling the defeat, the Russian emperor admitted: “I was young and inexperienced. Kutuzov told me that he should have acted differently, but he should have been more persistent in his opinions.”
Illustration: The Battle of Austerlitz on November 20, 1805. Colorized engraving by I. Rugendas
A lesson in forgiveness
Four months after the Battle of Borodino in Vilna, Kutuzov signed an order for the army: “Brave and victorious troops! Finally, you are on the borders of the Empire, each of you is the savior of the Fatherland... Without stopping among heroic deeds, we now move on. Let us cross the borders and strive to complete the defeat of the enemy on his own fields. But let us not follow the example of our enemies in their violence and frenzy, which humiliates the soldier. They burned our houses, cursed the Holy, and you saw how the right hand of the Most High righteously noted their wickedness. Let us be generous and make a distinction between the enemy and the civilian. Justice and meekness in dealing with ordinary people will show them clearly that we do not want their enslavement or vain glory, but we are seeking to free even those very peoples who armed themselves against Russia from disaster and oppression.”
Illustration: M.I. Kutuzov is the head of the St. Petersburg militia. Painting by S. Gerasimov
Cross of Courage
For the victory in the Patriotic War of 1812, Alexander I awarded the field marshal general the title of Prince of Smolensk and the Order of St. George, IV degree. So Kutuzov went down in history as the first full Knight of St. George.
Illustration: M.I. Kutuzov at the command post on the day of the Battle of Borodino. Painting by A. Shepelyuk
Farewell to the whole world
Kutuzov was against the emperor’s plan to pursue Napoleon in Europe, but duty obliged him to obey. The seriously ill military leader did not reach Paris. Kutuzov died in the Prussian city of Bunzlau. The emperor ordered the field marshal's body to be embalmed and delivered to St. Petersburg. It took a month and a half to transport the coffin to the Northern capital: we had to stop. Everywhere people wanted to say goodbye to Kutuzov and show worthy honors to the savior of Russia.
Illustration: Funeral of M.I. Kutuzova. Engraving by M.N. Vorobyova.
Russian commander, Field Marshal General Prince Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov was born on September 16 (5 according to the old style) 1745 (according to other sources - 1747) in St. Petersburg in the family of an engineer-lieutenant general.
In 1759 he graduated with honors from the Noble Artillery School and was retained as a mathematics teacher there.
In 1761, Kutuzov was promoted to the officer rank of ensign engineer and sent to continue serving in the Astrakhan infantry regiment.
From March 1762, he temporarily served as adjutant to the Governor-General of Revel, and from August he was appointed commander of a company of the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment.
In 1764-1765 he served in the troops stationed in Poland.
From March 1765 he continued to serve in the Astrakhan regiment as a company commander.
In 1767, Mikhail Kutuzov was recruited to work on the Commission for the drafting of a new Code, where he acquired extensive knowledge in the field of law, economics and sociology.
Since 1768, Kutuzov took part in the war with the Polish Confederates.
In 1770, he was transferred to the 1st Army, located in southern Russia, and took part in the war with Turkey that began in 1768.
During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, Kutuzov, while in combat and staff positions, took part in the battles at the Ryabaya Mogila tract, the Larga and Cahul rivers, where he proved himself to be a brave, energetic and enterprising officer.
In 1772, he was transferred to the 2nd Crimean Army, where he carried out important reconnaissance assignments, commanding a grenadier battalion.
In July 1774, in a battle near the village of Shumy (now Verkhnyaya Kutuzovka) north of Alushta, Mikhail Kutuzov was seriously wounded in the left temple by a bullet that came out near the right eye. For his courage, Kutuzov was awarded the Order of St. George, IV class, and sent abroad for treatment. Upon his return, he was tasked with the formation of light cavalry.
In the summer of 1777, Kutuzov was promoted to colonel and appointed commander of the Lugansk engineering regiment.
In 1783, he commanded the Mariupol Light Horse Regiment in Crimea. For successful negotiations with the Crimean Khan, who ceded his possessions from the Bug to the Kuban to Russia, at the end of 1784 Kutuzov was promoted to major general and headed the Bug Jaeger Corps.
In 1788, during the siege of Ochakov, while repelling a Turkish attack, he was seriously wounded in the head for the second time: a bullet pierced his cheek and flew out into the back of his head.
In 1789, Kutuzov took part in the battle of Kaushany, in the assaults of Akkerman (now the city of Belgorod-Dnestrovsky) and Bender.
In December 1790, during the storming of Izmail, commanding the 6th column, Kutuzov showed high strong-willed qualities, fearlessness and perseverance. To achieve success, he timely brought reserves into battle and achieved the defeat of the enemy in his direction, which played an important role in capturing the fortress. Suvorov praised Kutuzov’s actions. After the capture of Izmail, Mikhail Kutuzov was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed commandant of this fortress.
On June 15 (4 old style), Kutuzov defeated the Turkish army at Babadag with a sudden blow. In the battle of Machinsky, commanding a corps, he showed himself to be a skilled master of maneuverable actions, bypassing the enemy from the flank and defeating the Turkish troops with an attack from the rear.
In 1792-1794, Mikhail Kutuzov headed the emergency Russian embassy in Constantinople, managing to achieve a number of foreign policy and trade advantages for Russia, significantly weakening French influence in Turkey.
In 1794, he was appointed director of the Land Noble Cadet Corps, and in 1795-1799 - commander and inspector of troops in Finland, where he carried out a number of diplomatic assignments: negotiated with Prussia and Sweden.
In 1798, Mikhail Kutuzov was promoted to infantry general. He was a Lithuanian (1799-1801) and St. Petersburg (1801-1802) military governor.
In 1802, Kutuzov fell into disgrace and was forced to leave the army and resign.
In August 1805, during the Russian-Austro-French War, Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army sent to help Austria. Having learned during the campaign about the capitulation of the Austrian army of General Mack near Ulm, Mikhail Kutuzov undertook a march maneuver from Braunau to Olmutz and skillfully withdrew Russian troops from the blow of superior enemy forces, winning victories at Amstetten and Krems during the retreat.
The plan of action against Napoleon proposed by Kutuzov was not accepted by his Austrian military advisers. Despite the objections of the commander, who was actually removed from the leadership of the Russian-Austrian troops, the allied monarchs Alexander I and Francis I gave Napoleon a general, which ended in a French victory. Although Kutuzov managed to save the retreating Russian troops from complete defeat, he fell into disgrace from Alexander I and was appointed to secondary posts: Kyiv military governor (1806-1807), corps commander in the Moldavian army (1808), Lithuanian military governor (1809-1811).
In the conditions of the impending war with Napoleon and the need to end the protracted war (1806-1812) with Turkey, the emperor was forced in March 1811 to appoint Kutuzov as commander-in-chief of the Moldavian army, where Mikhail Kutuzov created mobile corps and began active operations. In the summer, near Rushchuk (now a city in Bulgaria), Russian troops won a major victory, and in October, Kutuzov surrounded and captured the entire Turkish army near Slobodzeya (now a city in Transnistria). For this victory he received the title of count.
Being an experienced diplomat, Kutuzov achieved the signing of the Bucharest Peace Treaty of 1812, which was beneficial for Russia, for which he received the title of His Serene Highness.
At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, Mikhail Kutuzov was elected head of the St. Petersburg and then Moscow militia. After the Russian troops abandoned Smolensk in August, Kutuzov was appointed commander-in-chief. Having arrived in the army, he decided to give a general battle to Napoleon's troops at Borodino.
The French army did not achieve victory, but the strategic situation and lack of forces did not allow Kutuzov to launch a counteroffensive. In an effort to preserve the army, Kutuzov surrendered Moscow to Napoleon without a fight and, having made a bold flank march from the Ryazan road to Kaluga, stopped in the Tarutino camp, where he replenished his troops and organized partisan actions.
On October 18 (6 old style), Kutuzov, near the village of Tarutino, defeated Murat’s French corps and forced Napoleon to accelerate the abandonment of Moscow. Having blocked the path of the French army to the southern Russian provinces near Maloyaroslavets, he forced it to retreat west along the devastated Smolensk road and, energetically pursuing the enemy, after a series of battles near Vyazma and Krasny, he finally defeated his main forces on the Berezina River.
Thanks to Kutuzov's wise and flexible strategy, the Russian army won a brilliant victory over a strong and experienced enemy. In December 1812, Kutuzov received the title of Prince of Smolensk and was awarded the highest military Order of George, 1st degree, becoming the first full Knight of St. George in the history of the order.
At the beginning of 1813, Kutuzov led military operations against the remnants of Napoleon's army in Poland and Prussia, but the commander's health was undermined, and death prevented him from seeing the final victory of the Russian army.
On April 28 (16 according to the old style) April 1813, His Serene Highness the Prince died in the small Silesian town of Bunzlau (now the city of Boleslawiec in Poland). His body was embalmed and transported to St. Petersburg, buried in the Kazan Cathedral.
Kutuzov's military leadership was distinguished by the breadth and variety of all types of maneuver in offensive and defensive, and the timely transition from one type of maneuver to another. Contemporaries unanimously noted his exceptional intelligence, brilliant military and diplomatic talents and love for the Motherland.
Mikhail Kutuzov was awarded the orders of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called with diamonds, St. George I, II, III and IV classes, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. Vladimir I class, St. Anna I class. He was a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, awarded the Austrian Military Order of Maria Theresa, 1st class, and the Prussian Orders of the Black Eagle and Red Eagle, 1st class. He was awarded a golden sword “for bravery” with diamonds and a portrait of Emperor Alexander I with diamonds.
Monuments to Mikhail Kutuzov were erected in many cities of Russia and abroad.
During the Great Patriotic War of 1941-1945, I, II and III degrees were established.
Kutuzovsky Prospekt (1957), Kutuzovsky Proezd and Kutuzovsky Lane were named after Kutuzov in Moscow. In 1958, the Filyovskaya metro station of the Moscow Metro was named after the commander.
Mikhail Kutuzov was married to Ekaterina Bibikova, the daughter of a lieutenant general, who later became a lady of state, His Serene Highness Princess Kutuzova-Smolenskaya. The marriage produced five daughters and a son who died in infancy.
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Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov-Smolensky) (1745 - 1813) - great commander, field marshal general, commander-in-chief of the Russian army during the Patriotic War of 1812.
From the biography of Mikhail Kutuzov:
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov was born on September 5 (16), 1745 in St. Petersburg in the family of Senator Illarion Golenishchev-Kutuzov. Coming from a very noble and wealthy family, young Mikhail received an excellent primary education at home.
In 1759, Kutuzov entered the Artillery and Engineering Noble School. In 1761 he completed his studies and, on the recommendation of Count Shuvalov, remained at school to teach mathematics to children. Soon Mikhail Illarionovich received the rank of aide-de-camp, and later - captain, company commander of an infantry regiment commanded by A.V. Suvorov.
In 1770, Mikhail Illarionovich was transferred to the army of P. A. Rumyantsev, in which he took part in the war with Turkey. In 1771, for his successes in the battle of Popeshty, Kutuzov received the rank of lieutenant colonel.
In 1772, Mikhail Illarionovich was transferred to the 2nd Army of Prince Dolgoruky in Crimea. During one of the battles, Kutuzov was wounded and was sent to Austria for treatment. Returning to Russia in 1776, he again entered military service. Soon he received the rank of colonel and the rank of major general. In 1788 - 1790, he took part in the siege of Ochakov, the battles near Kaushany, the assault on Bendery and Izmail, for which he received the rank of lieutenant general.
In 1792, Mikhail Illarionovich took part in the Russian-Polish war. In 1795, he was appointed military governor, as well as director of the Imperial Land Noble Cadet Corps, where he taught military disciplines.
History has preserved quite little information about the Kutuzov family. Mikhail Kutuzov's first love is Alexandrovich Ulyana Ivanovna, who responded to his feelings. A wedding day was even set, but some tragic circumstances related to Ulyana’s illness separated the lovers. The girl remained faithful to her lover until the end of her life, without marrying anyone.
Mikhail marries Ekaterina Ilyinichna Bibikova in 1778. The couple had 5 children. There is even less information about his wife, although she occupied an important place at court, and Alexander I himself did not deprive the girl of attention. From letters between the spouses it is known that Catherine lived richly and beautifully, she did not count money, for which she was reprimanded by her husband. The main topic of the correspondence was money: spending it a lot and sending it. She was an eccentric person in the opinion of the entire court. Catherine's request to be buried next to Michael in the Kazan Cathedral was rejected.
At the end of the Turkish campaign, in 1794, unexpectedly for everyone, Kutuzov received a diplomatic appointment and left for Constantinople. During his year as ambassador, he managed to charm Serasker Ahmed Pasha and Sultan Selim III, as well as their entire court, who were amazed at how a man “... so terrible in battles could be so kind in society.” He would later leave the same impression among Europeans, achieving significant diplomatic successes everywhere.
After the death of Catherine II, Kutuzov remained under the new Emperor Paul I. From 1798 to 1802, Mikhail Illarionovich served as an infantry general, Lithuanian Governor-General, military governor in St. Petersburg and Vyborg, and inspector of the Finnish Inspectorate. In 1805, the war with Napoleon began. The Russian government appointed Kutuzov as commander-in-chief of the army, which testified to his high military skill. The march-maneuver to Olmets, carried out by Mikhail Illarionovich in October 1805, went down in the history of military art as exemplary. In November 1805, Kutuzov's army was defeated during the Battle of Austerlitz. In 1806, Mikhail Illarionovich was appointed military governor of Kyiv, and in 1809 - Lithuanian governor-general. Having distinguished himself during the Turkish War of 1811, Kutuzov was elevated to the rank of count.
During the Patriotic War of 1812, Alexander I appointed Kutuzov as commander-in-chief of all Russian armies, and also awarded him the title of His Serene Highness. During the most important battles of Borodino and Tarutino in his life, the commander showed an excellent strategy. Napoleon's army was destroyed.
Kutuzov never saw Paris during the war - having become seriously ill, he died without completing the persecution of Emperor Napoleon. In 1813, while traveling with an army through Prussia, Mikhail Illarionovich caught a cold and fell ill in the town of Bunzlau. He was getting worse and on April 16 (28), 1813, commander Kutuzov died. His embalmed body was sent to St. Petersburg. The great military leader was buried in the Kazan Cathedral.
20 interesting facts from the life of Mikhail Kutuzov:
1.The date of birth of the commander is not known exactly. The year 1745 is listed on his grave, but according to official documents it is 1747.
2.Kutuzov spoke fluently five foreign languages - English, French, German, Turkish and Swedish.
3. Kutuzov was a restrained, prudent commander, who gained the reputation of a cunning man. Napoleon himself called him “the old fox of the North.”
4. Mikhail Illarionovich suffered the main defeat in his military career in 1805 near Austerlitz, during the war with France. Then he suggested retreating and biding his time, waiting for reinforcements, but the emperor ordered an attack on the enemy. Later, Emperor Alexander the First himself admitted his mistake.
5. The diplomatic abilities of Mikhail Illarionovich can be envied by the most skillful diplomat to this day. In 1811, he skillfully ends the military conflict with Turkey on terms favorable to Russia and a peace agreement is concluded.
6.The year 1812 brought the greatest success and glory to Kutuzov. The Napoleonic company, when everyone thought that the end was near, brought Russia a grandiose victory and immortal glory to the great commander Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov.
7. In 1774, during the battle in Alushta, Kutuzov was wounded by a bullet that damaged the commander’s right eye, but contrary to popular belief, his vision was preserved.
8. The famous French writer Germaine de Stael, who had a chance to talk with Kutuzov, noticed that the Russian general spoke French better than the Corsican Bonaparte.
9. At Austerlitz, in the battle that was forced on Kutuzov by Alexander, Kutuzov received another wound - and again in the face. Fortunately, she turned out to be not so dangerous.
10. Mikhail Illarionovich had a clear talent for parody. In any case, while still young and serving under Field Marshal Rumyantsev, he copied his leader so successfully that he was exiled to the Crimean Army for that reason. They say that since then Kutuzov has become closed and silent.
11.By a strange coincidence, Kutuzov was the last person with whom both Catherine the Second and Paul the First, who ascended the throne after her, spent their last evening.
12. The combination of Kutuzov’s military straightforwardness with the subtlety of a diplomat was noted by the Turkish Sheikh Selim III and many Europeans.
13.Once Kutuzov was appointed ambassador to Turkey. And he managed to visit the Sultan’s harem and even talk to the concubines! This was usually punishable by death. But Kutuzov was given such an honor without sad consequences. 14. Mikhail Kutuzov is one of the main characters in L. N. Tolstoy’s “War and Peace.”
15. The Field Marshal General was a participant in such battles - the Battle of Austerlitz, the assault on Izmail and the Battle of Borodino.
16. In the battle with the Turks in 1788 near Ochakov, he was hit by a grenade fragment in his right cheekbone. Having passed through the head, it flew out of the back of the head, knocking out almost all the teeth.
17. There are a huge number of polar opinions about Kutuzov, from the “insidious freemason” to the “greatest Russian patriot”.
18. Mikhail Kutuzov was not a nobleman in the first generation. The beginning of his pedigree came from Gavrilo Oleksic.
19. Mikhail Illarionovich was awarded sixteen honorary awards, becoming the first Knight of St. George in the entire history of the order.
20. In those distant days, even during his lifetime, the name of Mikhail Illarionovich was surrounded by rumors and legends. This is not surprising, because success at court, on the battlefield, and abroad with a diplomatic mission attracted admirers and increased the number of ill-wishers. Perhaps there were more of the latter.
Legends and myths about M.I. Kutuzov:
1.Kutuzov wore an eye patch.
This is the most famous myth about the commander. In fact, he never wore any bandages. There was no evidence from contemporaries about such an accessory, and in lifetime portraits Kutuzov was depicted without bandages. Yes, it was not needed, because vision was not lost. And that same bandage appeared in 1943 in the film “Kutuzov”. The viewer had to be shown that even after a serious injury one can remain in service and defend the Motherland. This was followed by the film “The Hussar Ballad,” which established the image of a field marshal with an eyepatch in the mass consciousness.
2.Kutuzov was lazy and weak-willed.
Some historians and journalists, considering Kutuzov’s personality, openly call him lazy. It is believed that the commander was indecisive, never inspected the camp sites of his troops, and signed only part of the documents. There are memoirs of contemporaries who saw Kutuzov openly dozing during meetings. But the army at that moment did not need a decisive lion. Reasonable, calm and slow, Kutuzov could slowly wait for the collapse of the conqueror, without rushing into battle with him. Napoleon needed a decisive battle, after victory in which conditions could be dictated. So it’s worth focusing not on Kutuzov’s apathy and laziness, but on his caution and cunning.
3.Kutuzov was a Freemason.
It is known that in 1776 Kutuzov joined the “To the Three Keys” lodge. But then, under Catherine, it was a craze. Kutuzov became a member of lodges in Frankfurt and Berlin. But the military leader’s further activities as a Freemason remain a mystery. Some believe that with the ban on Freemasonry in Russia, Kutuzov left the organization. Others, on the contrary, call him almost the most important Freemason in Russia in those years. Kutuzov is accused of having saved himself at Austerlitz and repaid his fellow Freemason Napoleon with salvation at Maloyaroslavets and Berezina. In any case, the mysterious organization of freemasons knows how to keep its secrets. It seems we will not know how influential Kutuzov the Mason was.
4.Kutuzov’s heart is buried in Prussia.
There is a legend that Kutuzov asked to take his ashes to his homeland and bury his heart near the Saxon road. The Russian soldiers had to know that the military leader remained with them. The myth was debunked in 1930. The Kutuzov crypt was opened in the Kazan Cathedral. The body had decayed, and a silver vessel was found near the head. In it, in a transparent liquid, Kutuzov’s heart turned out to be.
5.Kutuzov was a clever courtier.
Suvorov said that where he bowed once, Kutuzov would do it ten. On the one hand, Kutuzov was one of the few favorites of Catherine left at the court of Paul I. But the general himself did not consider him a legitimate heir, which he wrote to his wife about. And relations with Alexander I were cool, as well as with his entourage. In 1802, Kutuzov generally fell into disgrace and was sent to his estate.
6.Kutuzov participated in a conspiracy against Paul I.
Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov was indeed present at the last dinner of Emperor Paul I. Perhaps this happened thanks to his daughter-in-waiting. But the general did not participate in the conspiracy. The confusion arose because among the organizers of the murder was a namesake, P. Kutuzov.
7.Kutuzov was a pedophile.
Critics of the commander accuse him of using the services of young girls during the war. On the one hand, there is indeed a lot of evidence that Kutuzov was entertained by 13-14 year old girls. But how immoral was this for that time? Then noblewomen got married at the age of 16, and peasant women generally got married at 11-12. The same Ermolov cohabited with several women of Caucasian nationality, having legitimate children from them. And Rumyantsev took with him five young mistresses. This definitely has nothing to do with military leadership talents.
8.When Kutuzov was appointed to the post of commander-in-chief, he had to face serious competition.
At that time, five people applied for this post: Emperor Alexander I himself, Kutuzov, Bennigsen, Barclay de Tolly and Bagration. The last two fell away due to irreconcilable hostility with each other. The emperor was afraid to take responsibility, and Bennigsen fell away due to his origin. In addition, Kutuzov was nominated by influential nobles of Moscow and St. Petersburg; the army wanted to see its own, Russian man in this post. The selection of the commander-in-chief was carried out by an Emergency Committee of 6 people. It was unanimously decided to appoint Kutuzov to this post.
9.Kutuzov was the favorite of Catherine 2
Almost all the years of the reign of the Empress Kutuzov spent either on the battlefields, or in the nearby wilderness, or abroad. He practically never appeared at court, so he could not have become Catherine’s pleaser or favorite, no matter how much he wanted. In 1793, Kutuzov asked for a salary not from the empress, but from Zubov. This suggests that the general had no closeness to Catherine. She valued him for his merits, but nothing more. Under Catherine, Kutuzov received his ranks and orders for his deeds, and not thanks to intrigues and someone else's patronage.
10. Kutuzov was against the foreign campaign of the Russian army.
This legend is replicated by many historians. It is believed that Kutuzov did not consider it necessary to save Europe and help England. Russia is saved, but the army is exhausted. According to Kutuzov, a new war would be dangerous, and the Germans are not guaranteed to rise up against Napoleon. Allegedly, the commander called on Emperor Alexander to fulfill his vow and lay down his arms. There is no documentary evidence of this, as well as Kutuzov’s dying words that Russia will not forgive the Tsar. This meant the continuation of the war. Rather, Kutuzov did not oppose the foreign campaign, but was simply against a lightning rush to the West. He, being true to himself, wanted a slow and careful advance towards Paris. In Kutuzov’s correspondence there is no trace of a fundamental objection to such a campaign, but operational issues of the further conduct of the war are discussed. In any case, the strategic decision was made by Alexander I himself. The experienced courtier Kutuzov simply could not speak out openly against it.
11.Kutuzov was famous during his lifetime.
The commander managed to taste his lifetime glory only in the last six months of his life.
