“... Every time I leave the present and return to the past, I find much more warmth in it. The difference in both moments is expressed in one word: loved. We were children of 1812. To sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the love of the fatherland was a heartfelt impulse. Our feelings were alien to selfishness. God is a witness to this ... ", - wrote in his declining years in his memoirs the Decembrist MI Muravyov-Apostol [ 1 ]. 115 future Decembrists were participants in the war between Russia and the Napoleonic army. Among them is A.F. von der Brigen. As a 16-year-old youth, he joined the Izmailovsky Life Guards regiment. His entire military service is connected with this regiment, which he began as a ensign on December 14 (a symbolic date for the future Decembrist!) In 1808. Then there served as a lieutenant and comrade Brigena from his student days in Petrishul M.A.Fonvizin. Later, in 1850, in a letter to Prince EP Obolensky from Siberian exile, Alexander Fedorovich recalled: "We served not only in the same regiment, but even in the same company, and he did not betray his old comrade" [ 2 ]. Brigen's military career progressed rather quickly: a year later he was already a harness-warrant officer, almost two years later - a warrant officer, six months later, in April 1812, he was promoted to second lieutenant, in this rank he met the war with France. On December 7, 1813, Alexander Fyodorovich was awarded the rank of lieutenant, almost three years later he became a staff captain, in February 1819 - a captain, and on May 3, 1820 he was promoted to colonel. Then he was not yet 28 years old. With the rank of colonel, Brigen retired in 1821. Information about his advancement on the military ladder is contained in the "Formulary list on the service of the Izmailovsky Regiment of Colonel von der Brigen's Life Guards" [ 3 ]. With his regiment, Alexander Fedorovich took part in the main battles of the war with Napoleonic France in 1812 - 1814. Only one letter from Brigen of that time has survived, sent just at the beginning of the war, on July 5, 1812, from Nevel to Ya. A. Druzhinin - then the director of the chancellery of the Ministry of Finance, translator, friend of G.R.Derzhavin, godfather of Alexander Fedorovich. In July, Nevel turned out to be a front-line city, which was hastily fortified, as it covered the path of Napoleon's army to Petersburg. The main imperial office was located in Nevel, and Brigen was sent there as a liaison officer from his regiment. Patriotic enthusiasm reigned among the troops. In a letter to Druzhinin in a youthful youthful way, the decisive 20-year-old second lieutenant Alexander Brigen wrote: "... we, thank God, have bread, salt, and brave soldiers. It is a pity that Napoleon did not come to our position at Drissa with everyone with his own strength: he would not have turned back. The position is amazing, but, apparently, Murat damned and did not stick it out "[ 4 ]. We are talking about the Drissa fortified camp, set up even before the start of hostilities between the town of Drissa (now Verkhnedvinsk) and the village of Shatrovo. According to the plan of the main military adviser of Emperor Alexander I, General Karl Pfuel, the army of Barclay de Tolly, using these fortifications, was supposed to stop the offensive of the Napoleonic army after the withdrawal of Russian troops from the borders of the empire. But Brigen's hopes expressed in the letter were deceiving: Pfuel's plan for many reasons turned out to be untenable. Here is what the then adjutant of Pful, an outstanding military historian and theorist K. Clausewitz, wrote about this: “The Drissa camp from the rear was covered by only one river, on the other side of which there were no trenches and not even a single settlement suitable for defense; there was only a row of wooden sheds, in which sacks of flour were piled.Since the crossing of the Dvina did not present the slightest obstacle, the food reserves of the army, not being protected at least by the natural advantages of the terrain, would have always inspired concern for their integrity. the fortified position on Drissa, in essence, remained a bare idea, an abstraction: of all the requirements that it had to meet, it did not satisfy almost one ... If the Russians themselves had not voluntarily left this position, they would have been attacked from the rear, and it makes no difference whether there were 90,000 or 120,000 of them, they would be driven into a semicircle of trenches and forced to surrender "[ 5 ]. Brigen, who was rotating in Nevel among the officers of the imperial retinue, realized that the war with Napoleon would not be lightning fast. In the same letter addressed to Druzhinin, despite the expressed hopes for the inevitable defeat of the French army, he is forced to admit: “I think next year will need a lot of money; probably, Dmitry Alexandrovich [ D. A. Guryev - Minister of Finance] and this circumstance worries you very much; and truly, there is something to think about: the war is the most decisive, the circumstances are the most practical "[ 6 ]. After the disbandment of the main imperial apartment, Brigen, leaving Nevel, was forced to catch up with his regiment, which was retreating with the entire Russian army from Drissa through Smolensk, Vyazma and Gzhatsk to Borodino. The Izmailovites especially distinguished themselves in the Battle of Borodino on August 26, 1812. At first they were in reserve, but then they (together with the Lithuanian and Finnish regiments) were moved to the Semyonov heights. Before the regiments had time to line up, they were suddenly attacked by French cuirassiers, whom Napoleon called "iron". The Life Guards of the Izmailovsky Regiment in the Battle of Borodino. Artist A. Kotzebue The onslaught of Murat's "invincible cavalry" was repelled, but after a while the men at arms, reinforced by the mounted grenadiers, again went on the attack. Russian troops threw back the enemy, who had suffered huge losses, with slender volleys. When the cavalry attacks of the Napoleonic army were choking, the French opened fire on the Russian regiments for many hours from 400 guns. Enemy canister shot whistled, many guardsmen were killed and wounded, and 20-year-old second lieutenant Alexander von der Brigen was wounded in the chest. After a powerful artillery bombardment, the French again attacked the weakened defenders of the Semenov Heights, trying to defeat the left flank of the Russian troops. But the guardsmen also withstood the attack this time. Having suffered a third setback, Murat did not dare to send his cavalry back to certain death. The French limited themselves to only deportation individual shooters.
By evening, Russian cavalrymen arrived to help the guardsmen, with whom the French were put to flight. "The enemy, with extreme damage, was driven away by fire and a bayonet," wrote General DS Dokhturov, who commanded the left wing of the Russian army, in a report to MI Kutuzov. undeniable glory. " 176 Izmailovites were killed in the Battle of Borodino, 73 were missing, 528 guards were wounded. All officers of the regiment received awards, second lieutenant von der Briegen "for excellent bravery was awarded a golden sword with the inscription" For bravery "[ 7 ]. After the Battle of Borodino, the Izmailovsky regiment retreated through Moscow to the Tarutino camp, where it rested until early October. Brigen, despite the concussion, remained in the ranks. In October, together with the Russian army, the Izmaylovoites launched a counteroffensive. On October 13, Brigen, together with his regiment, took part in the Battle of Maloyaroslavets, after which Napoleon's army was forced to retreat along the old Mozhaisk road to Smolensk. Brigen's formal list also includes his participation in the Battle of Krasnoye in early November 1812 and in the pursuit of the enemy to Vilna. In December, the Izmailovites entered Vilno, where they began to prepare for an overseas campaign. On January 1, 1813, the guards crossed the Neman and entered the territory of Prussia. Three months later they were already in Dresden. But in April-May, the anti-Napoleonic coalition was defeated at Lutzen and Bautzen. The Izmailovsky regiment also suffered losses. After a short truce, the Allied forces in early August launched an offensive again. By mid-August, the Russian-Prussian-Austrian troops were in a dangerous position. Having been defeated at Dresden, the allied army was forced to retreat. The situation in the theater of military operations threatened the anti-Napoleonic coalition with encirclement and defeat, or even complete destruction during the retreat. Then, at the military council, it was decided to cover up the withdrawal of the Allied army with the forces of Russian guards regiments: "The Guards will not have a most glorious feat of how to sacrifice themselves to save the rest of the army." The guards fulfilled this task with honor. As luck would have it, the weather was not favorable for them. On the eve, noted I. M. Spiridov, “for several days a continuous cold rain continued, which dissolved the clay soil to such an extent that the columns standing under the arch of the sky, so to speak, were sunk in the ground. All were soaked through; moral strength strengthened the weakened soldiers "(p. 145-146). Together with the Life Jaegers, the Izmailovites took Tsegist in a bloody battle and defended the captured positions for 10 hours. This made it possible for the main forces of the allied army to reach Kulm (a city in Bohemia, now it is the territory of the Czech Republic). At 10 am on August 17, 1813, the famous Battle of Kulm began. The French attacked the villages of Pristen and Straden. They were defended by guards regiments. For several hours the battle continued with varying success, the villages passed from hand to hand. The Russian regiments suffered huge losses. The breakthrough of the positions of the Russian troops was under threat. And only a few guard battalions remained in reserve. It was at that moment that General Yermolov said that "the guard is being destroyed," and this will inevitably lead to the death of the entire army. But, given the danger, two reserve battalions of the Izmailovites were thrown into battle. "The entire battlefield was covered with enemy corpses, the nearest French columns fled, the entire line of Russian troops moved forward; a strong cannonade was opened from all batteries in position." The French, unable to withstand the attack, fled into the grove. The guardsmen pursued them and finished them off with bayonets. The battle lasted until 8 pm.
A. Kotzebue. The Battle of Kulm in August 1813. In the Battle of Kulm, Brigen, as part of the 1st battalion of the regiment, distinguished himself in battles in the village of Pristen. The guardsmen saved the entire army. The turning point in that battle cost the Izmailovites many victims - 53 were killed and about 500 wounded. The regiment commander, Khrapovitsky, received several bayonet blows and was wounded in the leg by buckshot. Lieutenant Alexander von der Brigen was wounded by a bullet in the head, but did not leave the battlefield, only after the battle did he leave the regiment for a short time on the mend. Matvey Evgrafovich Khrapovitsky. The portrait was drawn from the original Dov by the artist I.A. Klyukvinin August 18, the exhausted guard did not participate in the battle, but only pursued the retreating Napoleonic troops. The French corps was surrounded, they captured Marshal Vandam, five generals, 12 thousand soldiers and officers, and captured French guns and a train. "The Kulm battle decisively put an end to Napoleon's successes. Since that time, all his military undertakings have been unsuccessful," noted A. I. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky. The Izmailovsky regiment was awarded two silver St. George trumpets for their courage. All officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle received awards. Alexander von der Brigen was awarded the Order of St. Prince Vladimir of the 4th degree with a bow and a sign of the Prussian Iron Cross (Kulm cross) for his bravery [ 8 ]. Kulm cross
Later, in 1817, in No. 8 of the "Military Journal" (pp. 55-56), a note by AF Brigen was published under the title "Anecdote" - about one of the episodes of the Kulm battle ( in the XVIII - XIX centuries. the word "anecdote" had a different meaning from now; was called a joke short story about a real event that happened to someone and was significant for history). Brigen's message was placed under the journal heading "News of the military prowess of the Russians." It was about the heroic deed of the grenadier Cherkasov. When the Russian corps retreated from Pirna to Kulm, riflemen were sent from the regiments to hold the enemy, who, pursuing the Russian army, tried several times to cut the road. When the turn came to the Izmailovsky regiment, then, eager to fight, the grenadier Cherkasov asked to go to the riflemen - "an old warrior, decorated with the insignia and receiving double salary for exemplary behavior and diligent service." In battle, he was fatally wounded by a bullet in the chest. “Comrades, accustomed to respecting him for his courage and loving him for his kindness, were in a hurry to help him and wanted to carry him to their own; but Cherkasov, feeling the approach of his death and seeing that the beneficent soldiers who wanted to endure him, being burdened with a burden, must certainly be overtaken by the enemy and to become a victim of his philanthropy, persuaded them with convincing requests to leave them at the battlefield. " Saying goodbye to them, he remembered that he was wearing "a sacred insignia, deserved by previous exploits." Cherkasov withdrew the award and gave it to one of his fellow soldiers: "Take it, give this sign to the captain and tell him that I am dying peacefully for my fatherland, being sure that this cross will not fall into the hands of enemies" [ 9 ]. After Kulm, the Izmailovsky regiment participated in a number of battles, moving "through Saxony, the Kingdom of Westphalia to the lower Rhine" [ 10 ]. Here, in Germany, Brigen had a chance to visit the Westphalian lands of his distant ancestors. And then, together with the regiment, for almost three months he stayed in Frankfurt am Main, where at the end of November 1813 he met the Russian commissar of the Central administrative apparatus of the allied governments, Nikolai Ivanovich Turgenev. Here is how Brigen himself recalled this in a letter to VA Zhukovsky in August 1846: “Frankfurt is very familiar to me. In 813 I spent three months in it pleasantly, living in the house of the Wirtemberg secret councilor Plit, in Buchgasse , next to Betman, opposite the bookseller Warrentrap, who supplied me with books.In Frankfurt, I met and made friends with N.I. Turgenev, who sincerely loved me and who now, after the death of our kindest Alex [andr] Yves [anovich], was left alone from all the brothers. ”But, in spite of the numerous historical memories of this city, it seemed to me very prosaic, and if I had the chance to live in those places, then I would choose for myself a place from where I could look out of my windows at the majestic Rhine and its beloved shores "[ 11 ]. NI Turgenev Introduced Brigen to Turgenev, a fellow student of Alexander Fedorovich in Petrishula, Alexander Ivanovich Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, who in 1808-1811 studied with Turgenev at the University of Göttingen. In 1812 Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky was M.I.Kutuzov's adjutant. After recovering from a serious wound received at Tarutin, in 1813-1814. he was at the head of the main headquarters of Prince P. M. Volkonsky, then was among the persons accompanying Emperor Alexander I at the Congress of Vienna, and in 1816 he became the emperor's aide-de-camp. AI Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky In Frankfurt-on-Main at the end of 1813, Alexander Fedorovich, along with other fellow soldiers, was awarded a silver medal "In Memory of the Patriotic War of 1812" on the St. Andrew's blue ribbon [ 12 ]. Silver medal in memory of the Patriotic War of 1812. On January 1, 1814, the guards crossed the French border and moved towards Paris. During the battle on March 18, the Izmailovites were in reserve, and the next day, led by their commander, General Khrapovitsky, solemnly entered Paris [ 13 ].
Russian troops enter Paris. Entry of Emperor Alexander I with allies to Paris. 1814 Artist A. D. Kivshenko In 1814, Easter fell on March 29 (April 10) - that year, the Bright Resurrection of Christ was celebrated by Orthodox, Catholics and Protestants at the same time. On the Place Louis XV, where Louis XVI was executed in January 1793, Russian troops lined up in squares and bowed their heads in front of the pulpit. Many Parisians also gathered here. A general prayer began. It was attended by Brigen, Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, and Turgenev. On that day, Nikolai Ivanovich Turgenev, as a sign of friendship with Brigen, presented him with an engraving depicting the execution french king Louis XVI [ 14 ].
Prayer in Paris on the day of the Resurrection of the Lord on April 10, 1814, Turgenev and Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky left enthusiastic memories of this event. "Yesterday, on the Bright holiday," N.I. Turgenev wrote in his diary on March 30, 1814, "I witnessed the most glorious holiday that [orom] has ever had such a thing: the parade of the Russian Guard at the palace Lois XV or de la Revolution! For 25 years, the people, who neglected religion, the sanctity of morals and laws, executed their innocent King here.Now the strongest Sovereign in the world, who reveres Religion more than anyone else, in the same square, surrounded by His army, thanks the Creator of the universe for sending power and strength to his arms; at the place of execution, an incense of gratitude smokes, and the smoke flying to heaven, finally reconciling heaven with earth, will show the sign of complete deliverance and freedom of light.Religion and freedom have triumphed ... Paris, full of gratitude, exclaims and with delight pronounces the name deliverer; the soldiers rejoice seeing their true Master ... "[ 15 ]. "An unforgettable triumph," recalled AI Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, "was the prayer service, performed on Bright Sunday, on Ludovik XV Square. For the divine service, a throne was erected on the site of the martyrdom of the last French King. From an early, beautiful morning, Russian troops were deployed along streets and in the square, fenced off by the Tuileries Gardens and the Champs Elysees. ”Emperor Alexander, accompanied by many foreigners, French marshals and generals, and with an uncountable number of spectators, having circled the troops, arrived in the square. the place where the blood of the virtuous Monarch was shed twenty years before ... With the exclamation of many years, the roar of Russian cannons rang out across Paris. The thunder of guns, which took the place of silence during the service, shook the depths of our hearts! " [ 16 ; spelling saved]. Stationed in the French capital, the guardsmen celebrated their victory. In Paris, officers and soldiers of the Russian army were given the threefold salary due to them for a year. Relaxed after exhausting battles, they generously spent money on carousing and courting Parisians, on priestesses of the oldest profession, gambling houses and other amusements. Many of them have become regulars at the Parisian Palais Royal. Georg Emanuel Opitz. Cossacks in the Palais Royal This place had a fame of evil, it was called the center of pleasures, amusements and temptations. “Here you can find everything and lose everything ... - said Fyodor Glinka in Letters of a Russian Officer.” - One minute you can occupy and get rich; the next you lose and become poor. But the very top and bottom of this house was chosen by the deepest debauchery. There are eternally open abysses, consuming honor and health. " Hundreds of charming temptresses lay in wait for Russian soldiers there. "Everything that a man can imagine, with the most depraved heart, in voluptuous dreams; everything that beastly sensuality can invent in his criminal delusions, is fulfilled here in practice! .. [The next day] he looks into his wallet and shudders, seeing his devastation "[ 17 ]. Huge money was lost in dice, roulette and cards. Even General M.A.Miloradovich left his entire annual salary in a gambling house in one night. Playing roulette in a gambling house in Paris Come on, empty wallets. Quite a few Russian soldiers caught "love" ailments in Paris, which they later brought home (one of the ailments was called the "Parisian runny nose", "French runny nose" or "hussar runny nose", but there were more serious diseases). At balls and evenings in aristocratic salons, in coffee houses, restaurants, brothels, in city gardens, on the streets and boulevards, Russians could be found everywhere. Officers of the allied armies walk with Parisians Many French and French women, frightened by stories about the "northern barbarians", were at first wary of Russian soldiers, but soon they began to be treated more cordially. Apparently, the order of Alexander I played its role "to treat the inhabitants as friendly as possible and to defeat them with more generosity than revenge, by no means imitating the example of the French in Russia." Looting, rape and cruelty towards the French were strictly suppressed in the Russian troops. Although, it must be admitted, at first such lawlessness was rare, but it did happen. Here is just one fact: "The Prussians, loyal followers of their teachers - the French in the robbery, have already managed to rob the forstadt, break into the cellars, beat off the barrels and no longer drink, but walk knee-deep in wine. We have long held on to Alexander's humanitarian rule; but the temptation is stronger fear: our people went for firewood, and brought barrels. I got a box, of course, in 1000 bottles of champagne. I gave them to the shelf and, not without sin, had fun myself on the canvas of life, believing that this pattern tomorrow or the day after tomorrow it will wither. In the morning, a procession to Paris was announced to us. We were ready; but our soldiers were more than half drunk. 18 ]. However, not all officers indulged in drinking and amorous amusements in Paris. There were also those who, in their free time from endless parades, studied French culture with interest, visited museums and theaters, studied the European way of life and local laws, got acquainted with political and economic writings, and made acquaintances with enlightened French minds. It was they who later formed the backbone of secret societies in which they dreamed of reorganizing Russia. Among them was Brigen. Alexander Fyodorovich, as he later admitted in one of his letters, "lived in Paris as a hermit on the Autun road, who looked at Paris from his attic through a curtain, without being seen by anyone" [ 19 ]. By that time, he was already a lieutenant, his salary was raised from 324 to 400 rubles. (From 1802 to 1817, the annual salary of a warrant officer of the Izmailovsky regiment was 205 rubles, a second lieutenant - 324 rubles, a lieutenant - 400 rubles, a captain - 507 rubles, from 1817 to 1824 the salary of a captain was 900 rubles, a colonel - 1200 rubles [ 20 ]). The money was then considerable, it was possible to live comfortably on it, although not to be luxurious. But Brigen spent it on books. In Paris, he began to collect a library, which after years, according to contemporaries, became one of the best and richest private libraries. Brigen spent more than two months in the French capital, and then, together with his regiment, departed for Normandy, where from Cherbourg he sailed to Kronstadt, from there to Oranienbaum, and on July 10 the regiment entered Petersburg. On July 30, 1814, the Izmailovites, along with other regiments of the 1st Guards Infantry Division, led by the emperor, passed through Triumphal gates [21 ].
Alexander Brigen's participation in the war with Napoleonic France was associated with the writing of his portrait by the outstanding artist of miniature portrait painting, academician Peter Rossi. A wonderful book by T. A. Selinova "Peter Rossi. Russian Miniaturist" was published in Moscow in 2005 about the artist's work - with reproductions and descriptions of his works. “Until our time,” notes T. Selinova, “apparently not all the portraits of the participants in the Napoleonic wars that Rossi painted have survived. Fifteen portraits are known today: I. V. Vasilchikov, D. V. Golitsyn, A. F. Langeron, M. A. Miloradovich, M. F. Orlov, Ya. A. Potemkin. N. N. Raevsky, N. M. Sipyagin, S. G. Stroganov, A. F. von der Briggen and a number of others. And the fact that Brigen is among such famous heroes of the war of 1812 already says a lot. P. Rossi. Portrait of A. von der Brigen "A miniature portrait of the Decembrist, Guards officer Alexander Fedorovich von der Briggen ... from the collection of the Historical Museum of Russia painted, apparently, in the late 1810s - early 1820s," continues T. Selinova. rank of second lieutenant of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, Briggen participated in the Patriotic War of 1812 and for battle of Borodino was awarded the golden sword "For Bravery". During the overseas campaigns of 1813-1814, he especially distinguished himself in the battle of Kulm and was awarded the order St. Vladimir of the 4th degree with a bow and a Prussian Kulm cross ... In the portrait, Briggen is presented in the uniform of an officer of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment with military awards and a silver medal for 1812, which was awarded to participants in the war during the victorious entry of Russian troops into Paris in 1814 year. The artist captured ... a gentle, almost youthful face, inspired by a light shadow of sad thoughtfulness. The portrait, painted with great skill, attracts with the subtlety of color combinations: the muted color of a greenish uniform with red lapels, shimmering golden epaulettes, colorful ribbons of orders and delicate pinkish tones of the face, on which the color of light brown eyes stands out, lush golden hair, create a soft color scheme ... A description of Briggen's appearance has been preserved according to the protocols of the Supreme Investigative Committee: "the face is white, clean, blush all over the cheek, the eyes are light brown ... [the nose is sharp,] the hair on the head and eyebrows is light blond, on the left side of the head there is a small scar from the received in the battle of Kulm, concussions "are signs that coincide with his appearance in the portrait made by Rossi ... The portrait was reproduced in a lithograph printed by A. E. Munster without specifying the author's name, apparently, even then the signature was hardly distinguishable" [ 22 ]. Returning to St. Petersburg, Brigen continued to serve in the Izmailovsky regiment. There is little information about the workdays of that time in the letters of Alexander Fedorovich. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky on March 27, 1815, he complained: “We need to vegetate in St. Petersburg, spend the best time in the barracks, and the rest - in boredom. If any campaign happens, I will not fail to use it at the first opportunity presented itself to become adjutant of some general. At least my service will not be wasted, and I can make a good career, but here I have to drag out an absolutely miserable existence "[ 23 ]. In September of the following year, he wrote: “Our service is getting harder every day, and I think it will reach its goal, becoming unbearable. Every day, some new teaching that clogs my poor brains. Especially now, in anticipation of your arrival [ the speech, apparently, is about waiting for the arrival of the emperor from Warsaw to St. Petersburg, whose aide-de-camp was at that time Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky], we are forced to run, driving us to a frenzy. You can perfectly imagine that this gymnastics is not at all to my taste. But what can you do, you need to howl with wolves so that they don't tear you to pieces "[ 24 ]. He briefly outlined the situation in the Izmailovsky regiment: "the semblance of harmony and unity that supposedly reign in the regiment, as well as the courtesy of the general [ M.E. Khrapovitsky - regiment commander during the war with Napoleon and later, until 1818]" [25 ]. At first, Brigen lived in the officer's barracks, but at every opportunity he visited the house of his mother Maria Alekseevna. In 1816, the regiment commander Khrapovitsky allocated a separate apartment for Brigen [ 26 ]. At the same time, Alexander Fedorovich reported to Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, "I was appointed to command a company that will give me quite a lot of trouble" [ 27 ]. Since 1800, the chief of the Izmailovsky regiment was Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich - the future Emperor Nikolai the First. And in 1818, he also took direct command of the 2nd brigade of the 1st Guards Infantry Division, which included the Izmailovsky regiment. Prone to drill, Nikolai created an unbearable situation in the brigade. Nikolai Pavlovich This is how the Decembrist NI Lorer recalled it: "Both Grand Dukes, Nikolai and Mikhail, received brigades and immediately began to apply the pedantry that had become fashionable. In the city they caught officers; for the slightest deviation from the uniform, for a hat that was not in shape, they put them in the guardhouse; at night they visited the guardhouses and if they found officers asleep, they were strictly exacted from them ... The pleasantries of military rank were poisoned, the service became unbearable for all of us! For whole days all over St. , then from the training, the drumbeat was heard from early morning until late at night ... Both in front of each other competed in the training and torment of soldiers.Grand Duke Nicholas even in the evenings demanded teams of people of 40 old corporals to his palace; candles, chandeliers, lamps, and His Highness deigned to engage in rifle techniques and marching on smoothly polished parquet. grand duchess Alexandra Fedorovna, then still in the prime of her years, to please her husband, stood on the right flank from the side of some 13-point [ Note 1] a barbel grenadier and marched, pulling out his socks "[ 28 ]. Perhaps, Lorer, succumbing to rumors, exaggerated something, but the general background of the then situation in the troops outlined accurately. Many officers who participated in the Borodino, Kulmskoye and other battles, distinguished themselves on the battlefield and who had respectful relations with their commanders at Khrapovitsky, sealed by the bonds of military comradeship, it was wild to look at the soldier's antics of Nikolai Pavlovich. More than once they expressed disobedience to him. The "Nor's story" that happened in 1822, after the resignation of Brigen, became especially loud. “Nikolai Pavlovich,” writes MV Nechkina, “was dissatisfied with the divorce of the two companies and made an offensive reprimand to the company commander VS Norov ... Norov was greatly respected in the regiment. World War II and foreign campaigns (wounded at Kulm), he was a deeply educated officer and enjoyed great prestige. Upon the departure of the Grand Duke, all the officers gathered to the battalion commander Tolmachev and made a demand, as Nikolai Pavlovich himself writes to Paskevich, "that I give satisfaction to Norov." It was, apparently, nothing less than a challenge to a duel of the offender. Since Nikolay did not "give up" satisfaction, the officers decided to resign. About twenty officers conspired to resign. We decided to submit two resignation petitions a day every two days, and they drew lots to whom to submit first. Six of them managed to carry out the intention. Those who had resigned were arrested and transferred to the army ... the case, which threatened the Grand Duke with great troubles, was hardly hushed up "[ 29 ]. They say that, approaching V. Norov, Nikolai Pavlovich allegedly intended to pinch him as usual, but Norov did not allow him to do this. D. Zavalishin described this incident as follows: “Once the great prince, getting excited, forgot himself to the extent that he took Norov by the button. Norov pushed his hand away, saying:“ Don't touch, Your Highness. I'm very ticklish "[ 30 ]. A few days later Nikolai again found fault with Norov and stamped his foot, splashing mud at his uniform. The offended Norov filed a letter of resignation and challenged the Tsarevich to a duel. This incident cost Norov 6 months of the guardhouse. However, the scandal reached the Emperor Alexander I, who shamed his younger brother for a dishonest act and forced Nikolai Pavlovich to persuade Norov to withdraw his resignation letter. Alexander I even promoted Norov to the rank of lieutenant colonel, although he was forced to leave the guard. Since then, Nikolai hated the Izmailovites. And he threw out this anger during the investigation and trial of the Decembrists. N. I. Lorer was surprised: "The revenge of Emperor Nicholas is strangely incomprehensible to all those whom he knew personally and briefly. Not by a court verdict, but by his personal instruction, all persons who are well known to him and, as it were, are less guilty than others, somehow: Briggen, Norov, Nazimov, Naryshkin - were punished more severely than others "[ 31 ]. But this is not surprising: the emperor could not forget the humiliation before the Izmailovites, and the "betrayal" of the officers of his regiment, everyone whom he previously patronized, aroused open hatred in him. Nicholas I especially played on V.S. Norov. DI Zavalishin in his memoirs from the words of Norov described his meeting with the new emperor after his arrest in the case of the Decembrists: "... when Norov ... was brought to the palace, Nikolai Pavlovich got so excited that he said:" I knew beforehand that you, a robber, will be here ", and began to shower him with abuse. Norov folded his hands and listened coolly. The commander of the Guards Corps Voinov, who was a witness here, tried to calm the sovereign, whose voice crossed from strong irritation. Taking advantage of this, Norov, and himself Inwardly enraged, he went over, as he said, into an offensive position and said: “Come on. Perfectly. What have you become? Well more. Come on. "The emperor lost his temper and shouted:" Rope. Tie him up. "The warriors, seeing that the scene had reached the point of indecency, forgot himself, and shouted:" Have mercy, but after all, without moving out here, "grabbed Norov by the hand and dragged him out of the office." 32 ]. NOTES 1. The top is approximately 4.45 cm. That is, 13 vershok is about 58 cm. Were the grenadiers really that tall? And in "Mumu" Turgenev about the deaf-mute bogatyr-janitor Gerasim is said that he was "a man of twelve inches tall"? So, Gerasim's height barely exceeded half a meter? But such "absurdity" was found not only in Turgenev! So in Dostoevsky's The Idiot, we read that in Rogozhin's company there appeared "some huge, twelve vershoks, gentleman" ... In the same novel, Raskolnikov mockingly calls his friend, lanky Razumikhin, in love with Dunya, "Romeo of ten inches to growth. " In "A Tale for Children" by Lermontov about a stately old man - the owner of a large house it is said: "He was twelve inches tall." Giants of twelve and fifteen are found in Russian literature in abundance. In "What to do?" N.G. Chernyshevsky: "Nikitushka Lomov, a barge haule, was a giant 15 inches tall, weighed 15 poods." About Golovan, the hero of Leskov's story "Non-lethal Golovan", we learn: "It was, as in Peter the Great, fifteen vershoks." "The fact is that in the old days, a person's height was often determined in vershoks above the required normal person two arshins (that is, above 1 m 42 cm). Thus, the growth of Gerasim in "Mumu" reached 1 meter 95 cm, Nikita Lomov's height was almost 2 m 09 cm, etc. The rest of the examples can be easily translated into centimeters using simple arithmetic operations according to the formula: vershoks in centimeters plus 142 cm "[ 33 ]. Sources 1. Memoirs and letters of MI Muravyov-Apostol // Memoirs of the Decembrists. Southern Society: Sobr. texts and general. Edited by I.V. Porokh and V.A.Fyodorov / Moscow: Publishing house of Moscow University, 1982. - pp. 177-178. 2. Brigen A. F. Letters. Historical writings: Podgot. ed. and entered. Art. O.S.Talskoy / Irkutsk: East Siberian Book Publishing House, 1986. - P. 286. 3. The Decembrist Uprising: Documents // T. XIV / M., 1976 - P. 424- 425. 4. Brigen A. F Decree. cit., p. 70. 5. Clausewitz K. 1812. Hike to Russia // M .: Zakharov, 2004. - P. 21, 25. 6. Brigen A. F. Decree. cit., p. 70. 7. History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment: Comp. Captain N. Znosko-Borovsky 1st / St. Petersburg: P. E. Lobanov's Printing House, 1882. - pp. 57-64, 295; A Brief History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment / St. Petersburg .: Military Printing House of the General Staff of His Imperial Majesty, 1830. - pp. 37-43; Viskovatov A.V. Historical review of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment. 1730 - 1850 / SPb .: Printing house of the Main Directorate of Railways and Public Buildings, 1851. - pp. 179-180, Appendix IV, p. XI; Elagin N. Life Guards Izmaylovsky and Lithuanian regiments in the Battle of Borodino / St. Petersburg vedomosti. - 1845. - No. 34; The Decembrist Uprising: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425; Pavlova L. Ya.Decembrists - participants in the wars of 1805 - 1814 / M .: Science. 1979. - P. 37. 8. History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 71-81,285; A Brief History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 45-57; Viskovatov A.V. Decree. op. - Appendix IV, p. XVII; The Decembrist Uprising: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425; Pavlova L. Ya. Decree. cit., p. 68; L. L. Ivchenko. To the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Kulm / Russian history. - 2013. - No. 2; Sp-v (Spiridov I). Life Guards Izmailovsky regiment in the battles at Pirna and Kulma, August 16 and 17, 1813 // Northern Archive. - 1825. - Ch. 17. - No. 18. - S. 142-172. 9. Brigen A. F. Decree. cit., p. 409-410. 10. The uprising of the Decembrists: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425. 11. Brigen A. F. Decree. cit., p. 217. 12. Uprising of the Decembrists: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425; Shkerin V. A. Ural trace of the Decembrist Brigen / Moscow; Yekaterinburg: Cabinet Scientist, 2016. - S. 21-22; History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 83. 13. History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 84. 14. Diaries of N.I. Turgenev for 1811-1816. T. 2 // Archive of the Turgenev brothers. Issue 3: Ed. and with a note. EI Tarasova / SPb .: Type. Imperial Academy of Sciences, 1913. - P. 456.15 Ibid., P. 251. 16. Description of the campaign in France in 1814, Lieutenant General Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, the former aide-de-camp of the Sovereign Emperor Alexander Pavlovich: Ed. 3 / SPb., 1845. - P. 462. 17. Glinka F. Letters of a Russian officer in Poland, Austrian possessions, Prussia and France, with a detailed description of the domestic and foreign war from 1812 to 1815 / M., 1870. - S. 394-399. 18. Maevsky SI My century, or the history of General Maevsky. 1779 - 1848 // Russian antiquity. - 1873. - No. 9. - S. 283-284. 19. Brigen A.F. Decree. cit., p. 351. 20. A Brief History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 70. 21. History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 84.22.Selinova T.A.Peter Rossi. Russian miniaturist / M .: Past, 2005 .-- S. 30-31. 23. Brigen A. F. Decree. cit., p. 71.24. Ibid, p. 93. 25. Ibid, p. 74. 26. Ibid. 27. Ibid, p. 79. 28. Lorer N. I. Notes of my time. Recollection of the past // Memoirs of the Decembrists: Comp., Entry. Art. and com. A.S. Nemzer / M .: Pravda, 1988 .-- P. 326-327. 29. Nechkina M. V. Griboyedov and the Decembrists / M .: Art. lit., 1977 .-- S. 310-311. 30. Zavalishin D. I. Notes of the Decembrist: 2nd Russian. edition / SPb .: Printing House of the T-va M.O. Wolf, 1910. - P. 241. 31. Lorer N.I. Decree. cit., p. 440.32. Zavalishin D.I. cit., p. 241. 33. Fedosyuk Yu.A. What is incomprehensible among the classics or the encyclopedia of Russian life of the XIX century / M .: Flint, Nauka, 2001. - pp. 41-43.

Military Petersburg of the era of Nicholas I Malyshev Stanislav Anatolievich

Chapter 12 "Career Guards Officer"

"Career Guards Officer"

Many of our contemporaries, familiar with history, know that in the 18th century, in the era of palace coups, and in the age of Catherine, the reigning sovereign was considered the only colonel of all the guards regiments at the same time, and more often it was the empress. Guards lieutenant colonels were well-known field marshals, and the real guards officers, who actually served, were no more than major ranks. However, for some reason, it seems to many that this continued even further, although in fact, at the turn of the century, under Pavel Petrovich, a different order was introduced in the guard, which, in general terms, operated both under Alexander I and under Nicholas I, and beyond. until the very end of the Russian Empire.

The first line in the staff of each guards regiment was its chief. It was, so to speak, the earthly patron saint of the regiment, or, on modern language, an honorary member who, from the height of his position, showed concern for his wards, jealously followed their successes, wore a regimental uniform, was the most welcome guest in the regiment. The chiefs of the guards regiments were, as a rule, august persons. In the period we are describing - Emperor Nicholas I himself, Empress Alexandra Feodorovna, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, heir to Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich and other sons of the sovereign. In a number of guards regiments, the chief was the Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich, who, out of habit, until his death in 1831, was also called Tsarevich. In some guards regiments, the chiefs were not members of the royal family, but generals, for example: in the L.-G. Pavlovsk regiment - little-known Major General A.F. Goltgoer, and in L.-GV. Hussar - the famous field marshal P.Kh. Wittgenstein.

Then came the regiment commander. This post was general. Guards regiments were commanded by major generals, battalions were commanded by colonels. Thus, under Nicholas I, each regiment of the guards infantry had one general and four colonels - three were battalion commanders, and the fourth colonel was a junior staff officer. The rank of colonel was the only staff officer rank in the guard, since the ranks of lieutenant colonel and major were abolished here long ago and remained only in the army. The companies were commanded by captains and staff captains, sometimes the senior lieutenants. The rest of the frontline officers - lieutenants, second lieutenants, warrant officers - were called subaltern officers, or junior officers, were subordinate to company commanders, gained experience, awaiting promotion to the next ranks and appointment to command positions. The same order was in the regiments of the guards cavalry - a major general commanded a regiment, three colonels - divisions, captains, or sometimes captains captains, - squadrons, subaltern officers were captain captains, lieutenants and cornet, there were no second lieutenants. In the Guards artillery, major generals commanded brigades, colonels commanded batteries. Since the commanders individual battalions in status they were equal to the regimental, then the commanders of the L.-GV. Saperny, L.-GV. The Finnish infantry battalions were in the rank of major general, the commander of the Guards naval crew - in the rank of rear admiral equal to him. There were three headquarters officers in the crew - captains of the 1st and 2nd rank and a lieutenant captain, and there were only two chief officers - a lieutenant and a midshipman.

Headquarters officer L.-GV. Ulan regiment. Lithograph by L.A. Belousov. Early 1830s

Headquarters officer and chief officer L.-GV. Semenovsky regiment. Lithograph by L.A. Belousov. Around 1828-1833

Bombardier and chief officers of the artillery team of the Guards crew in 1828-1830.

The military service of a noble offspring began with admission to a military educational institution, most often in childhood, or as an adult young man straight into a regiment, as a cadet.

At the beginning of the reign of Nicholas I in cadet corps, according to tradition, boys were trained from an early age until the very production of officers. Since 1833, this order remained only in St. Petersburg, in the 1st and 2nd Cadet Corps, and the provincial corps stopped releasing officers - to complete the training, all pupils were transferred to St. Petersburg, to the Noble Regiment. Teenagers who had not been to the cadet corps were also admitted to the Noble Regiment, but since 1851 the latter was discontinued. Those who, at the end of the general course, could not be promoted to officers due to their youth, were left for training in a special class, where young men underwent more serious training for subsequent graduation to the "learned" troops - artillerymen, sappers, engineers.

In 1823, on the initiative of Nikolai Pavlovich, then still the Grand Duke, the School of Guards Ensigns and Cavalry Junkers was formed. The two-year course of study there was very serious and strict, stricter than in the cadet corps.

The Corps of Pages had been trained from an early age, but his position was special. Only the highest ranks of the state or representatives of the most ancient and titled nobility could ask for the enrollment of their sons in this most elite institution. All pages were considered to be numbered in the Imperial Court, and in addition to teaching sciences and military affairs, they had to serve in the palace and participate in court ceremonies.

After several years of study and training and successful passing of exams, the greatest holiday in the life of a young man - cadet, ensign, chamber-page, regimental cadet - was promotion to the first officer rank, especially in the guard. This dramatically increased his social status and self-esteem. An almost disenfranchised young man, squeezed by the rigid framework of his subordinate position, obliged to stretch out in front of every officer he met, suddenly turned into an ensign or a cornet who gave orders to the soldiers, stayed with other officers as a comrade, drove cabs, went to the theater, danced at balls, looks after beauties and is proud of his belonging to the officer caste.

By the time of production, the officer's uniform of his regiment was already ready. Those who could afford it, did not spare money, ordering a uniform from the best Petersburg masters. Uniform things - from the tailor Bruneti, the triangular hat - from the hatter Zimmermann, epaulettes, lanyard, scarf, neck mark, spurs, shako or helmet, knapsack, bag, sword belt, saber, broadsword, this weapon itself, equestrian dress and other items - in Petelin's shop, and later - in Skosyrev's officer's shop.

Page-chambers in 1827-1852 in festive and ceremonial uniforms

Headquarters officer, chief officer and lower ranks of the guards cuirassier regiments in 1827-1828.

Lermontov was helped to endure the two-year drill of the cadet school only by the knowledge that an officer's rank awaited him. In 1833 he wrote to his relative M.A. Lopukhina: “One thing encourages me - the thought that in a year I am an officer! And then, then ... My God, if you knew what kind of life I intend to lead! .. Oh, it will be wonderful: first, quirks, all kinds of tomfoolery and poetry drowning in champagne; I know you will cry; but, alas, the time of my dreams is over; there is no longer even a time when there was faith ... since we parted, I have changed somewhat. "

Preobrazhenets G.P. Samsonov recalled: “We waited for production for two months. Bruneti's uniforms, Zimmermann's hat, Skosyrev's officer's clothes - all of this was ready long ago ... Finally, on November 22, 1834, the desired order appeared.

Another officer, P.V. Zhukovsky describes the exciting moment in this way: “On August 10, 1844, Emperor Nicholas I, performing maneuvers for the cadet detachment, congratulated the graduates on being promoted to officer, and as soon as our battalion arrived in the corps, now the newly produced warrant officers put on an officer's uniform, and how they say, not hearing the ground beneath them, they scattered all over Petersburg in delight, not so much to see people as to show themselves. "

Most of the guards officers graduated from the military educational institutions of St. Petersburg, especially infantrymen, artillerymen, engineers, sappers. If under Alexander I most of the cavalry officers were made from regimental junkers, then by the end of his reign, with the advent of the School of Guards Ensigns, the order began to change. But even under Nicholas I, a small percentage of young people went as junkers directly to the regiments of the Guards cavalry. From the very beginning, having on the uniform of non-commissioned officer distinctions. they served as privates, only on preferential terms. They were also called "privates with braids". For their successes in service, they were promoted to the standard-junker (another, equivalent name is the standard-junker), and then, at the suggestion of the regimental commanders, to the officers. Prince A.M. Dondukov-Korsakov, who graduated from the university and then served in the Life-Cuirassier regiment of the Heir to the Tsarevich, recalled: “I entered the regiment as a cadet on a three-month university license, and served in this rank for fourteen months. I worked extremely diligently in the service and was among the best cadets ... Three times I was presented for production, among other cadets of the Guards Corps, to the then corps commander, Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich, and every time he looked at me, he set me aside from examination, saying: “University , early, let him wait. " That was his prejudice against the students. "

Chief officers of the L.-GV. Jaeger, Finnish and Volyn regiments in 1828-1833

In Nikolayev's time, according to a long-established tradition, most of the officer's service was, as a rule, in one regiment. The regiment was something dear to him, like a family, a society of fellow soldiers - a close-knit team, the best company. The regimental uniform was related to the glory of the ancestors who fought under his banner in former times. Brothers often served nearby, and sons came to replace the aged fathers. Experienced officers of the humane direction knew and respected many old soldiers, non-commissioned officers and sergeant-major, and talked with them in a friendly manner. Frequent transfers of chief officers from regiment to regiment remained in the past, in the 18th century. They were banned back in 1796 so as not to interfere with the production of vacancies. However, a small exchange of officers still took place both between the guard and the army, and within the guard. The transfers of army headquarters officers from regiment to regiment were commonplace.

A certain number of officers entered the guard by transferring from army regiments. According to the Table of Ranks, the officers of the "old guard" were two classes higher than the army officers, and the officers of the "young guard", which appeared in 1813, were one class higher than the army officers. There were cases when army ensigns or cornets, for their merits in battles or thanks to the efforts of influential relatives, were transferred to the guard in the same rank, since there was simply nowhere to lower them. Higher-ranking army officers lost two ranks when they were transferred to the "old guard". However, in some cases they were also translated, keeping their rank. As a rule, these were adjutants of high-ranking generals; they were only listed in the regiments, but they served not in the front, but in the headquarters, and their uniforms were not regimental, but adjutant's. An ordinary front-line, that is, a combat officer-army soldier, was first assigned to the guards regiment, and then, six months later, if he served with dignity, he was transferred to this regiment with a demotion.

Chief officer and private L.-guard. His Majesty's Cuirassier Regiment in 1833-1843.

The famous poet Afanasy Afanasyevich Fet was seconded in 1853, and then transferred from the staff captains of the Order Cuirassier Regiment to the L.-GV. Ulansky Heir to the Tsarevich regiment junior lieutenant. Of course, there was no such rank as "junior lieutenant" in the Russian army, but such a formulation was in the orders. The fact is that among the officers of the regiment who are in one rank, the most senior was the one who was promoted to that rank earlier than anyone else, and so on, in terms of production time, and the youngest was the one who was the last to receive this rank. In this order, officers of each rank were located in the regimental lists. The eldest of the lieutenants could be the first to expect to receive the rank of staff-captain, the next one would advance to first place, and the younger had to wait until he became senior. An officer who got into the regiment from the outside, that is, by transferring from another regiment, involuntarily violated this order. Fet himself wrote about this: “The next morning I had to appear in full uniform to the regiment commander, General Courcelles and thank him ... N.F. kindly volunteered to escort me to all the officers, from the senior colonel to the junior cornet. All were extremely kind, not excluding the cornet, which, as it turned out later, sulked strongly at the cuirassier staff-captain, who, moving into the regiment as a junior lieutenant, sat on their necks.

Guards officers could be transferred to the army as punishment, including with the required promotion by two ranks. In some cases - the same rank. For example, Alexander Efimovich Rynkevich was released in 1822 as a cornet in the L.-GV. Equestrian regiment. In 1826 he was transferred from the horse guard cornet to the Baku garrison battalion as an ensign. Such a sharp drop is explained by the fact that Rynkevich was associated with the Decembrists. Although he did not deserve hard labor, as active members of secret societies, he nevertheless paid with his position.

The great poet Mikhail Yuryevich Lermontov had to change several regiments in a relatively short time of his military service. In 1834 he was released as a cornet in the L.-GV. Hussar regiment, and in February 1837, for an additional 16 lines of the poem "Death of a Poet", which angered the emperor with their audacity, was transferred to the Caucasus, to the Nizhny Novgorod dragoon regiment, ensign (in the dragoon regiments the ranks were called as in the infantry). In October of the same year, thanks to the efforts of his intercessors, he was transferred to Novgorod in L.-Gv. Grodno hussar regiment, cornet. In March 1838 he was transferred by the same rank to his native L.-Guards. Hussar regiment, in Tsarskoe Selo. In April 1840, for a duel with de Barant, Lermontov was transferred from the lieutenants of the L.-G. Hussar regiment again to the Caucasus, to the Tengin infantry regiment, in the same rank.

M.Yu. Lermontov. Self-portrait in the form of the Nizhny Novgorod Dragoon Regiment. 1837-1838

The guardsman could go into the army at will, if he found it useful for himself. For example, Platon Ivanovich Chelishchev was released in 1825 as an ensign in the L.-G. Preobrazhensky regiment, rose to the rank of captain, but in 1836 he was transferred to the Caucasus. Marriage and retirement soon followed, but in 1841 Chelishchev again entered the service, in the Georgian Grenadier Regiment, as a lieutenant colonel. Here, in the Caucasus, in cases against the highlanders, he received the rank of colonel and regiment, and also, being a good draftsman, left behind several albums reflecting the appearance and characters of soldiers, officers, Cossacks, officials, ladies and representatives of the Caucasian peoples.

The topic of the Caucasus deserves a more detailed digression, since in one way or another it affected many guards officers. For many years the conquest of the Caucasus lasted, which looked like a constant war with daily minor skirmishes, skirmishes, with the raids of the mountaineers who plundered the Cossack villages, and the expeditions of large Russian detachments deep into the unconquered regions. The guilty were not only exiled to the Caucasus. Officers from the guard often went there of their own free will, and each had their own reasons. Preobrazhenets Kolokoltsev wrote: “It's a strange thing that such a country was the Caucasus then! Anyone who was just beginning to feel the hardships in life hurried to the Caucasus; the one who was hopelessly in love flew to the Caucasus; the one who used to do something stupid in Petersburg chooses the same Caucasus as his place of residence. "

Caucasus, praised by A.S. Pushkin, M. Yu. Lermontov, Marlinsky, surrounded by a romantic halo, with a bright exotic nature, warlike peoples in picturesque costumes, constant danger, always attracted young people, giving them the opportunity to get enough of romance, satisfy their ambitions and after a while again return to St. Petersburg salons to talk about their exploits in cases against the mountaineers, show off awards and show off a collection of oriental weapons, carpets and household items.

P.A. Chelishchev. Self-portrait. 1844 g.

Here you can even draw some parallels with the Middle Ages, with the European chivalry of the era crusades, which also went to distant lands to fight with Muslims, simultaneously adopting elements of Eastern culture. Since the 1830s, knightly times were in great fashion, society read Walter Scott's novels, Gothic began to appear in the interior and architecture of buildings. Emperor Nicholas I himself was fond of chivalry, seeing in him an example of honor, nobility, and devotional service. Loving loved ones called the sovereign a knight. In 1842, in Tsarskoye Selo, he organized a reconstruction of a knightly tournament, captured by the artist Vernet in the painting "Tsarskoye Selo Carousel". The Emperor with his heir Alexander Nikolaevich and his son-in-law, Prince Maximilian of Leuchtenberg, ride out in real knightly armor, the Empress Alexandra Feodorovna and daughters - in medieval ladies' dresses, the younger sons are dressed in page costumes.

The writer Marlinsky, who was then in great fashion, paradoxically, even in opponents, fierce horsemen, saw a semblance of knights: “I, as best I could, tried to depict ... the whole world. Described the desire for fame, modeled on them; their passion for independence and robbery; their incredible courage worthy of a better time and a better goal. "

Transfiguration officer Samsonov, one of those for whom the Caucasian war remained a short episode of the career path, recalled: “In 1837, I, already promoted to lieutenant, was sent, according to my desire, to the Caucasus, to the Kabardin regiment, where I took part in expedition and all cases against the highlanders under the command of Lieutenant General Velyaminov. In one case, I was lightly wounded in the leg, but remained in the ranks, since I did not report the wound.

Recollection of the Caucasus. Painting by Lermontov. 1838 g.

In the Caucasus, I met my former comrades, Lermontov and Martynov, whose unfortunate quarrel was already taking on the character of mutual anger at that time.

I returned from the Caucasus in 1838 and did not find any special changes in the regiment. "

Indeed, friends in the School of Guards Ensigns Life Hussars Lermontov and cavalry guard Martynov visited the troops of the Caucasian Corps twice, and Lermontov was exiled both times, and Martynov was sent both times at his own request.

Of course, military army officers who spent their entire lives in the Caucasus and rightfully called themselves Caucasians, were treated with irony to the stray Petersburg adventurers, free or, like Lermontov, involuntary newcomers. Picturesque heroic poses and reckless courage could not put the aristocrats on an equal footing with the real workers of the war.

One of the army men, Ya.I. Kostenetsky, wrote: “At that time in the Caucasus there was a special kind of graceful young people - people of high society, who considered themselves superior to others in their aristocratic manners and secular education, who constantly spoke French, cheeky in society, dexterous and courageous with women and arrogantly despising all the rest of the people; All these barchatas proudly looked at our brother, an army officer, from the height of their grandeur and converged with them only on expeditions, where we, in turn, looked at them with regret and mocked their aristocracy. This category included most of the guards officers who were then sent to the Caucasus every year; Lermontov also belonged to the same category, who, moreover, by his nature did not like to be friends with people: he was always arrogant, an eater and had hardly at least one friend in his entire life.

Lermontov's involuntary killer, Nikolai Solomonovich Martynov, was sent to the Caucasus for the first time in March 1837, being in the rank of lieutenant in the Cavalry Regiment, and a year later returned to his native regiment. But already in 1839 he was enlisted in the cavalry as a captain with assignment to the Grebensky Cossack regiment, stationed in the Caucasus. Always dreamed of ranks, awards, about how to rise to the rank of general, Martynov in February 1841 suddenly retired with the rank of major and remained in the Caucasus, where, in addition to hostile auls, there were picturesque resort towns with healing waters and a ladies' society, in front of which he could shine, be mysterious, interesting and original. A contemporary wrote that Martynov “from a cheerful, secular, graceful young man became some kind of savage: he grew huge sideburns, in a simple Circassian suit, with a huge dagger, a white hat pulled on, always gloomy and silent ... play the role of Pechorin, the hero of the time, whom Martynov, unfortunately, really fully personified by himself. "

N.S. Martynov. Figure: G.G. Gagarin. 1841 g.

Let us return, however, to Petersburg, as the transfiguration Samsonov. He wrote about his service: “In the old days, although it was a time of refined severity, reaching the point of pedantry, life and service were somehow simpler and easier. Everything was clear. There was no need to invent how to make a good career, and in order to achieve it, one should only serve honestly and nobly in his post. There were no so-called careerists then. The ideal of the ensign did not go beyond the epaulette of the ensign, the ideal of the ensign - beyond the epaulet of the second lieutenant. " Perhaps the officer is slightly idealizing the situation, but most likely he himself, his close comrades and most of his acquaintances were just that - they simply fulfilled all the requirements of the service and had fun in their free time, without looking far into the future.

In addition, not every young man who put on officer epaulettes was going to wear them until old age. According to the Law on Liberty of the Nobility, an officer could serve as many years as he saw fit. According to the lists of officers of one or another guards regiment under Nicholas I, it can be seen that some are promoted to colonels and generals, receive regiments, brigades, divisions, or become adjutants, make a career in the headquarters or in His Majesty's retinue. Others resign from the ranks of captains, staff captains, and lieutenants. Some manage to serve only one or two years, without having passed the rank of second lieutenant or even warrant officer. A serviceable officer, upon retirement, was awarded the next rank and the right to wear a regimental uniform, or only a rank, and sometimes only a uniform.

The outstanding artist Pavel Andreevich Fedotov, while still studying at the Moscow Cadet Corps, proved to be one of the best in the service, was a non-commissioned officer, then a sergeant major of his cadet company. At the end of 1833, he was released as an ensign in the L.-GV. The Finnish regiment arrived in Petersburg at the beginning of the next year. In 1836 he was promoted to second lieutenant, in 1838 - to lieutenant, in 1841 - to staff captains. At the beginning of 1844, he was dismissed from the staff captains to retire "for domestic reasons", with the rank of captain and with a uniform. He believed that the service hindered the development of his talent as an artist. Fedotov traded a modest but stable life within the framework of the service for freedom and poverty.

Cadet-sergeant-major of the Moscow Cadet Corps in 1831-1833.

I.A. Fitingof. Lithograph from the regimental album. 1851 g.

All their lives were dedicated to service by those who considered it a matter of honor, especially hereditary officers and those who were ambitious and wanted to reach heights in this way, and those for whom service was the only means of subsistence. From 1839 to 1847, the commander of the Cavalry Regiment was Major General Baron Ivan Andreevich Fitingof, a poor and honest man who not only did not have any income from the regiment, but even spent his money on the needs of the lower ranks. In 1841, he wrote to his friend and former colleague, retired Colonel Boboedov: “I can also tell you that my service is not going badly, but it’s bad that there’s not a penny left for a rainy day, and you have to think about children. But God and the king will help, and if only the previous health would be, then the service will continue to feed. I envy you all who live at home, as I wish, but it's too early, there is nothing to live without service. "

Others just wanted to celebrate their youth cheerfully, they were attracted to the guard by a beautiful uniform, epaulettes, spurs, metropolitan life, balls, theaters, festivities, feasts, cards, pranks, love affairs. All these young people were proud of their belonging to the military class, to the guard, but not all were zealous in the performance of their duties, and not particularly eager to get a company or squadron. For them, several years of a cheerful and carefree officer's life were a stepping stone to a career as a civilian official. The transition to the civil service was a jump up the ladder of ranks, since the military were one rank higher than the civilian, and the guard added one or two more ranks. The captain of the Guards or even the staff captain turned into a court adviser, who, according to the Table of Ranks, belonged to the same class as an army lieutenant colonel. This provided a solid position with a good salary and great opportunities. Yes, the officers, following the example of the sovereign, looked at the officials with a sense of superiority and even contempt. But they could not help but admit that, although military service is more honorable, civil service is more profitable. It was not even a matter of salaries, but of unofficial income, known to every official, on whom the course of affairs and their positive decision depended.

The officers of the L.-GV. Equestrian regiment at the Constantine Palace in Strelna. Hood. A. Ladurner. 1840 g.

Some resigned for health reasons, as written in the orders - "for illness." For others, military service in the guard, especially in the cavalry, was, although pleasant, but burdensome, since a modest salary did not cover the cost of uniforms and ammunition, which should always be in the best condition and often require replacement, for thoroughbred horses, for good wines. for gifts to women, for an apartment for amorous dates, for tickets in the front rows of the orchestra, and in general the life of an officer in the capital was quite expensive. For many, the reason for resignation was the death of their father, uncle or guardian and the need to start managing the estate themselves, to become a landowner.

Often, marriage also meant the end of the service and riotous bachelor life, the transition to a peaceful and calm family life in the family estate. The latter was so typical that back in 1823 Marlinsky, depicting the passionate love of a young officer for a young secular beauty, wrote: “... why can't I love as usual, like others! .. Why, for example, do I not look like these thugs, whom everywhere they see, and no one remembers, who are busy with everything and are preoccupied with themselves, or my friend Forst, who devoutly inhales the phlegm of his ancestors from the hereditary tube and, in order to fall in love classically, is waiting for the rank of captain? "

Indeed, many guards officers, several years after receiving the rank of captain or captain, retired with the rank of colonel and with a uniform. This was the end of their service. However, if such an officer from retirement again entered the service, then he was accepted by the rank that he received in the service, and not upon retirement. For example, Apollon Andreevich Zapolsky in 1824 was transferred to the L.-GV. His Majesty's Cuirassier regiment with a cornet. In November 1833 he was dismissed from the captaincy with the rank of colonel. In December 1834 he was again assigned to serve in the L.-GV. His Majesty's cuirassier regiment as a captain.

Headquarters officer and chief officer L.-GV. Lithuanian regiment. Lithograph by L.A. Belousov. 1832-1833

Headquarters officer L.-GV. Pavlovsky regiment in 1826-1827

A serviceable officer received ranks in a timely manner, a negligent could be bypassed by a rank as punishment, an excellent in service was promoted to ranks out of turn. With the receipt of a company or a squadron in the life of a staff captain, captain or captain, worries and responsibility were added. He was subordinate to about 250 infantry soldiers or 120 cavalrymen with horses, but he himself was no longer a young man, but a mature man with about ten years of experience as an officer, which gave him sufficient experience. Having reached the rank of colonel, an officer of the Guards Infantry received a battalion in his regiment, and a division in the cavalry. Until 1834, in the guards cavalry, colonels still commanded divisions and squadrons, and from that year they began to command only divisions. Sometimes, due to the lack of vacancies in the native guards regiment and their presence in the neighboring one, the receipt of colonel's epaulettes could entail a transfer.

Officer L.-GV. Petr Alexandrovich Stepanov of the Jaeger Regiment recalled how in 1842, after many years of service in the Life Jaegers, “in August he was promoted to Colonel in the L.-GV. Izmailovsky regiment, and as soon as he was dressed, he appeared to the Grand Duke. He told me that the red lapels are very suitable for me; I was of the opinion that no one came to me like the black jaegers. " Mikhail Pavlovich appreciated the officer's attachment to his native uniform and first, in November, assigned him to the L.-GV. Jaeger regiment, and in January 1843, when the opportunity arose, he transferred him to this regiment.

A few years later, the battalion command of the Guards Colonel was transferred by the same rank to the army to the position of commander of an army regiment. Recall that the officers of the "old guard" were two ranks higher than their army counterparts, the "young guard" - one rank higher. For example, in the regiments of the "old guard" the captain was equal to the army major, the captain was equal to the army lieutenant colonel. But the guards and army colonels according to the Table of Ranks were equal ranks, since they belonged to the same class. At the same time, the guardsman commanded the battalion, and the soldier commanded the regiment.

Under Nicholas I, the production of officers in the ranks slowed down somewhat. There were fewer wars and they were less bloody than at the beginning of the century, and after the victory over the Poles in 1831, Russia entered a long period of peace that lasted until 1849. In addition, after the uprising of the Decembrists, the authorities began to fear young generals and colonels. If during the reign of Alexander the guards officer (though not everyone) could reach the rank of colonel in an average of 10 years, now the average term has increased to 15 years (extreme cases ranged from 11 to 20). The average period for getting a regiment was 20 years from the beginning of the officer's service (no less than 16 and no more than 23).

Receiving the regiment was an important stage in the life of a guard officer. Parting with his own regiment, with his comrades, with the guards, with Petersburg, leaving the capital for the provinces, the colonel received in return tremendous power over thousands of people in an army infantry regiment or over hundreds of people and horses in a cavalry regiment. His financial position rose. A vast experience of independent command of a military unit was acquired, which was useful for further career advancement. A good regimental commander of the guards "origin" was already a stone's throw from the general's epaulettes.

Chief officers and sentry of the Cavalry Regiment. Lithograph from the regimental album. 1851 In the center - A.N. Teplov

However, there is a curious case of voluntary relinquishment of the command of a regiment and of the entire subsequent career. Alexei Nikolaevich Teplov, released in 1837 as a cornet into the Cavalry Regiment, rose to the rank of colonel by 1853, and in 1856 was supposed to receive an army regiment. But the attachment to his native regiment, which reached the point of fanaticism, turned out to be stronger. Not wanting to change his usual uniform for another, especially the army one, Teplov retired to remain a cavalry guard forever. And even many years later, meeting a soldier-cavalry guard on the street, Teplov stopped him, asked about the service and presented him with money. If the soldier turned out to be from his beloved 4th squadron, which Teplov once commanded, then the retired officer took him to his place for dinner.

P.P. Lanskoy. Hood. IN AND. Hau. 1847 g.

The colonel, transferred from the guard, looked like a gallant guard in an army uniform and commanded as he had learned to do it in the guard. A few years later, one of these colonels, the best in service or in battle, the most successful and valued by the sovereign and the grand duke, received the first general's rank and the post of commander of a guards regiment, often his own, where he was remembered as a native officer. However, the commander could also be a "newcomer" - a guardsman who began service in another regiment, or even a soldier who, with his service zeal, attracted the attention of the emperor and earned his trust. Equality in the ranks of the guards and army colonel made it possible for a distinguished army colonel to move in the same rank to the guard, become a regiment commander, and then a general with approval as regiment commander. The society of officers of the Guards regiment greeted such newcomers with caution.

There were cases when an excellent Guards Colonel did not go to the army, but immediately or almost immediately after being promoted to the rank of general received a Guards regiment, and even his own. Finnish Ivan Stepanovich Ganetsky, with the rank of colonel, commanded a battalion, in 1854 he headed the L.-G. The Finnish reserve regiment, then was promoted to general and in 1856 replaced General F.F. Rebinder at the head of the active regiment.

Petr Petrovich Lanskoy, the one who was destined to marry the widow of A.S. Pushkin, his entire service since 1818, from cadet to colonel, inclusive, spent in the Cavalry Regiment. In 1844, with the rank of major general, he was appointed commander of the L.-GV. Horse regiment, and two years later he was approved as the regiment commander. These two regiments constantly show rivalry, rivalry, and even some antagonism. Therefore, for the old Lansky cavalry guard, the new appointment was psychologically difficult. The native Cavalier Regiment at that time was commanded by his comrade and best friend, Major General Baron I.A. Fitingoff, and they gave each other their word to make every effort to eliminate the antagonism between the cavalry guards and the horse guards, and achieved some success in this. However, the spirit of competition continued between these regiments.

Chief officers of the L.-GV. Moscow, Grenadier and Lithuanian regiments in 1845-1849.

The position of the brigadier commander in the guard, where all the regiments were always nearby, compactly, did not really matter. Therefore, the brigadier commander, as a rule, was the eldest of the two regimental. Having commanded a given term of a guards regiment, or both a regiment and a brigade, the general received an army brigade, and then the next rank and an army division. A few more years - and the most honored, well-proven lieutenant general is appointed commander of one of the guards divisions, of which there were six under Nicholas I - three infantry and three cavalry. Of course, it is best if it was exactly the same division, which included the native regiment.

Anton Antonovich Essen in 1816 was released in the L.-GV. Horse regiment cornet, by 1826 he rose to the rank of colonel. In 1834 he was promoted to major general with the appointment of a member of the Guards Cuirassier division. In 1835 he was appointed commander of the L.-GV. Grodno hussar regiment, in 1837 - commander of the 2nd brigade of the 2nd light Guards cavalry division, leaving the regiment commander. At the end of the same year, he was appointed commander of his native L.-GV. Equestrian regiment. In 1839 he was appointed to the Retinue of His Imperial Majesty, leaving as regiment commander. In 1842 he was appointed commander of the 1st brigade of the Guards Cuirassier Division, leaving him as a regiment commander. In 1844, Essen was appointed commander of the 2nd Cuirassier division, in 1848 he was promoted to lieutenant general and received his own Guards Cuirassier division.

Headquarters officer L.-GV. Izmailovsky regiment in 1845-1849

The best commander, beloved by the sovereign, noted by the Grand Duke, could immediately receive his own guards regiment, and then his guards division. Mikhail Alexandrovich Ofrosimov in 1825 from the captains in the L.-Guards. Izmailovsky regiment was transferred to the L.-GV. Jaeger regiment with the production of colonels, in the same year transferred to the L.-Guards. The Finnish regiment, commanded the 2nd battalion, and in 1833 promoted to major general with the appointment of commander of the L.-GV. Finnish regiment. He was soon confirmed as its commander. He was the first commander to be appointed from among the officers of the regiment, although not a native Finnish. In 1839, having handed over the regiment to the new commander, Ofrosimov was appointed head of the 2nd Guards Infantry Division, which included the Finns, and was soon promoted to lieutenant general. Emperor Nicholas I highly valued Ofrosimov, was always attentive to him, never tired of thanking him for the excellent command of the units entrusted to him. One of his contemporaries recalled: “When he commanded guards division, then once Nikolai Pavlovich was especially pleased with the review of this division. At the end of the teachings, the sovereign drove up to Ofrosimov, thanked him for his service and, by the way, graciously said: "Let me kiss your face" and reached out to fulfill his desire; but it happened that Ofrosimov's scales under the helmet were unbuttoned at that time, and since he wanted to be in shape, he was in a hurry to button them up in excitement (as usually happens with such haste), and he did not manage to do this soon; through this the kiss slowed down and could come out unsuccessful, especially if we take into account that both the sovereign and the general were on horseback and their horses did not stand still. Then Nikolai Pavlovich mercifully repeated: "Yes, kiss." This scene did not pass unnoticed by everyone and even more convinced those around that the emperor was in favor of Ofrosimov. "

M.A. Ofrosimov (right). A fragment of the watercolor "Consecration of the Banners in the Winter Palace on March 26, 1839". Hood. P.A. Fedotov. 1839 (not finished)

In the guard, above the divisional chief, there were only the posts of the chief of the guards infantry, guards cavalry, guards foot or horse artillery. For example, Rodion Yegorovich Greenwald went from a cornet to a colonel in the Cavalry Regiment, commanded an army regiment, his own regiment, an army division, his own Guards cuirassier division, was under the inspector of the reserve cavalry, and in 1855 he was appointed commander of the Guards Cavalry Corps.

If after that the way upstairs continued, then it meant again the command of army formations. Appointment could have followed not to a combatant, but to an administrative position. The highest point of a purely military career could be the rank of a full general and the position of commander of one of the army corps. The old Finnish Ganetsky, already under the new sovereign, rose to the rank of infantry general and commander of the Grenadier corps.

General L.-GV. His Majesty's Cuirassier Regiment in 1844-1855.

For those chosen by fate and the sovereign there was also the rank of field marshal and the post of army commander. There were five field marshals under Nicholas I. Prince Peter Khristianovich Wittgenstein in his youth, even in the times of Catherine, served in the Leningrad-Guard. Semenovsky, then in L.-GV. Horse regiment, and in 1808 he was appointed chief of the L.-Guards. Hussar regiment. Prince Fabian Wilhelmovich Osten-Saken was an army man. Count Ivan Ivanovich Dibich-Zabalkansky spent only the first few years of his service in Leningrad-Guards. Semyonovsky regiment, and at the beginning of 1814 he had to command a detachment, which included the Guards Light Cavalry Division. Prince Ivan Fyodorovich Varshavsky, Count Paskevich-Erivansky, also spent only a short time in his youth in the L.-GV. Preobrazhensky regiment, but in 1817 he was appointed commander of the 2nd Guards Infantry Division, in 1821 - the 1st Guards Infantry Division, and in 1824 he again went to the army - to command the 1st Infantry Corps. His Serene Highness Prince Peter Mikhailovich Volkonsky in his youth, under Paul I, served in the Leningrad-Guards. Semyonovsky regiment, then, under Alexander I, most of his service was headquarters, and under Nicholas I - administrative, at the head of the Ministry of the court and estates.

The Guard under Nicholas I was commanded by august persons. For many years this place was occupied by the Grand Duke Mikhail Pavlovich: from 1826 - the corps commander, from 1831 - the corps commander. In 1849 he was replaced by the heir to the Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich.

Heir to Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich. Hood. F. Kruger. After 1845

In addition to the career of a combat officer, there was another way up - through the headquarters unit. Entering the academy under Nicholas I did not give great prospects - at this time, service in the General Staff had not yet received such honor and prestige as in later times. Until the 1850s, all the work of general staff officers consisted of statistics and cartography, and there were few people willing to do it.

A real staff career was made in adjutant positions. It was possible to become an adjutant to a general - a divisional or higher commander, and change the regimental uniform to a general adjutant, decorated with an aiguillette. Such an officer was constantly with the general, and was only listed in his regiment.

Guards adjutants, infantry in 1826-1844 and cavalry in 1826-1830.

A.S. Apraksin, Colonel L.-GV. Horse Regiment, Adjutant Wing. Hood. M. Krylov. 1827 g.

Another kind of adjutants were regimental and battalion. Under Nicholas I, they were not entitled to aiguillettes. In the infantry, they differed in that they were the only chief officers who wore spurs, since in the ranks they were supposed to be on horseback. In cavalry and artillery, they were no different from the rest of the officers. Each infantry regiment had one regimental adjutant and three battalions, and a cavalry regiment had only a regimental. Adjutants of individual battalions, foot artillery brigades and guards horse artillery were equated with regimental ones. It is curious that in comparison with the officers who served not in the regiments, but in the suite of the sovereign, with the generals, in the headquarters, the regimental and battalion adjutants were considered front-line, that is, combat officers. But at the same time, they were not considered combatants in comparison with their fellow soldiers.

Cavalry adjutant wing in 1844-1855

The position of battalion adjutant was simple and insignificant, usually performed by young warrant officers or second lieutenants. But the position of the regimental adjutant was important, responsible and influential, one of the most competent, serviceable, diligent and respected chief officers in the regiment was appointed to it, ranging from lieutenant to captain. Between the appointment and confirmation in this position, a kind of probationary period most often followed, lasting in different cases from a month to a year. All regimental adjutants of the guards regiments were personally known to the sovereign.

Emperor Nicholas I. Hood. G. D. Mitreiter. 1840s

In the early 1850s, when General Lanskoy was still in command of the Horse Guards, a curious incident occurred with the replacement of an adjutant position: “A vacancy for a regimental adjutant opened in the Cavalry Regiment; with the well-known favor of Emperor Nikolai Pavlovich to his regiment of chiefs, this was considered a faithful provision of monograms, and the ambitious set in motion all intrigues to achieve this appointment. For six months, this position was approximately corrected by Albedinsky, and Lanskoy, considering him a quite worthy officer, decided to approve him as a regimental adjutant. Albedinsky had very few funds and no patronage. The circle of wealthy aristocrats had their own candidate, Chertkov, who was strong in his connections, and campaigned in every possible way to break the firm decision of the regiment commander.

Musical evening near Lviv. Lithograph by P. Rohrbach. 1840s

For some, the adjutant service ended with an "appeal to the front", that is, returning to the ranks, while others could rise to the rank of colonel in staff positions. If this was followed by a general's rank, then in the absence of experience in commanding units, it meant getting an administrative position.

Regimental adjutants of their favorite regiments - the L.-G. Preobrazhensky and Horse - the emperor, as a rule, bestowed the title of adjutant wing. This rank was a great honor for an officer in any regiment. Wing adjutants were the emperor's adjutants in the ranks of headquarters or chief officers. Some aide-de-camp served directly in the retinue of His Majesty, were on duty in the palace, accompanied the sovereign, carried out his orders. They relied on a suite's uniform with an aiguillette and a monogram on epaulettes. Others, having received this rank, remained in the regiments in their previous positions and in regimental uniforms. They were distinguished only by a monogram and aiguillette. In any case, the rank of Adjutant Wing was a reward for good service or deeds in battles, a sign of royal favor. In the eyes of ordinary officers, the aides-de-camp were the lucky ones riding the fortune.

This text is an introductory fragment.

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The history of the guards uniform in general is an extensive topic, which the author wanted to touch on only in the most general outline, as far as it relates to the main topic of our story. The form of the regiments of the Russian Imperial Guard underwent evolution, like any military form of the Russian Empire throughout the history of its existence. From its inception, the "fashion" of the guards' dress has been invariably influenced by the preferences of the Russian autocrats, shaped by the foreign military costume, if not completely, then in many of its details borrowed from the European armies. The beginning of this trend was laid by Emperor Peter I, who dressed his Guard in foreign uniforms, tailored according to the canons of "German dress", as a result of the Imperial decree on the transition of all subjects from January 4, 1700 to wearing "European clothes". The first awarding of officers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments for courage during the Battle of Narva in the form of an image of two crossed palm branches applied to the officer's "neck marks" was directly borrowed from the Swedish symbols that served as a distinctive mark of the headquarters officers of the army of King Charles XII.

Unknown thin Portrait of Major S.L. Bukhvostov. First quarter of the 18th century

Over time, Peter, who devoted enough time to uniforms russian army, introduced elements of French and German uniforms, and five years after the decree on "European clothing" the entire Russian army was outfitted to match the armies of Europe. The guardsmen's wardrobe consisted of cocked hats, epanches, double-breasted caftans with wide cuffs and cuffs, knee-length pants (in summer time), sewn or knitted stockings and shoes with buckles. In 1712, the grenadiers of the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments received new headdresses ordered for them from the British hatters. One of the highlights of the new hats was the sultans, which consisted of three ostrich feathers inserted into a special metal tube behind the headdress. The innovation, brought from the British Isles, remained in the headdress of the Russian guardsman for another 84 long years.
Since 1700, the Guard has not received a strictly regulated uniform; befitting for the guardsmen was supposed only to observe the "regimental" colors. As for the decoration of the ceremonial uniform, there were no strict restrictions, and the wealthy officers of the Guard sometimes competed among themselves in the amount of gold embroidery and skillfully embroidered lace, behind which fragments of cloth were hardly guessed, on which a fancy ornament was applied, and a shiny galloon trim, designed to emphasize the solemn splendor of the dress ...

D.N. Kardovsky. Grenadier of the Preobrazhensky Life Guards Regiment 1705-1720 Around 1909

The combat version of the uniform was distinguished by a more conservative look, which featured insignia in the form of officer insignia, the color of a lanyard or scarf. The uniform regulations as such appeared in the Russian Empire only in 1720, defining the guards uniform in all its details and maintaining it throughout the 18th century in the same form: dark green uniforms, trimmed with braid, collar, cuffs and pocket flaps gold However, even in the reign of Peter the example of one of the most remarkable forms of the guard was the cavalry uniform, established by the emperor in 1724. Consisting of a dark green uniform, richly embroidered with gold, with red cuffs, red trousers, embroidered, like a camisole, with gold lace, and a red velvet supervest with a silver eight-pointed St. Andrew's star, it was a splendor designed to emphasize the solemnity of the coronation ceremony of Catherine I. The imperial monograms crowned with a crown were applied to the lugs, "pigs" and scoops of the cavalry guards. Since then, the presence of the cavalry guards has become an integral part of the coronation and other celebrations of the empire.
The splendor of the uniforms of the Guard, which set off the court celebrations, was significantly developed during the reign of Anna Ioannovna, during which in 1738-1739 the Guards regiments began to be distinguished by a shoulder strap worn on the left shoulder, red, green or blue. Headquarters officers in this reign received an additional row of braids along the side of the camisole. Anna Ioannovna laid the foundation for the formation of the Horse Guards, renaming the Leib-Regiment as such in her decree of January 4, 1731.
The born Guards Cavalry Regiment was luxuriously outfitted "according to cuirassier regulations", using high quality fabric and the most expensive trim elements.
“The Horse Guards and Cavalry Guards were a single knightly order of the empire, embodying the brilliant and formidable beauty of Imperial Russia. The ceremonial uniforms of the Horse Guards officers during the reign of Anna Ioannovna bore a shade of the magnificent splendor of the era: golden galloons sewn in the form of loops along the side of the camisole were combined with gold-embroidered cuffs of the uniform sleeves, pocket flaps, and its back slit. Since 1730, the officers' scarves of the guards have acquired the traditional "cuirassier" colors - they have an amazing combination of yellow and black.

During the reign of Elizabeth Petrovna, the guards officer insignia acquired the final roundness and horseshoe shape. Since 1745, the silver braid on the officer's shoulder straps was replaced with gold, and the silver lids of the guard's bags began to be covered with gilding. During the days of "the jolly Empress Elizabeth", in 1746, the chief officers of the Guards forever said goodbye to the plumes on their hats, which had become the privilege of the guards staff officers and army generals. It is especially worth mentioning the splendor of the uniforms of the ranks of the Life Campaign, the grenadiers who elevated Elizaveta Petrovna to the throne. Raised to the nobility, equalized in ranks with the army lieutenants, these last grenadiers became the owners of striking form in their splendor. Their grenadier hats were covered with red cloth, gilded metal details flaunted on their caps, and the headdresses themselves were crowned with magnificent sultans of white and red ostrich feathers. The clothing of the Leib-Campanians consisted of green caftans with red lining, as well as red trousers and camisoles embroidered with gold braids. On their neck signs the monogram of the Empress was depicted, surrounded by military fittings and the embossed dates of her accession to the throne glittered dimly.

F. Moskvitin. Oath of the Preobrazhensky regiment to Elizabeth

For solemn occasions, the Leib-Campanians were dressed in scarlet cavalry guards with embroidered double-headed eagles and double gold braid and fringe along the edge. At the same time, the officers of the Horse Guards slightly reduced the volume of the decoration of their uniforms, which now looked much more modest compared to those that were still vividly remembered by everyone who saw them in all their splendor in the previous reign.
With the death of Her Majesty, the new Sovereign, who was attracted by everything that was associated with Holstein, dear to his heart, worked hard to make changes to the guards uniform, remaking it in the Prussian manner. So, Russian grenadiers received hats, the shape of which was directly borrowed from the Prussian Life Guards.

Peter III. Miniature on a snuffbox.

From the beginning of 1762, the Horse Guards were dressed in tunics of moose cloth, With a red instrument, lined with bright gold braids. Copper sashes and tashki with gold galloon lining and red cloth lids were added to the uniform of the Horse Guards, which is why the appearance of the uniform of the Horse Guards not only did not lose, but even acquired new, no less attractive features.
Having reigned on the throne, Empress Catherine II waged war against Prussian influence on the army and guards, in particular, fashion. In relation to the guards uniform, the desire of the new Empress to a certain conservatism in preserving the old forms of uniforms, with the possibility of distinguishing between the regiments in small and minor details of uniform and accessories, which extended even to the heterogeneity of the decoration of the lids of pouches and grenadier bags, affected here. Some changes in the color of the uniform appeared after 1775, when the red trousers were replaced by white cloth, which were worn with white linen shoes in all forms of clothing. Excessive panache slipped into the changing forms of the military uniform, and features emerged, shaped in large part by the French influence of fashion on the guard uniform. The perfection of the headdress or uniform was often achieved at the expense of its practical benefits. Since 1775, when the Guards cavalry was augmented by the Life-Hussar squadron and two Cossack escort teams, this event introduced additional insignia and form options.

Eriksen Vigilius. Catherine II in a guards uniform. not earlier than the second half of 1762

The reign of Paul 1 introduced some dull monotony into the former multicolored guards uniform, condemned after the fact by many of the Emperor's subjects. The grenadiers received new Prussian-style hats; the uniforms of the Guard remained dark green with a bluish tint and red lining. Non-commissioned officers received a cane as a rank accessory, and in the ranks they marched with halberds painted in the "regimental" color. The officers of the Guard received epontones in addition to the sword, which made the officers' appearance more impressive during parades. The officer's uniform became the same cut as that for the lower ranks. From the very beginning of 1796, the introduction of a new officer's double-breasted uniform began with a red lining for lower ranks and green for officers. Red ties were introduced for the rank and file and for the officers. Since December 16, 1798, in connection with the perception by the Sovereign of the title of Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, the Maltese white cross on a red field has become an integral attribute on the headdress of the grenadiers. After 8 months, the grenadier foreheads were decorated with a large double-headed eagle with a shield in the center, on which was a white cross on a red field. Above the eagle was the monogram of the Emperor, and a ribbon on which the word "Grace" appeared in honor of Anna Lopukhina, the favorite of the Emperor, whose name was translated in this way from the Hebrew language.

Benois A.N. Parade under Paul I

The Semyonovsk and Izmaylovo officers received new embroidered buttonholes, additionally located along the side, on the pocket flaps and on the bodice. The buttonhole design remained unchanged until the last days of these regiments in the 20th century. The sewing established for the form of the Transfiguration also remained unchanged until the end of the existence of the Imperial Guard.
And during the reign of Paul, the Life Guards Horse Regiment did not go unnoticed. The Horse Guards were given an army cuirassier uniform, red vice-uniforms with blue cuffs and a collar for officers. Sashes differed in color by squadron: orange, turquoise, scarlet, purple, etc. In 1797, in preparation for the coronation celebrations, by order of Pavel Petrovich, who was preparing to become Sovereign, the Cavalry Corps was formed again.
By the highest decree, the cavalry guards were awarded cuirassier uniforms with a paddle-board and a red device. For celebrations, one of which was supposed to be the upcoming coronation, a black supervest with red trim was worn over the cavalier's tunic; in particular, for the upcoming celebrations, the cavalry guards were going to add to the existing dress a cuirass depicting a black double-headed eagle on the chest and back, as well as such exotic form attributes as bracers and legguards. The headdress was a silver helmet with a sultan of white ostrich feathers. In addition, the guards were supposed to have a fringed scarf worn over the shoulder. However, when, six months later, the Cavalry Corps was disbanded, part of its armor was transferred in the form of a ceremonial uniform to the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment. A year and a half after the coronation of the Sovereign, the cavalry guards were destined to become an honorary escort of His Majesty, who took on the burden of the Grand Master of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem, in connection with which the uniform of these guards again underwent some qualitative changes. For ceremonial occasions, the superstations of the guard of honor have now become crimson with a Maltese cross in the center and silver braids. At the corners of such a supervest were golden lilies with a golden crown. Now, at the celebrations, the cavalry guards wore black lacquered helmets with an overlaid gilded double-headed eagle. The helmets were decorated by the sultans, as always red for the lower ranks and white for the officers. One of the remarkable ceremonies in which the cavalry guards participated, in the reign of Paul 1 as the Guard-Master of the Order of Malta, was the rite of lighting fires on the eve of Midsummer's Day, performed with special celebration by the Knights of Malta.
On January 11, 1801, the Cavalry Regiment was equalized with the rest of the Guards regiments, having lost its previous advantage. They entered the general composition of the troops, holding the first place in the row of cavalry regiments and retaining the advantage given to the regiment by Peter I - to have a guard from their officers at the throne during the sacred rite of wedding to the kingdom of Russian monarchs. For off-duty wearing, the ranks of the corps relied on a red uniform with a black instrument and white lining. This uniform had white buttons; to top it off, a gold aiguillette and an epaulette on his left shoulder relied on him. The officer's uniform also had a velvet device, as well as a wide gold braid. A change in the guards fashion reached other regiments as well: the life hussars were given green mentics with a sable edge. For the life-hussar officers, it was envisaged to wear a leopard skin with a red lining and lining of silver galloon.
This new, essentially decorative, attribute of the Life-Hussar dress was worn obliquely over the right shoulder. The hind and forepaws of the leopard were fastened on the chest with a silver medallion with an overlaid gold imperial monogram. Instead of the old fur hats, the hussar's head was now decorated with a shako with yellow cords.
After the regicide on the night of March 11-12, 1801, Tsar Alexander 1, who ascended the throne, made a lot of efforts to further decorate the Guards uniform, spending many hours developing new uniform models, delving into the smallest details and designing new samples. Guard's hairstyles were also not ignored by the royal attention. On April 9, 1801, the Highest commanded all military ranks to cut the curls and shorten the braid to 4 vershoks. The cut of the uniform underwent further changes, which was finally fixed by new regulations - the "uniform states" in 1802. Newfangled uniforms of a tailcoat cut, with missing lapels, a new high stand-up collar, instead of the established tradition of a caftan, which came to the army from the 18th century, came to the Guard, and in general to the army. It seemed that the Alexander era was striving with all its might to make up for the innovations in the army fashion that were lost in the previous, Pavlovian, times, in particular from the first dandies of the European armies, the British, who kept the mark.
Already at the end of 1802, new guards states were approved, according to which the uniforms became shorter, the French cut of the cuffs supplanted the Prussian, the galloon buttonholes of the guards infantry were abolished, the cut of the soldier's overcoat changed. The officers also received an overcoat for the cold season as uniforms, exactly the same cut as the soldier's, but with a wide and round cape. Helmets remained for some time, but since October 19, 1804, cylindrical cloth hats, or shako, with fastening visors, decorated with wide sultans, up to half a meter high, inserted into a special pocket lined with leather, were introduced for everyday wear. Under the sultan, a thistle of the color assigned to this battalion was also attached.
On September 17, 1807, epaulettes were introduced, which until 1809 were worn only on the left shoulder, leaving space on the right for aiguillettes, and a new cut of generals' uniforms, over which the Russian military sneered, saying that they were more like a valet's livery than a uniform military leader.

Patersen B. Parade in the presence of Alexander I. 1810s

In 1808, the shako of the Russian lower rank acquired the characteristic features of the shako of the French infantry two years ago. In the same year, the guards officers received new insignia, different from those that existed in their uniforms in the previous reign. These signs were smaller in size and more rounded in comparison with the previous ones.
Successes russian weapons in the Patriotic War of 1812 made the image of the Russian soldier very popular in the allied armies, which tried to borrow even some elements of uniforms from the Russian Imperial Army, in particular, adopting even the shape of the shako, which was introduced in the Prussian army, and then some other European armies. And although the French army was defeated in the last war, even five years after it, “innovations” continued in the Russian “army and guards” like an infantry shako, reminiscent of its French original.
The year 1813 was the time when the Russian Imperial Guard, which was pretty much supplemented by new regiments (Leib-cuirassier, Leib-grenadier and Pavlovsky), was divided, like the French into "Old" and "Young", but their guard status was finally consolidated two years later, in February 1815. The officers of the "Young Guard" were awarded the insignia of the guards model and St. Andrew's stars for scoops and ingots. Initially, the "Young Guard" had advantages over the army in one rank, while the "Old" - in two. The lower ranks of the "Young Guard" wore trim tabs white, not yellow. The Life Guards Pavlovsky regiment retained the old 1802 grenadier hats as a reward for the Friedland battle with the French troops. Five years after the victorious end of the Patriotic War, the turn came to modifications of the uniform of the "Old Guards" - the ranks of the Preobrazhensky, Semenovsky, Izmailovsky and Jaegers regiments. In 1818, the officers of the Guards Infantry and Cavalry had their neck badges replaced, similar to the French ones. These badges were in the shape of a crescent with the Russian state emblem located in the center - a two-headed eagle, sitting on a military armature. The chief officers of the Preobrazhensky and Semenovsky regiments received the privilege to keep the old inscription “1700 / № 19) on the sides of the eagle.

At the beginning of the reign of Tsar Alexander Pavlovich, the uniforms of the main cavalry regiments of the Guard - the Cavalry and Horse Guards - remained unchanged. They changed only the hats and the cut of the collars of the uniform, but then changes in uniforms followed quite often. First, in the summer of 1801, cuirasses were canceled, a year later the cavalry guards received jets with a high red collar, a red cuff and folds lapels. In 1803, all combatant ranks of the Cavalry and Cavalry Regiments in the form of a ceremonial headdress were ordered to wear leather helmets with a crest, with a dense hair plume, white for officers and black for privates. All helmets had the Andreevskaya star on the brass forehead. At the end of 1803, the cavalry guards received the same tunics as the horse guards, with the only difference that the buttons of the tunics were white, not yellow, as in a friendly regiment. In 1807, the cavalry guards were ordered to wear a silver epaulet on their left shoulder, in contrast to the horse guards who wore a gold one. In 1808, the plumes on the cavalry and horse guards cuirass gave way to trimmed black horsehair combs, except for the musicians of the regiments, who had red combs. In 1812, both regiments received black lacquered cuirasses, fastened on the shoulders with belts with brass figured scales, on the belt - with red leather belts.

"Prayer on the eve of the Battle of Borodino"
Color lithograph from a drawing by N. Samokish.
Military Historical Museum of Artillery, engineering troops and signal troops on the website http://www.museum.ru/1812/Painting/Borodino/index.html

New year 1813 added to the family of the heavy guards cavalry new regiment, named Life Guards Cuirassier. Five years later, the Life Guards Podolsk Cuirassier Regiment was formed in Warsaw. The spring of 1814 brought innovations to the guards uniform: double-breasted tunics of all ranks and officer's vice-uniforms replaced single-breasted ones with 9 buttons, which existed in this form until the end of the reign of Emperor Nicholas 1.

Shortly before the end of Alexander's rule, the Tsar's eyes were turned to determine the regimental differences in the colors of horses. This significant event took place in 1823, when, for example, the Cavalier Regiment was appointed by the Highest to have bay horses, the Horseman - black, and the Life Guards Cuirassier - red. The selection of horses for chiefs and headquarters officers in the cavalry regiments was in charge of an officer specially appointed to this position, the head of the stable, who carefully monitors that the horses in the regimental stable correspond to the suit established for the regiment. This custom survived well until the twentieth century.
August 1825, the last year of the reign of Alexander 1, made changes in the height of the sultans on the shako of the guards infantry, which were replaced by round woolen sultans yellow color for soldiers and from a gimp of silver color - for officers.
The reign of his younger brother, Nikolai Pavlovich, that followed the disappearance of the Emperor in December 1825, was not so "stormy" for the guard uniform. Firstly, the main changes have already been made in previous years, and secondly, there was no practical need for frequent changes in the style and cut, as well as the color and other properties of the guards uniform. The changes took place mainly in accordance with the aesthetic views on the military uniform of the new Tsar. It was during this era that the image of the Russian military uniform changed to a large extent towards the "French" models of the bygone era of Napoleon Bonaparte. The Tsar, for a long time pondered about the changes in the guards uniform, which he saw necessary, and personally created watercolor sketches, inspired by his youthful enthusiasm for the bear hats of the grenadiers of Bonaparte's "Old Guard" and cuirassier helmets with a round plume of cavalrymen of Marshal Saint-Cyr. Already in 1826, the infantry received dark green trousers with edging along the seam, instead of the previous winter trousers with leggings. A year later, a number of Guards regiments received epaulettes with a scaly neck, straight for soldiers and curved for officers, and five-pointed gilded stars for silver epaulettes and silver ones for gold ones. After two years, changes have finally affected the uniform buttons, which now received a relief image of the state emblem of the Russian Empire. The cut of the uniforms of the guards infantry remained unchanged throughout the reign of Nikolai Pavlovich. The Guards Infantry, received in 1828 another modification of the shako, which differed from the outdated original in its height and a differently shaped corded etiquette around the upper edge. The new shako had two lashes with tassels. The drawing of the shako coat of arms has also undergone minor changes.

Gebens Adolf Ivanovich
Life Guards Engineer Battalion. 1853

At the end of the reign of Nicholas 1 for officers and generals of the Guard, in addition to the ceremonial overcoat with a cape, a marching overcoat was introduced. With her own cover, she looked like a soldier's, sewn only from a very dense cloth. As distinctive features of the rank, galloon shoulder straps were attached to the overcoat by the guards designers on a cloth basis. The chin worn by the owner of the overcoat was determined by the number of gaps between the stripes of galloon, and the color of the side edging of the shoulder strap indicated his regimental affiliation. The general's shoulder strap was completely covered with a wide lace with a zigzag pattern.
It should be noted that five years before the changes were made to the metal, decorative details of the uniform of the Guards cavalrymen for carrying out the internal palace service, the ranks of the Cavalry and Cavalry regiments received red supertests. Supervests were made of cloth of medium thickness; on the chest and back, the cavalry guards were supposed to have eight-pointed stars with the monogram "A" located in the center, and the horse guards - two-headed eagles.
The new reign of Tsar Alexander II was marked by a truly revolutionary rejection of tunics and uniforms. They were replaced in March 1855 by double-breasted long-length semi-caftans, with collars cut off by the so-called obtuse angle, and lapels, which evolved into a pedestal plastron, worn with certain forms of clothing. In 1858, the cut of the soldier's overcoat was changed, it received a turn-down collar and pockets in the hem, which was still one-sided. At the end of May 1857 changed national emblem empire, which was reflected in the change in the pattern on the guards' headdresses. The eagle now looked a little different.

“... Every time I leave the present and return to the past, I find much more warmth in it. The difference in both moments is expressed in one word: loved. We were children of 1812. To sacrifice everything, even life itself, for the love of the fatherland was a heartfelt impulse. Our feelings were alien to selfishness. God is witness to this ... ”, - wrote in his declining years in his memoirs the Decembrist MI Muravyov-Apostol.
115 future Decembrists were participants in the war between Russia and the Napoleonic army. Among them is A.F. von der Brigen.
As a 16-year-old youth, he joined the Izmailovsky Life Guards regiment. His entire military service is connected with this regiment, which he began as a ensign on December 14 (a symbolic date for the future Decembrist!) 1808. Brigen's military career progressed rather quickly: a year later he was already a harness-warrant officer, almost two years later - a warrant officer, six months later, in April 1812, he was promoted to second lieutenant, in this rank he met the war with France. On December 7, 1813, Alexander Fyodorovich was awarded the rank of lieutenant, almost three years later he became a staff captain, in February 1819 - a captain, and on May 3, 1820 he was promoted to colonel. Then he was not yet 28 years old. With the rank of colonel, Brigen retired in 1821. Information about his advancement in the military ladder is contained in the "Formulary list on the service of the Izmailovsky Regiment of Colonel von der Brigen".

With his regiment, Alexander Fedorovich took part in the main battles of the war with Napoleonic France in 1812 - 1814. Izmailovtsy distinguished themselves in the battle of Borodino on August 26, 1812. At first they were in reserve, but then they (together with the Lithuanian and Finnish regiments) were moved to the Semyonov heights. Before the regiments had time to line up, they were suddenly attacked by French cuirassiers, whom Napoleon called "iron".

The onslaught of Murat's "invincible cavalry" was repulsed, but after a while the men at arms, reinforced by the mounted grenadiers, again went on the attack. Russian troops threw back the enemy, who had suffered huge losses, with slender volleys. When the cavalry attacks of the Napoleonic army were choking, the French opened fire on the Russian regiments for many hours from 400 guns. Enemy buckshot whistled, many guardsmen were killed and wounded, and 20-year-old second lieutenant Alexander von der Brigen was wounded in the chest. After a powerful artillery bombardment, the French again attacked the weakened defenders of the Semyonov Heights, trying to crush the left flank of the Russian troops. But the guardsmen also withstood the attack this time. Having suffered a third setback, Murat did not dare to send his cavalry back to certain death. The French limited themselves to only expelling individual riflemen. By evening, Russian cavalrymen arrived to help the guardsmen, with whom the French were put to flight. “The enemy, with extreme damage, was driven away by fire and a bayonet,” wrote General DS Dokhturov, who commanded the left wing of the Russian army, in a report to MI Kutuzov. "In a word, the Izmailovsky and Lithuanian regiments covered themselves, in view of the entire army, with undeniable glory." 176 Izmailovites were killed in the Battle of Borodino, 73 were missing, 528 guards were wounded. All officers of the regiment received awards, second lieutenant von der Brigen was awarded a golden sword with the inscription “For bravery” for excellent bravery.
After the Battle of Borodino, the Izmailovsky regiment retreated through Moscow to the Tarutino camp, where it rested until early October. Brigen, despite the concussion, remained in the ranks.
In October, together with the Russian army, the Izmaylovoites launched a counteroffensive. In December, they entered Vilna, where they began to prepare for an overseas campaign. On January 1, 1813, the guards crossed the Neman and entered the territory of Prussia. Three months later they were already in Dresden. But in April-May, the anti-Napoleonic coalition was defeated at Lutzen and Bautzen. The Izmailovites also suffered losses. After a short truce, the Allied forces in early August launched an offensive again.
By mid-August, the Russian-Prussian-Austrian troops were in a dangerous position. Having been defeated at Dresden, the allied army was forced to retreat. But the situation in the theater of military operations threatened the anti-Napoleonic coalition with encirclement and defeat, or even complete destruction during the retreat. Then, at the military council, it was decided to cover up the withdrawal of the Allied army with the forces of the Russian Guards regiments: "The Guards will not have a glorious feat of how to sacrifice themselves to save the rest of the army." The guards fulfilled this task with honor. Together with the Life Jaegers, the Izmailovites took Tsegist and defended the captured positions for 10 hours. This made it possible for the main forces of the allied army to reach Kulm (a city in Bohemia, now it is the territory of the Czech Republic).
At 10 am on August 17, 1813, the famous Battle of Kulm began. The French attacked the villages of Pristen and Straden. They were defended by guards regiments. For several hours the battle continued with varying success, the villages passed from hand to hand. The Russian regiments suffered huge losses. The breakthrough of the positions of the Russian troops was under threat. And only a few guard battalions remained in reserve. It was at that moment that General Yermolov said that "the guard is being destroyed," and this will inevitably lead to the death of the entire army. But, given the danger, two reserve battalions of the Izmailovites were thrown into battle.

“The entire battlefield was covered with enemy corpses, the nearest French columns fled, the entire line of Russian troops leaned forward; a strong cannonade was opened from all the batteries in the position. " The French, unable to withstand the attack, fled into the grove. The guardsmen pursued them and finished them off with bayonets. The battle lasted until 8 pm.
The guardsmen saved the entire army. The turning point in that battle cost the Izmailovites many victims - 53 were killed and about 500 wounded. The regiment commander, Khrapovitsky, received several bayonet blows and was wounded in the leg by buckshot. Lieutenant Alexander von der Brigen was wounded by a bullet in the head, but did not leave the battlefield.
On August 18, the exhausted guard did not participate in the battle, but only pursued the retreating Napoleonic troops. The French corps was surrounded, Marshal Vandam was taken prisoner, five generals, 12 thousand soldiers and officers, captured French guns and a train.
“The Kulm battle decisively put an end to Napoleon's successes. Since that time, all his military undertakings have been unsuccessful, ”noted A. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky. The Izmailovsky regiment was awarded two silver St. George trumpets for their courage. All officers and soldiers who distinguished themselves in battle received awards. Alexander von der Brigen was awarded the Order of St. Prince Vladimir, 4th degree, with a bow and the sign of the Prussian Iron Cross (Kulm Cross) for his bravery.

After Kulm, the Izmailovsky regiment took part in a number of battles, advancing "through Saxony, the Kingdom of Westphalia to the lower Rhine." Here, in Germany, Brigen had a chance to visit the Westphalian lands of his distant ancestors. And then, together with the regiment, he stayed in Frankfurt am Main for almost three months, where he met the Russian Commissioner of the Central Administrative Office of the Allied Governments Nikolai Turgenev. This acquaintance grew into a close friendship. In Frankfurt-on-Main at the end of 1813, Alexander Fedorovich, along with other fellow soldiers, was awarded a silver medal "In memory of the Patriotic War of 1812" on the Andreevskaya blue ribbon.
On January 1, 1814, the guards crossed the French border and moved towards Paris. During the battle on March 18, the Izmailovites were in reserve, and the next day, led by their commander, General Khrapovitsky, solemnly entered Paris.
Stationed in the French capital, the guardsmen celebrated their victory noisily. But Alexander Fyodorovich did not indulge in amusements. As he later admitted in one of the letters, "he lived in Paris as a hermit." By that time he was already a lieutenant, his salary was increased from 324 to 400 rubles [Note 1]. The money was then considerable, it was possible to live comfortably on it, although not to be luxurious. But Brigen spent it on books. In Paris, he began to collect a library, which after years, according to contemporaries, became one of the best and richest private libraries.
Brigen spent more than two months in the French capital, and then, together with his regiment, departed for Normandy, where from Cherbourg he sailed to Kronstadt, and from there to Oranienbaum. On July 30, 1814, the Izmailovites, together with other regiments of the 1st Guards Infantry Division, led by the emperor, solemnly entered Petersburg, passing through the Triumphal Gates.

Business days began. Since 1800, the chief of the Izmailovsky regiment was Grand Duke Nikolai Pavlovich - the future Emperor Nikolai the First. And in 1818, he also took direct command of the 2nd brigade of the 1st Guards Infantry Division, which included the Izmailovsky regiment. Prone to drill, Nikolai created an unbearable situation in the brigade.
This is how the Decembrist NI Lorer recalled it: “Both Grand Dukes, Nikolai and Mikhail, received brigades and immediately began to apply the pedantry that had become fashionable. In the city they caught officers; for the slightest deviation from the form of clothing, for a hat worn out of shape, they were put in a guardhouse; at night they visited the guardhouses and if they found the officers asleep, they were strictly exacted from them ... The pleasantries of the military rank were poisoned, the service became unbearable for all of us! For whole days all over St.Petersburg regiments marched, first to training, then from training, drumming was heard from early morning until late at night ...<еликие> to<нязя> before each other competed in the learning and torment of the soldiers. Grand Duke Nicholas even in the evenings demanded a team of 40 old corporals to his palace; there candles, chandeliers, lamps were lit, and His Highness deigned to engage in rifle techniques and marching on smoothly polished parquet. More than once it happened that the Grand Duchess Alexandra Feodorovna, then still in her prime, to please her husband, stood on the right flank from the side of some 13-point [Note 2] barbel-grenadier and marched, pulling out her socks.
Many officers who participated in the Borodino, Kulmsk and other battles, distinguished themselves on the battlefield and who had respectful relations with their commanders, sealed by the bonds of military comradeship, it was wild to look at the soldier's antics of Nikolai Pavlovich. More than once they expressed disobedience to him. The "Nor's story" that happened in 1822, after Brigen's resignation, became especially loud. “Nikolai Pavlovich,” writes MV Nechkina, “was dissatisfied with the divorce of the two companies and reprimanded the company commander VS Norov in an insulting manner ... [Note 3] Norov was greatly respected in the regiment. Glorified back in the Patriotic War and overseas campaigns (wounded at Kulm), he was a deeply educated officer and enjoyed great prestige.
Upon the departure of the Grand Duke, all the officers gathered to the battalion commander Tolmachev and declared a demand, as Nikolai Pavlovich himself writes to Paskevich, "that I give satisfaction to Norov." It was, apparently, nothing less than a challenge to a duel of the offender. Since Nikolai did not "give up" satisfaction, the officers decided to resign.
About twenty officers conspired to resign. We decided to submit two resignation petitions a day every two days, and they drew lots to whom to submit first. Six of them managed to carry out the intention. Those who resigned were arrested and transferred to the army ... the case, which threatened the Grand Duke with great troubles, was hushed up with difficulty. "
Since then, Nikolai hated the Izmailovites. And he threw out this anger during the investigation and trial of the Decembrists. NI Lorer was surprised: “It is strangely incomprehensible the revenge of Emperor Nicholas to all those whom he knew personally and briefly. Not by the verdict of the court, but by his personal instruction, all the persons who were well known to him and, as on purpose, were less guilty than others, such as Briggen, Norov, Nazimov, Naryshkin, were punished more severely than others. But this is not surprising: the emperor could not forget the humiliation before the Izmailovites, and the "betrayal" of the officers of his regiment, everyone whom he had previously patronized, aroused open hatred in him [Note 5].

NOTES

1 ... From 1802 to 1817, the annual salary of a warrant officer of the Izmailovsky regiment was 205 rubles, a second lieutenant - 324 rubles, a lieutenant - 400 rubles, a staff captain - 507 rubles, from 1817 to 1824 the salary of a captain was 900 rubles, a colonel - 1200 rub. ...
2 ... The top is approximately 4.45 cm. That is, 13 vershok is about 58 cm. Were the grenadiers really that tall? And in Turgenev's "Mumu" about the deaf-and-dumb bogatyr-janitor Gerasim it is said that he was "a man of twelve inches of height"? So, Gerasim's height barely exceeded half a meter? But this "absurdity" was found not only in Turgenev! So in Dostoevsky's The Idiot we read that in the company of Rogozhin there appeared “some huge, twelve inches, master” ... In the same novel, Raskolnikov mockingly calls his friend, lanky Razumikhin, in love with Dunya, “Romeo of ten inches to growth. " In "A Tale for Children" by Lermontov about a stately old man - the owner of a large house, it is said: "He was twelve inches tall." Giants of twelve and fifteen are found in Russian literature in abundance. In "What is to be done?" N.G. Chernyshevsky: "Nikita Lomov, a barge haule, was a giant 15 inches tall, weighed 15 poods." About Golovan, the hero of Leskov's story "Non-lethal Golovan", we learn: "It was, as in Peter the Great, fifteen vershoks."
“The fact is that in the old days, a person's height was often determined in vershoks above the two arshins required for a normal person (that is, above 1 m 42 cm). Thus, Gerasim's height in "Mumu" was 1 meter 95 cm, Nikita Lomov's height was almost 2 m 09 cm, etc. The rest of the examples can be easily translated into centimeters using simple arithmetic operations according to the formula: vershoks in centimeters plus 142 cm. "
3 ... They say that, approaching V. Norov, Nikolai Pavlovich allegedly intended to pinch him as usual, but Norov did not allow him to do this. D. Zavalishin described this incident in the following way: “Once the Grand Duke, getting excited, forgot himself to the extent that he took Norov by the button. Norov pushed his hand away, saying: “Don't touch, Your Highness. I'm very sensitive. " A few days later Nikolai again found fault with Norov and stamped his foot, splashing mud at his uniform. The offended Norov filed a letter of resignation and challenged the Tsarevich to a duel.
4 ... This incident cost Norov 6 months of the guardhouse. However, the scandal reached the Emperor Alexander I, who shamed his younger brother for a dishonest act and forced Nikolai Pavlovich to persuade Norov to withdraw his resignation letter. Alexander I even promoted Norov to the rank of lieutenant colonel, although he was forced to leave the guard.
5 ... Nicholas I especially played on V.S. Norov. DI Zavalishin in his memoirs from the words of Norov described his meeting with the new emperor after his arrest in the case of the Decembrists: “... when Norov ... was brought to the palace, Nikolai Pavlovich got so excited that he said:“ I knew in advance that you You will be here, robber, ”and began to shower him with abuse. Norov folded his hands and listened coolly. The commander of the Guards Corps, Voinov, who was a witness here, tried to calm the sovereign, whose voice crossed from strong irritation. Taking advantage of this, Norov, himself internally enraged, went, as he said, into an offensive position and said: “Come on. Perfectly. What have you become? Well more. Come on. " The emperor lost his temper and shouted: “Rope. Tie him up. " Voinov, seeing that the scene had reached the point of indecency, forgot himself and himself, exclaiming: "Have mercy, but without moving here," grabbed Norov by the hand and dragged him out of the office. "

SOURCES

1 ... Memoirs and letters of M.I.Muravyev-Apostol // Memoirs of the Decembrists. Southern Society: Sobr. texts and general. Edited by I.V. Porokh and V.A.Fyodorov / M .: Publishing house of Moscow University, 1982 .-- P. 177 - 178.
2 ... The uprising of the Decembrists: Documents // T. XIV / M., 1976 - S. 424 - 425.
3 ... History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment: Comp. Captain N. Znosko-Borovsky 1st / St. Petersburg: P. E. Lobanov Printing House, 1882. - pp. 57 - 64, 295; A Brief History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment / St. Petersburg .: Military Printing House of the General Staff of His Imperial Majesty, 1830. - pp. 37 - 43; Viskovatov A.V. Historical review of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment. 1730 - 1850 / St. Petersburg: Printing House of the Main Directorate of Communications and Public Buildings, 1851. - pp. 179 - 180, Appendix IV, p. XI; Elagin N. Life Guards Izmaylovsky and Lithuanian regiments in the Battle of Borodino / St. Petersburg vedomosti. - 1845. - No. 34; The Decembrist Uprising: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425; Pavlova L. Ya.Decembrists - participants in the wars of 1805 - 1814 / M .: Science. 1979 .-- S. 37.
4 ... History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment: Comp. Captain N. Znosko-Borovsky 1st / St. Petersburg: P. E. Lobanov Printing House, 1882. - pp. 71 - 81, 285; A Brief History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment / St. Petersburg .: Military Printing House of the General Staff of His Imperial Majesty, 1830. - pp. 45 - 57; Viskovatov A.V. Historical review of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment. 1730 - 1850 / SPb .: Printing house of the Main Directorate of Railways and Public Buildings, 1851. - Appendix IV, p. XVII; The Uprising of the Decembrists: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425; Pavlova L. Ya.Decembrists - participants in the wars of 1805 - 1814 / M .: Science. 1979. - S. 68; L. L. Ivchenko. To the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Kulm / Russian history. - 2013. - No. 2.
5 ... The Decembrist Uprising: Documents // T. XIV, p. 425.
6 ... Ibid; Shkerin V. A. Ural trace of the Decembrist Brigen / Moscow; Yekaterinburg: Cabinet Scientist, 2016. - pp. 21 - 22; History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment: Comp. Captain N. Znosko-Borovsky 1st / St. Petersburg: P.E. Lobanov's Printing House, 1882 .-- P. 83.
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8 ... Brigen A.F. Letters. Historical writings: Podgot. ed. and entered. Art. O.S.Talskoy / Irkutsk: East Siberian Book Publishing House, 1986. - P. 351.
9 ... History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 84.
10 ... Lorer N.I. Notes of my time. Recollection of the past // Memoirs of the Decembrists: Comp., Entry. Art. and com. A.S. Nemzer / M .: Pravda, 1988 .-- P. 326 - 327.
11 ... Nechkina M.V. Griboyedov and the Decembrists / M .: Art. lit., 1977 .-- S. 310 - 311.
12 ... Lorer N.I. Decree. cit., p. 440.
13 ... A Brief History of the Izmailovsky Life Guards Regiment, p. 70.
14 ... Fedosyuk Yu.A. What is incomprehensible among the classics or the encyclopedia of Russian life of the XIX century / M .: Flinta, Nauka, 2001. - pp. 41 - 43.
15 ... Zavalishin D.I. Notes of the Decembrist: 2nd Russian. edition / SPb .: Printing house of the T-va M.O. Wolf, 1910. - P. 241.
16 ... Zavalishin D.I. cit., p. 241.

Alexander KUPTSOV

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