Two Military Geniuses
Almost
200 years ago on far approaches to ancient Moscow two great commanders converged. Two
military geniuses. Energetic and breaking all on the way young Bonaparte and the cautious,
wise aged man- field marshal Kutuzov. One searched a case to force Russia to the knees,
another – undertook all for preservation of army for the sake of rescue of Russia.
Having lost in battle at Borodino half of Russian army, Kutuzov did not prevent it to
proclaim that Borodino was a victory. The victory was moral undoubtedly. From now on the
Borodino field has strongly entered into spiritual consciousness of Russian people. It
became a part of our national pride and glory. Unbreakable part of our historical memory.
Napoleon’s Interest in Tula
Napoleon gave great value to Tula already at attack planning to Russia therefore as Tula was the main centre of supply of Russian army with the weapon. In May, 1812 Napoleon told to one of the confidants: “ I will burn Tula and I will disarm Russia”.
The Heroes of a Patriotic War of 1812
Our time was reached by very few names of heroes of a Patriotic War of 1812 from the simple people. The imperial government treated people of a simple rank with contempt and not so favoured them even if they showed fearlessness and heroism in struggle against the enemy. Participants of war from noblemen are more known, certainly: D. S. Dohturov, I. S. Dorokhov, M. A. Arsenyev and others.
Dmitry Sergeevich Dohturov – the Tula nobleman. He was brought up
in Kashirsky district of Tula province. Then he enlisted. Valorously battled in wars to
Sweden, France, became the general. Then Russia together with Austria and England was at
war with France. On October, 30th, 1805 a column of Russian armies under Dohturov command,
having passed on mountain tracks, suddenly fall upon the French case of general Morte.
Russian pressed Frenchmen to the river Danube and crushed them.
Some time later – on November, 20th, 1805- D.S. Dohturov became the hero of Austerlitsky battle. The French army under Napoleon’ s command surrounded the left flank of the Russian- Austrian armies and won. On the left flank just there was a column of Dohturov. Dohturov and his command were considered to be dead. And general Dohturov collected the rests of armies of the left flank, prompted attack and broke through an enemy environment and in a day incorporated to the main forces of army. Here and now, in 1812 in Smolensk, Dohturov managed to detain Frenchmen. Napoleon brought down huge forces on a city, personally supervised over its storm. Attacks of Frenchmen followed one another. Position of defenders of Smolensk was the heaviest. Dohturov showed surprising composure and endurance, was in most dangerous places of battle, personally supervised over the defence of city gate. Napoleon did not manage to storm Smolensk. Napoleon entered it only after Dohturov on the night of August, 6th had receded from the city by order of Russian command.
On August, 26th, 1812 on approaches to Moscow there was one of
the main events of war-great Borodino battle. Napoleon tried to overturn Kutuzov’ s
Russian army. But Russian stood and died, without starting up the enemy. In Borodino fight
many tulyakovs bravely battled. General Dohturov protected the centre of Russian position.
Again, as well as near Smolensk, Frenchmen stormed Russian armies. Dohturov showed rare
self – control during the critical moments of fight and managed to beat off all attacks
of Frenchmen. And at this time on the left flank near village Semyonovsky a trouble
happened. The general P.I. Bagration who ordered there was mortally wounded.
Frenchmen strengthened an impact, and there was a threat of break of Russian defence. Then the commander – in – chief general Kutuzov charged command over the left flank to Dohturov who managed to stop the enemy. But under the pressure of Napoleon armies Russian army without new battle left Moscow. Frenchmen entered the ancient Russian capital. Russian army receded to the south from Moscow and camped in the village Tarutino. Kutuzov covered roads which led to Tula and southern grain provinces of Russia. The Russians prepared for counterattack. Kutuzov gave a great attention to the organisation of partisan movement.
Ivan Semyonovich Dorohov was one of favourite pupils of
the great Russian commander A.V. Suvorov. In the beginning of war of 1812 Dorohov covered
the giving up of Russian army, ordering horse group. In the Borodino fight he made
impudent counterattacks against the French cavalry at village Semyonovsky. After Borodino
battle Dorohov ordered partisan groups. He was the first to inform Kutuzov about the
French leaving of Moscow and Napoleon’ s movement to the city of Maloyaroslavets. Near
Maloyaroslavets Dorohov was seriously injured and brought to treatment to Tula. Dorohov’
s family constantly lived in Tula and in the village Ivanovo Efremovsky district. Here
Dorohov spent the last years of his life, being engaged in education of his children.
Tula Civil Guardsmen and Armourers in a Patriotic War of 1812.
The enemy trampled down Russian land. The people were stirred to action with Frenchmen.
The Russians endowed all for the sake of clearing of their Native Land. The total
formation of a home guard became a bright example of national movement. Tula home guard
was also formed. For its keeping the livers of Tula gathered about 5 million roubles.
The home guard was used for protection of Tula province from
Frenchmen, and first of all – Tula small arms factory, the main smithy of Russia. Many
small enemy groups were forwarded through Oka river to the limits of Tula edge. But all of
them were exterminated by civil guardsmen, the horse Cossack regiment of Tula home guard
took part in Napoleon’ s exile from Russia. The native of Tula noblemen general
Alexander Fyodorovich Shcherbatov ( 1772- 1817) ordered a regiment. Tula civil guardsmen
under his command bravely battled against Frenchmen and in war of 1813-1814 reached
capital of France – Paris.
The Tula province gave to a field army human and material reserves. Except usual recrute sets the set in a home guard was declared, and on Native Land protection rose about 15 thousand people. For internal protection were created the local home guards by number to 3,5 thousand people. Peasants entered the home guard mainly not only for protection of the Native land but also to get rid of the serfdom burden. Many noblemen evaded not only from participation in war but also from material expenses.
After the Russian army left Moscow measures on small arms factory evacuation to Izhevsk were taken. But Kutuzov decided to refrain to take out the factory. The commander – in – chief spoke: “ Campaign begins only now. We transfer war theatre, covering Tula and Kaluga”.
The huge contribution to achievement of Russian victory in war of 1812 was brought by the Tula armourers who even with big diligence continued to work. They increased manufacture of guns. Besides, the Tula masters let out a cold steel: sabres, daggers, swords, spears, and also pistols and many other things. Under Kutuzov’ s personal request in Tula it was made for armies about 1000 axes and 2000 iron shovels.
Merits of Tula citizens before the Native Land in a Patriotic War of 1812 cannot be buried in oblivion. With honour they fulfilled their patriotic duty.
