Russian, Georgian General against Napoleon
Bagration came from a long line of Georgian royalty known as the Bagrations, who ruled over Georgia for nearly 900 years. Peter's ancestors included many monarchs and influential statesmen. However, there is limited information available about Bagration's early life.
He was born in 1765 in Kizlyar, located in Dagestan in the Northern Caucasus. His father, Ivan Bagrationi, served as a Colonel in the Russian army, but despite their royal lineage, the family lacked powerful patrons or wealth.
Bagration spent several years in the Caucasus, taking part in campaigns from 1783 to 1786. His bravery and courage as a soldier earned him recognition, and he prepared himself for the challenges of military life. He later participated in the siege of the Turkish fortress Ochakov in 1788 and the Polish campaign of 1794, where he played a role in the capture of Warsaw. Bagration did not receive a formal education but instead learned through his experiences in the field. He steadily rose through the ranks, starting as a sergeant and eventually becoming a captain in 1792. He then advanced to the positions of second major, premier-major, and lieutenant-colonel in 1794.
In 1798, Bagration was promoted to the rank of colonel, and the following year he became a major-general. His talents were acknowledged by the renowned Field Marshal Aleksandr Suvorov, whom he accompanied in the successful Italian and Swiss campaigns of 1799. Bagration gained particular recognition for his swift capture of the town of Brescia. Suvorov admired Bagration's fierce style of warfare and developed a fondness for him, often referring to him as 'Prince Peter' (pronounced 'Knyaz Pyotra') and consistently showing him respect and trust. Bagration was renowned for his ability to remain calm in the most perilous situations and for consistently making rational decisions, all while displaying great personal bravery.
Bagration's accomplishments during the campaign against Napoleon in 1805 were even more remarkable. With a small rearguard, he successfully defended against repeated attacks from French forces that outnumbered his own fivefold (Battle of Hollabrunn, November 16, 1805). Despite losing half of his men, Bagration's actions secured the retreat of the main army under Kutuzov. In the famous battle of Austerlitz (December 2, 1805), Bagration fought against the left wing of the French army led by Murat and Lannes. He displayed resolute and unwavering courage in the battles of Eylau (February 7, 1807), Heilsberg (June 11, 1807), and Friedland (June 14, 1807). Bagration's bravery at Friedland earned him a golden sword adorned with diamonds, inscribed with the words 'For bravery.'
During the Patriotic War of 1812, Bagration commanded the 2nd Western Army, successfully evading Napoleon's encircling maneuvers and achieving minor victories at Mir and Romanovo. He outmaneuvered French Marshal Nicholas Davout at Moghilev and, despite tense relations, joined forces with the other Russian army under Mikhail Barclay de Tolly at Smolensk on August 3. Bagration accurately perceived Napoleon's plans and effectively defended Smolensk on August 15-16. His strong opposition to the retreat, which involved sacrificing land for time, ultimately led to the dismissal of Barclay de Tolly and the appointment of Mikhail Kutuzov as the Commander-in-Chief.
On September 7, Bagration commanded the Russian left flank in the decisive battle of Borodino and valiantly defended the earthwork fortifications known as 'Bagration's fleches' against French attacks. The French managed to briefly seize control of the fleches twice, but were twice repelled. During the second enemy attack, Bagration personally led his troops in a counter-attack and was wounded by a shell fragment in his left leg, marking the fourth time he had been wounded in his military career.
Unfortunately, the wound became infected, and Bagration passed away on September 24, 1812, in the village of Simy in the Vladimir region. He was initially buried at a local church, but in August 1839, his remains were transferred to the Borodino battlefield, where they remain to this day. Although the grave was destroyed during World War II, it has since been restored.
Napoleon's Russian enemy
In 1768, a series of victories in Poland propelled him up the ranks and earned him a reputation as a daring and unconventional tactician. In 1773, Suvorov fought against the Turks in what became known as the First Turkish War. His remarkable victories over the Turkish army established him as a brilliant field commander and an extraordinary leader. However, he also proved to be a stubborn subordinate, often acting on his own initiative. Suvorov was tried and sentenced to death for unauthorized actions against the Turks, but the Empress did not uphold the verdict, famously stating that winners cannot be judged.
In 1787, Suvorov assumed command in the Second Turkish War. He achieved several impressive victories, with one of the most notable being the storming of the Izmail fortress on the Danube River in December 1790. Izmail was considered unconquerable, and its capture by the Russian forces was seen as Suvorov's military masterpiece and the key to Russia's triumph in the war, elevating him to glory.
In 1794, Suvorov was called upon to suppress a Polish revolt. In a swift and victorious campaign, culminating in the storming of Warsaw, he crushed Polish resistance. He became known as a ruthless and brutal commander throughout Europe but was awarded the title of Field Marshal in his homeland. Legend has it that he informed Catherine of the victory in a brief note: "Hurrah from Warsaw, Suvorov." The Empress responded with an equally concise message, announcing his promotion: "Congratulations, Field Marshal. Catherine."
Suvorov was a man of unwavering character, bravery, and strict self-discipline, and he was adored by his soldiers. He trained his army according to his own innovative ideas, which he detailed in his renowned book "The Science of Victory." His approach to warfare emphasized speed, mobility, accurate firepower, the use of bayonets, meticulous planning, and careful strategy. Instead of relying on drills, he communicated his ideas to the troops in a clear and understandable manner. Suvorov also prioritized the supply lines and living conditions of his army, significantly reducing instances of illness among his soldiers.
In 1799, Suvorov was sent to drive Napoleon's forces out of Italy and took command of the Austro-Russian army. After a triumphant campaign in Italy, he planned to march on Paris but was instead ordered to remove the French from Switzerland, where Russian forces were already stationed. However, the army he was supposed to join was defeated before he could reach them. Blocked by the French, he withdrew his troops. Although his strategic retreat through the Alps while fending off the French resulted in the loss of one-third of his army, it earned him admiration throughout Europe and the prestigious rank of Generalissimo. He became the fourth and final holder of this title in pre-revolutionary Russia, until Josef Stalin was proclaimed Generalissimo of the Soviet Union.
The Tsar eventually grew tired of the war and recalled Russia's armies from Europe, leading to Suvorov falling out of favor once again. The hero's welcome he was supposed to receive in St. Petersburg as the newly promoted Generalissimo was canceled. Exhausted and ill, the old veteran passed away on May 18, 1800. He was buried in St. Petersburg, with his grave simply stating, "Here lies Suvorov."
Suvorov left behind a Russia with expanded borders, renewed military prestige, and a legacy of theories on the art of war.
The Russian Partisan against the French Usurper
Denis Vasilyevich Davydov, a Russian poet, military historian, and theorist, was born into a noble family. His father led a light cavalry regiment under the renowned Russian commander Aleksandr Suvorov. Despite not fitting the typical physical requirements for a horse guardsman due to his short stature, Davydov managed to join the horse guard and eventually became a banner-bearer in a cavalry guard regiment. He diligently studied military art and war history, receiving guidance from a former French major. In 1808, Davydov fought in the Finnish War alongside division commander Bagration. By the start of the 1812 Russian-French war, he had risen to the rank of lieutenant colonel, commanding a battalion in Bagration's Second Western Army. During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Davydov participated in defensive combat and requested permission from Bagration to lead guerilla raids on the French forces' rear areas before the Battle of Borodino.
Davydov's guerrilla tactics involved avoiding direct confrontation, using surprise, changing the direction of attack, and targeting the enemy's weak points. His close ties to the common people aided the Hussar guerrilla in his raids, with peasants serving as scouts and guides. Initially mistaken for French soldiers due to the similarity in uniforms, Davydov ordered his men to dress as peasants, adopting a simple appearance himself with a beard and a small icon of Saint Nicholas on his chest.
His success led commander Aleksandr Kutuzov to see the value in guerrilla warfare, which Davydov further developed. One of his notable achievements was the capture of two thousand French soldiers at Lyakhovo. Despite his military prowess, Davydov was known for his compassion, never executing prisoners and urging his men to treat surrendered enemies humanely.
In 1813, Davydov's squad joined adjutant-general Ferdinand of Wintzingerode's corps, and he later commanded the Akhtyrskiy Hussar regiment in Blücher's Army of Silesia, earning a promotion to major general for his battlefield achievements. He led the Hussar brigade into Paris and was later appointed brigade commander in the First Dragoon Division in 1815.
After retiring following the Polish campaign, Davydov settled in his wife Sofya Chirkova's estate in Verkhnyaya Maza, where he focused on literary pursuits, raising his children, and managing the estate. He passed away in 1839 at the age of 54 and was laid to rest on his property.
