Mikhail Bogdanovich Barclay de Tolly: a brief biography, the main dates and events of his life

Until now, there are disputes about the exact place and time of birth of Michael Barclay de Tolly. This is due to the lack of sources affecting the very first period of life of the outstanding commander.

Origin

According to the official biography, which appears in most textbooks and reference books, Mikhail Bogdanovich was born on December 16, 1761. This happened in a small Lithuanian estate Pamushis. This territory belonged to the Duchy of Courland, which was sub-parental to the Commonwealth. In 1795, this region of Lithuania, together with the estate became part of Russia, according to the third section of Poland.

But long before that, my father took the child to the upbringing for relatives in St. Petersburg. Barclay de Tolly, whose nationality can be treated differently, had Norman-German roots. His ancestors moved to Riga from Germany. My grandfather was even the mayor of this city. The father of the future commander served in the Russian army and retired in the rank of lieutenant and received the status of nobility. In the family, the boy was called in German, Michael-Anders.

The beginning of military career

Barclay de Tolly, whose nationality did not prevent him from living in the Russian capital, received an excellent education, he knew several European languages. From the very childhood, he became interested in military theory. This is not surprising, because the child was brought up in the house of his uncle - Colonel Novotroitsky cuirassier regiment.

In 1776 the Pskov Carabinier Regiment accepted new cadets into its ranks. In their ranks there was also a young Barclay de Tolly. A brief biography of him says that the advancement of the young man in the service was proceeding at a rapid pace. In the Finnish Jaeger Corps, the newly minted captain became adjutant to General Viktor Amadeus Anhalt-Bernburg. It was a distant relative of Empress Catherine II.

In 1787, another war broke out with the Ottoman Empire, in which Barclay de Tolly took part. A brief biography of him included information about the assault on Ochakov, where the officer received a real battle hardening. For participation in it, MB Barclay de Tolly was awarded his first orders.

In 1789, the major took part in fierce battles with the Turks. At the same time Prince Anhalt-Bernubrsky, together with his adjutant, was transferred to the army of Finland. She was already fighting with might and main against the Swedes (the war of 1788-1790.). In one of the assaults, Viktor Amadeus was mortally wounded, after which MB Barclay de Tolly was transferred to the capital.

Then, in 1791, the officer married his cousin Elena. There were several children in their family, but only one son died not in infancy (Ernst).

Service under Alexander I

Barclay de Tolly, whose brief biography tells of numerous crossings, continued to faithfully serve the Russian army. In the 90 years of the 18th century he participated in the suppression of Polish uprisings led by Kosciuszko. At the end of the reign of Paul I, he became a major general.

At this time the Napoleonic Wars began. Young Emperor Alexander I joined another anti-French coalition. The campaign of 1805 found Mikhail Bogdanovich in the army of General Leonty Bennigsen. This formation did not manage to come to the rescue of the main parts of Kutuzov near Austerlitz. Therefore, Michael Barclay de Tolly returned to Russia, never seeing the crushing defeat of the Allied army.

The failure did not break Alexander's desire to defeat Napoleon. Literally a year later, the war began the fourth coalition, when Prussia attacked France, and eventually fell to Berlin. The Russian units went to the Germans for help.

In February 1807, Barclay de Tolly participated in the Battle of Preussisch-Eylau. Together with Bagration, he headed the rearguard of the Russian army, which was hit by the corps of Sult and Murat. Mikhail Bogdanovich was wounded in his right leg, after which he went to Memel for treatment.

Here in April of the same year he met with Alexander I, who at that time was trying to diplomatically soften the defeat of Napoleon. The officer first proposed to the emperor to use the scorched earth tactics. With her, the enemy cut off from his own rear with provisions and resources. At the same time the enemy had to act on the plundered and devoid of infrastructure territory. As it turned out in the future, it was this tactic that produced the result in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The Finnish War

According to the Tilsit world, Russia divided Europe with the zones of influence with France. This allowed Alexander to send the army to Finland to take it away from Sweden. Barclay de Tolly, whose brief biography included many campaigns, was sent to Kupio. His corps took this city and held an important point in spite of several assaults of the enemy.

After that, the officer with his Vassky Corps passed through the ice of the Kvarken Strait and took defenseless Swedish Umea. This confirmed the final victory of Russia.

Thanks to his successes, Barclay de Tolly became first Governor-General of Finland, and afterwards a military minister. His rapid takeoff could not please the envious, who saw in the opponent just an upstart. Especially since Michael had German roots, which did not suit him in the future.

Patriotic War of 1812

When Napoleon attacked Russia in 1812, Mikhail Bogdanovich commanded the First Western Army. He had to retreat in order to get the enemy into the country, where he would be weakened and cut off from his homeland. In Smolensk, he united with the army of Bagration, who soon began to accuse Barclay de Tolly of the inability to lead the army.

As a result, the general command was transferred to Mikhail Kutuzov. In the battle of Borodino, the officer led the right wing of the army. When the fate of the capital was decided, Barclay de Tolly was among those who voted to leave Moscow.

When there was a turning point, and the Russian army went on a counter-offensive, the commander received leave, including because many of his colleagues in the Winter Palace undeservedly criticized the "German."

Last years

After the Patriotic War, Barclay de Tolly participated in the foreign campaign. He visited many battles, including the "Battle of the Peoples" near Leipzig. For success and faithful service became Count and Field Marshal.

In 1818, the hero of our narrative asked for a vacation to German mineral waters in order to be cured. However, he did not manage to reach the goal and died on the road in East Prussia on May 14 (26). The Field Marshal was buried with all honors, and his ashes were buried in a family estate in the Baltic States. The first monument to Barclay de Tolly appeared already in 1823. At the expense of his widow was erected a mausoleum, which was looted during the Second World War.