Tsar's General Dukhonin: biography, death and interesting facts

During the Civil War, the Reds in various ways called the arbitrary death penalty, designating the execution. The official verdict to the execution sounded like "Shoot!". But there were other tacitly accepted phrases like "Send to the forefathers". And in the autumn of 1917, the phrase "Send to General Dukhonin's Staff" appeared. Let's find out who the general was, the headquarters of which the Bolsheviks were sending their victims.

Historical portrait

In the Russian Troubles of the 20th century, General Dukhonin played a very unusual role. In November 1917, Dukhonin was appointed Supreme Commander of the Russian Army. The Provisional Government, which put him on this post, was not there at that time. The newly-revealed Bolshevik power wanted to impose on the general the idea of concluding peace with Germany on absolutely unfavorable, shameful and capitulatory conditions for Russia. This could not afford General Dukhonin, whose biography illustrates his military nature.

The activity of Dukhonin in the autumn of 1917 at the Mogilev headquarters was recognized by historians as anti-popular and counter-revolutionary. The general is blamed for disobedience to the decisions of the Bolshevik government, to which the general, as well as the army, did not swear allegiance.

That, having fulfilled these decisions, General Dukhonin could actually disorganize the front, no one thought. The general was alone before the "army of political adventurers," who, using the collapse of power, intended to destroy the forces of the army and plunge the country into the anarchy of Bolshevism. The general's capabilities were very meager, but he did everything he could, for which he was eventually killed. Brave deeds and the desperate death of General Dukhonin give the right to call him a true patriot of Russia.

Childhood and Education

Nikolai Nikolaevich Dukhonin was born in the Smolensk province, December 13 (December 1 in the old style) in 1876, in the family of the nobles. In 1894, he completed his studies at the Vladimir Cadet Corps in the city of Kiev and went to Moscow to study at the 3rd Alexandrovsky School. After graduating from college in 1896, Dukhonin entered another military educational institution - the Academy of the General Staff. In 1902, he completed his studies at the academy, was promoted to the staff captain of the Guards and was immediately assigned to the General Staff.

The military career of Dukhonin developed very rapidly. Having beaten the censorship of the commander of the company and the battalion, in November 1904 he became the senior adjutant of the staff of the infantry division. In 1906, Nikolai Nikolayevich received the third degree of the Order of St. Stanislaus and St. Anne, and was appointed to the post of senior adjutant of the entire Kiev Military District. Upon his arrival in Kiev, Dukhonin married Natalia Werner - a beautiful and educated girl who was the daughter of an honorary Kyivan.

Carier start

In the autumn of 1908, Nikolai Nikolayevich began teaching several sciences at the Kiev Military School. In 1911 he was awarded the rank of colonel ahead of schedule. And in the autumn of 1912 Dukhonin again returned to headquarters, where he became a senior adjutant.

Nikolai Nikolaevich, since his training in military affairs, has developed good relations with General Alekseev, the chief of staff of the district. Cooperation and personal communication with Alekseev left an indelible mark in Nikolai Nikolayevich's memory. Alekseev, speaking of Dukhonin, noted the high level of his professionalism and staff culture.

In the summer of 1913, Colonel Dukhonin was offered a business trip for maneuvers of the Austro-Hungarian troops as an observer. At a time when Europe was intensively entering the First World War, and Austria-Hungary fell out as Russia's main enemy, this trip was more than important. Having successfully completed his assignment, the colonel received the Order of St. Vladimir of the fourth degree, and then the promotion in the Kiev military circle - the post of the head of the intelligence department.

World War I

When the First World War began, Dukhonina was appointed to the post of senior adjutant of the quartermaster-quarter general of the headquarters of the third army of the Kiev military district. The army, being part of the Southeast Front, took part in the Galicia battle, which took place from August 5 to September 8, 1914. Dukhonin's task was to supervise intelligence. With the obligations imposed on the colonel, he coped brilliantly. For the reconnaissance of 1914 at the fortress of Przemysl, the hero of our conversation received the Order of St. George of the fourth degree.

The young colonel did not sit at the headquarters, and in 1915 he insisted on his dispatch to the front line. So Dukhonin was appointed commander of the 165th Lutsk Infantry Regiment. Under his command, the regiment covered the retreat of the 42nd Infantry Division in battles near the village of Mokre ((Ukrainian name). For professional leadership and courage Dukhonin awarded the Order of St. George, now third degree. This award was very honorable, because the Order of the second degree for the entire period of the First World War received only four people.

In May 1916 Dukhonin became a quartermaster general of the headquarters of the Southwestern Front and a close assistant to General Brusilov, commander-in-chief of the front armies.

The February Revolution

To the events of the February Revolution, Nikolai Nikolaevich Dukhonin reacted calmly. He, being a reasonable person, understood that in the conditions of military operations not to obey the new government and arrange riots about the red bandages is senseless and impractical. Without repeating the experience of other generals (Miller and Keller), Dukhonin agreed to cooperate with the Provisional Government, positioning himself as a defender of the country, and not a representative of anyone's interests. As A. Kerensky wrote, Dukhonin was an outspoken and honest man who was far from political machinations. He, according to Kerensky, was one of those young officers who adopted the art of victory from Suvorov and Peter the Great, which, among other things, meant respectful attitude to subordinates.

In May 1917, General Nikolai Dukhonin headed the headquarters of the South-Western Front. In early August of the same year he became Lieutenant-General and Chief of Staff of the Western Front. On September 10, after General Alekseev had resigned, Dukhonin headed the headquarters of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Kerensky.

Here is what Lieutenant-General Denikin wrote about Dukhonin: "Kerensky and representatives of revolutionary democracy have found the very ideal they have been waiting for. He was a brave soldier and professional officer, who refused any political prejudices. " General Nikolai Dukhonin agreed to his role, obviously risking his own reputation, and later on with his life to save his native country, Denikin said.

The October Revolution

In early October General Dukhonin faithfully played the role of a "technical adviser", who undertook to protect the Provisional Government. By the order of Kerensky, Nikolai Nikolaevich transferred several strong military units to places of greatest tension. Later, the Bolsheviks succeeded in expanding all these parts.

When the October Uprising began in Petrograd, General Nikolai Dukhonin created a special group in Mogilev to coordinate events on the internal fronts. But to prevent the collapse of the army, which at that time reached its apogee, it was already impossible.

October 25, 1917 Dukhonin turned to the army, trying to remind her that duty to his homeland requires her complete self-control and calm, a lasting position on the positions and assistance to the government. He sent a telegram to Petrograd demanding that the Bolsheviks cease their actions immediately, abandon the armed seizure of power and obey the Provisional Government. Otherwise, according to him, the army will support this demand by force. In conditions when the army completely collapsed, and the Germans in the West use it, all that the general could do is send threatening telegrams.

On the night of November 26-27, when he learned that a "strong infantry detachment" was sent to Kerensky's disposal, General Dukhonin offered to confront them with "two reliable armored cars". As a result, the Bolshevik detachments easily and simply conquered the Winter Palace. On the morning of the 27th, Nikolai Nikolaevich sent a telegram to them with a request to stop their violent actions and submit to the Provisional Government. A few hours later, the Stavka, together with the army committees, decided to take measures to help Moscow. Failing to reach an agreement with the army committees, on the morning of October 29, Dukhonin telephoned to A. Kaledin and asked him about the possibility of sending a detachment of Don Cossacks to the capital to pacify the uprising in Moscow and further march to Petrograd. General Dukhonin did not wait to answer.

Position of Supreme Commander-in-Chief

When the campaign against Petrograd failed, on the night of November 1, Kerensky appointed Dukhonin the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, because of his departure to Petrograd. The general, informing the troops of his appointment, urged them to keep their positions. On November 1, Dukhonin received a letter from Kornilov, in which Lavr Georgievich reminded the general of the complexity of the task that fell on his shoulders and the need for decisive measures to organize the struggle against the coming anarchy.

General Nikolai Dukhonin understood that the main danger should be expected from the rear, and not from the front. He considered his commitment to support the Provisional Government as the only legitimate authority. Fearing to earn the reputation of the main culprit of the Civil War, he was limited in his actions. The High Command illustrated his attitude to the Civil War when he issued an order to stop the troops moving to Petrograd. Dukhonin counterposed the headquarters of Bolshevik power, but in fact he was left alone.

On November 7, the general of the tsarist army, Dukhonin, received an order from the Council of People's Commissars, according to which he had to turn to the leaders of the enemy armies and invite them to stop the hostilities and sit down at the negotiating table. At the same time, he was to transfer all the information from the talks to Smolny. When the Bolsheviks gave this order, they went against the general's opinion. Failure to comply with the order would mean that they have reason to recognize Dukhonin as their enemy, and therefore an enemy of the people.

Aware of the complexity of the situation, on November 8, the tsarist General Dukhonin spent the whole day thinking about this. As a result, he decided to buy time, taking advantage of the fact that the radiogram with the order was not drawn up according to the rules. Dukhonin telegraphed to the Minister of War that, in view of the special significance of the radiogram, he can not decide on its content, since there is no date and number on it.

Fatal call

The Bolsheviks did not like the mutiny of General Dukhonin. At night from November 8 to 9, the Council of People's Commissars in the person of Lenin, Stalin and Krylenko called Dukhoninin to clarify his position regarding the government order. The general began his answer by asking the people's commissars if the Allies agree to peace negotiations. Then he expressed his supposition that the Bolsheviks themselves can not negotiate with the allies, and therefore they need a representative of the central government. The commissars did not comment on the general's statements and simply asked him if he was ready to give an unambiguous answer to the order and execute the order.

General Nikolai Dukhonin refused to follow the Bolsheviks' instructions. As a result, he was fired. Since there was no one to replace Glavkoverha at first, he remained in his position while searching for a suitable candidate. Soon, in his place was to arrive ensign Krylenko.

After a night telephone conversation with the leaders of the Bolsheviks, General Nikolai Dukhonin concluded that the people's commissars, who are not particularly recognized, decided to try to negotiate through the commander-in-chief, endowed with legitimate military power.

Decree on the Accession of the Armistice

On November 10, information appeared that in Mogilev the Bolsheviks allowed the troops to independently enter into an armistice with the enemy, without obtaining the approval of the Stavka. The negotiations were allowed to join the elected bodies, starting with the regimental committees. And only in signing the armistice agreement, the government was obliged to take part. This was the first time in world history when such a practice of concluding a truce was applied. Upon learning of this, Dukhonin was greatly surprised. He saw in such a policy the triumph of anarchy and the complete collapse of statehood. The general did not submit to the decision of the Council of People's Commissars, despite the fact that they were recognized by one army after another.

On November 13, the new Chief Commander Krylenko arrived in Dvinsk, where the Fifth Army of the Northern Front was stationed. The next day, his representatives entered into negotiations with the German command, violating Russia's allied obligations. On November 15, Dukhonin unequivocally declared that before the final victory over the German bloc he would do everything to Russia to fulfill its duty to the allies.

Nevertheless, General Nikolai Nikolaevich Dukhonin understood that the days of the Stavka were numbered. In a conversation with General Shcherbachev, he asked the latter to assume the responsibilities of the Commander-in-Chief if anything happened to him himself. In response, Shcherbachev recommended Dukhonin to relocate Stavka to Kiev. There at that time the Central Rada was in power, which did not recognize the Soviet government. The same thing Nikolai Nikolaevich advised Lieutenant-General Lukomsky.

Eventually, on November 18, Stavka employees began to leave her, but the general himself remained. When he learned that an armored train with revolutionaries was going to Mogilev, he realized that the fate of the Stavka was already predetermined. The next day, when the commanders of the advanced battalions gathered to stand up for GHQ, Dukhonin ordered them to leave the city. He did not want a fratricidal war. On the night of November 20, the general sent his representatives to Bykhov to liberate General Kornilov and his associates. Everything went well, and this night they left the city. The very same General Nikolai Dukhonin did not intend to flee. He admitted that he would be arrested or even shot, but what happened next, surpassed even the most terrible predictions.

The death of General Dukhonin

On November 20, General Krylenko arrived in Mogilev to receive the post of Chief Commander from Dukhonin. Nikolai Nikolayevich decided not to wait for Krylenko in the empty building of the Stavka, where he could at any time become a victim of a soldier's lynch. When he was dressed in civilian clothes, he went to the station to hand things over to his "successor", but the latter went to the city. Then Nikolai Nikolayevich went to the train commandant to wait for Krylenko. Half an hour later, the news that Dukhonin is sitting in the train car quickly dispersed around the station. Soon a crowd of armed people gathered around the car, the fervor of which could only be cooled by the appearance of Krylenko himself. However, not for long.

General Dukhonin, whose photo is not of good quality, introduced himself and tried to talk to his successor, but he did not listen to him. All attention Krylenko was focused on the unbridled crowd, who wanted to take revenge on Dukhonin. Some sailors even got into the car and unceremoniously pushed Krylenko, trying to curb them, to the side. When the situation completely escaped control, Dukhonin went out to the crowd and said: "You wanted to see General Dukhonin? I'm in front of you. I went out to ... ". The general did not give a speech. He was hit with a bayonet in the back and thrown off the car. Brutally tearing the body of the general, the sailors went to the city to kill his wife. When the crowd burst into the general's apartment, his wife was not at home. Natalia Vladimirovna was in the church where her friend found her. After telling about how General Dukhonin was killed, Natalia hid her friend at home.

Later, AI Denikin, who was not a fan of Dukhonin's revolutionary predilections, but owed him his life, said that Nikolai Nikolayevich was an honest man who was aware of the essence of the soldier's duty in the face of the enemy. "But among all these revolutionary contradictions, Nikolai hopelessly got confused," - summed up Denikin.

By November 21, the situation in Mogilev had normalized. Krylenko was able to stop lynching and establish the protection of the most important facilities. By his orders, Dukhonin's corpse was laid in a coffin and moved to the station building. In the morning Natalia Vladimirovna went there under guard. A representative of the new Chief Commander led her to the coffin and offered condolences on behalf of Krylenko. The general himself never appeared to the widow. There is another version, according to which the body of Dukhonin was bought by his wife from the disheveled sailors, delivered to Kiev and buried in one and local cemeteries. That's how his story was completed by General Dukhonin. The grave of Nikolai Nikolaevich since 1934 is on the Lukyanovka cemetery in the city of Kiev.

It only remains to add that on November 21, in the city of Brest-Litovsk, negotiations began for the Bolsheviks to conclude the Brest Peace, which could not be called otherwise shameful. The last nominal, but quite inconvenient obstacle in the person of General Dukhonin was physically eliminated.

Conclusion

General Dukhonin, whose biography became the subject of our conversation, is one of the most tragic figures of the Russian Troubles of the 20th century. He shows how difficult it is to be a real protector of the homeland - honest and unshakable. The phrase "The dispatch to the headquarters of General Dukhonin" was associated with a shameful death at the hands of the raging crowd of convinced avengers. But did Dukhonin himself feel disgraced by going on his last journey?