To understand what a general is from infantry, the dignity of this rank, it is necessary to explain what infantry itself is. This word, coming from a foreign language, means infantry or infantry army. The Russian army was made up of artillery, infantry and cavalry. Until 1796, the rank of general from fortification and the general of artillery was in the army.
High military rank
General from infantry - this phrase meant in pre-revolutionary Russia the highest rank in the infantry. In the Table of Ranks, he ranks between Field Marshal and Lieutenant General. The rite was introduced in 1699 and lasted the entire remaining imperial period. From 1763 to 1796 it was canceled, then reintroduced by Emperor Paul I. This military rank, which corresponds to the civilian "Privy Councilor", refers to the ranks, canceled by history. Kornilov L.G. , Yudenich N.N., Wrangel A.E. - the last White Guard officers, who wore the title "General of Infantry."
Famous carriers
Of the well-known historical figures, Ermolov A.P. and General M.I. All the legendary generals of the war of 1812 were foot soldiers: this was the magnificent M. B. Barclay de Tolly, and the strategist P. I. Bagration, and the victorious M. I. Kutuzov. Heroic deeds became famous in that war and the general from infantry Dmitry Dokhturov. which was elevated to this rank in 1810. The personification of all the best that the concept of “Russian officer” contains, Dokhturov D. S. before the Russian-French company was awarded the highest domestic and foreign awards. Among them - the Golden Epee and the Epee with Diamonds, he was awarded almost all significant orders of the Russian Empire, even Prussia awarded him the title of Knight of the Order of the Red Eagle.
The best representatives of the nobility
The founder of the clan, Dokhturov Kirill Ivanovich, arrived in Russia from Constantinople during the time of Ivan the Terrible. This noble family name is included in the genealogy books of 3 provinces: Oryol, Tula and Ryazan. The future general Dokhturov was the son of Sergei Dokhturov, who retired with the rank of captain of the life guard of the famous Preobrazhensky regiment. The future general from infantry received a military education at the highest class educational institution - Page of His Imperial Majesty Corps. He began serving with the rank of lieutenant, the Life Guardsman of the elite Semenovsky regiment - this was in 1781. In 1784 he became a lieutenant-captain, in 1788 - a captain.
Brilliant career
For being wounded, he did not leave the battlefield in the battle between Sweden and Russia near the fortified city of Rochensalm, and later near Vyborg, he was awarded the Golden Sword. He always showed miracles of courage and military talent, but especially D.S. Dokhturov distinguished himself after the Napoleonic invasion. Having escaped from the encirclement, the general from infantry Dokhturov took command of the 6th Infantry Corps on himself, passing 60 miles a day, broke away violently
pursued by the French. His corps united with the First Army, whose commander was Barclay de Tolly. On his instructions, D.S. Dokhturov led the defense of Smolensk and fought back 10 hours from the brutal attacks of the French, thus giving the main forces the opportunity to withdraw to Moscow. In the famous battle of Borodino, under his command was the center of the Russian army. After wounding Bagration, the general from the infantry Dokhturov assumed the role of commander of the Second Army, defending the left wing with
bagration flushes. He firmly established himself in position, bringing the troops upset after Bagration’s wound to the battle formation. In the report, M.I. Kutuzov noted the continued firmness of D.S. Dokhturov and the fact that he, having assumed the command, further did not surrender a centimeter of his positions.
From victory to victory
This brilliant and fearless general distinguished himself from the infantry in the battle near the village of Tarutin, where the Russians fought with the army of Murat. Dokhturov also commanded the center. But his most important merit in the campaign of 1812 was the defense of Maloyaroslavets. The fact is that Napoleon’s troops mercilessly plundered and ruined everything that was located along the Smolensk road, along which they went to Moscow. The French had to retreat in a different way. And, heroically defending Maloyaroslavets for a day and a half, the brilliant Russian general from infantry Dmitry Sergeyevich Dokhturov did everything to direct Napoleon to the legendary Smolensk road, the retreat along which finished an invincible army. "Smolensk road" has become a common noun and means a humiliating and complete defeat. For the battle near Maloyaroslavets, Dmitry Dokhturov was honored to become a knight of the Order of St. George of the second class. The Russian hero was distinguished in all subsequent battles with Napoleon:
- near Dresden;
- "Battle of the Nations" near Leipzig ;
- siege of Magdeburg and Hamburg.
After many wounds received, the general left for treatment in Bohemia in 1814, but in 1815, during his second campaign against France, he returned and commanded a significant part of the Russian army (the right wing).
Married Dokhturov D.S. was on the sister of
Prince Obolensky, a representative of one of the best Russian families. Numerous injuries could not but affect the general’s health, and, having retired after the French company, he died when he arrived in Moscow. Obviously, the hardships of the road affected. The hero was buried in the monastery of the Moscow Patriarchate - Ascension David Desert.