Rumyantsev Zadunaysky Petr Aleksandrovich short biography. Brilliant victories of the Russian army under the leadership of P. A. Rumyantsev over the Turkish-Tatar troops: the battles of Ryabaya Mogila and Large. Family, early years

Studying the life and legacy of one of the greatest commanders of Russia, we groan: what a troubled youth he was! You can't find another example like this...

Today, few people remember Field Marshal Rumyantsev by sight. A dignified official of ancient times is looking at us from the portrait - and schoolchildren are unlikely to unmistakably recognize the Kagul hero in this hulk with glowing eyes. And Cahul is not a household word these days, although you can’t erase this brilliant victory from school textbooks.

Cities are not named after Rumyantsev. You won’t believe it, but not a single postage stamp or commemorative coin has yet been issued with the image of the great commander! None! Do descendants really underestimate Rumyantsev? Of course, the great commander was not forgotten in the army. Rumyantsev’s traditions have not been erased: Russians even today know how to fight fearlessly and steadfastly. But we attribute many of Rumyantsev’s undertakings and even aphorisms to his great student, Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov. During his lifetime, Rumyantsev was considered the darling of fate: ranks and titles came to him in his young years, and Suvorov waited a painfully long time for his turn. But in the context of history, Count Rymniksky turned out to be luckier than Count Transdanubia. Thank God, we still recognize him by sight!

You rarely hear the name Rumyantsev in the “ratings” of outstanding Russian politicians. For some reason, the “Silver Age” of Russian capital is in fashion here, which turned out to be the death throes of the empire. And we have forgotten the times of successful expansion, the times of victories. There is something painful in the constant prominence of such “outstanding” commanders as Denikin or Frunze, such managers as Witte or Stolypin. No doubt, they are bright personalities, but what do we get by focusing on catastrophic times?

And the commander began with noisy parties.

In the biography of Rumyantsev, the historian Bantysh-Kamensky could not help but write about the youthful antics of the future commander: “He surpassed his comrades in daring, passionately loved the fair sex and was loved by women, knew no obstacles and often, surrounded by soldiers, in view of them triumphed over the unyielding, trained the battalion , in the costume of our ancestor, in front of the house of one jealous husband; paid the other a double fine for the insult caused and on the same day exercised his right, saying that he could not complain, because he had already received satisfaction in advance! Rumyantsev’s pranks, brought to the Highest attention, forced Empress Elisaveta Petrovna, in respect of the merits of Count Alexander Ivanovich, to send the culprit to him so that he, like a father, would punish him.” What!

Yes, the field marshal’s youth was stormy, with eccentric shades. He was deservedly known as a wit, a rake, a reveler, and a sinner. Always tipsy, every evening I looked out for another beauty for a brief acquaintance...

The father could not cope with his violent son. They tried to teach him in Europe, and then in the St. Petersburg Cadet Corps. But everywhere young Rumyantsev brought teachers to white heat with his behavior. The whole of St. Petersburg was gossiping about the “exploits” of the mischievous man, and the Empress herself tried to re-educate him. And the father seriously threatened with a parental curse, and one day - as a completely plausible legend says - he took and flogged his wayward son. But Pyotr Alexandrovich could not overcome his own frivolous disposition. At the same time, his military career developed quite quickly: at first, thanks to the merits of his father...

And so in 1756 the Seven Years' War began, the main hero of which was P.A. Rumyantsev, who began the campaign of 1756 with the rank of major general, very high for his young years. When he had to measure his strength with Frederick the Great, Rumyantsev changed.

With a brigade of cavalrymen, the general occupies Tilsit. Finally, on August 19, 1757, the hour of battle struck in East Prussia at Gross-Jägersdorf. It was not easy to fight the Prussian army, the strongest in the world. Russian troops under the leadership of Field Marshal Stepan Apraksin outnumbered the enemy: 55 thousand against 28. On the left bank of the Pregel River, Prussian Field Marshal Lewald attacked the Russian troops, who seemed to be stuck in a swamp. But the army stood firm against the attacks of the Prussian cuirassiers. Rumyantsev's brigade, consisting of the combined Grenadier, Troitsky, Voronezh and Novgorod regiments, entered into action a little later - with an initiative, unexpected counterattack. “These fresh regiments did not hesitate for long, but fired a volley, shouting “Hurray!” rushed straight to the bayonet against the enemies, and this decided our fate and brought about the desired change,” writes A. Bolotov. This attack decided the outcome of the battle - the first victory over the impeccable Prussian military mechanism.

Apraksin’s report said: “There were more than six hundred people captured, including eight chief officers, but many of the wounded had already died. There were more than 300 deserters, whose number, without a doubt, will increase, because every hour they are brought from the forests with light troops and are with them in the camp...” But the field marshal, who missed the opportunity to pursue and finish off the enemy, did not gain fame. Moreover, he was put on trial and soon died while under investigation.

Gross-Jägersdorf was followed by Zorndorf and Kunersdorf, glorious battles for the Russian army. On August 1, 1759, the positions of Rumyantsev’s division at the height of Big Spitz were attacked more than once. Under artillery fire, the heavy cavalry of F. Seydlitz, the favorite of Frederick the Great, advanced on the Russians. Rumyantsev found the moment for a quick bayonet counterattack, which overturned the attacking Prussians. The general himself led the division on the offensive - and the Prussians fled from the battlefield. On that day, the invincible Frederick lost his cocked hat in a panic, which is still kept in the Hermitage as a valuable military trophy. For Kunersdorf, Pyotr Alexandrovich was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky, and his fame became truly national, at least all-army.

Rumyantsev skillfully combines mobile squares with loose formations of rangers - and this unexpected maneuver becomes the key to victory. In many ways, he anticipates the style of commanders of a later time - revolutionary wars. Light formations of rangers are an effective innovation of Rumyantsev.

It was 1761 that marked the use of battalion columns in military history to inflict a quick crushing blow on the enemy. This happened during the capture of Kolobrzeg (Kolberg). In August, Rumyantsev's corps captured the Prussian camp, driving back the troops of the Prince of Württemberg and began a successful siege of the fortress. The Battle of Kolberg broke the hegemony of linear tactics in the history of European wars. Rumyantsev's loose formation amazed the enemy, and in a certain sense, to surprise means to win. Near Turtukai, Suvorov will repeat the teacher’s tactics and send a report of victory to Rumyantsev, his commander.

Kolberg fell in December. Soon Empress Elizabeth died, and her successor Peter III performed the “miracle of the House of Brandenburg”, saving Prussia, emerging from the victorious war. Rumyantsev was showered with awards, and at the age of 36 he was promoted to general-in-chief: the new emperor saw him as a commander in the proposed war with Denmark. But the emperor was killed, and the war did not take place. The age of Catherine was beginning, and it did not begin very promisingly for Rumyantsev. The fact is that the experienced diplomat Rumyantsev was in no hurry to take the oath to the Empress, wanting to make sure of the death of Peter III. For a long time, Catherine and her first influential “eagles” could not forgive him for this delay. But soon Rumyantsev, remaining in military service, became the Governor-General of Little Russia. He was able to finally destroy the remnants of independence in this strategically important and vast area.

Catherine’s first Russian-Turkish war of 1768 – 1774 is rightly called Rumyantsev’s. Until the summer of 1770 Chief General Rumyantsev clears Valichia from the Turks, occupies Zhurzha, and in the summer the loudest victories begin.

The year 1770 became a time of real military miracles for Rumyantsev. Ryabaya Mogila, Larga, Cahul - victories that Suvorov looked up to. Victories that made both the Ottoman port and Europe more respect and fear Russia. The left bank of the lower Danube was occupied, and the numerous armies of the Turks were scattered. How could you not appreciate such a general? He confirmed the brilliant reputation of the Seven Years' War.

At Kagul, Rumyantsev’s troops (38 thousand soldiers, 149 guns) were opposed by the Turkish army of the Grand Vizier Khalil Pasha (150 thousand soldiers, 150 guns). Success, as we know, was achieved thanks to the skillful concentration of the main forces in the direction of the main attack - against the enemy’s left flank. Rumyantsev skillfully maneuvered, surprising his adversaries. At a critical moment, when the formation wavered after an unexpected counterattack by selected Janissaries, Rumyantsev rushed into battle with the words: “Now the matter has come to us.” History remembers his words addressed to the retreating soldiers: “Stop, guys!” And the soldiers restored formation, repelled the attack, inspired by the general. On the shores of Cahul, Rumyantsev's fame was increased tenfold. In the report, the winner wrote to the empress: “Your Imperial Majesty’s army has never waged a battle with the Turks that was so cruel, nor so small in strength, as it was on this day... With the action of their artillery and rifle fire, and especially with a friendly reception, they hit our brave soldiers with bayonets We used the Turkish sword and fire with all our might and prevailed over it.” Rumyantsev knew how to write beautifully, with rhetorical figures and noble aphorisms! One must think that the empress was able to appreciate the subtleties of the style: “May I be allowed, most gracious empress, to liken this action to the affairs of the ancient Romans in that in which Your Imperial Majesty ordered me to imitate their example; Isn’t that what Your Majesty’s army does, too: it doesn’t ask how big the enemy is, but looks for where it is.”

Catherine immediately reported new victories and the heroism of Count Rumyantsev in letters to Voltaire; she could not help but be proud...

Frederick the Great, who appreciated the power of Rumyantsev’s blow in the Seven Years’ War (then, after Kunersdorf, Frederick’s apocryphal saying went from mouth to mouth in Europe: “Fear the dog - Rumyantsev. All other Russian military leaders are not dangerous”), after the Danube victories he wrote to the Russian count: “ The complete victory that you won over the Turkish army brings you all the more glory because its success was the fruit of your courage, prudence and activity.”

It was not only military ingenuity and will that made Rumyantsev famous. He turned into a sage, into a teacher.

This parable says a lot: “Having become commander of the army, Rumyantsev began to eradicate lordship, laziness and indiscipline. Robes, nightcaps, women of easy virtue - all this was resolutely expelled from the officer environment, although violators were still encountered in the Rumyantsev army. The commander gave one of them a good lesson. At night, shortly before dawn, he discovered the major in a robe and cap. The major tried to escape, but did not have time, and Rumyantsev, taking him by the arm, escorted him to his tent, talking amicably with the intruder on the most civil topics. Over time, headquarters officers appeared in the tent, and the major died of shame, realizing how obscene he looked in their company. Rumyantsev, meanwhile, gave him tea and only then let him go without making any remark.

There is reason to believe that this major did not allow himself such sybaritic habits in the future.”

Politician

The former scoundrel turned out to be a shrewd politician and diplomat.

Any empire has enough geopolitical contradictions; unifying all areas of a vast state is always difficult. But Catherine stubbornly strove for German order... How should she treat the Little Russians? The Orthodox people are undoubtedly related to the Russians, with common historical roots. Fragmentation and Tatar pressure once interrupted the common fate of the Russian Slavic tribes. Catherine knew the history of Kievan Rus quite well; she even wrote a play about the legendary Rurik, our first prince. A very remarkable play! The Empress felt the need for a state-forming mythology. She is not the first, she is not the last. But few monarchs found time to create historiosophical concepts or, especially, mysteries.

“Little Russia, Livonia and Finland are provinces that are ruled by privileges confirmed by them, and to violate them by suddenly abdicating everyone would be very indecent; however, to call them foreigners and to treat them on the same basis is more than a mistake, but can truly be called stupidity. These provinces, including Smolensk, must be brought to the point in the easiest ways so that they become Russified and stop looking like wolves in the forest. This attack is very easy if reasonable people are elected in those provinces; when there is no hetman in Little Russia, then we must try to ensure that the name of the hetman disappears, not just that a person has been promoted,” Catherine wrote to Prosecutor General Vyazemsky. Rumyantsev also received similar instructions (very detailed and thorough).

“The instructions given to Count Pyotr Rumyantsev upon his appointment as Little Russian Governor-General” prescribed the following: “First of all, you must know the province entrusted to you in all its details and for this purpose have a correct map in such detail that regiments, cities, towns, villages , villages, farmsteads, latrines and monasteries, deserts, factories and all sorts of settlements, also rivers, lakes, swamps, forests, arable land, steppes, roadways and as adjacent internal borders with Great Russian and Novorossiysk provinces, as state the border with Poland and the Turkish region was marked in it. In addition to such a general map of the entire Little Russian province, you need to have various special ones... From such maps, plans and drawings, a book compiled can soon be made...” It was ordered to pay special attention to “the great fertility of the land there, and on the contrary, about the direct arrangement of this, the general negligence of farmers also deserves your special note. Farmers consider their labor to be an abundant reward, when they can only from one summer to the next increase their necessary content and temporarily satisfy their hunger for drunkenness; the majority of the landowners, in almost equal proportions, following idleness and negligence of the rules, do not take advantage, as they should, of their fertile lands and many other benefits of the favorable climate there... various products can be used for circulation in both domestic and foreign trade...”

The lengthy instructions especially emphasized the selfish role of the notorious Little Russian foreman, who tried to incite hatred of the empire (or even simply of the Russians) among the common people. “And how that hatred is especially noticeable in the elders there,” the empress emphasized, “who, fearing to ever see the limits of their lawless and selfish willfulness, focus it more on the common people, frightening them first with insensitivity, and over time with the complete loss of their rights and freedom, then there is no doubt that during the current change in their rule they will not secretly aggravate their cunning, that the suppression of previous disorders and the establishment of better institutions will not be consistent with their whims and their own self-interest.”

The instructions were not in vain. Rumyantsev will have to weigh the qualities and habits of different social strata of Little Russia on pharmacy scales for a long time.

What was Little Russia like in 1764? It bore little resemblance to familiar modern Ukraine. There were no hard boundaries. The Cossacks - once warlike - were experiencing difficult days. The village did not prosper, although, perhaps, it did not lag behind the provinces of central Russia. Rumyantsev knew Ukraine well, loved this region, but hated the main local drawback - looseness.

The commander immediately identified the first problem of the local Cossacks and peasantry: drunkenness. It is the root of poverty and backwardness, not to mention laxity.

For twenty years Rumyantsev was the owner of the land of Little Russia - longer than Vladimir Shcherbitsky headed the Communist Party of Ukraine. It was under Rumyantsev that Little Russia began to be perceived not as the outskirts of the empire. The contradictions between the Ukrainian and St. Petersburg elites were smoothed out. People from the Little Russian nobility played increasingly important roles in the life of the empire.

Autumn of the Commander

Rumyantsev acted at a time that was not the most popular for memoirs, but some literary memories of him remain. More interesting than others are the notes of A.F. Lanzheron. “Field Marshal Count Pyotr Rumyantsev is, without any doubt, the most brilliant of all Russian generals; This is a person gifted with great virtues. He has a very serious and very extensive education, high intelligence, amazing memory, sound judgment, great firmness and the art of inspiring respect. This last advantage he owes as much to his deliberate and polite firmness as to his open and majestic appearance and his refined manners. I don’t know a person with whom a conversation would be more interesting and attractive. I happened to spend entire days with him alone, and I never experienced a single moment of fatigue or boredom.”

The memory of the glorious commander is also preserved in soldiers’ songs, which echo distantly from the 18th century:

We can't leave it

So as not to glorify Rumyantsev:

Count Rumyantsev is our father:

We will weave a crown for him

From your own hearts, brothers!

At the end of his life, Count Rumyantsev settled on his estate Tashan, near Kiev. There he built a palace, but chose only two rooms for his personal residence. They visited the Temple more often than in previous years.

His favorite pastime was reading books. Affectionately patting the roots, he said: “These are my teachers.”

Every now and then he dressed in simple clothes and, perched on a log, caught fish.

One day, visitors came to him from afar; they found an old man with a fishing rod in the garden and turned to Rumyantsev with a question: where could they see the famous count? Rumyantsev answered affectionately:

"Here he is. Our job is to capture the city and catch fish.”

The Rumyantsev Palace was richly decorated, but in some rooms there were simple oak tables and chairs. On this occasion he used to say:

“If magnificent rooms inspire me with the idea that I am superior to any other person, then let these simple chairs remind me that I am a simple person like everyone else.” Rumyantsev came to such wise humility after his wild youth and combat youth...

The epitaph on the elegant tombstone by I. Martos turned out to be solemn: “Listen, Ross! Before you is the coffin of Transdanubia! And for a long time he had little interest in the windy worldly glory...

Childhood and youth of P. A. Rumyantsev

Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev was born in Moscow on January 4, 1725, shortly before the death of Peter the Great, after whom he was named. The father of the future commander is General-in-Chief A. I. Rumyantsev. Mother Maria Andreevna, representative of the noble and wealthy Matveev family. Peter was the third child in the family. Since his father was often absent from work, his mother was initially involved in his upbringing, who, unlike many Russian aristocrats of that time, was a well-educated woman. Pyotr Rumyantsev grew up as a healthy and inquisitive child beyond his years. He was five years old when he first saw his father, who had been away for a long time on official business.

In the sixth year of his life, Pyotr Rumyantsev enlisted as a soldier. Listed, like other noble children, on the regimental lists, Peter calmly continued to live in his parents' house, awaiting his coming of age.

Obviously not wanting to see his only son dressed in a military uniform, the father asked Biron to send Peter to the diplomatic representative of Russia - Brackley in Berlin. At the end of August 1739, a royal rescript was received, which stated: “... condescending to the request of General Rumyantsev, his son is sent as a nobleman of the embassy so that you keep him with you and use him both in your office for writing, and in other cases show him the cases so that he was taught in languages ​​and other sciences he needed from good masters and was able to achieve art, so that in the future he would be usefully used in our service.” On the eve of his departure, Peter unequivocally stated that he would achieve his return at any cost. And indeed, soon reports from the discouraged trustee went to St. Petersburg about his “laziness, bullying and wastefulness.” (1, p. 8) To which young Rumyantsev added: “He has no inclination towards the civil rank and training in it, but wants to be a soldier, which, in his converted opinion, knows or teaches nothing, except for what belongs to the soldier’s business.” , unnecessary."

After his son returned to the capital, A. I. Rumyantsev firmly decided to place Peter in a closed educational institution. Such an institution was the Gentry Land Cadet Corps. Let's go to the source:

Her Imperial Majesty ordered General Rumyantsov's son, Pyotr Rumyantsov, to be assigned to the Cadets Corps and to have a special strong eye on him and his actions.

Andrey Osterman

Prince Alexey of Cherkassk."

Pyotr Rumyantsev’s enrollment in the cadet corps took place quickly, without any delays, but in compliance with all formalities existing at that time. He was sixteen years old at this time. Tall and broad-shouldered beyond his years, the young man attracted everyone's attention both with his height and expressive facial features. The snub nose, cockily raised upward, clearly hinted at the qualities of his character.

After a free and carefree life abroad, young Rumyantsev especially felt the strict regime of the corps, determined by strict regulations.

In accordance with established rules, Rumyantsev was given government uniforms. A beautiful dark green cloth caftan with a red set-back collar and wide cuffs of the same color should have suited a tall and stately young man. The outfit was complemented by cream-colored trousers and a camisole.

Despite his fifteen years, Pyotr Rumyantsev managed to see a lot of beautiful edged weapons. He also wore a breech blunt sword with a copper hilt intertwined with black wire, in a leather sheath, also black with a copper tip.

During his brief training in the cadet corps, Rumyantsev did not lose hope of finding an opportunity to leave this educational institution for a free life. Absolutely everything here oppressed him. Rumyantsev constantly felt increased attention to himself from the corps authorities, although most likely he did not know about the order to have his “strong supervision” over him and his actions.

In accordance with existing rules, Pyotr Rumyantsev had to be examined for the first time in mid-September 1740. The version that by that time he allegedly left the building without permission is not yet confirmed by any documents. Probably, Rumyantsev not only continued to remain on the list of cadets, but was also still in the corps itself. Pyotr Rumyantsev should not have had any serious reasons for being exempt from compulsory exams.

Pyotr Rumyantsev managed to part with the corps, which was later proud of its outstanding pet, only after extraordinary events occurred in the capital that caused a change in power.

From captain straight to colonel

Taking advantage of the patronage of B. Kh. Minich, in October 1740 Rumyantsev was promoted to second lieutenant of the Voronezh infantry regiment and was soon sent to the army of Finland. The young man was seventeen years old, and this was his first war in his life. Rumyantsev took part in the Russian-Swedish war of 1741-1743 and was in the ranks of the Russian army under his father. Lieutenant Pyotr Rumyantsev, who participated in clashes with the enemy, was awarded the rank of captain and given a company three weeks after the Battle of Wilmanstrad. He distinguished himself in the capture of Helsingfors.

Active participation in hostilities against the Swedes was a very instructive experience for Rumyantsev Jr. However, military service had not yet captured him so much that for the sake of it he could sacrifice other interests and entertainment. In those days, Pyotr Rumyantsev was little different from the overwhelming majority of young people in his circle. He still lacked seriousness and the ability to concentrate on one thing, the most important thing for himself.

After Russian troops occupied Helsingfors, Pyotr Rumyantsev became his father’s aide-de-camp. All this time, Alexander Ivanovich was haunted by the desire to speed up his son’s career advancement. A suitable reason was needed. (5, p. 48) In 1743, at the age of nineteen, his father was sent to St. Petersburg from Abov with a peace treaty. Empress Elizaveta Petrovna was pleased with the cessation of hostilities with Sweden and significant acquisitions that she promoted young Rumyantsev directly to colonel. The letter solemnly presented to Pyotr Rumyantsev, sealed with a large state wax seal and personally signed by Elizaveta Petrovna, stated: “... to our colonels... we bestow all mercy...”. In addition, he received the Voronezh Infantry Regiment. In 1744, Elizaveta Petrovna granted Rumyantsev, the eldest, the dignity of a count for the Abo Peace Treaty.

What was the future hero of Russia doing at that time? He surpassed his comrades in daring, passionately loved the fair sex and was loved by women, knew no obstacles and often, surrounded by soldiers, triumphed over the adamant in their sight. And then he trained a battalion in the costume of our ancestor in front of the house of one jealous husband; paid the other a double fine for the insult caused and on the same day exercised his right, saying that he could not complain, because he had already received satisfaction! Rumyantsev's displays, brought to the attention of the Empress, forced Elizaveta Petrovna, in respect of the merits of Count Alexander Ivanovich, to send the culprit to him so that he, like a father, would punish him. His parents threatened to renounce, and his father wrote: “It came to me: either sew up my ears and not hear your bad deeds, or renounce you...”.

In 1748, a cherished parental dream came true - Rumyantsev married Princess E.M. Golitsyna. The marriage was unsuccessful, and a few years later Rumyantsev broke off relations with his family.

In 1748, Rumyantsev took part in the glorious campaign of Russian troops on the Rhine. This campaign greatly contributed to the end of the War of the Austrian Succession of 1740–1748. However, they did not have to participate on the side of Austria in hostilities against the French army. After the death of his father in 1749, he took possession of all the property and got rid of his frivolous behavior.

Participation of P. A. Rumyantsev in the Seven Years' War of 1756 - 1763.

Russia took an active part in the Seven Years' War with Prussia from 1756 to 1763. The strengthened Prussia under Frederick II put increasing pressure on its neighbors, striving for territorial conquests. A threat has arisen to Russia's interests. Therefore, the right of Elizabeth Petrovna joined the alliance of France and Austria directed against Prussia. During the Seven Years' War, the allies looked at each other with suspicion, entered into protracted bickering, and acted inconsistently, pursuing only their own goals. Russia made the greatest contribution to the fight against Prussia.

The outbreak of the Seven Years' War was seen by Rumyantsev as a personal opportunity. With the rank of major general, he becomes a noticeable participant in events, beginning his ascent with prosaic rear work.

As part of the Russian troops under the command of S. F. Apraksin, he arrived in Courland in 1757. On August 19 (30), he distinguished himself in the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf. He was entrusted with the leadership of a reserve of four infantry regiments - Grenadier, Troitsky, Voronezh and Novgorod - which was located on the other side of the forest bordering the Jägersdorf field. The battle continued with varying success, and when the Russian right flank began to retreat under the attacks of the Prussians, Rumyantsev, without orders, on his own initiative, threw his fresh reserve against the left flank of the Prussian infantry. (2, p. 711) But the initiative was not complained about by the senior military leadership, and the successes of Pyotr Alexandrovich were kept silent.

A. T. Bolotov, who took part in this battle, later wrote about this: “These fresh regiments did not hesitate for long, but having fired a volley, with a cry of “Hurray” they rushed straight to the bayonets against the enemies, and this decided our fate and made the desired change.” One of the foreign observers, who gave an apt and impartial assessment of the Russian army of that time, spoke rather flatteringly about Rumyantsev: “... A young gentleman, who, however, tried excessively to make himself fit for service and who really has a lot of extraordinary theoretical knowledge in this service and, in a word, , their most skillful general... but I find that in all his undertakings he is ardent and has no moderation at all.”

Thus, Rumyantsev’s initiative determined the turning point in the battle and the victory of the Russian troops. The 1757 campaign ended here and the Russian army was withdrawn beyond the Neman. The following year, Rumyantsev was awarded the rank of lieutenant general and headed the division.

In January 1758, the columns of Saltykov and Rumyantsev (30,000) set out on a new campaign and occupied Königsberg, and then the whole of East Prussia. In the summer, Rumyantsev's cavalry (4,000 sabers) covered the maneuvers of Russian troops in Prussia, and its actions were considered exemplary. Rumyantsev did not take a direct part in the Battle of Zorndorf, but after the battle, covering Fermor’s retreat to Pomerania, 20 dismounted dragoon and horse-grenadier squadrons of Rumyantsev’s detachment detained the 20,000-strong Prussian corps at Pass Krug for the whole day.

In August 1759, Rumyantsev and his division took part in the Battle of Kunersdorf. The division was located in the center of Russian positions, at the height of the Big Spitz. It was one that became one of the main objects of attack by the Prussian troops after they crushed the Russian left flank. Rumyantsev's division, however, despite heavy artillery shelling and the onslaught of Seydlitz's heavy cavalry (the best forces of the Prussians), repulsed numerous attacks and launched a bayonet counterattack, which Rumyantsev personally led. This blow drove Frederick's army back, and it began to retreat, pursued by cavalry. During his flight, Frederick lost his cocked hat, which is now kept in the State Hermitage. The Prussian troops suffered heavy losses, including the destruction of Seydlitz's cavalry. The Battle of Kunersdorf put Rumyantsev among the best commanders of the Russian army, for which he was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky.

The last major event of the Seven Years' War in which Rumyantsev participated was the siege and capture of Kolberg. On August 5, 1761, Rumyantsev with 18 thousand Russian troops, separately from the rest of them, approached Kolberg and attacked the fortified camp of the Prince of Württemberg (12 thousand people), which covered the approaches to the city. By capturing the camp, Rumyantsev began the siege of Kolberg. The Baltic Fleet assisted him in the blockade of the city. The siege lasted 4 months and ended on December 5 (16) with the surrender of the garrison. During this time, the besiegers faced a large number of difficulties due to the significant power of the fortress’s defense and the Prussian partisans operating in the Russian rear. During these 4 months, the Russian Military Council decided three times to lift the blockade, the same recommendation was given by the commander-in-chief of the Russian troops A. Buturlin, and only the inflexible position of Rumyantsev made it possible to bring it to the end. After the victory, 3,000 prisoners, 20 banners, and 173 guns were taken. The siege of Kolberg was also the last military success of the entire Russian army in the Seven Years' War. During the siege of Kolberg, for the first time in the history of Russian military art, elements of the tactical system “column - loose formation” were used.

The Seven Years' War had a huge impact on the future fate of Rumyantsev, predetermining his further career growth. After her, they started talking about Rumyantsev as a commander of the European level. Here he showed himself to be a talented military leader, here he put into practice his ideas on the development of tactics and command and control, which would then form the basis of his works on the art of war and his further victories. During this war, on the initiative of Rumyantsev, a strategy of mobile warfare was successfully implemented, during which the emphasis was placed not on the siege and capture of fortresses as before, but on waging a high-speed maneuverable war. In the future, this strategy was brilliantly developed by the great Russian commanders Suvorov and Kutuzov.

After the Seven Years' War, when General Rumyantsev was just approaching St. Petersburg, he expected to see the capital plunged into deep mourning over the death of Elizaveta Petrovna. However, he was wrong. Many had the impression that the “Sad Commission” created for her funeral did not even think about it.

The funeral took place on February 5, 1762. Many years later, Rumyantsev recalled his visit to the “Sad Hall” in the wooden Winter Palace: “I have never seen the dead up close. On the battlefield, my gaze quickly slid over the corpses of the dead with which it was strewn; I thought I could see on their faces a smile of self-satisfaction from the fact that they died a glorious death. When the body of Empress Elizabeth was displayed on the ceremonial hearse, and my duty and the rules of etiquette called me there along with others, my eyes darkened and filled with tears, my heart sank with grief, and I no longer remember how I got out of the doors.

On February 9, 1762, P. A. Rumyantsev, by a personal decree of Peter III, was granted “full general of infantry.” He became a general-in-chief and could now command a large group of troops. On February 16, by personal decree, Pyotr Alexandrovich received an honorary appointment - to be the chief of the Nevsky Infantry Regiment. However, Peter III easily changed his decisions. A week later, he took this regiment away from Rumyantsev and appointed him chief of another. The decree of February 23 said: “... the general - to chief Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev, instead of Nevsky, the third grenadier regiment of infantry.” At the same time, Rumyantsev received two orders one after another. At first he was awarded the Holstein Order of St. Anna, established by the father of Peter III in memory of his wife and daughter of Peter I Anna. And on the eve of Pyotr Fedorovich Rumyantsev’s birthday, he was awarded the highest order of the Russian Empire - the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

On February 18, 1762, Peter III signed the manifesto “On the granting of liberty and freedom to the entire Russian Nobility.”

Rumyantsev, who, according to contemporaries, loved to carefully study legal documents, not only familiarized himself with the manifesto, but studied it most carefully. He remembered all the most important provisions so much that he could later quote them from memory.

On February 25, 1762, Rumyantsev received a secret rescript. It contained a strict order to prepare the troops subordinate to him “for a well-known purpose,” namely, to prepare the Pomeranian Corps for military action against Denmark for the seizure of Holstein.

But the coup on June 28, 1762 again changed Rumyantsev’s plans - he received orders from Empress Catherine II to immediately return to Russia. Seeing mistrust in this, he asks to resign. Through the mediation of her mother-countess and G.G. Orlov, the empress managed to persuade the popular military leader to return. At court he gained a reputation as an arrogant and decisive man.

Although he later became an active promoter of the empress’s new course, his relations with her were predominantly of an official nature. Catherine II knew how to use other people's abilities and merits, but did not favor straightforwardness and independence. Later she admitted that “Count P. A. Rumyantsev - Zadunaisky has military virtues, is not double-minded, and is brave in mind, not in heart,” but the distance between them, which sometimes reached the point of emphasized rejection, remained forever.

Rumyantsev did not remain idle for long. In November 1764, he was appointed president of the Little Russian Collegium, as well as the Little Russian Governor-General, and he was sent to his new place of service.

Devoting a lot of effort to fulfilling the duties of an administrator of a vast region, Rumyantsev at the same time did not stop thinking like a military man for a single day or for a single hour. Strengthening Russia's military power and strengthening its borders continued to be one of his primary tasks.

Rumyantsev General - Governor of Little Russia

The last weeks of Rumyantsev’s stay in St. Petersburg before leaving for Ukraine were filled with troubles regarding the affairs of his future service. He took with him books on many branches of knowledge, including agriculture. Finally, having made his last visits and received a farewell audience from Catherine II on December 21, 1764, Pyotr Alexandrovich left St. Petersburg.

By sending Peter Alexandrovich from St. Petersburg with an honorary appointment, Catherine solved two problems for herself at once: she sent a talented organizer and a capable commander to Ukraine and removed from the capital a person whom she did not want to see here. Before leaving, Rumyantsev received instructions signed by the Cabinet - Minister Privy Councilor A.V. Olsufiev, a member of the Cadet Corps, and approved by Catherine, who personally took part in the preparation of this document. It emphasized that “Russia not only has no income from this fertile and populous country (Little Russia), but is also forced to send there 48 thousand rubles annually.”

When Rumyantsev arrived in Ukraine, he launched active activities there, which, although they had a pronounced class character, were ultimately useful, because they contributed to the development of the economy and culture of the region, the unity of the Russian and Ukrainian peoples in the face of foreign aggression.

On April 20, 1765, he sent his first report on the state of affairs in Little Russia to St. Petersburg. It was not easy for the new administrator in Ukraine. But Pyotr Alexandrovich quickly found his bearings in the new conditions. In addition to the assistants brought from St. Petersburg, he had under his command several gifted young people who had received their education in Ukraine.

Unbeknownst to himself, Rumyantsev became so imbued with love for Ukrainian speech, music and everything that made up the local culture that subsequently, while in St. Petersburg, he did not leave a single Ukrainian unattended.

In 1765, Pyotr Aleksandrovich, on behalf of the Little Russian Collegium, issued a decree on the establishment in the region of a new Little Russian horse mail for the needs of state and private ones. He also strived to open new educational institutions. From St. Petersburg, Rumyantsev received more and more new orders and instructions. Thus, under the Decree of May 31, 1765, he received similar instructions on how to grow “earth apples, called potetes,” that is, potatoes. Twelve pounds were placed in the state cellar. Imagine Pyotr Alexandrovich’s surprise and disappointment when it turned out that most of the earthen apples there were frozen. Only 2 pounds were suitable for landing. These potatoes, the first in Ukraine, were distributed to everyone who expressed a desire to start growing them.

In the fall of 1765, Catherine demanded that Rumyantsev come to St. Petersburg. The commander arrived in St. Petersburg in the first ten days of February 1766. On the way, he fell ill and fell ill immediately upon arrival in the capital. Rumyantsev’s health either improved, then suddenly worsened again. He didn’t go out or go anywhere for a long time. At the beginning of May 1766, Rumyantsev felt ill again, but did not give up his work. While in the capital, he did not stop leading the Little Russian General Governorate. Pyotr Alexandrovich was sent to St. Petersburg a lot of papers on which decisions had to be made.

The commander left the capital at the beginning of 1767. Leaving St. Petersburg, he could hardly imagine that in the near future he would send there not reports on the state of affairs in Ukraine, but reports on the progress of military operations and the victories of Russian troops over the troops of the Sublime Porte - Turkey.

In the meantime, messages about the orders and instructions issued by the Little Russian Collegium were regularly sent to St. Petersburg. So, only in 1768 the following instructions were sent out throughout Ukraine: “On taking measures against drunkenness - a vice so vile, from which the greatest evil deeds flow,” “On various resellers,” “On the prohibition in the city from robbing passing people, or doing anything to them.” or oppression, to arbitrarily seek satisfaction in claims, as well as to stop all sorts of disorder in the courts and various abuses in the promotion of employees to ranks.” The titles of these documents convincingly speak of Rumyantsev’s desire to strengthen organization and order in the institutions of Ukraine, which was supposed to help improve its economic and military situation.

The conqueror of Kohlberg justified the choice of the wise monarch; he got rid of abuses in public places, instilled in young Little Russians a love for regular service, which they had previously shunned. With his strict justice, he destroyed the fear and distrust harbored by the residents of that region towards the Great Russian troops, eased the various duties of the people under his control and paid special attention to the preservation of state estates through economic improvement: under him, the Military Regulations were introduced in Little Russia (1768) and provided to the local residents regarding civil matters, be guided by the Statute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The last pages of the commander's life (1791-1796)

Retiring into peaceful solitude, engaged in agriculture, the conqueror of the Turks spoke affectionately with his villagers, and recalled the days of past glory in the circle of retired soldiers. Loving reading, even in the noise of military storms, he then devoted most of the day to it. “Here are my teachers,” said Rumyantsev, pointing to the books. Often, in simple clothes, sitting on a stump, he fished. One day, curious visitors who came to look at the hero could not distinguish him from others. “Here he is,” Rumyantsev told them affectionately. “Our job is to captivate cities and catch fish.” In his house, richly decorated, there were oak chairs. “If magnificent rooms,” he told his entourage, “instill in me the idea that I am higher than any of you, then let these simple chairs remind me that I am the same person as you.”

At the end of 1791, news of Potemkin's death reached Rumyantsev; the generous hero could not resist tears. “Why are you surprised? - he told his family. “Potemkin was my rival, but Russia lost a great man in him, and the fatherland lost its most zealous son.”

After Potemkin's death, it seemed that the commander's apparent disgrace was coming to an end. On the day of the celebration of the Peace of Iasi concluded with Turkey that same year, Rumyantsev “for occupying part of Moldova at the beginning of the war” was awarded a sword sprinkled with diamonds. However, nothing changed in the commander's position.

In 1794, official St. Petersburg’s attitude towards Rumyantsev changed. On May 16, 1794, P. A. Rumyantsev was appointed commander-in-chief of the troops located over a vast area from the mouth of the Dnieper to the borders of the Minsk province. (5, p. 220) Catherine wrote to him in her own hand: “I heard about the better state of your health now, I was delighted and wish you , so that it gives you new strength to share my burdens with me, for you yourself know how much the Fatherland remembers you, always keeping your merits unforgettably in its heart; You also know how much the entire army loves you and how much it will rejoice when it hears that the adored Belisarius is again accepting them as his children into his care.”

Pyotr Alexandrovich was placed at the head of the Russian troops operating in Poland. However, he himself did not go anywhere, but sent army units there under the command of Chief General A.V. Suvorov. Now Suvorov’s victories, due to the government’s changed attitude towards Rumyantsev, were completely transferred to the old commander.

The Empress died on November 6, 1796. Paul I, who replaced his deceased mother on the throne, persistently invited Rumyantsev to St. Petersburg. He knew that Catherine did not like the commander, and this raised Rumyantsev in his eyes. He granted the field marshal the rank of colonel of the horse guards, which was perceived by everyone as a very high reward.

Rumyantsev died on December 8, 1796 in front of the corps commander, Lieutenant General S.S. Apraksin. While Pyotr Alexandrovich was resting at his bureau, leaning his head on his left hand, an apoplectic stroke took away his entire right side; he lost his tongue, but retained his sight. His secretary, who had just left him, did not notice anything and sat down next to him in his place, but after a while, seeing that he was not moving or speaking, he guessed the reason and shouted for help. For fourteen whole hours he remained in his place, letting him know with his left hand and eyes that he should not be given any assistance or carried to his bed; it seemed that he expected death where it struck him first. Finally, when his strength left him, he had to be moved to bed. Despite the measures taken by doctors, Rumyantsev died. In memory of the commander, three days of mourning were declared for the Russian army. The body of the late field marshal, accompanied by General S. SS Apraksin, was delivered to Kyiv with military honors. Here, access to it was open for 8 days. The commander was buried in one of the churches of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra.



The founder of Russian military doctrine was Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev. Always and first of all looking at the root of the matter, he understood the originality of Russia and all the differences between the Russian and European military systems - the difference that flowed from this originality.

In the era of domination throughout Europe of soulless Prussian theories, formalism and automatic - “fukhtelny” - training, Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev was the first to put forward moral principles as the basis for the education of troops, and he separated education, moral training from “physical” training. The 60s and 70s of the 18th century are rightly called the “Rumyantsev” period in the history of the Russian army, a period of brilliant victories for the most advanced army in the world.

The future commander was born in 1725. His father was Alexander Ivanovich Rumyantsev, one of the associates of Peter I, and his mother was Maria Andreevna, the granddaughter of the famous boyar Matveev. In his sixth year, the boy was enrolled as a soldier in the guard, and then the training began.

His teacher was the Ukrainian teacher Timofey Mikhailovich Senyutovich, who took a course at the Chernigov “collegium” and then studied “different languages ​​in foreign lands.” In 1739, young Pyotr Rumyantsev was sent to Berlin to acquire diplomatic service skills at the Russian embassy. However, he did not so much study in the capital of Prussia as lead a wild life.

In 1740, Rumyantsev entered the Noble Land Cadet Corps, but studied there for only four months. An ardent young man, free from his father’s care (A.I. Rumyantsev then headed the embassy in Constantinople) could not bear the monotony of his activities.

However, he did not remain ignorant, for he was constantly engaged in self-education and was very fond of reading books. Later, pointing to books, he repeatedly said: “These are my teachers.”

During the Russian-Swedish war of 1741–1743, Rumyantsev was in the active army and already had the rank of captain. The war ended with the signing of a peace treaty with Sweden in Abo, beneficial for Russia.

The Russian delegation at the negotiations was headed by Alexander Ivanovich, who sent his son to the capital with the text of a peace treaty. Empress Elizaveta Petrovna was so pleased with the cessation of hostilities that she granted her father the dignity of count and promoted her son to colonel.

The colonel was only 19 years old. He stood out for his daring, was a favorite of women and knew no bounds in his pranks. The adventures of Pyotr Rumyantsev became known to the empress, and she sent the culprit to his father for paternal indoctrination. Chief General Rumyantsev decided that Colonel Rumyantsev would benefit from the rod. The lesson, apparently, turned out to be timely.

Pyotr Rumyantsev met the Seven Years' War (1756–1763) as a major general, from which time his ascent to the heights of military glory began.

Russian soldiers and officers were afraid of the Prussians, for the army of Frederick the Great was rightly considered the strongest in Europe. In August 1757, Russian and Prussian troops met in the battle of Gross-Jägernsdorf. Rumyantsev, who led the vanguard infantry, led the soldiers in a bayonet attack and decided the fate of the battle in favor of the Russians.

The first victory had the most beneficial effect on the soldiers. She showed that the Prussians could be beaten.

The Russian cavalry also distinguished itself, providing invaluable support to the infantry throughout the war. Her training turned out to be excellent both on horseback and on foot. During the withdrawal of Russian troops after the battle of Zorndorf to Pomerania, twenty dismounted dragoon and horse-grenadier squadrons of Rumyantsev’s detachment detained the twenty-thousand-strong Prussian corps at Pass Krug for the whole day.

Dragoon training (the ability to operate on foot) and the presence of horse artillery made the Russian cavalry capable of doing things that no foreign cavalry could do. Lieutenant General Rumyantsev proved himself to be a wonderful cavalry commander.

However, he received independent command only in 1761, when he led a 24,000-strong corps that besieged the city of Kolberg. Despite the order of Field Marshal Buturlin to stop the siege due to the onset of cold weather, Pyotr Alexandrovich took the fortress on December 5: 2903 prisoners, 146 guns, 20 banners became trophies of that day.

Under Peter III, Rumyantsev became a full general, holder of the Order of St. Anna and St. Andrew the First-Called. The emperor appointed him commander-in-chief of the army sent to Holstein for the war with Denmark.

Rumyantsev was preparing for new victories, but a coup took place in the capital, and Catherine II ascended the throne. The chief general did not swear allegiance to her until he was convinced of Peter’s death. For two years after that he remained out of work.

In 1764, the Empress appointed Rumyantsev Governor-General of Little Russia, giving him the task of helping to eliminate Ukrainian autonomy. In 1765, he traveled all over Ukraine, and on his initiative a population census was conducted. The general fully justified the choice of the monarch: he decisively eliminated the abuses of officials, and with strict justice gradually won the trust of the Ukrainian population.

In 1768, the war with Turkey began. Catherine II appointed Rumyantsev commander of the 2nd Army, which was tasked with protecting the borders from attacks by the Crimean Tatars. The 1st Army was commanded by Prince A.M. Golitsyn, but he acted too cautiously. The Empress was dissatisfied and on September 16, 1769, replaced him with Rumyantsev.

Arriving at the 1st Army at the end of October, the new commander began to restore order. In winter, the troops were actively engaged in combat training. The plan for the 1770 campaign was drawn up by Rumyantsev himself, who obtained from the empress non-interference in his actions. He believed it was necessary to act offensively and energetically. The first decisive battle took place on July 7 on the Larga River. Pyotr Aleksandrovich, having 25 thousand soldiers, attacked the 55 thousand-strong Turkish-Tatar corps at dawn and put the enemy to flight. The Crimean Khan with his cavalry fled to Lake Yaltukh, where he stood until the end of the campaign, inactive.

The victory won over a ten times stronger enemy at Cahul on July 21 glorified the name of Rumyantsev even more.

The Russian army attacked the Turks in three columns and overthrew their crowds. However, a sudden counterattack by 10 thousand Janissaries who attacked the division of General Plemyannikov was almost successful.

Rumyantsev personally rushed into the fray, and his thunderous “Stop, guys!” saved the situation. The destruction of the Janissaries ended the defeat of the Turkish army.

Vizier Moldavanchi, who commanded the army, fled, the Tatar khan followed his example. The Turkish army lost 20 thousand killed and wounded, over 2000 prisoners, up to 300 banners and badges, 203 guns. Russian losses amounted to 960 people. The pursuit of the retreating forces was carried out energetically.

The cavalry vanguard of General Bauer overtook the Turks at the crossing of the Danube and near Kartal finished off the frustrated hordes, capturing the rest of the artillery (150 guns).

Having crossed the Danube, the vizier was able to gather only 10 thousand people from the entire 150,000-strong army.

After this victory, the fate of the war was decided, but it lasted another three years due to the persistence of the Sultan. The Turkish army was never able to recover from the Cahul defeat. P. A. Rumyantsev followed on the heels of the enemy and successively occupied Izmail, Kiliya, Akkerman, Brailov, Isakcha, and Bendery.

In 1771, he moved hostilities beyond the Danube, and in 1773, successful battles of Russian troops continued. However, the year ended with generally no results.

In 1774, Rumyantsev with a 50,000-strong army opposed the 150,000-strong Turkish army, which concentrated on the heights near Shumla.

The Russian commander with part of his army bypassed the Turkish camp, cut off the vizier's communication with Andrianople, and captured artillery and convoys.

Panic began in the Turkish army. The vizier spoke of peace and accepted all the conditions dictated to him by the winner. So on July 10, the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi peace was concluded.

Count Rumyantsev received the field marshal's baton, the title of Transdanubian, and other awards.

His victories were immortalized by obelisk monuments in St. Petersburg and Tsarskoe Selo. Catherine II wanted the commander to enter Moscow on a triumphal chariot through the triumphal gates, but the field marshal refused.

Further, Field Marshal Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky again ruled Little Russia and contributed to the introduction of all-Russian orders there. During the Russian-Turkish War of 1787–1791, he commanded the 2nd Army, came into conflict with Commander-in-Chief G. A. Potemkin and actually resigned from command.

In 1794, he was nominally listed as the commander of the army operating against Poland, but due to illness he did not leave the estate.

Rumyantsev died in 1796.

The activities of Field Marshal P. A. Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky largely determined the development of Russian military art in the second half of the 18th century.

For the first time, he used battalion columns for maneuvering on the battlefield and attack; he created light battalions that operated in loose formation. This meant the birth of a new tactic.

The generalship of Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev was characterized by the use of mobile squares, skillful alternation of frontal and flank attacks, the creation and use of tactical reserves, and the organization of interaction between military branches.

The field marshal paid great attention to the material support and education of soldiers. He outlined his ideas in a number of works published in the 60s and 70s of the 18th century.

It is no coincidence that when Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky visited Berlin, all the generals and officers of the Prussian General Staff came to him with hats in hands - “with respect and congratulations,” and the elderly Frederick the Great himself personally commanded a training exercise at the Potsdam training ground in honor of the Russian field marshal , representing the Battle of Cahul.

Military encyclopedic lexicon,

Vol. XI. St. Petersburg, 1856

Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky Pyotr Aleksandrovich - count, son of General-in-Chief Count Alexander Ivanovich, Field Marshal of the Russian troops and holder of the orders: St. Andrew the First-Called, St. George I degree, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. Vladimir; St. Anne and the Prussian Black Eagle, born in 1725.

Enlisted in military service in his sixth year, he studied first in the village, under the supervision of his parent; in 1736 he was sent to Little Russia, and from there he went, in 1739, to Prussia, where he was assigned to our embassy to acquire the necessary knowledge in the diplomatic field.

The following year, returning to his fatherland, he entered the Gentile Land Corps, but the ardent young man could not submit to monotonous activities and after four months, leaving the corps, he entered active military service.

Rumyantsev rose quickly: in 1743, he was already a captain and brought a peace treaty from Abo to Empress Elizabeth Petrovna, which ended the war with Sweden and delivered significant acquisitions to Russia. The Empress promoted the nineteen-year-old captain directly to colonel.

In 1748, Rumyantsev took part in the campaign of the Russian auxiliary corps under the command of Prince Repnin to Franconia; in 1757, already with the rank of major general, he was in the army operating against Frederick the Great. From here begins a series of famous exploits of our commander: in July of the same year, Tilsit surrendered to him; in 1758 he was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed commander of a separate corps, about which he defeated the enemy in various skirmishes; in 1759, during the battle of Kunnersdorf, commanding the center of the Russian army, he contributed to the defeat of Frederick the Great together with the Austrian general Laudon and put the enemy cavalry to flight, for which he was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky; after this brilliant victory, the commander-in-chief, Count Saltykov, used Rumyantsev in various negotiations with the Austrian Field Marshal Daun; in 1761, leading a separate corps of twenty-four thousand, he besieged Kolberg and forced it to surrender on December 5.

Peter III promoted Rumyantsev to general-in-chief in 1762 and awarded him a knight of the Order of St. Anne and St. Andrew the First-Called. After the end of the war with Prussia, Peter III decided to return his ancestral property from Denmark - Holstein. Rumyantsev was elected commander-in-chief of the army intended to carry out this plan; but at the very time when he was preparing to begin military operations, the emperor suddenly died, and his wife, Great Catherine, ascended to the throne of All Russia; she immediately canceled the intended trip.

In 1764, the Empress entrusted Count Peter Alexandrovich with the administration of Little Russia, naming him the president of the local board, the main commander of the Little Russian and Zaporozhye Cossacks and the head of the Ukrainian division.

The conqueror of Kolberg justified the trust of the wise monarch: Little Russia prospered under his rule; he destroyed the abuses that had crept into public places; with strict justice, he destroyed the fear and mistrust that the inhabitants of that region had towards the Great Russian troops, and gave the people under his control various benefits and the right to be guided in civil affairs by the statute of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

At the beginning of the war with the Ottoman Porte, Catherine summoned Rumyantsev to lead the 2nd army in the field, entrusting the 1st to Prince Golitsyn.

As soon as Rumyantsev learned about Golitsyn’s retreat from Khotin to the left bank of the Dniester, he immediately crossed the Dnieper in order to entertain the forces of the numerous enemy coming from across the Danube under the leadership of the Supreme Vizier with this movement.

The Empress, dissatisfied with Golitsyn's slowness and not knowing that he had meanwhile managed to defeat the Turks and capture Khotin in Iasi, replaced him with Rumyantsev. On September 16, 1769, he took command of the 1st Army and soon cleared Wallachia of the enemy. Neither winter nor pestilence weakened the courage of the Russians: in 1770 they captured Zhurzha and defeated the Muslims at all points; On June 17, Rumyantsev put the 20,000-strong Turkish corps to flight near Ryaba Mogila, and on July 7 he won a complete victory across the Larga River. The Empress awarded him the Order of George, 1st class.

But all these victories were only a harbinger of the Cahul triumph. On July 21, thunder struck on the shores of Lake Cahula, and its roar was heard at all ends of Europe, elevating Rumyantsev to the ranks of the first commanders of the 18th century. 17 thousand Russians utterly defeated 150 thousand infidels. The rank of field marshal was the reward of this famous feat.

In 1771, the victorious Russian eagles appeared beyond the Danube for the first time; Our troops cleared both banks of this majestic river from the Turks and occupied Izmail, Kiliya, Bendery, Akkerman and Brailov.

In 1772, peace negotiations were opened in Focsani and Bucharest, but ended without the desired success. In 1773, Weisman, Potemkin and Suvorov fought the enemy in different places with new glory for Russian weapons.

Meanwhile, Rumyantsev besieged Silistria, repeatedly defeated numerous enemies and scattered their camp, but could not take possession of the fortress, having only 23 thousand people under arms, tired of labor and continuous battles. The attempt to conquer Varna also failed, and Rumyantsev took the army to the left bank of the Danube. The following year, the theater of war was again moved to Bulgaria. The vizier withdrew more than 150 thousand troops against 30 thousand Russians, but, avoiding a general battle, located his camp on the heights of Shumla. The Cahul hero with part of his army bypassed the Turkish camp and cut off the vizier's communication with Adrianople. The Turks were horrified, refused to obey their superiors, and the vizier, seeing the inevitable death of his army, agreed to peace.

All the conditions proposed by Rumyantsev were accepted according to the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi Treaty, concluded on July 10. Russia received Azov with its region, was given free navigation in the Black Sea and through the Dardanelles, and on top of that many other benefits and 4 million 500 thousand rubles for military expenses.

Great were the services rendered to the Fatherland by Rumyantsev, but the rewards he received from the just empress were no less brilliant. On July 10, 1775, on the day of the triumph of peace, the Empress granted Count Peter Alexandrovich the title of Transdanubia, a letter describing his victories, a field marshal's baton, laurel and olive wreaths decorated with diamonds, and the same cross and star of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called; gave a village in Belarus of 5 thousand souls, 100 thousand rubles from the office to build a house, silver table service and paintings for decorating the rooms.

Not limited to these bounties, Catherine, wanting to distinguish Rumyantsev from Golitsyn, who was higher in seniority on the list of field marshals, wrote “Mr.” in front of his title with her own hand; She also wanted the Count of Transdanubia, following the example of the Roman heroes, to enter the capital through the Triumphal Gate in a chariot, but the modest winner refused this celebration.

Having brilliantly ended the war with the Porte, Rumyantsev again took control of Little Russia. In 1776, he was summoned to St. Petersburg to accompany the Tsarevich to Prussia, who was traveling there on the occasion of his intended marriage with the Princess of Wirtemberg, the niece of Frederick the Great. The king showered the field marshal with expressions of respect: he ordered his military staff to come to him with respect and congratulations; conferred on him the Order of the Black Eagle and gathered the entire garrison in Potsdam, presented an exemplary Battle of Cahul, and personally led it himself.

Returning to his fatherland, Count Pyotr Alexandrovich again took control of Little Russia. The Empress continued to shower him with favors: she built an obelisk in his honor in Tsarskoe Selo; in 1784 she was promoted to lieutenant colonel of the Horse Guards, and in 1787 she was named commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army fielded against the Turks.

On January 15 (4), 1725, Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky, military leader and statesman, was born.

Private bussiness

Petr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev(1725 - 1796) was born into the family of diplomat and statesman Alexander Rumyantsev. His mother, Maria Rumyantseva (née Matveeva) came from an ancient boyar family and was the granddaughter of Artamon Matveev. Received home education. In 1731 he was assigned to the guard. In 1739 he was enlisted in the Russian embassy in Berlin, but the very next year he was sent to Russia for “wastefulness, laziness and bullying.” His parents sent him to study in the Land Noble Corps, but Pyotr Rumyantsev did not last even a year there. He eventually went to serve in an army regiment with the rank of second lieutenant. Participated in the Russian-Swedish war of 1741 - 1743. He brought news of the conclusion of the Peace of Abos to St. Petersburg and, together with his father, was elevated to the dignity of count. Soon he received the rank of colonel and became commander of the Voronezh infantry regiment. In 1748, during the War of the Austrian Succession, he took part in the campaign of Russian troops on the Rhine. He was promoted to major general. After his father's death in 1749, he inherited a large fortune.

Participant of the Seven Years' War. During the battle of Gross-Jägersdorf on August 19 (30), 1757, he commanded the reserve of the Russian army. On his own initiative, at a critical moment, introducing troops into battle, he turned the tide of the battle and ensured the victory of the Russian army. Since 1758 - lieutenant general, holder of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called and division commander. He distinguished himself in the Battle of Kunersdorf on August 1 (12), 1759, for which he was awarded the Order of Alexander Nevsky. He began to command a separate corps. In August 1761 he attacked the Prussian fortress of Kolberg (Kołobrzeg). The approaches to the fortress were covered by a fortified camp, where the 12,000-strong detachment of the Prince of Württemberg was located. Rumyantsev attacked the camp, captured it and began to besiege the fortress. Despite the recommendations of Commander-in-Chief A. Buturlin to lift the siege and retreat to winter quarters, Rumyantsev, with his persistent actions, forced the garrison to capitulate.

With the accession of Peter III to the throne, Russia ceased participation in the Seven Years' War. But the new emperor valued Rumyantsev. He promoted him to general-in-chief and awarded him the Order of St. Anna of the first degree. After the palace coup of 1762 and the death of Peter III, Rumyantsev wanted to resign, but Catherine II refused to accept his request. In 1764, the Empress appointed Rumyantsev Governor-General of Little Russia and President of the Little Russian Collegium.

With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish War of 1768-1774, Pyotr Rumyantsov was appointed commander of the Second Army operating against the Crimean Khanate. He successfully repelled the invasion of the Crimean Tatars and took Azov and Taganrog. In September 1769, he led the First Army, which fought against the Turks in Moldavia and Wallachia. He repelled the Turkish advance at Focsani, took Brailov and won a victory at Giurgi. On June 17 (28), 1770, he defeated the Turks at Ryabaya Mogila, on July 7 (18), he attacked the Turkish army at Larga and forced it to retreat to Izmail, on July 21 (August 1), he defeated the main enemy forces near Cahul. Received the Order of St. George, first degree, and the rank of Field Marshal. Pursuing the enemy, he captured Izmail, Kiliya, Akkerman, Brailov, Isakcha. Transferred hostilities to the Danube. In 1774, he managed to encircle the main forces of the Turkish army on the heights of Shumla, which forced the enemy to accept all Russian terms of the peace treaty. On the day of the conclusion of the Kuchuk-Kainardzhi peace, Rumyantsev was granted the honorary title “Transdanubian” (“to glorify his dangerous crossing of the Danube”), as well as a field marshal’s baton and a sword with diamonds. Catherine rewarded him with money and estates. In 1782, an obelisk was erected in Tsarskoe Selo in memory of the victories of Pyotr Rumyantsev.

After the end of the war he returned to the leadership of Little Russia. In 1782, he extended the administrative division into provinces and the all-Russian system of local government to Little Russia, and in 1783 he finally legalized serfdom there. At the beginning of the Russian-Turkish War of 1787-1791, he was appointed commander of the Second Army, but soon came into conflict with the commander-in-chief of the Russian troops, Grigory Potemkin, and in 1789 he was recalled from the theater of military operations. During the Polish campaign of 1794 he led the auxiliary army. He spent the last years of his life on his estate. Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky died on December 8 (19), 1791 in the village of Tashan, Poltava province.

What is he famous for?

Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky

An outstanding commander, distinguished by his ability to win victories against an enemy that outnumbered his troops. In the battle at Ryabaya Mogila, 25 thousand at Rumyantsev were opposed by 80 thousand Turks, at Cahul the balance of forces was even more impressive: 17 thousand against 150 thousand. One of the main innovations in the military art of Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky was the tactics of maneuvering divisional squares in combination with a loose formation of riflemen (the “column-loose formation” system), first used during the siege of Kolberg. He abandoned the tradition of fighting exclusively on flat terrain, which had developed by the 18th century, and was one of the first to actively use tactical reserves during the battle. These innovations were developed by Alexander Suvorov, who began his military career under the leadership of Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky.

Also, Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky was one of the first to organize close coordination of the actions of the army and navy during a military operation. For example, the siege of Colburn was carried out jointly by Rumyantsev’s corps and the squadron of the Baltic Fleet. Rumyantsev outlined his views on the art of war in the works “Instructions”, “Rite of Service”, “Thoughts”, which later became the basis for military regulations.

What you need to know

To implement his ideas about the combination of columns and loose formation during an offensive, Rumyantsev created a special type of light infantry in the Russian army - rangers. In 1761, on his orders, a battalion of five companies of 100 people each with two attached artillery pieces was formed. The battalion's soldiers were armed with lighter weapons compared to the standard weapons of the grenadiers. Each soldier was equipped with a shnobzak (bag) with a supply of food for three days. For action, the battalion was ordered to choose places “the most convenient and most advantageous, in forests, villages, on pastures”, “in ambuscades (ambushes) to lie quietly and maintain silence, always having foot patrols in front of you, in front and on the sides.” When advancing, the rangers lined up not in three, but in two ranks, in pairs, two fathoms from the pair; all constructions were done at a quick pace; scattered in one line, “containing as scattered reinforcements a certain number of those remaining in a close front.” In 1767, the number of chasseurs was increased to 3,500 people, and two years later chasseur teams were introduced in all infantry regiments. In 1770, Rumyantsev transformed the Jaeger teams into battalions throughout the army. The rangers advanced in loose formation with regimental columns, and supported light cavalry in the vanguard. This tactic of Rumyantsev was successfully used by Suvorov.

Direct speech

I cannot let a single minute pass without informing your Imperial Majesty about the famous acquisition of the glory of your weapons to the most all-submissive. Kolberg is convinced that his defense is ineffective against him and is left to his discretion, and the Duke of Wirtemberg, having attacked me on the 1st of this month with damage amounting to the majority of his army, is forced to retreat to Treptow and is being pursued by all my light troops, which will be reported in detail in time I won’t miss the all-serving position. I dare to ask your Imperial Majesty’s highest favor for this presenter, and for this reason I entrusted this gift to him, because in these negotiations he used excellent zeal for the interests of your Imperial Majesty.

Report by P. A. Rumyantsev to Empress Elizabeth about the capture of Kolberg (1761)

The following were received as trophies at the site of the battle and on the banks of the Danube and at Izmail: fifty-six banners, two horsetails, two dervish signs, four kettledrums, one shield, two hundred and three artillery guns of various calibers, about which, as well as shells, I will henceforth have the honor to present a special statement . To this day we have more than two thousand military people in captivity, but it never ceases to multiply by those brought in every day. Among the prisoners taken on the Danube, there are up to twenty ranks of mediocre commanders, but in Izmail, where the captivity was also great, they were caught more distinguished than these. Other booty, such as tents, horses, camels, various livestock, provisions, crew, food trucks, cannot in any way be estimated; of all this, many thousands are recruited, and so for sure I can only convey that the vizier and the Turks did not transport any of the above with them across the Danube, and everything that their army had remained on this bank, therefore, by the large number of the defeated army, it is easy for anyone to judge, since the enemy is suffering a great loss and how sufficient is our self-interest. According to the certificate of the prisoners, the Vizier's army, defeated by us, consisted of fifty thousand infantry and one hundred cavalry collected from Anatolia, Rumelia and from the most remote regions of the Ottoman Empire, where the Turkish army is famous for its bravery. According to the test, justice must be given to the Turks that personally it is impossible for a warrior to be braver than their horsemen and pedestrians.<…>During the battle, when our troops and artillery overthrew the opponents, the vizier and Mohammed, his great prophet and the name of Salgan, tried to restore those who had been overthrown, but everyone shouted back to him: we do not have the strength to dislodge the Russians, who strike with fire like lightning. For in fact, according to my institution, the artillery, Major General Melissino fired from large cannons so suddenly that he not only overthrew the enemy for the first time from any place, but the sound itself seemed to oscillate; whom, for his great service in his rank, I have the honor to especially recommend to your Imperial Majesty.

From P. A. Rumyantsev’s report to EkaterinaII about the battle of Cahul

10 facts about Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky

• Peter Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky received his name in honor of Peter I. There is a widespread legend that the emperor was actually his father.
• The place of birth of Pyotr Rumyantsev is not known exactly. Most often it is indicated that he was born in Moscow. However, there is information that this happened in the Transnistrian village of Stroentsy, where his mother was awaiting her husband’s return from a diplomatic trip to Istanbul.
• The motto of the count family of the Rumyantsevs is “Not only with weapons.”
• The Prussian King Frederick II is credited with saying: “Fear the dog - Rumyantsev. All other Russian military leaders are not dangerous.”
• In the 1760s, on the orders of Rumyantsev, a census of the population of Little Russia was carried out, known in history as the “Rumyantsev inventory”. The incompletely preserved census materials occupy 969 volumes in the archive.
• Under Rumyantsev, Ukrainian peasants began to grow potatoes. In 1765, the Senate sent him instructions on how to grow earthen apples, “called potetes,” as well as up to 12 pounds of potato tubers. 10 pounds froze in the government cellar, but the remainder, by order of Rumyantsev, was distributed to those wishing to start breeding this plant.
• Apart from Catherine II, who was the founder of the Order of St. George and was therefore considered its holder, Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky became the first holder of the Order of St. George of the first degree in the history of Russia.
• Catherine sometimes called Rumyantsev her Belisarius.
• After the conclusion of peace in 1774, Catherine II offered Rumyantsev “to enter Moscow in a triumphal chariot through the ceremonial gates,” but he refused.
• A few weeks before his death, Rumyantsev said: “I am increasingly afraid of outliving myself. In case there is a blow to me, I order that they leave me to die in peace and not give me help.”

Materials about Pyotr Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky