Mikhail Kutuzov: the legendary commander with an eye patch that he didn't even wear. Mikhail Kutuzov

Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov was born on September 5 (16), 1747 in St. Petersburg in the family of Senator Illarion Golenishchev-Kutuzov. Elementary education the future commander received houses. In 1759, Kutuzov entered the Artillery and Engineering Noble School. In 1761 he completed his studies and, on the recommendation of Count Shuvalov, remained at school to teach mathematics to children. Soon Mikhail Illarionovich received the rank of aide-de-camp, and later - captain, company commander of an infantry regiment, commanded by A.V. Suvorov.

Participation in the Russian-Turkish wars

In 1770, Mikhail Illarionovich was transferred to the army of P. A. Rumyantsev, in which he took part in the war with Turkey. In 1771, for his successes in the battle of Popeshty, Kutuzov received the rank of lieutenant colonel.

In 1772, Mikhail Illarionovich was transferred to the 2nd Army of Prince Dolgoruky in Crimea. During one of the battles, Kutuzov was wounded and was sent to Austria for treatment. Returning to Russia in 1776, he again entered the military service. Soon he received the rank of colonel and the rank of major general. short biography Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich would be incomplete without mentioning that in 1788 - 1790 he took part in the siege of Ochakov, the battles near Kaushany, the assault on Bendery and Izmail, for which he received the rank of lieutenant general.

The mature years of a commander

In 1792, Mikhail Illarionovich took part in the Russian-Polish war. In 1795, he was appointed military governor, as well as director of the Imperial Land Noble Cadet Corps, where he taught military disciplines.

After the death of Catherine II, Kutuzov remained under the new Emperor Paul I. From 1798 to 1802, Mikhail Illarionovich served as an infantry general, Lithuanian Governor-General, military governor in St. Petersburg and Vyborg, and inspector of the Finnish Inspectorate.

The beginning of the war with Napoleon. Turkish War

In 1805, the war with Napoleon began. Russian government appointed Kutuzov as commander-in-chief of the army, whose biography testified to his high military skill. The march-maneuver to Olmets, carried out by Mikhail Illarionovich in October 1805, went down in the history of military art as exemplary. In November 1805, Kutuzov's army was defeated during the Battle of Austerlitz.

In 1806, Mikhail Illarionovich was appointed military governor of Kyiv, and in 1809 - Lithuanian governor-general. Having distinguished himself during Turkish War In 1811, Kutuzov was elevated to the rank of count.

Patriotic War. Death of a Commander

During the Patriotic War of 1812, Alexander I appointed Kutuzov as commander-in-chief of all Russian armies, and also awarded him the title of His Serene Highness. During the most important battles of Borodino and Tarutino in his life, the commander showed an excellent strategy. Napoleon's army was destroyed.

In 1813, while traveling with an army through Prussia, Mikhail Illarionovich caught a cold and fell ill in the town of Bunzlau. He was getting worse and on April 16 (28), 1813, commander Kutuzov died. The great military leader was buried in the Kazan Cathedral in St. Petersburg.

Other biography options

• In 1774, during the battle in Alushta, Kutuzov was wounded by a bullet that damaged the commander’s right eye, but contrary to popular belief, his vision was preserved.
• Mikhail Illarionovich was awarded sixteen honorary awards and became the first Knight of St. George in the entire history of the order.
• Kutuzov was a restrained, prudent commander, who gained the reputation of a cunning man. Napoleon himself called him “the old fox of the North.”
• Mikhail Kutuzov is one of the main characters in L. N. Tolstoy’s work “War and Peace,” which is studied in the 10th grade.

Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov (1745-1813) - Russian field marshal general from the Golenishchev-Kutuzov family, commander-in-chief during the Patriotic War of 1812. He also proved himself as a diplomat (he brought Prussia to the side of Russia in the fight against France, signed the Bucharest Peace Treaty of 1812). The first full holder of the Order of St. George.

Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov was born into a family that belonged to an old noble family. His father, Illarion Matveevich, was a high-ranking officer in the Russian army. He completed his military service with the rank of lieutenant general, and then was a member of the Senate for several years.

Less certain information has been preserved about the mother. For a long time family biographers believed that Anna Illarionovna came from the Beklemishev family. However, facts established by family biographers not so long ago showed that she was the daughter of retired captain Bedrinsky.

It turned out to be a difficult task to accurately establish the year of birth of the commander. In many sources and even on his grave, the year 1745 is indicated. At the same time, in private correspondence, in some formal lists and according to Mikhail Illarionovich himself, he was born in 1747. This date is in Lately is increasingly perceived by historians as more reliable.

The general's son received his initial education at home. At the age of twelve, he was enrolled in the Artillery and Engineering Noble School, of which his father was a teacher. Having proven himself to be a gifted student. Mikhail Illarionovich in 1759 received the rank of 1st class conductor, took the oath and was even involved in training officers.

After graduating from school, he remains within its walls for further service and teaches mathematics. A few months later he was transferred as an aide-de-camp to the Governor-General of Revel, Prince P. A. F. of Holstein-Beck. Having proven himself well in this field, in 1762 the young officer received the rank of captain and was assigned to the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment as a company commander.

For the first time, M.I. Kutuzov took part in hostilities in Poland, in the troops of Lieutenant General I.I. Weimarn in 1764. His detachment repeatedly participated in skirmishes with the Confederates. Excellent knowledge foreign languages Mikhail Illarionovich helped to take part in the development of the new Code of 1797 as a secretary.

War with Turkey in 1768-1774.

In 1770, in the third year of the next Russian-Turkish war, M. I. Kutuzov was sent to the 1st active army under the command of Field Marshal P. A. Rumyantsev. He gradually gained combat experience, participating in a number of battles at Kagul, Ryabaya Mogila and Larga. Each time, demonstrating outstanding tactical thinking and personal courage, he successfully advanced through the ranks. For his distinction in these battles, he was promoted to prime major, and after the victory in the Battle of Popesti at the end of 1771, he received the rank of lieutenant colonel.

According to legend, successful development military career in the first army was interrupted by a parody of the commander, shown in a narrow friendly circle. Nevertheless, P. A. Rumyantsev became aware of it, and he did not like such jokes. Soon after this, the promising officer was transferred to the 2nd Crimean Army at the disposal of Prince P. P. Dolgorukov.

The summer of 1774 was marked by fierce battles in the vicinity of Alushta, where the Turks landed a large landing force. In the battle near the village of Shuma on July 23, M.I. Kutuzov took part at the head of the Moscow battalion and was dangerously wounded in the head. A Turkish bullet pierced the left temple and exited near the right eye. For this battle the officer was awarded the Order of St. George 4th century and was sent to Austria to restore his health. Mikhail Illarionovich spent two years of his stay in Regensburg studying military theory. At the same time, in 1776, he joined the Masonic lodge “To the Three Keys”.

Upon returning to Russia, M.I. Kutuzov was engaged in the formation of new cavalry units. In 1778, the thirty-year-old commander married Ekaterina Ilyinichna Bibikova, the daughter of Lieutenant General I. A. Bibikov. She was the sister of the prominent statesman A.I. Bibikov, a friend of A.V. Suvorov. In a happy marriage, he became the father of five daughters and a son, who died in early childhood during a smallpox epidemic.

After being awarded the next rank of colonel, he takes command of the Lugansk Pike Regiment, stationed in Azov. In 1783, already with the rank of brigadier, he was transferred to Crimea as commander of the Mariupol light cavalry regiment. The commander takes part in the suppression of the Crimean uprising of 1784, after which he receives another title Major General. In 1785, he headed the Bug Jaeger Regiment and served on the southwestern border of the empire.

Turkish War 1787–1791

In 1787, Mikhail Illarionovich again took part in the war with Turkey, winning a brilliant victory near Kinburn. During the siege of Ochakov in 1788, Kutuzov was again wounded in the head and again it was as if he was “born in a shirt.”

Having recovered from a terrible wound, he takes part in the battles for Akkerman, Kaushany and Bendery. During the storming of Izmail in 1790, the general commanded the sixth column. For his participation in the capture of the fortress, M. I. Kutuzov received the Order of St. George 3rd degree, the rank of lieutenant general and the position of commandant of Izmail.

The Russian army in 1791 under his command not only repelled all attempts by the Turks to return the fortress, but also delivered a crushing retaliatory blow near Babadag. In the same year, in a joint operation with Prince N.V. Repnin, M.I. Kutuzov won a brilliant victory near Machin. This success in the theater of military operations brought the commander the Order of St. George 2 tbsp.

Diplomatic Service

After the end of the war, M.I. Kutuzov clearly demonstrated his abilities in the diplomatic field. Appointed ambassador to Istanbul, he successfully contributed to the resolution of complex international problems to the benefit of Russia. M. I. Kutuzov fully demonstrated his audacity and courage in the capital Ottoman Empire. Regardless of strict ban For men to visit the garden at the Sultan's palace, he did not fail to do so with impunity.

Upon returning to Russia, the general brilliantly used his knowledge of Turkish culture. The ability to brew coffee correctly made an indelible impression on Catherine II’s favorite P. Zubov. With his help, he gained the favor of the empress, which contributed to his obtaining high positions. In 1795, Kutuzov was simultaneously appointed commander-in-chief of all branches of the military in the Principality of Finland and director of the Land Cadet Corps. Ability to please strong world This helped him maintain his influence and important positions under Emperor Paul I. In 1798, he received another rank - general of infantry.

In 1799 he again carried out an important diplomatic mission in Berlin. He managed to find convincing arguments for the Prussian king in favor of Prussia entering into an alliance with Russia against France. At the turn of the century, M.I. Kutuzov occupied the post of military governor, first in Lithuania, and then in St. Petersburg and Vyborg.

In 1802, a dark streak came in Mikhail Illarionovich’s fully accomplished life. Having fallen out of favor with Emperor Alexander I, he lived for several years on his estate in Goroshki, formally remaining the commander of the Pskov Musketeer Regiment.

First war with France

In accordance with the agreement with the countries of the anti-Napoleonic coalition, Russian troops entered the territory of Austria-Hungary. During this war, the Russian army won two victories at Amstetten and Dürenstein, but suffered a crushing defeat at Austerlitz. The assessment of the role of M. and Kutuzov in this failure is contradictory. Many historians see its reason in the commander’s compliance with the crowned heads of Russia and Austria-Hungary, who insisted on a decisive offensive without expecting reinforcements. Emperor Alexander I subsequently officially admitted his mistake and even awarded M.I. Kutuzov the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class, but in his heart he did not forgive the defeat.

Turkish War 1806–1812

After the sudden death of the commander of the Moldavian Army N.M. Kamensky, the emperor instructed Kutuzov to lead the Russian troops in the Balkans. With an army of 30,000 people, he had to confront a hundred thousand Turkish troops. In the summer of 1811, two armies met near Rushchuk. The tactical ingenuity demonstrated by the commander helped defeat the forces of the Turkish Sultan, which outnumbered him three times.

The defeat of the Turkish troops was completed by a cunning operation on the banks of the Danube. The temporary retreat of the Russian troops misled the enemy, divided Turkish army was deprived of logistical support, blocked and defeated.

As a reward for victory in this war, even before the formal conclusion of peace, M.I. Kutuzov and his children were granted counthood. According to the soon concluded Peace of Bucharest in 1812, Bessarabia and part of Moldavia went to Russia. After this military and diplomatic victory, Count Kutuzov was recalled from the active army to organize the defense of St. Petersburg.

Patriotic War of 1812

Mikhail Illarionovich met the beginning of a new war with the Emperor of France in the position of chief of the St. Petersburg, and a little later, Moscow militia. In mid-summer, at the insistence of part of the nobility, he was appointed commander-in-chief of all armed forces Russia. At the same time, he and his descendants were granted the title of His Serene Highness. The army was headed by M. I. Kutuzov on August 17, 1812.

The onslaught of superior enemy forces forced Russian troops to retreat deeper and deeper into their territory. The Russian commander for the time being sought to avoid a decisive open clash with the French. The general battle in the vicinity of Moscow took place on August 26 near the village of Borodino. For organizing this stubborn battle and maintaining a combat-ready army, Kutuzov was awarded the rank of Field Marshal. Although the Russian army was able to inflict significant damage on the interventionists, the balance of power after the battle was not in its favor, and the retreat was continued. After the famous meeting in Fili, it was decided to leave Moscow.

Having occupied the former capital, Napoleon waited in vain for more than a month for Russia’s capitulation and, in the end, due to poor supplies, was forced to leave Moscow. His plans to improve the supply of the army at the expense of the southwestern Russian cities soon failed. Russian troops, having completed the famous Tarutino maneuver, blocked the path of the French army near Maloyaroslavets on October 12, 1812. French troops were forced to return to the war-ravaged areas of the country.

In the future, M.I. Kutuzov again tried to avoid major battles, preferring numerous small operations to them. As it turned out, such tactics subsequently brought victory. The huge army, invincible until that time, was defeated and was eventually forced to retreat from Russia in a disorderly manner. For commanding the Russian army in 1812, Field Marshal Kutuzov received the Order of St. George I Art. with a contradictory and paradoxical formulation: “For the defeat and expulsion of the enemy from Russia” and became the first in its history a complete gentleman.

In the January days of 1813, the Russian army crossed the border of its country and in mid-spring reached the Elbe. On April 5, near the town of Bunzlau in Silesia, the field marshal caught a bad cold and took to bed. Doctors were powerless to help the hero of 1812, and on April 16, 1813, His Serene Highness Prince M.I. Kutuzov died. His body was embalmed and sent with honors to St. Petersburg, where he was buried in the Kazan Cathedral.

The role of the personality of M. I. Kutuzov in historical events
Opinions of historians and contemporaries about Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov as historical figure radically diverged during his lifetime. Not only court ill-wishers, but also many famous military officers questioned his military genius, especially after the defeat at Austerlitz and for the lack of decisive action at the end of the War of 1812.

Heroes of the Patriotic War N. E. Raevsky, P. T. Bagration, M. B. Barclay de Tolly. A.P. Ermolov spoke impartially of him as a person prone to intrigue, capable of appropriating other people's ideas and merits. Famous historian Academician E. Tarle also expressed the opinion that the fame of Kutuzov’s military talent is greatly exaggerated and spoke of the impossibility of considering him equal to A.V. Suvorov or Napoleon.

At the same time, it is impossible to deny his military successes during numerous campaigns against the Ottoman Empire. Evidence of his talent as a commander are also awards from foreign countries: Prussia, Austria-Hungary, and the Duchy of Holstein. The extraordinary diplomatic skills of M. I. Kutuzov contributed to the resolution complex issues international relations Russia not only with Turkey, but also with other European countries.

In short periods of peaceful life, Mikhail Illarionovich proved himself capable statesmen, holding the post of Governor General in different regions countries. He used his knowledge and invaluable experience in organizing military education in the Russian Empire.

The memory of the outstanding Russian commander is immortalized in numerous monuments and names of city streets in Russia and beyond, in the name of a warship and an asteroid.

Count and His Serene Highness, Great Commander Kutuzov Mikhail Illarionovich was the commander-in-chief of the Russian army during the Patriotic War of 1812, when he attacked the Russian Empire. Mikhail Illarionovich is the first full holder of the Order of St. George.

short biography

The official date of birth of Mikhail Kutuzov in today's biographies is considered to be September 5, 1747. He was born in St. Petersburg, in the Russian Empire.

His father - Illarion Matveevich Golenishchev-Kutuzov, teacher at the Artillery Noble School, son of a senator. His mother - Anna Illarionovna.

Study and start of service

At first, starting from the age of 7, Mikhail studied science at home. At the age of 12 he was sent to Artillery and engineering noble school, where his father taught artillery.

From the first days, the young man showed himself to be a capable student and, as a student, was involved in training officers. While still at the artillery school, Kutuzov Jr. received the rank of 1st class conductor and even received a salary.

At the beginning of 1761, Kutuzov graduated from school and, on the recommendation of Count Shuvalov, was retained with the rank of engineer-ensign to teach students mathematics. After 5 months it became aide-de-camp Revel Governor-General and Prince Holstein-Beck.

Service with A.V. Suvorov

Already in 1762, he received the rank of captain for good service and was sent to the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment as a company commander. The regiment was then commanded by himself Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov with the rank of colonel.

Period of Russian-Turkish wars

When in 1768 the Russian-Turkish war began, Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov served in the first army under the command of Field Marshal P.A. Rumyantseva. It was during the war with Turkey that Kutuzov gained invaluable combat experience.

In the first 2 years he proved himself to be an excellent commander and was awarded the rank Prime Major. A year later (1771) Kutuzov became a lieutenant colonel.

Service in the Crimean Army

In 1772, because of a joke on Rumyantsev, Mikhail Kutuzov was transferred to the Crimean Army. It is to this incident that the great commander's further restraint and prudence is attributed.

Battle of Alushta

In July 1774, Haji Ali Bey landed with troops in Alushta, but the Turks were not allowed to go deep into Crimea. July 24, 1774 A three-thousand-strong Russian detachment knocked out the Turkish landing force, which had fortified itself in Alushta and near the village of Shuma.

Kutuzov, who commanded the grenadier battalion of the Moscow Legion, was seriously wounded by a bullet that pierced his left temple and exited his right eye, but his vision was preserved, contrary to popular belief.

Capture of Ishmael

On December 11, 1790, he distinguished himself during the assault and capture of Izmail, where he commanded the 6th column going on the attack. After this he was given the rank lieutenant general.

War of 1805 with Napoleon Bonaparte

In 1804 Russian empire became one of the participants anti-Napoleonic coalition. Already in 1805, 2 Russian armies were sent to Austria, one of which was commanded by Kutuzov. The number of his troops was about 50 thousand soldiers.

The genius of Kutuzov

Mikhail Illarionovich's army arrived at the battlefield late, when the French had already defeated the Austrians. Saving his troops, Kutuzov made a retreat march-maneuver in October 1805 length 425 km from Braunau to Olmutz.

At the same time, he defeated I. Murat near Amstetten and E. Mortier near Krems, and also managed to withdraw his troops from the impending threat of encirclement. This march went down in the history of military art as a wonderful example of strategic maneuver.

In November 1805 it took place Battle of Austerlitz, in which Napoleon's army, despite having fewer soldiers, defeated the Russian-Austrian troops.

War of 1812

Emperor Alexander I appointed Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov commander of all armies July 29, 1812. He was given great honor and at the same time, he was given a great responsibility - to defeat Bonaparte.

His appointment literally raised the morale of the Russian troops. However, Kutuzov avoided a direct confrontation with Napoleon, as he understood the seriousness of the situation.

battle of Borodino

The only battle in Patriotic War 1812 took place near the settlement Borodino. This was the last stronghold of the Russians - Moscow was behind.

During 1 day of battle, the Russian army inflicted heavy losses on the advancing French troops, but itself lost about 25-30% personnel regular troops.

Kutuzov decided to withdraw from the Borodino position, and then, after a meeting in Fili, left Moscow. Despite this, for the Battle of Borodino he was awarded the title Field Marshal General.

Napoleon's retreat

Napoleon entered Moscow, but did not feel like a winner. Further exploits of Kutuzov's army forced Bonaparte to begin a retreat. Napoleon left along the plundered Smolensk road. His troops were freezing and starving.

Thanks to Kutuzov's strategy and his famous Tarutino maneuver, Napoleonic's huge army was almost completely destroyed.

Death of the Commander-in-Chief

On April 5, 1813, when the Russian army approached the Elbe, the commander-in-chief fell ill with a cold and, with complications, was forced to remain in bed.

April 16, 1813 Mikhail Illarionovich Kutuzov died in a Prussian town Bunzlau(now Polish territory). His body was embalmed and sent to his homeland - St. Petersburg.

Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov - Russian Field Marshal General, His Serene Highness Prince, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian troops in the Patriotic War of 1812, became the first full holder of the Order of St. George.

Biography

Childhood

Father, Illarion Matveevich Golenishchev-Kutuzov, was a lieutenant general (later a senator). There are several opinions about the origin of the mother, Anna Larionovna: some sources indicate that her maiden name was Beklemisheva; others - Bedrinskaya. There was also confusion with Kutuzov’s year of birth: the year 1745 is indicated on the grave, but according to the official lists, he was born in 1747.

Education

Kutuzov was educated at home until 1759, and then studied at the Noble Artillery and Engineering School, which he graduated in 1761 with the rank of ensign engineer.

Career

After graduating from school, Mikhail was left with her as a mathematics teacher, but Kutuzov did not work in this position for long: he was soon invited to act as an aide-de-camp to the Prince of Holstein-Beck. In 1762, the precociously intelligent adjutant received the rank of captain and commanded one of the companies of the Astrakhan Infantry Regiment, which at that moment was headed by Colonel A.V. Suvorov. In 1770 he was transferred to the south into the army under the command of P. A. Rumyantsev, in which he took part in Russian-Turkish war.

Russo-Turkish wars

In the first Turkish campaign, from 1770 to 1774, Mikhail Illarionovich distinguished himself in the battles of Ryaba Mogila, Kagul, Larga, Popeshty and Shuma. In the battle of the village of Shuma, Kutuzov received his first facial wound. He ended the war with the rank of lieutenant colonel and was sent for treatment to Austria by Catherine II herself.

In 1777, Kutuzov became a colonel and was given command of the Lugansk pikemen regiment in Azov. In 1783 he commanded the Mariupol Light Horse Regiment. In 1784 he managed to suppress the uprising in Crimea, for which he received a major general. In 1785 he formed the Bug Jaeger Corps and developed new tactics. In 1787, the second Russian-Turkish war broke out.

In this campaign, Kutuzov takes part in the battles of Kinburn, Kaushany and Baghdad, in the siege of Ochakov, Bender, Izmail. Becomes right hand A.V. Suvorov, who led the Russian army. During the siege of Ochakov he received a second facial wound. He defeated the Turkish army in the Battle of Machinsky, putting an end to the war.

When a new war with Turkey broke out in 1811, Kutuzov saved the situation by concluding the beneficial Bucharest Peace Treaty with the Turks.

Russo-French War

Kutuzov was Catherine’s favorite and was able to establish relations with Paul, but Alexander I clearly did not favor the commander. In 1805, Mikhail Illarionovich was appointed commander-in-chief of one of the armies sent to Austria for the war with Napoleon. The Austrian troops were defeated, and the emperor insisted on a battle, which took place near Austerlitz and was lost.

In the Patriotic War of 1812, Kutuzov, appointed commander-in-chief first of the militias and then of the entire army, withstood the Battle of Borodino, in which the Russian troops held out with dignity. With his wisdom, the commander-in-chief in the famous councils in Fili insists on leaving Moscow. It was this tactical move that became decisive in the victory over Napoleon. He led the foreign campaign of the Russian army, where he died.

Personal life

Kutuzov's first love was Ulyana Ivanovna Alexandrovich, who shared his feelings. A wedding day was set, but the tragic circumstances of Ulyana’s illness separated them. The girl remained faithful to her lover until the end of her days, never getting married.

In 1778, Kutuzov married Ekaterina Ilyinichna Bibikova. The marriage produced five children. It is known that while Kutuzov was on campaign, his wife lived in grand style, and Alexander I himself patronized her.

Death

In the spring of 1813, Kutuzov, while on a trip abroad, caught a cold and fell ill. At the end of April, in the Prussian city of Bunzlau, the great commander died. His body was transported to St. Petersburg and buried in the Kazan Cathedral.

Kutuzov's main achievements

• The Russian army, led by Kutuzov as commander-in-chief, won the war with Napoleon in 1812.
• Kutuzov was a participant in such historical battles as the storming of Izmail, the Battle of Austerlitz, and the Battle of Borodino.
• He was awarded the Orders of St. Apostle Andrew the First-Called, St. Alexander Nevsky, St. John of Jerusalem, St. George I, II, III, IV degrees, St. Vladimir I and II degrees, St. Anna I degree, Red and Black Eagles, as well as the Grand Cross of the Military Order Maria Teresa.

Important dates in Kutuzov’s biography

• 1745 (1747) year - birth
• 1759–1761 - training at the Noble Artillery and Engineering School
• 1761 - aide-de-camp to the Prince of Holstein-Beck
• 1762 - captain of the Astrakhan infantry regiment
• 1764 - service in Poland
• 1770–1774 - participation in the Russian-Turkish war
• 1774 - first wounded
• 1774–1776 - treatment in Austria
• 1777 - Lugansk pikemen regiment in Azov
• 1778 - marriage to E. I. Bibikova
• 1783 - Mariupol Light Horse Regiment
• 1784 - suppression of the uprising in Crimea
• 1785 - Bug Chasseur Regiment
• 1787–1991 - second Russian-Turkish war
• 1788 - second wound
• 1790 - capture of Izmail
• 1791 - Battle of Machinsky
• 1805 - Battle of Austerlitz
• 1811 - third Russian-Turkish war
• 1812 - Treaty of Bucharest, Battle of Borodino
• 1813 - death

• Kutuzov lost an eye at the age of 29 (Russian-Turkish War, battle near the village of Shumy in 1774), when a bullet hit the left temple, pierced the nasopharynx and flew out through the right eye, knocking it out. 13 years later, in 1788, in a battle with the Turks near Ochakov, a grenade fragment hit Kutuzov in the right cheekbone, went through his head, flew out of the back of his head, knocking out almost all his teeth. Doctors considered both wounds fatal. In the Battle of Austerlitz, a bullet once again injured the commander’s face: it hit him in the right cheek, but did not cause serious damage.
• Very often in films and in portraits, Kutuzov is depicted wearing a bandage over his injured eye. This is the speculation of directors and artists: Mikhail Illarionovich never wore it in his life.
• Kutuzov met with Germaine de Stael, the famous French writer, who noted that Mikhail Illarionovich owns French much better than Napoleon.
• While in Constantinople on a diplomatic mission, Kutuzov managed to visit the harem of the Turkish Sultan and even communicate with its inhabitants, although this was punishable in Turkey death penalty.
• Kutuzov had a talent for imitation and often, in his youth, entertained his friends by brilliantly parodying either Rumyantsev or Catherine the Great herself.

When it comes to the legendary commander Mikhail Illarionovich Golenishchev-Kutuzov, the image of him with an eye patch, which he did not actually wear, immediately comes to mind. The bullets passed near Kutuzov’s eyes twice, and the wounds should have been fatal, but the military leader was lucky to survive. Colleagues believed that Kutuzov was destined for great things.

A good start to the career of the future commander was given by Abram Petrovich Hannibal (Peter the Great's Blackamoor) when he was still in school. The talented student was introduced to the court of Peter III, which determined his future fate.

Kutuzov was not deprived of a sense of humor. He was very good at parodies. Once the future commander among his colleagues parodied Pyotr Aleksandrovich Rumyantsev, who did not appreciate the joke. For this, Kutuzov was transferred to the Crimean Army. It was then, in the Russian-Turkish War in 1774, that he received his first eye damage. The bullet pierced the left temple, nasopharynx and flew out on the other side. The wound was considered fatal, but Kutuzov was lucky to survive and save his eye.
He received a second wound related to his eyes 13 years later. Eyewitnesses spoke of a through wound from one temple to the other, slightly behind the eyes. The bullet passed literally a hair's breadth from the brain, "one eye was slightly squinted." The amazement of the doctors knew no bounds, and the soldiers, one and all, saw God’s providence in this.
By the way, he practically never wore the headband, which is considered an integral attribute of Kutuzov, in his life. This was an invention of directors in films about the commander.

Among numerous battles, Kutuzov had the opportunity to fight next to Suvorov in the legendary assault Turkish fortress Ishmael. After the first unsuccessful siege, Kutuzov wanted to retreat, but Suvorov answered him that he had already reported to St. Petersburg about the capture of the fortress and the appointment of Mikhail Illarionovich as commandant of Izmail. The next attack was successful, and the fortress was taken.

By 1793, Kutuzov was appointed ambassador to Constantinople. There, Mikhail Illarionovich, with his upbringing and diplomatic talent, has Sultan Selim III and Serasker Ahmed Pasha at his disposal. It was rumored that Kutuzov even managed to visit his harem with the permission of the Sultan, which was generally unacceptable for other men and was punishable by death.

When the question arose about appointing a commander-in-chief in the war of 1812, the highest ranks nominated Kutuzov. Emperor Alexander I, who was not very fond of the commander, nevertheless gave his highest permission, clarifying that he himself was washing his hands.
Death from a cold overtook the brilliant commander on April 5, 1813 in the Prussian town of Bunzlau.
The War of 1812 was considered the most studied event in the 19th century. will allow you to look at some historical events differently.