The legendary general spent more than half of his life in battle. He participated in 70 battles and emerged victorious from all of them. The officers and soldiers who knew Skobelev from his deeds considered the general a father-commander who risked his life along with his subordinates. Retired warriors, recalling past battles, certainly mentioned him, telling legends about the bravery and courage of their beloved commander. The peasants, rescued by Skobelev from the landlord bondage or debt hole, prayed for his portrait as an icon.

Many luminaries of Russian science considered him a man of encyclopedic knowledge, original thinking, creative. And young men who were just beginning to grow up found in Skobelev a model of a hero who personified devotion to the fatherland and loyalty to the word. For everyone who was sincerely interested in the prosperity of Russia, Skobelev was the hope for the implementation of political reforms. In their eyes, he became a leader worthy of leading the people.

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was born on September 17, 1843 in the village of Spasskoye-Zaborovo, 35 km from the Ryazhsk station. Little Misha was the first-born in the family of a lieutenant of the cavalry guard regiment, who later participated in the Crimean War, receiving the title of cavalier of the honorary golden sword. Mikhail Skobelev's grandfather, Ivan Nikitich, during the war of 1812, was an orderly at M.I. Kutuzov himself and fought in the Battle of Borodino. He was able to rise to the rank of general from infantry, was the commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress. In addition, Ivan Nikitich Skobelev had a literary talent. On his grandson's birthday, he allowed himself an extraordinary liberties. In St. Petersburg, at an odd hour, a volley of all the cannons available in the Peter and Paul Fortress thundered. This is how the grandfather celebrated the birth of his grandson.

It was Ivan Nikitich who was involved in his upbringing. After the death of his grandfather, Misha was sent to France, where he studied at a boarding school. The boy received a comprehensive education and was fluent in eight foreign languages. He could read by heart excerpts from the works of Balzac, Sheridan, Spencer, he was very fond of Lermontov. Mikhail played the piano and sang beautifully. In a word, he was a real romantic in the uniform of an officer.

Returning to his homeland, Mikhail Skobelev entered St. Petersburg University in 1861. But family traditions took over, and he filed a petition to be enrolled as a cadet in the cavalry guard regiment. Many colleagues said about him: “An eccentric. Excellent fellow, dashing grunt, takes crazy barriers. In 1862, Mikhail went on vacation to his father, who at that time lived in Poland.

In September 1866, Skobelev was enrolled in the Academy of the General Staff, and after graduation he was sent to the Turkestan military district.

In the campaign against the Kokand Khanate, Mikhail Dmitrievich emerged victorious from the most difficult situations, showing not only miracles of heroism, but also an amazing understanding of battle tactics. His colleagues recalled that it was a special pleasure for Skobelev to go out early in the morning to wash himself on the line of fire between our and the Turkish trenches. The adjutant followed him, and the Turks immediately began to fire at them. And returning to the trench, the general again climbed the parapet, and the enemy again opened aimed fire at him. Skobelev did not just flaunt. Such ostentatious disregard for death was deliberate: by the intensity of the fire, he tried to determine what forces the enemy had at his disposal. During the battle, his ability for quick, operational thinking and the ability to make instant, unexpected and sometimes vital decisions were fully manifested. Skobelev himself very often liked to repeat: "It is not enough to be brave, you need to be smart and resourceful." These were not just words. Thinking over the strategy of the upcoming battle, Mikhail Dmitrievich used his deepest knowledge and advanced experience. V. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko recalled: “He (Skobelev) studied and read constantly, under the most sometimes impossible conditions: in bivouacs, on a campaign, in Bucharest on the shafts of batteries, under fire, in between hot battles. He did not part with the book - and shared his knowledge with everyone.

The character of Skobelev surprisingly combined passion and calculation, ardor and will, exceptional attention to all the details of the battle with complete disregard for his own life.

After the completion of the Kokand campaign, he was awarded the orders of St. George and St. Vladimir III degree, a golden sword with diamonds and a golden saber "For Courage".

In 1877, the Russian-Turkish war began, in which Skobelev took an active part. He personally led the attack on the Shipka Pass. Next were Plevna and the Balkans. Ves-sel-Pasha surrendered to Skobelev along with the entire 20,000-strong army. For these battles, the brave general was awarded the third golden saber with the inscription "For crossing the Balkans."

The capture of Lovcha, the third assault on Plevna, the crossing of the Balkans through the Imitli pass, the battle of Shipka-Sheinovo became the key events of the Russian-Turkish war. Each of these victories belongs to Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev. In battle, he was always ahead of the troops in a white tunic on a white horse. It is not surprising that the enemies called him Ak-Pasha (White General). Many contemporaries noted Skobelev's amazing predilection for white. The outstanding artist V.V. Vereshchagin explained it this way: “He believed that he would be more unharmed on a white horse than on a horse of a different suit, although at the same time he believed that you could not escape fate.”

The choice of white color for Mikhail Skobelev was not accidental. While still a student of the military academy, he was sent thirty miles from St. Petersburg to the coast of the Gulf of Finland to survey the area. Returning from the forest, he got stuck in a swamp. The old white horse saved the life of Mikhail Dmitrievich: “I take it to the left, it pulls me to the right. If I have to ride a horse somewhere, so that I remember this Sivka, I will always choose a white one.

It can be assumed that after this incident, Mikhail Dmitrievich developed a mystical addiction to white horses. And the white uniform was a continuation of the whiteness of his horse. Skobelev himself gradually convinced himself and others that in white he was charmed by bullets and could not be killed by the enemy. Very often, only skillful handling of a horse and a saber saved him from death. In fact, he was wounded seven times in battle.

Each victory added popularity to Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev and gave another reason for gossip to his enemies. He was credited with excessive ambition, and an intemperate lifestyle, and even embezzlement of government money. In addition, the young and popular general gave reason to think that he might someday head the Russian throne. Constantly in the capital's hotels they whispered that the sovereign-emperor was very afraid of Skobelev and wanted to get rid of him. Although this is a vile slander. Alexander II treated Mikhail Dmitrievich with deep respect and often scolded him for his excessive dashing and indiscretion.

In 1881, 38-year-old Skobelev was promoted to general of infantry and awarded the Order of St. George II degree. But enemies and envious people could not come to terms with his glory. They brutally dealt with the parents of Mikhail Dmitrievich. At first, his father died suddenly under unclear circumstances, and soon his mother was killed in Bulgaria. By a strange coincidence, her murderer was the former orderly of Skobelev, Nikolai Uzatis, who took the secret of this murder with him to the grave.

Another mortal sin could not be forgiven for Skobelev - a passion for the Slavophile movement. The outstanding commander was friendly with Ivan Sergeevich Aksakov, the theorist of this movement. Soon Mikhail Dmitrievich got another nickname - Slavic Garibaldi.

After Alexander II was killed, Alexander III, who was also fascinated by Slavophilism, ascended the throne. During one of the solemn and crowded banquets, Skobelev delivered a speech that greatly outraged all Westerners who bow to "progressive Europe." After this speech, a quatrain appeared: “And now - one of all those standing at the top is not a slave, one of our Skobelev dared to tell the truth aloud. O ulcers, long since the life of the Russian dead! About where the root of evil is - and where to look for medicines.

Clouds were gathering over the Slavic Garibaldi. Mikhail Dmitrievich himself foresaw his imminent death. In the last months of his life he became very irritable. There were often pessimistic overtones in his conversation. Unusually often, Mikhail Dmitrievich started talking about the fragility of life. And unexpectedly for everyone, he began to sell securities, gold jewelry and real estate. At the same time, he drew up a will, according to which the Spasskoe family estate was to be transferred to the disposal of disabled war veterans. At the same time, among the letters that came to the illustrious general, more and more anonymous letters with threats began to come across. Who and why wrote them is still unknown. Unfortunately, he did not find support at home either. His marriage was extremely unhappy. He did not have the children he so dreamed of. And the girl whom he fell in love with shortly before his death did not reciprocate.

At the end of the maneuvers on June 22, 1882, Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev left for Moscow. On the purpose of his trip, he reported to the chief of staff Dukhonin: "I'm going to visit the graves of my parents and check the progress of the construction of a school and a hospital on my estate." Their conversation ended anxiously. “Everything in the world is a lie! Even glory…,” said Skobelev.

On the last day of his life, Mikhail Dmitrievich felt very lonely. On June 24, he visited his best friend Aksakov, left him a whole heap of papers, saying: "Recently I have become suspicious." And leaving at 11 o'clock in the evening, he said with anguish: "I see a thunderstorm everywhere." Then, staying at the Dusso hotel, he wrote an invitation to dinner on June 26 to V.I. Nemirovich-Danchenko.

At noon on June 25, Mikhail Dmitrievich was at the Hermitage restaurant. He sat alone at the table in complete thought, did not communicate with anyone. By evening, the loneliness became unbearable. Therefore, Mikhail Dmitrievich went to Stoleshnikov Lane, where the restaurant "Anglia" was located. He hoped that a cheerful feast and a good dinner in pleasant company would cheer him up, distract him from gloomy thoughts. The feast was in full swing when a man came out of a neighboring office and offered to drink a glass of champagne. Mikhail Dmitrievich did not refuse, because he heard toasts in his honor coming from the office. The blues didn't go away. Even the charm of the well-known all over Moscow cocotte Wanda (real name Charlotte Altenrose) could not cheer him up. This woman had at her disposal a luxurious room on the lower floor of the "England". It was there that Skobelev retired in the evening. After some time, a terrible scream was heard from the room, and a few minutes later, a frightened and tearful Wanda ran to the janitor. She could hardly squeeze out the words: "An officer died in my room." The janitor immediately sent for the police. Of course, the general known throughout Russia was immediately identified. His body was transferred to the Dusso Hotel. The police denied the version of Wanda's participation or complicity in Skobelev's death. But the nickname Grave of Skobelev was forever attached to her.

Skobelev's death shocked all of Moscow. Even Alexander III sent a letter to his sister Nadezhda Dmitrievna with the words: “I am terribly shocked and saddened by the sudden death of your brother. The loss for the Russian army is hard to replace and, of course, greatly mourned by all truly military men. It is sad, very sad to lose such a useful and dedicated figure."

After some time, the results of the autopsy of Skobelev's body, which was performed by the dissector of Moscow University Neiding, were announced. He declared death from paralysis of the heart and lungs. In this regard, Andrei Sholokhov wrote in his article: "Never before had Skobelev complained about his heart." Although his doctor O. F. Geyfader during the Turkestan campaign found signs of heart failure, noting at the same time the completely extraordinary endurance and energy of the general.

The cause of Skobelev's death remained unclear. Later, she acquired a huge number of versions, legends, conjectures and even absurd ideas about suicide.

There are two main versions of violent and non-violent death. There were several versions of non-violent death, but the most plausible of them are two. The first version was official: death came from paralysis of the lungs and heart. And the second was that Skobelev died as a result of bleeding from a torn venous expansion in the groin, which he had suffered from for a long time.

There were many versions that the White General was killed. Three of them seem to be the most plausible and the most famous. The first version indicates that Mikhail Dmitrievich was killed due to the intrigues of Russia's enemies - the Germans. This assumption indirectly confirmed the fact that the general died in the room of the German woman - Wanda. Many representatives of official circles not only supported this version, but also considered it the only correct one. Prince N. Meshchersky wrote to Pobedonostsev in 1887: “From day to day, Germany could pounce on France, crush it, but suddenly, thanks to Skobelev’s bold step, the community of interests of France and Russia made itself felt for the first time, unexpectedly for everyone and to: horror for Bismarck. Neither Russia nor France were already isolated, Skobelev fell victim to his convictions, and the Russian people have no doubt about it. According to rumors, German agents managed to steal the war plan, which was developed by Mikhail Dmitrievich. How true this was, no one knew at the time. The German press then rejoiced: “Well, this one is not dangerous to us now - General Skobelev is no longer alive ... as for us Germans, we honestly admit this, we are pleased that death has kidnapped a zealous enemy ... ".

According to another version, Mikhail Dmitrievich was poisoned by a glass of champagne, which was sent to him from a neighboring room from a feasting company, where they allegedly drank to his health. It was said that Alexander III was sure of Skobelev's desire to overthrow the Romanov dynasty and take the throne under the name of Mikhail III. A certain F. Byubok, according to the chairman of the First State Duma S. A. Muromtsev, said that, allegedly in connection with the anti-government activities of Skobelev, a special secret court was established over him, under the chairmanship of Grand Duke Vladimir Alexandrovich. This court by a majority vote (33 out of 40) sentenced the White General to death. It was entrusted to one of the police officials to carry out the sentence. The killer did an excellent job. For this, he received not only a large monetary reward, but also the next rank. "Secret squad" that carried out the murder. Skobelev, combined the features of the Third Branch, Masonic lodges and underground organizations. It included not only the Grand Duke, but also the emperor himself. M. D. Skobelev developed a very strained relationship with this “secret team”. At one time, he flatly refused to join their ranks, spoke contemptuously about the members of the organization.

J. Adam asked the question: "Which power had an interest in the disappearance of the hero of Plevna and Geok-Tepe?" - transparently hinting that worldwide Freemasonry is related to Skobelev's death.

It was known about Skobelev's connections with the Freemasons of the French lodge "Great East". While in Paris, the White General befriended Léon Gambetta, Prime Minister of France and one of the leaders of the Grand Orient. It is possible that the Masons wanted to remove the disgraced general. Most likely, it was the Freemasons who contributed to the spread of various, sometimes conflicting versions of his death.

Skobelev's death shocked not only Moscow, it can be said without exaggeration that it changed Russia for many years to come. If Mikhail Dmitrievich had survived, the political situation in Russia would have been completely different. And one could assume that the country would have developed more successfully, without the revolutions of 1905 and 1917.

Half of Moscow came to say goodbye to Skobelev. From the hotel "Dusso" the coffin with the body of Skobelev was transferred to the Church of the Three Hierarchs at the Red Gate. The memorial service was supposed to take place the next day, but people went to say goodbye to their beloved general all evening and all night. The church was buried in flowers, wreaths and mourning ribbons. For twenty versts from Ranenburg station to Spasskoye the peasants carried the coffin in their arms. Ahead of the funeral procession was a wreath from the Academy of the General Staff with the inscription: "To Hero Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, commander, equal to Suvorov." Many of the common people, even after the funeral, continued to believe that the White General was alive. They said that he was seen either in Bulgaria, where he gathered an army in defense of the Slavic brothers, then in the Vyatka province, then in Uzhgorod.

Mikhail Skobelev was so popular among the people that popular prints dedicated to his exploits were issued in memory of him. Even a special kind of vodka "Gorkaya Skobelevskaya" was made, although Mikhail Dmitrievich himself during his lifetime was reputed to be an opponent of drunkenness and severely punished his soldiers for this. The nationwide love for Mikhail Skobelev was reflected in the dashing Cossack and cocky soldier songs that the people themselves composed, glorifying the White General and his military exploits: “And if you were born again, a warrior on a white horse, and would take victory in the coming war under your covers ... ".

In 1912, a monument to M. D. Skobelev was unveiled on the square in front of the Dusso Hotel. And in 1918, it was dismantled in connection with the decree of the Soviet Government, according to the decree "On the removal of monuments to tsars and their servants and the development of projects for monuments to the Russian socialist revolution."

In our time, the names of many outstanding people are resurrected from oblivion. It's time to pay tribute to the memory of the famous Russian commander Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev. By the 900th anniversary of Ryazan, the Skobelev estate was restored, and one of the squares of the ancient city was decorated with a bronze bust of the Slavic Garibaldi.

The mystery of the death of General Skobelev

Infantry General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev - what do we know about him today? Very little, his name is almost forgotten, but once his fame thundered all over Russia and many compatriots pinned their hopes on him, a man of action, for a way out of the political crisis that shook Russia in the early 80s of the XIX century ... Mikhail Skobelev - General of Infantry. Hero of the Russian-Turkish war and conquests in Central Asia. During his lifetime, he was known as the most popular person in the Russian Empire. His sudden death at the age of 38 raised questions that historians are still looking for answers to. Tatyana Ustinova and Lev Lurie are conducting their own investigation. Experts help them with this. Experts: military historian Boris Kipnis - senior lecturer at the St. Petersburg State University of Culture and Arts (SPbGUKI), member of the Military Historical Association of Russia; Therapist Lyudmila Baturina - Candidate of Medical Sciences, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy at the Clinic for Military Field Therapy of the Military Medical Academy. CM. Kirov; forensic expert Vyacheslav Popov - Honored Scientist of the Russian Federation, Doctor of Medical Sciences, Professor, Chairman of the Forensic Medical Association of the North-West of Russia, founder of two scientific schools on traumatic brain and gunshot injuries.

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Military since childhood

Not only was Skobelev born in the Peter and Paul Fortress: his grandfather was the commandant of this fortress, and his father had already risen to the rank of governor-general at that time. Fate seems to have predetermined a military career for Mikhail. And so it happened: as a young man, having received an excellent Parisian education, in 1861 he entered military service in the Cavalier Guard Regiment. In fact, Mikhail dreamed of studying mathematics at St. Petersburg University, he even passed the exams for this, but before he entered the university was closed due to student unrest.

Mikhail Skobelev in his youth, 1860s

Very soon, Skobelev, of his own free will, was baptized in battle: seconded as an orderly to Warsaw, he asked to join the Grodno Hussar Regiment, which participated in the suppression of the Polish rebellion. For the destruction of the Shemiot detachment in the Radkovitsky forest, Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. Anna "for courage". After graduating from the Nikolaev Academy, Skobelev became an officer of the General Staff and was sent to the Turkestan military district.

Khiva campaign

Khiva - the capital of one of the Uzbek khanates - was a long-standing goal of the Russians, who were trying to expand the state borders. In 1873, the echelons moved towards the ancient city: Skobelev with a detachment of 10 horsemen, having met a superior enemy, immediately rushed into battle - he emerged victorious, but received seven wounds with lances and checkers.

Khiva campaign

As soon as he returned to duty, he was assigned to guard the convoy with a detachment of 200 people. Skobelev managed to bypass the Khivans from the rear, when they were taking away the convoy, and recapture what they had captured, putting the enemy to flight. On May 29, Skobelev also distinguished himself in the assault on the fortress: he was the first to get inside and hold the gate, despite the fierce attacks of the enemy.

Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878

The Khiva campaign allowed Skobelev to quickly advance in the service, but he received the real glory of the liberator general during the Russian-Turkish war. The Orthodox peoples, who for a long time lived under the yoke of the Ottoman Empire, enthusiastically welcomed Skobelev, sometimes joining his army. So, in the early summer of 1877, Russian troops, having crossed the Danube, launched an offensive. Major General Skobelev, who had already been awarded the Order of St. George by that time, commanded the Caucasian Cossack brigade.

The white tunic and white cap of General Skobelev was an excellent target for the enemy, but this did not prevent him, along with the troops of the Gabrovsky detachment, from heroically taking the Shipka Pass and for a long time with his cavalrymen covering the withdrawal of Russian troops after the battle of Plevna. Skobelev once again showed his leadership talent when taking the city of Lovchi, for which he was promoted to lieutenant general.

Skobelev also took part in the siege of Plevna, after which the army of Osman Pasha surrendered, and personally accepted the surrender of the defeated Wessel Pasha. As a result of this war, the territory of Bulgaria was cleared of Turkish influence.

Akhal-Teke expedition

In 1880, Skobelev was appointed commander of an expedition against the Tekins, one of the largest tribes of the Turkmen people. The Tekins, having learned about the approach of the army of the formidable commander, decided to defend themselves, occupying the Geok-Tepe fortress. At the beginning of 1881, Skobelev stormed the fortress: the walls of the fortress were blown up with mines, Russian troops began to push back the enemy, who was desperately resisting.

Akhal-Teke expedition

Having taken the fortress, Skobelev issued an appeal to the world, calling on the local peoples to peacefully resolve the conflict. As a result, by 1885, two Turkmen oases joined the Russian Empire.

Sudden death

There are still different opinions about the death of the legendary commander. The fact is that during the vacation that the general spent in Moscow, he suddenly died in the Anglia Hotel under mysterious circumstances.

Monument to Skobelev in Moscow, 1912

The first to report his death was a courtesan, whose nationality could not be established. According to one version, Mikhail Dmitrievich was killed according to the insidious plan of the Germans, who feared the commander, according to another version, which was supported by European newspapers, the general committed suicide. Mikhail Skobelev was buried in his family estate in the Ryazan province.

The famous Russian military leader and statesman, adjutant general (1878), infantry general (1881); he became famous in the Central Asian campaigns and during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, was known for his exceptional courage and was popular among soldiers and officers.

The son of Lieutenant General Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev and his wife Olga Nikolaevna, nee Poltavtseva.

Born in St. Petersburg on September 17, 1843. In 1868 he graduated from the Academy of the General Staff and was sent to serve in Turkestan. Participated in the Khiva campaign of 1873 and the suppression of the Kokand uprising of 1873-1876. Since February 1876 the military governor of the Fergana region.

During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, he actually commanded (being the chief of staff of the Consolidated Cossack division) the Caucasian Cossack brigade during the 2nd assault on Plevna (Pleven) in July 1877 and a separate detachment during the capture of Lovcha (Lovech) in August 1877. During On the 3rd assault on Plevna (August 1877), he successfully led the actions of the left-flank detachment, which broke through to Plevna, but did not receive timely support from the command. Commanding the 16th Infantry Division, he participated in the blockade of Plevna and the winter crossing through the Balkans (through the Imitli pass), playing a decisive role in the battle of Sheinovo. In February 1878 he occupied San Stefano near Istanbul.

Skobelev was a supporter of bold and decisive actions, possessed deep and comprehensive knowledge in military affairs. He spoke English, French, German and Uzbek. He treated the soldiers well, was a friend of V.V. Vereshchagin and, according to some reports, sympathized with the People's Will. Skobelev's successful actions made him very popular in Russia and Bulgaria, where streets, squares and parks in many cities were named after him.

At the end of the Russian-Turkish war, he returned to Turkestan. In 1878-1880 he commanded a corps. In 1880-1881 he led the 2nd Akhal-Teke expedition, during which Turkmenistan was conquered. In 1882, while in Paris, he came out in defense of the Balkan peoples, against the aggressive policy of Germany and Austria-Hungary, which caused international complications.

He was recalled by Emperor Alexander III and soon died suddenly.

Immediately after the death of Skobelev, the Vityaz sailing corvette was renamed in his honor. In 1912, an equestrian monument was erected to Skobelev on Tverskaya Square in Moscow (the square received the second name Skobelevskaya), but in 1918 it was demolished.

Childhood and adolescence

At first he was brought up by a German tutor, with whom the boy did not have a relationship. Then he was sent to Paris to a boarding house to the Frenchman Desiderius Girardet. Over time, Girardet became a close friend of Skobelev and followed him to Russia and was with him even during the hostilities. In the future, Mikhail Skobelev continued his education in Russia. In 1858-1860, Skobelev was preparing to enter St. Petersburg University under the general supervision of Academician A. V Nikitenko, and these studies were very successful. Skobelev successfully passed the exams, but the university was temporarily closed due to student unrest.

Military education

On November 22, 1861, Mikhail Skobelev entered the military service in the Cavalier Guard Regiment. After passing the exam, Mikhail Skobelev was promoted to junker harness on September 8, 1862, and to cornet on March 31, 1863. In February 1864, he accompanied, as an orderly, Adjutant General Count Baranov, who was sent to Warsaw to publish a manifesto on the liberation of the peasants and on the allocation of land to them. Skobelev asked to be transferred to the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment, which conducted military operations against the Polish rebels, and on March 19, 1864, he was transferred. Even before the transfer, Mikhail Skobelev spent his vacation as a volunteer in one of the regiments pursuing Shpak's detachment.

Since March 31, Skobelev, in the detachment of Lieutenant Colonel Zankisov, has been participating in the destruction of gangs. For the destruction of the Shemiot detachment in the Radkovitsky forest, Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. Anna, 4th degree "for courage". In 1864, he went on vacation abroad to see the theater of the Danes against the Germans.

In the autumn of 1866, he entered the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. At the end of the course of the academy in 1868, Skobelev became the 13th of 26 officers assigned to the general staff. Skobelev had poor success in military statistics and photography, and especially in geodesy, but this was corrected by the fact that Skobelev was second in subjects of military art, and first in military history in the entire issue, and was also among the first in foreign and Russian languages, in political history and in many other subjects.

First business in Asia

In view of the petition of the commander of the Turkestan military district, Adjutant General von Kaufman I, Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, was promoted to staff captain and in November 1868 was appointed to the Turkestan district. At the place of service, in Tashkent, Skobelev arrived at the beginning of 1869 and at first was at the headquarters of the district. Mikhail Skobelev studied local methods of warfare, also carried out reconnaissance and participated in petty affairs on the Bukhara border, and expressed personal courage.

Skobelev, however, did not develop relations with people. He turned against himself part of the Cossacks. In addition, Skobelev was called to a duel by two representatives of the Tashkent golden youth. General Kaufman was dissatisfied with Skobelev's behavior.

At the end of 1870, Mikhail was sent to the disposal of the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army, and in March 1871 Skobelev was sent to the Krasnovodsk detachment, in which he commanded the cavalry. Skobelev received an important task, with a detachment he had to reconnoiter the routes to Khiva. He reconnoitred the way to the well Sarykamysh, at which he walked along a difficult road, with a lack of water and scorching heat, from Mullakari to Uzunkuyu, 437 km (410 versts) in 9 days, and back to Kum-Sebshen, 134 km (126 versts). ) at 16.5 hours, with an average speed of 48 km (45 miles) per day; with him there were only three Cossacks and three Turkmens. Skobelev presented a detailed description of the route and the roads leading from the wells. However, Skobelev arbitrarily reviewed the plan for the upcoming operation against Khiva, for which he was fired on an 11-month vacation in the summer of 1871 and his expulsion to the regiment. However, in April 1872 he was again assigned to the main staff "for writing classes." Participated in the preparation of a field trip of officers of the headquarters and the St. Petersburg military district to the Kovno and Courland provinces, and then he himself took part in it. After that, on June 5, he was transferred to the general staff as a captain with the appointment of senior adjutant of the headquarters of the 22nd Infantry Division, to Novgorod, and already on August 30, 1872, he was appointed lieutenant colonel with the appointment of a staff officer for assignments at the headquarters of the Moscow military district. He did not stay long in Moscow and was soon seconded to the 74th Stavropol Infantry Regiment to command a battalion. He fulfilled the requirements of the service there regularly. Skobelev established good relations with his subordinates and superiors.

Khiva campaign

In the spring of 1873, Skobelev took part in the Khiva campaign, as an officer of the general staff at the Mangishlak detachment of Colonel Lomakin. Khiva was the target for Russian detachments that advanced from different points: the Turkestan, Krasnovodsk, Mangishlak and Orenburg detachments. The path of the Mangishlak detachment, although not the longest, was nevertheless fraught with difficulties, which increased due to the lack of camels (only 1500 camels for 2140 people) and water (up to ½ bucket per person). In the echelon of Skobelev, all the combatant horses had to be loaded, since the camels could not lift everything that was supposed to be carried on them. They left on April 16, Skobelev, like other officers, walked.

When passing the segment from Lake Kauda to the Senek well (70 miles), the water ran out halfway. April 18 reached the well. Skobelev showed himself in a difficult situation, a skilled commander and organizer, and when speaking on April 20 from Bish-akta, he already commanded the advanced echelon (2, later 3 companies, 25-30 Cossacks, 2 guns and a team of sappers). Skobelev maintained perfect order in his echelon and at the same time took care of the needs of the soldiers. The troops traveled 200 miles (210 km) from Bish-akta to Iltedzhe quite easily and arrived in Iteldzhe by April 30.

Skobelev conducted reconnaissance all the time in order to secure the passage of the troops and inspect the wells. Skobelev with a cavalry moved in front of the army in order to protect the wells. So on May 5, near the well of Itybai, Skobelev with a detachment of 10 horsemen met a caravan of Kazakhs who had gone over to the side of Khiva. Skobelev, despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, rushed into battle, in which he received 7 wounds with pikes and checkers, and until May 20 he could not sit on a horse.

After Skobelev was out of action, the Mangishlak and Orenburg detachments united in Kungrad and, under the leadership of Major General Verevkin, continued to move towards Khiva (250 miles) over very rugged terrain, cut by many canals, overgrown with reeds and bushes, covered with arable land, fences and gardens. Khivans, numbering 6,000 people, tried to stop the Russian detachment at Khojeyli, Mangyt and other settlements, but to no avail.

Skobelev returned to the stand and on May 21, with two hundred and a rocket team, moved to Mount Kobetau and along the Karauz ditch to destroy and destroy the Turkmen villages in order to punish the Turkmen for hostile actions against the Russians; This order he carried out exactly.

On May 22, with 3 companies and 2 guns, he covered the wheeled convoy, and repulsed a number of enemy attacks, and from May 24, when the Russian troops were stationed at Chinakchik (8 miles from Khiva), the Khiva attacked the camel convoy. Skobelev quickly realized what was happening and moved with two hundred hidden, gardens, to the rear of the Khiva, stumbled upon a large detachment of 1000 people, knocked them over on the approaching cavalry, then attacked the Khiva infantry, put it to flight and returned 400 camels beaten off by the enemy.

On May 28, the main forces of General Verevkin reconnoitered the city wall and captured the enemy blockage and a three-gun battery, and, in view of the wounds of General Verevkin, the command of the operation passed to Colonel Saranchov. In the evening a deputation arrived from Khiva to negotiate the surrender. She was sent to General Kaufman.

On May 29, General Kaufman entered Khiva from the south. However, due to the anarchy prevailing in the city, the northern part of the city did not know about the surrender and did not open the gate, which caused an assault on the northern part of the wall. Mikhail Skobelev with two companies stormed the Shakhabat gates, was the first to get inside the fortress and although he was forged by the enemy, he kept the gate and the rampart behind him. The assault was stopped by order of General Kaufman, who at that time peacefully entered the city from the opposite side.

Khiva subdued. The goal of the campaign was achieved, despite the fact that one of the detachments, Krasnovodsky, never reached Khiva. To find out the cause of what happened, Skobelev volunteered to carry out reconnaissance of the section of the Zmukshir - Ortakaya route (340 miles) that Colonel Markozov had not passed. The task was accompanied with great risk. Skobelev took with him five riders (including 3 Turkmens) and set out from Zmukshir on August 4. There was no water in the Daudur well. When there were still 15-25 miles to Ortakuyu, Skobelev, on the morning of August 7, near the Nefes-kuli well, came across Turkmens and escaped with difficulty. It was not possible to break through, and therefore Mikhail Skobelev returned to his starting point on August 11, having traveled more than 600 miles (640 km) in 7 days, and then presented General Kaufman with a proper report. It became clear that in order to transport the Krasnovodsk detachment to Zmukshir, with a waterless transition of 156 miles, it was necessary to take timely measures. For this intelligence, Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree (August 30, 1873).

In the winter of 1873-1874, Skobelev was on vacation and spent most of it in southern France. But there he learned of the internecine war in Spain and made his way into the location of the Carlists and was an eyewitness to several battles.

On February 22, Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was promoted to colonel, on April 17 he was appointed adjutant wing with enrollment in the retinue of His Imperial Majesty.

and on September 17, 1874, Skobelev was sent to the Perm province to participate in the enactment of the military service order.

War with Kokand

In April 1875, Skobelev returned to Tashkent and was appointed head of the military unit of the Russian embassy sent to Kashgar. He had to appreciate in every respect the military importance of Kashgar. This embassy went to Kashgar through Kokand, whose ruler Khudoyar Khan was under Russian influence. However, the latter, with his cruelty and greed, provoked an uprising against him and was deposed in July 1875, after which he fled to the Russian borders, to the city of Khujand. Behind him moved the Russian embassy, ​​covered by Skobelev with 22 Cossacks. Thanks to his firmness and caution, this team, without letting in weapons, brought the khan to Khojent without loss.

Fanatics soon triumphed in Kokand, led by the talented leader of the Kipchaks, Abdurrahman-avtobachi; Khudoyar's son Nasr-eddin was elevated to the khan's throne; "Ghazavat" was proclaimed; in early August, Kokand troops invaded the Russian borders, laid siege to Khojent and agitated the native population. Skobelev was sent with two hundred to clear the environs of Tashkent from enemy gangs. On August 18, the main forces of General Kaufman approached Khujand (16 companies, 8 hundred, with 20 guns); Skobelev was appointed head of the cavalry.

Meanwhile, the Kokand people concentrated up to 50,000 people at Mahram with 40 guns. When General Kaufman moved to Makhram, between the Syr Darya and the spurs of the Alai Range, the enemy cavalry masses threatened to attack, but after the shots of Russian batteries, they scattered and disappeared in the nearest gorges. On August 22, General Kaufman's troops took Mahram. Skobelev with cavalry swiftly forged numerous enemy flocks of foot and horsemen, put to flight and pursued more than 10 miles, timely using the support of a rocket battery. Russian troops won a brilliant victory. Skobelev was lightly wounded in the leg. On August 21 and 22, Skobelev showed himself to be a brilliant cavalry commander.

Having occupied Kokand on August 29, Russian troops moved towards Margelan; Abdurrahman fled. To pursue him, Skobelev was detached with six hundred, a rocket battery and 2 companies planted on carts. Skobelev followed Abdurrahman relentlessly and destroyed his detachment, but Abdurrahman himself fled.

Meanwhile, an agreement was concluded with Nasreddin, according to which Russia acquired the territory north of the Syr Darya, which formed the Namangan department.

However, the Kipchak population of the khanate did not want to admit defeat and was preparing to resume the struggle. Abdurrahman deposed Nasreddin and elevated Pulat-bek to the khan's throne. Andijan was the center of the movement. Major General Trotsky, with 5½ companies, 3½ hundreds, 6 guns and 4 rocket launchers, moved from Namangan and took Andijan by storm on October 1, with Skobelev conducting a brilliant attack. Returning to Namangan, the detachment also met the enemy. At the same time, on the night of October 5, Skobelev, with 2 hundred and a battalion, made a swift attack on the Kipchak camp.

On October 18, Skobelev was promoted to major general for military distinctions. In the same month, he was left in the Namangan department as a commander with 3 battalions, 5½ hundreds and 12 guns. He was ordered to "act strategically defensively", that is, not going beyond the possessions of the Russian Empire. But circumstances forced him to act otherwise. Subversive elements constantly infiltrated the area; in the Namangan department, an almost continuous small war broke out: uprisings broke out in Tyurya-Kurgan, then in Namangan. Skobelev constantly thwarted Kokand attempts to cross the border. So on October 23 he defeated the detachment of Batyr-tyur near Tyur-Kurgan, then hurried to the aid of the Namangan garrison, and on November 12 defeated up to 20,000 enemies near Balykchi.

Under such conditions, the offensive enterprises of the Kokand people could not be stopped. There was a need to put an end to this. General Kaufman found Skobelev's forces insufficient to hold at least the greater part of the khanate and ordered Skobelev to make a movement in winter to Ike-su-arasy, part of the khanate on the right bank of the Darya (before the Naryn River) and confine himself to pogrom of the Kipchaks roaming there.

Skobelev set out from Namangan on December 25 with 2,800 men, 12 guns and a rocket battery, and a convoy of 528 carts. Skobelev's detachment entered Ike-su-arasy on December 26 and in 8 days passed through this part of the khanate in different directions, marking their way with the destruction of villages. The Kipchaks evaded the fight. There was no worthy resistance in Ike-su-arasy. Only Andijan could offer resistance, where Abdurrahman gathered up to 37,000 people. On January 1, Skobelev crossed to the left bank of the Kara Darya and moved towards Andijan, on the 4th and 6th he made thorough reconnaissance of the outskirts of the city, and on the 8th captured Andijan after the assault. On the 10th, the resistance of the Andijanians ceased; Abdurrahman fled to Assaka, and Pulat Khan to Margelan. On the 18th, Skobelev moved to Assaka and defeated Abdurrahman on his head, who wandered for several more days and finally surrendered on January 26th.

On February 19, the Kokand Khanate was annexed to the Russian Empire and the Fergana region was formed, and on March 2, Skobelev was appointed military governor of this region and commander of the troops. In addition, the 32-year-old Major General Skobelev for this campaign was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 3rd degree with swords and the Order of St. George 3rd degree, as well as a golden sword with diamonds with the inscription "for courage".

Military governor

Having become the head of the Fergana region, Skobelev found a common language with the conquered tribes. Sarts reacted well to the arrival of the Russians, but still their weapons were taken away. The militant Kipchaks, once subjugated, kept their word and did not revolt. Skobelev treated them "firmly, but with heart." Finally, the Kirghiz, who inhabited the Alai ranges and the valley of the Kizyl-su river, continued to persevere. Skobelev had to go into the wild mountains with weapons in his hands. In addition to appeasing the Kirghiz, the expedition to the mountains also had scientific goals. Skobelev with a detachment went to the borders of Karategin, where he left the garrison, and almost everywhere the foremen appeared to him with an expression of humility.

As the head of the region, Skobelev especially fought against embezzlement, this created many enemies for him. Denunciations against him with grave accusations rained down on St. Petersburg. The accusations remained unconfirmed, but on March 17, 1877, Skobelev was removed from the post of military governor of the Fergana region. At that time, Russian society was distrustful and even unfriendly towards those who advanced in battles and campaigns against the “halatniks”. In addition, many still perceived him as the fledgling hussar captain that he was in his youth. In Europe, he had to prove by deeds that success in Asia was not given to him by chance.

Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878

Meanwhile, in the Balkan Peninsula, since 1875, a fierce struggle of the Bulgarians of the Slavs against the Turks took place. In 1877, Skobelev went to the army to take a personal part in the Russian-Turkish war. At first, Skobelev was only at the main apartment and participated in small operations on a voluntary basis. Then he was appointed only chief of staff of the consolidated Cossack division, commanded by his father, Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev. On June 14-15, Skobelev participated in the crossing of the detachment of General Dragomirov across the Danube near Zimnitsa. Having taken command of 4 companies of the 4th Infantry Brigade, he hit the Turks on the flank, which forced them to retreat. What the report of the head of the detachment says: “I cannot but testify to the great help provided to me by the Retinue E.V. by Major General Skobelev ... and about the beneficial effect that he had on the youth with his brilliant, invariably clear calmness” . For this crossing, he was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus 1st degree with swords.

After the crossing, Skobelev participated: on June 25, in reconnaissance and occupation of the city of Bela; On July 3, in repelling the attack of the Turks on Selvi, and on July 7, with the troops of the Gabrovsky detachment, in the occupation of the Shipka Pass. On July 16, with three Cossack regiments and a battery, he reconnoitered Lovcha; found out that it was occupied by 6 camps with 6 guns, and considered it necessary to take Lovcha before the second assault on Plevna, but it had already been decided otherwise. The battle at Plevna was lost. Scattered attacks of the columns of Generals Velyaminov and Prince Shakhovsky, whose common leader was General Baron Kridener, ended in retreat. Skobelev with the troops guarded the left flank of the Russian troops and showed what the cavalry is capable of in capable hands. Skobelev held out against superior enemy forces for as long as it was necessary to cover the retreat of the main troops.

After the failures of Plevna on August 22, 1877 (O.S.), a brilliant victory was won: during the capture of Lovcha, Skobelev again showed his talents in command of the forces entrusted to him, for which Skobelev was promoted to lieutenant general on September 1. At the end of August, it was decided to make a third assault on the Plevna fortification. For which 107 battalions (including 42 Romanian) and 90 squadrons and hundreds (including 36 Romanian) or 82,000 bayonets and 11,000 sabers with 444 guns (including 188 Romanian) were allocated. General Zolotov determined the strength of the Turks at 80,000 people with 120 guns. Artillery preparation began on August 26 and ended on August 30 with the start of the assault. The troops of the right flank, the Romanian infantry and 6 Russian battalions, stormed the Gravitsky redoubt No. 1 on the least important left flank of the Turks. The troops of the right flank lost 3,500 people and it was decided to stop the offensive in this area, despite the fact that there were still 24 fresh Romanian battalions. The center of Russian troops made 6 attacks and these attacks were repulsed with losses of 4500 people. After that, with the beginning of twilight, it was decided to stop the fight. The left flank under the command of Skobelev with the support of Prince Imeretinsky, with 16 battalions, captured two enemy redoubts, while the battalions were very upset. There was nothing to develop success. It remained to fortify and hold the redoubts until reinforcements arrived. But no reinforcements were sent, except for one regiment sent at the initiative of one private chief, but even he arrived late. Skobelev had 1/5 of all Russian and Romanian forces, pulled over 2/3 of all the forces of Osman Pasha. On August 31, Osman Pasha, seeing that the main forces of the Russians and Romanians were inactive, attacked Skobelev from both flanks and shot him. Skobelev lost 6,000 men and repelled 4 Turkish attacks, then retreated in perfect order. The third assault on Plevna ended in failure for the allied forces. The reasons were rooted in the wrong organization of command and control.

During the siege of Plevna, Skobelev was at the head of the Plevno-Lovchinsky detachment, which controlled the IV section of the siege ring. Skobelev was against the siege, which he argued with Totleben, as it greatly slowed down the advance of the troops. Meanwhile, Skobelev was busy putting the 16th Infantry Division in order, which had lost up to half of its personnel. At Skobelev, part of the people were armed with guns recaptured from the Turks, which were superior in accuracy to the Krakow guns.

On November 28, Osman Pasha made an attempt to break out of the encirclement. The ensuing battle ended with the surrender of Osman's army. Skobelev took an active part in this battle with the 3rd Guards and 16th Infantry Divisions.

After the fall of Plevna, the commander-in-chief decided to cross the Balkans and move to Constantinople. Skobelev was sent under the command of General Radetsky, who with 45,000 stood against Wessel Pasha with 35,000. General Radetsky left 15½ battalions in the Shipka position against the Turkish front, and sent:

a) the right column of Skobelev (15 battalions, 7 squads, 17 squadrons and hundreds and 14 guns)

b) the left column of Prince Svyatopolk-Mirsky (25 battalions, 1 squad, 4 hundreds and 24 guns) bypassing the main forces of Wessel Pasha, who were in fortified camps near the villages of Shipki and Sheinova.

On the 28th, all three units of the detachment of the detachment of General Radetzky attacked the enemy from different sides, and forced the army of Wessel Pasha (30,000 people with 103 guns); Wessel Pasha's surrender was personally accepted by Skobelev.

After crossing the Balkans, Skobelev was appointed head of the vanguard of the army (32 battalions and 25 hundreds of squadrons with artillery and 1 battalion of sappers) and moved through Adrianople to the outskirts of Constantinople. Upon the cessation of hostilities, on May 1, he was appointed head of the "left detachment" of the army, and then was part of the army at its location in Turkey and with the gradual cleansing of the territory of Turkey itself and the newly created Russia of Bulgaria.

Skobelev appeared in the Balkan theater of operations as a very young and semi-disgraced general. Skobelev showed outstanding examples of military art and care for his subordinates, and also proved to be a good military administrator.

Skobelev became very famous after the war. On January 6, 1878, he was awarded a golden sword with diamonds, with the inscription "for crossing the Balkans", but the attitude of the authorities towards him remained unfavorable. In a letter to a relative on August 7, 1878, he wrote: “The more time passes, the more the consciousness of my innocence before the Sovereign grows in me, and therefore a feeling of deep sorrow cannot leave me ... only the duties of a loyal subject and a soldier could make me temporarily try on with the unbearable burden of my position since March 1877. I had the misfortune to lose confidence, it was told to me and it takes away from me all the strength to continue the service for the benefit of the cause. Therefore, do not refuse ... with your advice and assistance for deducting me from my post, with enrollment ... for reserve troops. But gradually the horizon in front of him clears up and the charges against him were dropped. On August 30, 1878, Skobelev was appointed Adjutant General to the Emperor of Russia, which indicates the return of confidence in him.

After the war, Skobelev took up the training and education of the troops entrusted to him in the Suvorov spirit. On February 4, 1879, he was approved as a corps commander and carried out various assignments in Russia and abroad. Skobelev paid attention to the assessment of some aspects of the military system of Germany, which he considered the most dangerous enemy of the Russian Empire. Skobelev is very close to the Slavophiles.

Akhal-Teke expedition 1880-1881

In January 1880, Skobelev was appointed commander of a military expedition against the Tekins.

In the western part of Central Asia, 80,000-90,000 Tekins lived in the Akhal-Teke oasis. They were natural, courageous warriors. Robbery was one of their main livelihoods. Tolerate such neighbors for a long time was impossible. All expeditions before 1879 were unsuccessful. It was necessary to put an end to the Tekins. To do this, it was necessary to go with the troops through the desert, devoid of vegetation and water. Only camel caravans and troops with camel carts could move across Turkmenistan, laying down at least one camel per person. Skobelev drew up a plan, which was approved and should be recognized as exemplary. His goal was to deliver a decisive blow to the Tekins al-teke. Towards the goal, Skobelev decided to go carefully and concentrate as many reserves as necessary to carry out the case to the end; as everything necessary is accumulated, move forward and, when everything is ready, put an end to the Tekins in a decisive battle. For their part, having learned about the campaign, the Tekins decided to move to the Dengil-Tepe (Geok-Tepe) fortress and limit themselves to desperate defense of this point only.

Skobelev arrived in Chekishlyar on May 7 and, first of all, ordered the transfer of part of the troops to the Caucasus in order to reduce the number of mouths and speed up the accumulation of supplies. I had to bring 2,000,000 pounds of supplies. A railroad was built along one supply line. 16,000 camels were purchased to carry the needs of 11,000 people with 3,000 horses and 97 guns. On May 10, Skobelev occupied Bami and began to set up a stronghold in this place, for which 800,000 pounds of various supplies were transported there within 5 months. In early July, Skobelev, with 655 people. with 10 guns and 8 rocket launchers, carried out reconnaissance, approached Dengil-Tepe and fired at this fortress. By this he made a strong impression on the Tekins, and most importantly raised the spirit of the troops entrusted to him. By December 20, Skobelev concentrates 7,100 people (with non-combatants) in the Samurskoye fortification (12 miles from Dengil-Tele) and reserves for 8,000 people until the beginning of March 1881. Not limited to this, he sends Colonel Grodekov to Persia, who prepares 146,000 pounds of the necessary supplies on Persian territory, just one passage from Dengil-Tepe. This was supposed to provide contentment for the troops after the capture of the fortress.

On December 15, due to the petition of Skobelev, a detachment of Colonel Kuropatkin arrived in Samurskoe from Turkestan with 884 people. with 900 camels. After that, the troops are preparing for the assault.

There were 45,000 people in the Dengil-Tepe fortress, of which 20,000-25,000 were defenders; they had 5000 guns, many pistols, 1 gun and 2 zembureks. The Tekins made sorties, mainly at night and inflicted considerable damage, even once capturing a banner and two guns.

January 6, 1881, 200 fathoms from the corner of the fortress, a breach battery was built, armed with 12 guns. Skobelev was preparing for the assault on January 10, but, due to a collapse in the mine gallery and damage to the fan, he postponed it to January 12, promising the miners 3,000 rubles and 4 orders for 30 people with success. By midnight on the 10th - 11th, the mine gallery approached under the ditch 2 sazhens below the horizon, and on the night of the 12th, the mine chambers were driven. By January 12, Skobelev had concentrated 4,788 infantrymen, 1,043 cavalrymen, 1,068 artillerymen, totaling 6,899 men, with 58 guns, 5 canisters, and 16 mortars. Before the assault, a mine explosion was supposed to occur in order to collapse part of the wall. According to the disposition, three columns were appointed for the assault:

a) Colonel Kuropatkin (11 ½ companies, 1 team, 6 guns, 2 rocket launchers and one heliograph machine) must master the collapse from the mine explosion, firmly establish themselves on it and strengthen in the southeast corner of the fortress;

b) Colonel Kozelkov (8 ½ companies, 2 teams, 3 guns, 2 rocket machines and 1 heliograph machine) must seize the gap and get in touch with the first column;

c) Lieutenant Colonel Gaidarov (4 ½ companies, 2 teams, 1 ½ hundreds, 4 guns, 5 rocket machines and 1 heliograph machine, making a demonstrative attack) should actively contribute to the first two, for which they should take possession of Melnichnaya kala and the nearest trenches, act with reinforced rifle and artillery fire on the interior of the fortress.

The assault was made on January 12, 1881. At 11:20 a.m., a mine exploded. The eastern wall fell and formed an easily accessible collapse. The dust had not yet settled when Kuropatkin's column went on the attack. Lieutenant Colonel Gaidarov managed to capture the western wall. The troops pressed the enemy, who, however, offered desperate resistance. After a long battle, the Tekins fled through the northern passages, with the exception of a part that remained in the fortress and died fighting. Skobelev pursued the retreating enemy for 15 miles. Russian losses for the entire siege with the assault reached 1104 people, and during the assault they amounted to 398 people (including 34 officers). Inside the fortress were taken: up to 5,000 women and children, 500 Persian slaves and booty, estimated at 6,000,000 rubles.

Soon after the capture of Geok-Tepe, detachments were sent by Skobelev under the command of Colonel Kuropatkin; one of them occupied Askhabad, and the other went more than 100 miles to the north, disarming the population, returning it to the oases and spreading an appeal in order to pacify the region as soon as possible. And soon a peaceful situation was established in the Transcaspian possessions of the Russian Empire.

Akhal-Teke expedition 1880-1881 presents a first-class example of military art. The center of gravity of the operation was in the field of military-administrative matters. Skobelev showed what the Russian troops were capable of to the Turkmens, which made it possible after some time to annex the rest of Turkmenistan with Merv to the Russian Empire. On January 14, Skobelev was promoted to general from the infaterium, and on January 19 he was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree. On April 27, he left Krasnovodsk for Minsk. There he continued to train troops.

peaceful life

From time to time Skobelev traveled to his estates, mainly to the village of Spasskoye in the Ryazan province. He treated the peasants well. At this time, Skobelev's health deteriorated. During the Akhal-Teke expedition, he suffered a terrible blow: his mother, Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva, was killed by a man whom he knew well from the Balkan War. Then another blow followed: Alexander II died as a result of a terrorist act. Skobelev was not happy in his personal life. He was married to Princess Maria Nikolaevna Gagarina. The couple soon separated, and then divorced.

Skobelev paid special attention to the possible approach of war with Germany and Austria-Hungary. He could not fail to notice that a new direction had appeared in Austrian literature calling for paralyzing Russia's influence in the Balkans and subjugating them. Austrian writers argued the need to capture the Kingdom of Poland and the Little Russian provinces. The Germans, on the other hand, went even further and considered it necessary to “take away Finland, Poland, the Baltic provinces, the Caucasus and Russian Armenia from Russia” and “the destruction of Russia in the sense of a great European power.” Skobelev performed various assignments in a number of service, the most important of them was a business trip to Germany for maneuvers. Skobelev died of a heart attack in Moscow on June 25, 1882. He was buried in his family estate, the village of Spassky-Zaborovsky, Ranenburg district, Ryazan province, next to his parents, where, during his lifetime, anticipating death, he prepared a place.

M.D. Skobelev

Years of life: 1843-1882

From the biography:

• Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev Russian military leader, whose activities fell on the reign of Alexander II.
• His military career was swift. By the end of his life, at the age of 38, he was already a general of infantry, a holder of the Order of St. George the Victorious of three degrees, an idol of the Russian army, and a prominent political figure.
• He took an active part in the conquest of Central Asia, in the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878, liberated Bulgaria, in which he is considered a national hero, streets and parks are named after him.
• They called him "white general”, because during the battles he was always in a white uniform and on a white horse. The white color of the general's horse and uniform became a powerful mobilizing moral and psychological factor for the soldiers and officers of the Russian army. The appearance of the invincible M. Skobelev in front of the regiments in his usual form was perceived as a guarantee of indispensable success. But that's not the only reason it was called that. Probably because he strove to be on the side of good, not to impoverish his soul.
• The brilliant victories of the troops under the command of M. Skobelev were based on the general's amazing military talent and his inextricable paternal connection with the soldiers, who paid him love and incredible stamina in battle.
• He was a deeply patriotic man, which amazed even his enemies. “Our common holy cause for me, as, I believe, for you, is closely connected with the revival of the Russian self-consciousness, which is now knocked down,” he said.
• The ideal of M. Skobelev was a mighty indivisible Russia, surrounded by Slavic allied countries, free and independent, but soldered by one blood, one faith.
• Military service began in 1861, when he was accepted into the Cavalier Guard Regiment.
• Since 1868 - service in the Turkestan military district
• After graduating from the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff in 1868. M. Skobelev, he was assigned to the headquarters among 26 officers.
• In 1869 he was sent to serve in Central Asia, in Tashkent. Here he studied the tactics of warfare in the conditions of a given area and climate, improved his skills in reconnaissance, and showed personal courage in small sorties.
• In 1876-1877. - Military governor of the Fergana region with the rank of major general.
• The commander of an army corps in 1878-1880.

Features of the military tactics of M.D. Skobelev

« Convince the soldiers in practice that you are paternally caring about them outside the battle, that in battle there is strength, and nothing will be impossible for you ”(M.N. Skobelev)

• The speed of maneuver, the decisiveness of the strike.
• The desire to catch the enemy by surprise. To this end, the troops sometimes made marches up to 45 km. for three days.
• Leadership ability to take responsibility.
• Attention to the soldiers. So he introduced an innovation: instead of heavy knapsacks, he gave out duffel bags made of material - light, comfortable. After the war, the entire Russian army switched to such duffel bags.
• The suppression of the Polish uprising in 1863-1864
• Hike to Khiva (1873)
• Campaign against the Kokand people. Suppression of the uprising in the Kokand Khanate (1874–1876)
• Russian-Turkish war in 1877-1878 (forcing the Danube River, taking the fortress of Plevna, crossing the Balkans, the battle of Shipka-Sheinovo, capturing Adrianople and San Stefano, advancing to Istanbul).
• In 1880–1881 - leader of the Akhal-Teke expedition.

Military operations in which M. Skobelev took part

Khiva campaign, 1873

He took part as an officer of the general staff at the Mangishlak detachment of Colonel Lomakin.

The purpose of the trip- firstly, to strengthen the Russian borders, which were subjected to targeted attacks by local feudal lords equipped with English weapons, and secondly, to protect those of them that came under Russian protection.

The campaign took place in difficult conditions: heat, lack of water, transportation of provisions and tools on camels. M. Skobelev proved to be a skilled organizer and commander, sharing all the difficulties of the way with the soldiers. He took care of the needs of the soldiers, at the same time, there was always order in his echelon.

He assigned a large role to exploration, as well as the search for wells and their protection. Along the way, there were clashes with the Cossacks, who went over to the side of Khiva. With Khivans. In one of the battles, M. Skobelev received 7 wounds. On May 28, Khiva capitulated. For the campaign, M. Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. George of the 4th degree, and later enlisted in the retinue of His Imperial Majesty.

Campaign against the Kokand people.

Suppression of the uprising in the Kokand Khanate (1874–1876)

It was a campaign against the rebellion of the feudal lords of the Kokand Khanate, against nomadic robbers who ravaged the Russian border lands.

After a successful campaign, M. Skobelev, with the rank of major general, was appointed governor and commander of the troops of the Fergana region, formed on the territory of the abolished Kokand Khanate. Skobelev found a common language with the conquered tribes. The Sarts reacted well to the arrival of the Russians, but nevertheless their weapons were taken away. The militant Kipchaks, once subjugated, kept their word and did not revolt.

Participation of M. Skobelev in the Russian-Turkish war

1877-1878

The goal is the liberation of the Orthodox peoples from the oppression of the Ottoman Empire.

On June 15, 1877, Russian troops crossed the Danube and launched an offensive. The Bulgarians enthusiastically met the Russian army and poured into it.

M. Skobelev earned himself the reputation of a talented and fearless commander. During the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. is he actually commanded(while chief of staff of the Consolidated Cossack Division) of the Caucasian Cossack Brigade during the 2nd assault Plevny in July 1877 and by a separate detachment during the mastery Lovchey in August 1877

At the last stage of the war, while pursuing the retreating Turkish troops, Skobelev, commanding the vanguard of the Russian troops, occupied Adrianople and in February 1878 San Stefano in the vicinity of Constantinople.

Campaign in Central Asia in 1880

• The desire to annex the Akhal-Teke region (Turkestan), which England also aspired to. The campaign was completed in 9 months. M. Skobelev applied all engineering and technical innovations: rocket artillery, mine-explosive devices.

From the statements of M.N. Skobelev

• The West is wrong about Russia. He thinks that we are so weakened by the war that all our power has already dried up. This is mistake. A nation of one hundred million people who are capable of sacrificing themselves for an idea is not so easily erased. Russia is alive, and if certain limits are crossed, she will decide to fight ... And then any foreigner will not do well.
• To learn and borrow from them everything that is possible, but at home to settle down as it is better and more convenient for us. (About the West)
• To despise the enemy is the most dangerous tactic. But they must be taken into account.
• Believe me, with good troops and experienced generals and officers, there are no impregnable fortresses... First of all, you need to have audacity with knowledge and talent, and everything else will follow... Calculation and audacity.
• Russia is the only country in Europe where there is enough idealism to fight for feelings. Its people do not shy away from sacrifices for faith and brotherhood. Beware of pushing these feelings to extremes.

Material for a historical essay

historical era

Historical event, causal relationships

EpochAlexandraII (1855-1881)

Active foreign policy, annexation of new territories.Causes: The need to return international prestige after the defeat in the Crimean War. War in Central Asia and with Turkey for the annexation of new territories. Consequence: As a result of the successful foreign policy of Alexander II, the international prestige of Russia has grown significantly. A successful war with Turkey, the annexation of a large territory of Central Asia, a significant expansion of the borders of Russia. played a significant role in these events M.N. Skobelev, who was a prominent military figure during the reign of Alexander II. He was a participant in almost all major military battles in Russia of this period, demonstrating personal bravery and courage, as well as bright organizational and military leadership abilities. His attention to the life and military training of soldiers, the conduct of decisive offensive operations, the use of the latest achievements in military technology - all this led to victories both in the war with Turkey, and in the liberation of Bulgaria and the conquest of Central Asia. Thus, thanks to such prominent military figures as M.N. Skobelev, the Russian Empire during the reign of Alexander II was one of the strongest countries in the world.

This material can be used when preparing for assignment No. 25 - a historical essay on the era of Alexander II

Material prepared: Melnikova Vera Alexandrovna

General M. Skobelev on horseback. Painting by artist N.D. Dmitriev-Orneburgsky. 1883.

V. V. Vereshchagin “Shipka-Sheinovo. Skobelev near Shipka

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev is one of the prominent Russian commanders. He was able to become a truly folk hero, who is still remembered as the liberator of the Balkan Slavs, a brave cavalryman and a skilled commander.

How did Skobelev go from being a restless student to becoming a dashing cavalry hussar and finally becoming one of Russia's best generals? Why were they actively intriguing against the hero, famous throughout the Russian Empire? And is it true that he was preparing to become the Russian Napoleon Bonaparte? To answer these questions, the correspondent of the Istoriya.RF portal met with Stanislav Sergeevich Yudin, a historian and leading specialist in national military history of the second half of the 19th century, and learned these and other interesting details from the life and service of the legendary White General.

Failed to become a civilian

Before you start talking about the famous exploits and campaigns of M. D. Skobelev, tell us about his family and early years, how did the formation of the future great commander take place?

If we start talking about the youth and family of the future hero of Plevna, then until the 70s of the XIX century, having heard the name Skobelev, everyone would think first of all about his grandfather. Major General Ivan Nikitich Skobelev was very famous in St. Petersburg at that time. He began his service as a simple soldier, was able to rise to the rank of officer, became a major general. For numerous merits, he was appointed commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress.

Ivan Nikitich turned from a single-palace nobleman into a famous and honored person, which gave him the opportunity to marry his children to representatives of the most famous Russian families of that time, such as the Adlerbergs or the Sheremetevs. The capital accumulated by him and multiplied by his son Dmitry gave young Mikhail excellent starting positions, money and connections that will help him more than once in the future.

The alleged portrait of I.N. Skobeleva

- Tell us, what was the path of Mikhail Dmitrievich to military service?

Skobelev's path to military service is very interesting and very different from the then accepted traditions of educating future officers. The standard was the path from the cadet corps through the guards and beyond. But young Mikhail received an exclusively civilian education; moreover, he goes to an elite boarding school in France to the teacher Desiderius Gerard, who has become his close friend. He receives an aristocratic education in the suburbs of Paris, adopts secular manners. I believe that many outstanding Russian military leaders of that time, for example, Dragomirov, went this way: bypassing the cadet corps, instead of a “standardized” military education, they received a breadth of views and a versatile perception of life, knowledge of several languages, were not accustomed to drill. Returning to Russia, Skobelev enters Moscow University, but does not study there for long, as it is closed due to student unrest. Only after that, at the age of 18, he puts on a military uniform, enlisting in the Cavalier Guard Regiment.

Dashing hussar, singer of victories and baionnette intelligente

- How were his first years in military service?

His youth was hussar and reckless, he is often transferred from regiment to regiment, but with all his might he is looking for an opportunity to get where it is “hot”; garrison service burdens the young officer. So he ends up in Poland, where there was an uprising. There, for the first time, he participates in battle, receives the first Order of St. Anne, 3rd degree. But relations with subordinates, and even with superiors, he does not add up, at that time he behaves, as they say now, as a representative of golden youth.

It is amazing to look at such a famous commander and see him as a real, living person with his own characteristics. When, in your opinion, does he begin to come to his traditional position in Russian military history?

In 1866, he entered the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff, but even there he studied somehow. For a long time after graduating from the Skobelev Academy, there was an anecdote about him, how in class he drew an image of a woman instead of a map of the area. Many subsequent generations of listeners could see his "work". However, at the academy, he meets the already well-known military theorist M. I. Dragomirov, over time, their relationship develops from the category of "teacher - student" into friendship. Dragomirov becomes Skobelev's senior comrade and will play an important role in his fate.

Lieutenant M.D. Skobelev

Then the young Skobelev comes to his views on military affairs. Sergei Dmitrievich Sheremetev recalls that one day, in the circle of young officers, one prominent hussar began to preach the then fashionable idea baionnette intelligente, literally - "intelligent bayonet". Its essence is that a soldier must be independent, educated and intelligent. The military affairs of those years were actively changing, and the loose formation that replaced the close columns required greater independence and education from the soldiers and non-commissioned officers for successful operations.

- It is unlikely that a simple hussar grunt could think in this way ...

Yes you are right. As for his personality, it can be noted that Skobelev was a very intelligent and well-read person, he knew eight languages. He was not alien to mental work, during the Akhal-Teke expedition he subscribed to magazines, including those in foreign languages, read about sciences and literature. Knowledge of languages ​​gave him access to the then not very actively translated works of Western military theorists, primarily leading French and German military thinkers. It was not for nothing that he was called "Suvorov's equal", many believed that he was familiar with the soldiers. For example, his famous military councils, to which he attracted non-commissioned officers, which was not accepted. He believed that every soldier should know his task, and in the event of the death of officers, which often happened in war, a non-commissioned officer should be able to lead a company.

Scout, diplomat and governor

Finally, he begins his military career ... What interesting things can be said about this period in the life of Mikhail Dmitrievich?

One of the little-known episodes of his career is his participation as an observer in the Carlist wars in Spain. He learns of the outbreak of hostilities while on holiday in France and travels to war as a private citizen. Unfortunately, there are almost no sources about this period of his life, but, undoubtedly, this war, which was largely partisan and mountainous, gives him rich experience that came in handy in the Turkestan campaigns.

- Since this begins the period of his Turkestan campaigns?

Yes, in the early 70s he ended up in Turkestan, where, under the command of the Governor-General K.P. Kaufman, he began to move up the career ladder. Kaufman was more of an administrator than a military man; undoubtedly, he had a talent for finding outstanding people and promoting them through the ranks. He saw talent in Skobelev, and he, in turn, begins to take his military career seriously and actively learns from Kaufman the peculiarities of managing the military administration.

N.N. Karazin. The crossing of the Turkestan detachment at the Sheikh-aryk

It is necessary to say a few words about Turkestan. The peculiarity of this theater of operations was not so much the war itself, but the climate and logistics. Find water, supplies, set up a camp correctly, feed pack animals and make a many-kilometer march - all these features, perfectly mastered by Skobelev, will greatly distinguish him in the future. Skobelev, who had the image of a swordsman, was not at all alien to thoughtful military planning.

However, here, for one of the reconnaissance at the head of only ten horsemen, he receives his first George Cross; having met in hand-to-hand combat with the enemy, he received at least seven wounds and hacked down several opponents.

Then he performs largely a diplomatic mission. During the Kokand campaigns, he receives the task to take out Khan Khudoyar, whom the local population did not like very much, and therefore raised an uprising. Skobelev performs this delicate work with brilliance and, avoiding any conflicts, takes him out under the protection of the Russian troops. The pinnacle of his career in Turkestan was the post of military governor of the Fergana region, where he proved himself as an administrator, having learned a lot from Kaufman. Very interesting is his evolution from a military intelligence officer to a diplomat, and then to an administrator.

"White General"

We see how Mikhail Dmitrievich has changed. Probably, it is at this moment that he becomes the same Skobelev, whom we are used to seeing on images and monuments?

Here arises the first riddle in his fate. When he occupies the post of the Ferghana governor, they begin to intrigue against him. Unfortunately, now we cannot find out from whom the denunciations against Skobelev came from, but the fact is that these news reached the emperor himself. It is not known how this situation would have turned out if the Russian-Turkish war had not begun. Skobelev, using his connections, by hook or by crook seeks to be transferred to the active army.

At this time, the first major operation is being prepared - the crossing of the Danube. He goes to his old comrade Dragomirov. It is interesting that, being a major general, he became an orderly with a major general. At the same time, in fact, he goes into “AWOL”. The operation goes well, and Dragomirov writes a report in which he praises Skobelev very much; despite this, Mikhail Dmitrievich is still put under arrest, at the same time the first talk about his personal courage and military talent appears.

N. D. Dmitriev-Orenburgsky. General M.D. Skobelev on horseback

- How does the war develop for him after this event?

Dragomirov in every possible way contributes to the promotion of the young general, and Skobelev is finally given his own detachment, with which he participates in the second assault on Plevna. It is active, but the general assault fails. After that, he receives the first independent task of taking Lovcha, a place not far from Plevna. Then comes the understanding that the war will not be easy. He brilliantly copes with the task, and against the backdrop of the general negative mood, this looks like a great achievement.

During the third assault on Plevna, he takes command of the left flank of the grouping of Russian troops. In total, Russian troops take four redoubts, of which two are occupied by Skobelev's troops - an excellent result, given his modest forces. Here the famous story happened with Major Gortalov, who remained to cover the withdrawal of Skobelev's units with volunteers, who all died in hand-to-hand combat with the Turks. Skobelev himself recalled that before this battle he was young, but after that he became an old man. After that, Plevna was taken during a long siege only by November 30th. During the battles for the Green Mountains, near Plevna, Skobelev was wounded.

In the events after the capture of Plevna, Skobelev plays a significant role. Tell us more about what kind of commander he became in the second period of the Russian-Turkish war?

After the capture of the city, the mood was strong to arrange the troops for winter quarters and wait for warmth, but Skobelev ardently insisted on crossing the Balkans during the winter. He was able to insist on this decision, and the troops moved to the passes. At the same time, apparently, at the suggestion of the Turks, who gave him the nickname "Ak-Pasha" ("White General"), both we and the Balkan Slavs begin to call him that way. The general's white horse and white uniform, most likely, became the reason for this nickname, which later will be inseparable from his name. At the same time, the soldiers and officers, who saw how he plans a campaign and takes care of the personnel, began to call him "Suvorov's equal."

- How was the crossing through the Balkans and how did it end?

Skobelev's division was in the so-called Shipka detachment of General F.F. Radetsky. With fighting, Russian troops captured the Shipka Pass and prepared to attack the Turks wintering in the valley. The plan of attack from both sides met with great complications - not only because of the climate, but also because of poor communications: the requested telegraphs were not provided, and the orderlies carried out the communication. Lieutenant P. A. Dukmasov, who was an orderly under Skobelev, recalled that the delivery time for one note was 24 hours. On December 28, the assault on the fortified camp of the Turks near Shipka-Sheinovo began, the Russian troops entered the battle separately, enveloping the Turkish forces. There were fierce bayonet fights and stubborn battles. But by 12 o'clock in the afternoon, Skobelev's troops, who had crossed the pass, with deployed banners and music, dealt a crushing blow, completely destroying the Turkish defense. Over 20 thousand people and 93 guns were taken prisoner, the Russians lost 5 thousand. It was a complete victory, opening the way to Constantinople.

V.V. Vereshchagin. Shipka-Sheinovo (Skobelev near Shipka)

- How did the general meet the end of the war, did he advance in the service?

Skobelev is rapidly advancing in the service, but the war has been reduced to the pursuit of the defeated Turks and the diplomatic game with England and France. Skobelev believed that war with these countries was inevitable, and was a supporter of the capture of Constantinople, but this did not happen. Meanwhile, the war is coming to an end, and the "white general" with his troops is already in the vicinity of San Stefano, not far from Constantinople. After the end of the Russian-Turkish war, Alexander II relies on the people who distinguished themselves in its course.

"Great Game" in Central Asia and even greater weight in Russia

- Are you talking about the Akhal-Teke expedition?

At that time, Russia opposed the British expansion in Central Asia. This becomes Skobelev's first completely independent enterprise. He carefully prepares his trip.

Preparing for Akhal-Teke, he buys heliographs for communication, water desalters, Gatling machine guns, and even builds a railway. He conducted a swift operation, personally went to reconnaissance of wells and skillfully led the troops. By storming Geok-Tepe, the main fortress of the Tekins, and sending detachments to the oases, he brought the Tekins to peace.

There he was caught by the news of the death of the emperor on March 1, 1881, he experienced his death, considering himself his man and reformer. From that moment begins a period in his life when he became actively interested in politics. By this time, Skobelev had gained such popularity that one of the witnesses to his return from Geok-Tepe to St. Petersburg wrote: "I saw Bonaparte returning from Egypt."

In this regard, it is very interesting to learn about his social and political views. How did he see Russia under the new emperor and why did he decide to enter politics?

In the early period of the reign of Alexander III, the course that the country would take was not yet clear, but Skobelev was a supporter of the reforms of the previous emperor. This was very felt in the military ministry, at that time the minister-reformer Milyutin left his post, and a commission was assembled inside the ministry, which was supposed to determine whether to continue reforms in the military sphere or go a different course. The Russian-Turkish war ended ambiguously for society, Milyutin's reformist policy was blamed for this, but Skobelev ardently supports the course of reforms; By the way, they were continued. Skobelev begins to communicate with Loris-Melikov and other politicians who had a liberal reputation. One of them was Ivan Aksakov, the leader of the liberal wing of the Slavophiles, at which time Skobelev began to share Slavophile views.

On the monument to General Skobelev, which was erected by the Russian Military Historical Society, there is a quote from him: "The West is wrong about Russia ... A nation consisting of a hundred million people who can sacrifice themselves for an idea is not so easily erased." Apparently, he shared this point of view during these years?

Yes, he is very sympathetic to Slavophile ideas, he believes that Russia should be a collector of Slavic lands and oppose Germany, and he sees a generalized German nation, rather, within cultural boundaries, including Austria-Hungary.

Here it is necessary to understand who Skobelev was in the eyes of society. The Russian-Turkish war was the first war that was reflected in the periodical press, journalists were allowed to the troops. Information about the war penetrates into the general population, people get more information, and Skobelev becomes, in fact, the first public figure in the history of Russia. There are rumors about the Russian Bonaparte, which Skobelev could become, which irritates the emperor very much. To understand these sentiments, one can turn to the history of France: in 1882 Skobelev dies, and in 1886 General Boulanger appears in France, who was predicted to be the fate of the new Napoleon.

How active was Skobelev in his political activities, what did he manage to do significant in this field?

On the first anniversary of the capture of Geok-Tepe, in January 1882, he makes a political speech, where he speaks of the negative influence of the Germans in Russia, meaning "internal Germans", which causes a scandal. He is compared with Yermolov, who asked to be promoted to the Germans, but he is an adjutant general, a person with such a position could not afford such statements. He is urged to take a leave of absence and travels to France, where he gives a similar speech, but in a freer manner, to Slavic students, which creates an even greater scandal. Upon his return to Russia, his mysterious death occurs.

M.D. Skobelev

Death and memory of the general on a white horse

I am not inclined to think so, there are no sources confirming the version of the attempt, and the rumors are not confirmed by anything. On the contrary, his attending physician O.F. Geifelder said that Skobelev's death was not a surprise to him. He watched him for a long time and noted the general's big heart problems. The numerous wounds he received in wars and his hussar lifestyle, which cannot be called healthy, also affected. B about he spent most of his time on campaigns, which also undermined his health. He was diagnosed with paralysis of the heart and lungs, this is the official version of his death. Of course, there were some rumors in connection with his political position, but I am not inclined to believe that he was killed or poisoned. It was really difficult for society to believe that a folk hero at the age of just over forty died so tritely, but we have no other information.

Separately, I would like to mention the activities of the Russian Military Historical Society to perpetuate the memory of the outstanding commander General Skobelev. It was the RVIO that initiated and created the monument to Skobelev, the only one in Moscow. I note that earlier in Moscow, opposite the house of the governor-general, now the mayor's office, there was a wonderful monument to Mikhail Dmitrievich, which, unfortunately, was demolished during the Soviet period. Therefore, one should be grateful to the RVIO for taking care of the memory and heritage of undeservedly forgotten brilliant commanders.

On the eve of the 175th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian commander, ceremonial events were held at the monument to M. D. Skobelev, which was installed by the Russian Military Historical Society near the building of the Academy of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation in Moscow ( ). Heads and students of the Academy of the General Staff, representatives of the RVIO, the Bulgarian and Romanian delegations, representatives of the city authorities, as well as students of the cadet classes of Moscow schools arrived to honor the memory of the general.

Opening of a memorial to General M.D. Skobelev in Moscow. December 9, 2014