White General. "White General" Skobelev: life, death and mysteries of fate

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev - "White General"

M.D. Skobelev

The future commander was born on September 17 (September 29, according to a new style), 1843, in the Commandant's House of the Peter and Paul Fortress, where his famous grandfather, General Ivan Nikitich Skobelev, was the commandant. His son Dmitry Ivanovich brilliantly continued his military career. Growing up next to his grandfather, the grandson inherited his military talent, love for the soldier and care for him. Skobelev's profession was the defense of the Motherland. Russian Academy The General Staff highly appreciated the military talent of Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, calling him "equal to Suvorov." General Skobelev did not lose a single battle, while demonstrating exceptional courage and high military skill. This was especially evident during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878.

Childhood and youth

Mikhail's grandfather, Ivan Nikitich, during the Patriotic War of 1812 was Kutuzov's adjutant, rose to the rank of infantry general, was the commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress and at the same time an original military writer and playwright. The grandfather was the main figure in the home education of his grandson. After his death, the mother of the young Skobelev decided to send her son to France, where he studied at a boarding school, mastered several languages. Subsequently, Skobelev spoke eight European languages (in French, as in his native Russian) and could recite large excerpts from the works of Balzac, Sheridan, Spencer, Byron, Shelley. Of the Russian authors, he fell in love with Lermontov, Khomyakov, Kireevsky. He played the piano and sang in a pleasant baritone voice. In a word, he was a real hussar - a romantic in an officer's uniform. Returning to his homeland, Mikhail entered St. Petersburg University in 1861, but the university was temporarily closed due to student unrest, and Skobelev petitioned the tsar to enroll him as a cadet in the Cavalier Guard regiment.

Military service

On November 22, 1861, the 18-year-old Skobelev took an oath of allegiance to the sovereign and the Fatherland in front of the formation of the cavalry guards, and with zeal began to comprehend the basics of military affairs. In March 1863 he became an officer. In February 1864, he accompanied, as an orderly, Adjutant General Count Baranov, who was sent to Warsaw to promulgate the Manifesto on the liberation of the peasants and on the allocation of land to them. Upon arrival in Poland, Skobelev asked to be transferred to the Life Guards Grodno Hussars, named after the hero Patriotic War 1812 Y. Kulneva. The regiment at that time was conducting military operations against the Polish rebels. On March 19, 1864, Skobelev was transferred and from March 31, in the detachment of Lieutenant Colonel Zankisov, he took part in the destruction of Polish 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 the memoirs of the officers of the Grodno regiment, he remained "a true gentleman and a dashing cavalry officer."

In 1866 Lieutenant M.D. Skobelev, brilliantly passing the entrance exams, entered the Academy of the General Staff. It was the heyday of the academy, in which such prominent military scientists as G. Leer, M. Dragomirov, A. Puzyrevsky taught. Temperamental officer study was not easy. He either worked hard, delighting teachers with his knowledge, or stopped going to lectures, wandering around the city and indulging in bachelor parties. Probably, he would not have been able to complete the course of the academy if it were not for Professor Leer, who guessed exceptional military talents in the "varmint" Skobelev and therefore took care of him with all his attention. At the request of Leer, Staff Captain Skobelev, upon graduation from the academy, was enrolled in the staff of officers of the General Staff. However, he did not stay there long. At the first opportunity, he asked for the right to participate in combat activities.

In 1869, as a representative of the General Staff, Skobelev participated in the expedition of Major General A. Abramov to the borders of the Bukhara Khanate. This enterprise was not entirely successful, however, it allowed Mikhail Dmitrievich to get acquainted with Asian methods of warfare, which were strikingly different from those used in Poland. What he saw captured the young officer, and since then Central Asia has been pulling him to itself like a magnet. For participation in the Khiva campaign of 1873, Mikhail Dmitrievich received his first St. George award - the Order of St. George IV degree.

In 1874, Mikhail Dmitrievich was promoted to colonel and adjutant wing, married the maid of honor of the Empress, Princess M. Gagarina. The couple did not love each other. The parents of M.D. Skobelev insisted on marriage, who believed that marriage would help their son settle down and get away from their idle amusements. Family life did not work out from the very beginning, and already in next year Skobelev literally begs his superiors to send him to Turkestan, where the Kokand uprising broke out. As part of the Kaufman detachment, Skobelev commanded the Cossack cavalry, and his decisive actions contributed to the defeat of the enemy near Makhram. Then he was instructed to act at the head of a separate detachment against the Kara-Kyrgyz participating in the uprising; Skobelev's victories near Andijan and Asaka put an end to the uprising. Always dressed in a white uniform, on a white horse, Skobelev remained safe and sound after the most heated fights with the enemy (he himself inspired himself and others that he would never be killed in white clothes). Already at that time there was a legend that he was charmed by bullets. For his exploits in the Kokand campaign, Skobelev was awarded the rank of major general, the orders of St. George of the 3rd degree and St. Vladimir of the 3rd degree with swords, as well as a golden saber with the inscription "For Courage" adorned with diamonds. The first glory came to General Skobelev. In 1876 he divorced his wife. “To live my life, I confess, is unflattering for a woman,” Skobelev wrote to his uncle. In conversations with friends, he often said that "Ignatius Loyola was great only because he did not know women and families ..." And yet, leading a bachelor's life, Skobelev often showed a desire to "babysit his children". Unfortunately, this was not destined to come true.

Russian-Turkish war 1877-1878

In April 1877, the Russian-Turkish war began, in which Russia came to the aid of the fraternal Slavic peoples, and Skobelev decided to take part in it without fail. But in St. Petersburg, an unfriendly opinion had formed about the young general by that time: envious people accused him of excessive ambition. With difficulty, Skobelev was appointed to the Danube army as chief of staff of the Cossack division, but soon he was sent to be at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich. When the days of preparing the Russian army for forcing the Danube came, Mikhail Dmitrievich achieved secondment of his assistant to the head of the 14th division M. Dragomirov. The division was instructed to be the first to cross the Danube, and the arrival of Skobelev turned out to be just in time. Dragomirov and the soldiers greeted him as "their own", and he was actively involved in the preparation of the crossing at Zimnitsa. The crossing was successful, despite the strong resistance of the Turks. After crossing the Danube by the army, the advance detachment of General I. Gurko moved to the Balkans. On behalf of the commander-in-chief, Skobelev helped the detachment in mastering the Shipka Pass. By this time, large Turkish forces under the command of Osman Pasha launched a counteroffensive against the main forces of the Russian army and organized a strong defense of Plevna, a strategically important fortress and city.

Plevna

Mikhail Dmitrievich happened to become one of the active participants in the epic struggle for Plevna. The first two assaults on the city (July 8 and 18), which ended in failure for the Russian troops, revealed serious flaws in the organization of their actions. Skobelev was given little consolation by the fact that during the assault on July 18, the consolidated Cossack detachment he commanded moved forward further than its neighbors, and during a general retreat retreated to in perfect order. In the interval between the second and third assaults, he proposed to capture Lovcha, an important road junction leading to Plevna. The "White General" led the actions of the Russian detachment that took Lovcha. Before the third assault on Plevna at the end of August, Skobelev was entrusted with the command of a unit of the 2nd Infantry Division and the 3rd Infantry Brigade. Having shown great energy and put everyone on their feet, he and his chief of staff A. Kuropatkin brought their troops to the maximum combat readiness. On the day of the assault, Skobelev, as always on a white horse and in white clothes, led the actions of his detachment on the left flank of the advancing troops. His detachment went into battle with music and drumming. After fierce battles with the enemy, he captured two Turkish redoubts and broke through to Plevna. But it was not possible to break the enemy in the center and on the right flank, and the Russian troops received a command to withdraw. This fight brought Skobelev more fame and made his name more famous throughout Russia than all his previous successes. Alexander II, who was near Plevna, awarded the 34-year-old commander with the rank of lieutenant general and the Order of St. Stanislav, 1st degree.

His associate and permanent chief of staff Kuropatkin recalled:

“On the day of the battle, Skobelev each time appeared to the troops as especially joyful, cheerful, handsome ... The soldiers and officers looked with confidence at his martial beautiful figure, admired him, joyfully greeted him and from the bottom of their hearts answered him “glad to try” to his wishes, so that they will be great in the upcoming work.

In his order before speaking to the mountains it was said:

“We have a difficult feat worthy of the tested glory of the Russian banners: today we are starting to cross the Balkans with artillery, without roads, making our way, in the sight of the enemy, through deep snowdrifts. Do not forget, brothers, that we have been entrusted with the honor of the Fatherland. Our holy cause!

As part of the Central Detachment of General F. Radetsky, Skobelev, with his division and the forces attached to it, overcame the Imetlisky Pass, to the right of Shipka, and on the morning of December 28 came to the aid of the column of N. Svyatopolk-Mirsky, who bypassed Shipka on the left and entered the battle with the Turks at Sheinovo . The attack of the Skobelev column, carried out almost on the move, without preparation, but in accordance with all the rules of military art, ended with the encirclement of the Turkish corps of Wessel Pasha. The Turkish commander surrendered his saber to the Russian general. For this victory, Skobelev was awarded the third golden sword with the inscription: "For courage."

At the beginning of 1878, Mikhail Dmitrievich, heading the avant-garde corps, ensured the occupation of Adrianople (Edirne). After a short rest, his corps marched on Istanbul (Constantinople), on January 17 broke into Chorla, which is 80 kilometers from the Turkish capital. In February, Skobelev's troops occupied San Stefano, which stood on the near approaches to Istanbul, just 12 kilometers from it. Exhausted Turkey asked for peace.

Skobelev was appointed commander of the 4th army corps stationed in the vicinity of Adrianople. On March 3, 1878, a peace treaty was signed in San Stefano, according to which Bulgaria became an independent principality, Turkey recognized the sovereignty of Serbia, Montenegro and Romania. After signing the peace Turkish sultan wished to personally meet the Russian White General - Ak Pasha and invited Skobelev to Istanbul. The Turks were very impressed by the fact that the illustrious general knew the Koran and could quote it in Arabic. The Russian army, under the terms of the San Stefano peace treaty, remained on Bulgarian soil for two years. In January 1879, Skobelev was appointed its commander in chief. As a reward for winning this war, he received the court rank of adjutant general. The peace treaty signed in San Stefano was quite beneficial for Russia and the Balkan peoples, but six months later, under pressure from the European powers, it was revised in Berlin, which caused a sharply negative reaction from Skobelev.

By the end of the 70s, the struggle between Russia and England for influence in Central Asia. In 1880, Alexander II instructed Skobelev to lead an expedition of Russian troops to the Akhal-Teke oasis of Turkmenistan. The main goal of the campaign was the capture of the Geok-Tepe fortress (45 kilometers northwest of Ashgabat) - the main stronghold of the Tekins. After a five-month struggle with the sands and the courageous Tekins, the 13,000-strong detachment of Skobelev approached Geok-Tepe, and on January 12, after the assault, the fortress fell. Then Ashgabat was occupied, and other regions of Turkmenistan were annexed to Russia. On the occasion of the successful completion of the expedition, Alexander II promoted Skobelev to the generals of infantry and awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree.

Skobelev and Alexander III

Alexander III, who ascended the throne in March 1881, was wary of the loud glory of the “white general”. The March explosion on the Catherine Canal took the life of not only the ruler of the Russian land, but also painfully responded to many state initiatives. Together with the "Tsar Liberator" in the crypt of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, the hope of Russian society for changes, which in the future could be a gradual and thoughtful transition without troubles and upheavals to a parliamentary monarchy, turned out to be tightly immured.

According to A. F. Koni, “... the fateful day of March 1 ... pushed it back for a whole quarter of a century ... Everything timid in society shied towards reaction and the ominous figures of K. P. Pobedonostsev and Count D.I. Tolstoy. Having called Pobedonostsev a sinister figure, the prominent public figure probably knew about other epithets that were invariably used next to the name of the chief prosecutor of the Synod: “the evil genius of Russia”, “the most cunning man Russia", "leader of obscurantism" and the like.

Yes, the high-ranking imperial dignitary had a lively mind, deep knowledge in the theory of state and law, in jurisprudence, in philosophy and other social sciences. Colossal erudition allowed him to create his own theory about the prospects for the development of Russia. “They reproach me for pulling Russia back,” said the Chief Prosecutor of the Synod, “but this is not true, but it’s true that I look at Russia as a majestic building built on a solid foundation, from which various charlatans are trying to pull it off, which I don't want to. This foundation: Orthodoxy and autocracy. I have nothing against superstructures on the building, if they correspond to the foundation and the general architecture of the century-old building, but the foundation must remain strong and intact.

But after all, Pobedonostsev could not help but know that Skobelev's views coincided in many respects with his own. The worldview of Mikhail Skobelev was formed several years before the end of his life. Already at the end of the war in the Balkans, he said: “My symbol is short: love for the Fatherland; science and Slavdom. On these whales we will build such a political force that we will not be afraid of either enemies or friends! And there is nothing to think about the belly, for the sake of these great goals we will make all the sacrifices.

It was in the last years of his life that the general became close to the Slavophiles, and especially I.S. Aksakov, who had a lot of influence on him, which was noticed by his contemporaries. With Aksakov and the Slavophiles, he was brought together by common views on the foreign policy of Russia, which they all considered unpatriotic, dependent on external influence. This conviction was formed by Skobelev after the Berlin Congress, where statesmen of the non-warring European powers dictated their terms to the victorious Russia. Skobelev was an ardent supporter of the liberation and unification of the Slavic peoples, but without harsh dictates from Russia. It should be noted that his attitude to the Slavs was romantic and altruistic, similar to the position of F.M. Dostoevsky. By the way, neither Pobedonostsev nor Skobelev went further than a hat acquaintance. It's a pity. For each of them, the prosperity of Russia was the highest life purpose. Wasn't Pobedonostsev thinking about winning over Skobelev to his side because this would greatly strengthen the Russian Conservative Party?

In a letter to Alexander III, K.P. Pobedonostsev wrote:

“Let Skobelev, as they say, be an immoral person ... Skobelev, I will say again, has become a great force and acquired an enormous moral influence on the masses, that is, people believe him and follow him ... Now is a critical time for you personally, now or never you bring to your side best forces Russia, people capable of not only speaking, but most importantly, capable of acting at decisive moments ... All the more precious now is a person who has shown that he has will and reason and knows how to act: oh, there are so few of these people.

Pobedonostsev had very big influence on the monarch in the early years of his reign, but other people also sought to influence Alexander III, who did not like the rise of Skobelev during the war and his extremely independent position in the field of foreign policy.

On the one hand, the entourage of Alexander III repeatedly tried to attract the "white general" to their side in order to use his authority to maintain the increasingly declining prestige of the tsarist government. On the other hand, they were afraid that Skobelev's authority would overshadow the unsympathetic personality of the current monarch. There were persistent rumors that General Skobelev was preparing a conspiracy or a coup d'état to overthrow Alexander III and his own accession. However, no real evidence there is no preparation for such a conspiracy to this day.

Death of Skobelev

Having received a month's leave on June 22 (July 4), 1882, M. D. Skobelev left Minsk, where his headquarters were located, for Moscow. The general was accompanied by several staff officers and the commander of one of the regiments, Baron Rosen. As usual, Mikhail Dmitrievich stayed at the Dusso Hotel, intending to leave for his Spasskoye estate on June 25 (July 7) in order to stay there "until the big maneuvers." Upon arrival in Moscow, Skobelev met with Prince D. D. Obolensky, according to whom the general was out of sorts, did not answer questions, and if he did, then somehow jerkily. It looks like he's worried about something. On June 24, Skobelev came to I.S. Aksakov, brought a bunch of some documents and asked to keep them, saying: “I'm afraid that they will steal them from me. For some time now I have become suspicious.

The next day there was a dinner hosted by Baron Rosen in honor of receiving another award. After dinner in the evening, M. D. Skobelev went to the England Hotel, which was located on the corner of Stoleshnikov Lane and Petrovka. Girls of easy virtue lived here, including Charlotte Altenrose (according to other sources, her name was Eleanor, Wanda, Rose). This coquette of unknown nationality, who supposedly came from Austria-Hungary and spoke German, occupied a luxurious room on the lower floor and was known to all the reveling Moscow.

Late at night, Charlotte ran to the janitor and said that an officer had suddenly died in her room. Skobelev was immediately identified in the deceased. The arriving police eliminated the panic among the residents by transporting Skobelev's body to the Dusso Hotel, where he stayed. The official cause of death was "paralysis of the heart".

Around the tragedy in the Moscow hotel, like a snowball, a tangle of legends and rumors grew. The most diverse, even mutually exclusive assumptions were expressed, but they were all unanimous in one thing: the death of M. D. Skobelev was connected with mysterious circumstances. Broadcasting a rumor widely circulated in Russia about suicide, one of the European newspapers wrote that "the general committed this act of desperation in order to avoid the dishonor that threatened him as a result of revelations certifying him in the activities of nihilists."

Most of the public was inclined to believe that Skobelev fell victim to German hatred. The presence of a “German woman” at his death seemed to give these rumors more credibility.

This version was supported by some representatives of official circles. One of the inspirers of the reaction, Prince N. Meshchersky, wrote to Pobedonostsev in 1887:

“From day to day, Germany could pounce on France, crush her. But suddenly, thanks to Skobelev's bold step, for the first time the common interests of France and Russia showed up, unexpectedly for everyone and to the horror of Bismarck. Neither Russia nor France were already isolated. Skobelev fell victim to his convictions, and the Russian people have no doubt about it.

There were also rumors that Skobelev was plotting to arrest the tsar and force him to sign the constitution, and for this reason he was allegedly poisoned by police agents, with the sanction of one of the grand dukes.

The funeral of Skobelev resulted in a grandiose popular demonstration. From the Church of the Three Hierarchs to the station, the coffin was carried in their arms. Along the entire movement of the funeral train, to the very homeland of Skobelev - the village of Spassky (Ryazan province), peasants with priests came out to the railway - they went out with entire villages, towns with banners and banners.

The name of the general was immediately overgrown with legends and all sorts of hoaxes (in subsequent decades, there were real people posing as General Skobelev). His mysterious death provided food for the plots of adventure novels of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Today, one can often hear voices that if Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev had been destined to live another 20 years, he would, no doubt, become the Minister of War and Commander-in-Chief during the Far Eastern campaign of 1904-1905. Perhaps he would not have missed the victories at Liaoyang and Mukden, would have saved Port Arthur, and indeed the entire campaign, from indelible shame. Then the political situation in Russia would have been completely different and the development of the country would have taken a more successful course, without the revolutions of 1905 and 1917. Perhaps. Only "one in the field is not a warrior," as history testifies. It is unlikely that all the talents of even such an extraordinary person as Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev would be enough to resolve all painful and completely insoluble issues. As the experience of the revolution and the Civil War showed, the brightest minds and true patriots of the country were powerless before the populist promises of political adventurers and the call to "rob the loot." Alas, history cannot be rewritten...

Compilation by Elena Shirokova
According to materials:

Kostin B. A. Skobelev. - M.: Young Guard, 2000.

Foreign awards

- March 17

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev(-) - an outstanding Russian military leader and strategist, infantry general (), adjutant general ().

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 the -1860s, 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 his exams, but the university was temporarily closed due to student unrest.

Military education

Skobelev presented detailed description 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

Skobelev conducted reconnaissance all the time in order to secure the passage of the troops and inspect the wells, advancing with the cavalry detachment in front of the army in order to protect the wells. So on May 5, near the Itybai well, 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 N. A. Verevkin, continued to move towards Khiva (250 miles) along 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 duty 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 auls in order to punish the Turkmen for hostile actions against the Russians; This order he carried out exactly.

Meanwhile, the Kokandans 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 Alay Range, the enemy cavalry masses threatened to attack, but after the shots of the Russian batteries, they scattered and disappeared into the nearest gorges. On August 22, General Kaufman's troops took Mahram. Skobelev with cavalry swiftly attacked numerous enemy crowds of foot and horsemen, put to flight and pursued more than 10 miles, using the support of a rocket battery in a timely manner, while he himself was slightly wounded in the leg. In this battle, Mikhail Dmitrievich showed himself to be a brilliant cavalry commander and the Russian troops won a landslide victory.

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 unbearable weight 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. Do not refuse, therefore ... 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, Mikhail Dmitrievich took up the preparation and training 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, is very close to the Slavophiles.

General of Infantry

General of Infantry
M. D. SKOBELEV 1881

The majority was inclined to the version that "Skobelev was killed", that the "white general" fell victim to German hatred. The presence of a “German woman” at his death seemed to give these rumors more credibility. “It is wonderful,” a contemporary noted, “that the same opinion was held in intelligent circles. Here it was expressed even more definitely: persons were named who could participate in this crime, allegedly directed by Bismarck ... The same message attributed to Bismarck the loss of the war plan with the Germans, developed by Skobelev and stolen immediately after the death of M. D. Skobelev from his estate.

This version was supported by some representatives of official circles. One of the inspirers of the reaction, 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, for the first time the common interests of France and Russia showed up, unexpectedly for everyone and to the horror of Bismarck. Neither Russia nor France were already isolated. Skobelev fell victim to his convictions, and the Russian people have no doubt about that. Many more fell, but the deed was done."

There were also rumors that Skobelev plotted to arrest the tsar and force him to sign the constitution, and for this reason he was allegedly poisoned by police agents.

Order of St. Anne 4th class for bravery (1863)
Order of St. George 4th class (1873)
Order of St. George 3rd class (1875)
Golden sword "For courage" with diamonds (1876)
Order of St. Vladimir 3rd class with swords (1876)
Order of St. Stanislaus 1st class with swords (1877)
Golden sword "For courage" with diamonds for crossing the Balkans (1878)
Order of St. Anne 1st class (1879)
Order of St. George 2nd class (1881)

Foreign:

Prussian Order of the Red Eagle 2nd class with swords (1874)
Prussian Order Pour le Mérite (1878)
Serbian Order of the Cross of Takov, 1st class grand cross (1878)
Montenegrin medal (1878)
Serbian Golden medal for bravery (1878)
Romanian medal for military valor (1878)
Romanian Cross "For crossing the Danube" (1878)
Prussian Order of the Red Eagle 1st class with swords (1879)

Memory of Skobelev

monuments

Before the revolution, at least six monuments to General M. D. Skobelev were erected on the territory of the Russian Empire.

Bialystok (Poland) . The monument was a rock 6.5 meters high, on top of which lay defeated enemy banners - Turkish, French and Teke, on which a double-headed eagle sat with outstretched wings. On the front side of the rock there was a medallion with bas-relief portraits of A. V. Suvorov and M. D. Skobelev, and below, on the board, the inscription "To Suvorov and Skobelev - the 16th Infantry Division with its artillery." The monument was opened on August 30, 1913 and was located on the territory summer camp divisions. Around 1918, the monument was destroyed by the Poles.

Warsaw. Bronze bust on a high pedestal. It was opened on June 12, 1912 on the parade ground near the regimental church of the Life Guards of the Grodno Hussars. In the early 1920s, the monument was destroyed by the Poles.

Moscow . The most monumental equestrian monument to the general was laid on June 5, 1911 and opened on June 24, 1912. The bronze figure of the general and the figures of soldiers were cast according to the model of the sculptor P. A. Samonov. The monument stood on Tverskaya Square (renamed Skobelevskaya), opposite the governor-general's house. In 1918 it was destroyed by the Bolsheviks, and a monument to the Soviet constitution took its place. In 1954, an equestrian monument to Yuri Dolgoruky was unveiled on Tverskaya Square.

Orany (Vilna province). The monument was a column crowned with a bronze eagle with a wreath in its beak. On the front side of the pedestal, a metal plaque with the inscription "To Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev" was fixed. The monument was opened on June 25, 1886 and was located on the territory of the camp of the 16th artillery brigade. After 1915 the monument was destroyed.

Skobelev (now Fergana). Bronze bust on a high stepped pedestal. It was opened on December 6, 1907 on the territory of the city park. The monument was destroyed in 1918.

village Ulanovo, Glukhovsky district, Chernihiv province. Bronze bust on a granite pedestal. It was opened on June 7, 1911 in front of the soldiers' invalid home, opened on the same day. Shortly after the revolution, the bust was removed and thrown into the cesspool of an invalid's home. The pedestal has survived to the present day. (Sokol K. G. Monumental monuments of the Russian Empire. catalog. M., 2006, pp. 298-301)

He annexed Muslim Central Asia to Russia, but dreamed of a pan-Slavic country with a single army and currency. Fate kept him from bullets, but the general died under unclear circumstances.

Upbringing

Until the age of twelve, he “fought” with a German tutor, who forced the future general to crammed Vokabel, a Russian-German dictionary. The home teacher seized the boy for any offense, and all the thoughts of the young Skobelev were aimed at taking revenge on the heartless teacher. Writer Mikhail Filippov in his book “Mikhail Skobelev. His life, military, administrative and social activities” described this period of his hero’s life in this way: “in this upbringing one should see almost the first germ of Skobelev’s later dislike for the Germans. Skobelev from childhood had an independent, ardent and lively nature; for a long time he was forced to reluctantly endure such treatment. Secretiveness and vindictiveness developed in his character.

Central Asian campaigns

General Skobelev is remembered, as a rule, in connection with the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. In the Slavic world, he is perceived as the liberator of the Bulgarians from the Ottoman yoke. Meanwhile, more important for Russian state are his three Central Asian campaigns: the Khiva campaign, the suppression of the Kokand uprising and the Akhal-Teke expedition.

It was there that the geopolitical interests of Russia and England clashed at that time during the famous Great Game for Central Asia. “If we imagine that by the end of the 19th century, the British would have advanced further than Afghanistan in the development of these lands, without getting stuck there and not meeting any resistance, then, of course, the geopolitical position of (modern) Russia would be much more difficult,” one person is convinced from the authors of the book "General Skobelev" Ruslan Gagkuev. Interestingly, Skobelev received his first "George" for many days of reconnaissance in the desert to the Sarykamysh well.

Pan-Slavism

So, the Russian-Turkish war for the liberation of Bulgaria is associated with Mikhail Skobelev, as evidenced by hundreds of monuments to the general on Bulgarian soil. And this despite the fact that it was not he who was in the first roles in that company, but personally Emperor Alexander II, his son - later Emperor Alexander III, and General Gurko.

The military successes of General Skobelev are connected, first of all, with the famous siege of Plevna, but thanks to his personal courage, he became the real darling of military journalism, or, as they say now, the newsmaker of the liberation war. Historians associate this, among other things, with a certain theatricality, manifested in Skobelev's love for white uniforms. By the way, the Turks called him "ak-pasha" - a white general.

“In those raids that went to my lot, I was festive,” the general said, “I chase dangers like women, but, wanting them forever, I don’t feel satiety.” It was then that he began to show himself as a politician, outlining the future of the Slavic world. His speech, where he outlined the principles of pan-Slavism, made a splash in Europe. “Everyone has complete autonomy, the common thing is the troops, the coin and the customs system. My symbol is short - love for the fatherland, freedom, science and Slavdom. Soon in the newspapers they began to write about Skobelev as about the Slavic Garibaldi.

The mysterious death of a general

Everything related to last days Skobelev's life is still a historical mystery. Everyone’s favorite, a young infantry general, whose rank he received after the brilliant Akhal-Teke expedition of 1881, suddenly spoke in all seriousness about his death and even ordered a crypt for himself in a personal estate in the village of Spassky-Zaborovsky, Ryazhsky district, Ryazan province. Meanwhile, he was only 38 years old. Perhaps this was due to some kind of threats that came to him from nameless ill-wishers.

The premonition did not deceive the general. On July 7, 1882, Mikhail Skobelev dies in Moscow at the England Hotel in the room of a certain Charlotte Altenrose, who informed the police about this. The causes of death, according to an autopsy performed by the dissector of Moscow University, Neiding, were paralysis of the heart and lungs. Meanwhile, the overwhelming majority of the metropolitan intelligentsia was sure that Skobelev was killed, moreover, on Bismarck's personal order. And allegedly a plan for a victorious war against the Germans was stolen from Skobelev. There was also a version that he was eliminated by secret order of the tsar, who allegedly suspected the general of attempting a coup d'état. They also talked about the Freemasons, against whom the general actively fought.

He went through many wars, but he was not destined to die on the battlefield. His death was experienced as a national grief. On the wreath from the Academy of the General Staff, the inscription was silvered: "To Hero Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev - equal to commander Suvorov." Peasants of 20 versts on their hands carried the coffin of Mikhail Dmitrievich to Spassky, the family estate of the Skobelevs. There he was buried in the church next to his father and mother. In 1912, in Moscow on Tverskaya Square, a beautiful monument was erected to Skobelev at the expense of folk funds ...

General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev

Heroes are not born. They become. The truth is as old as the world. But in the entire history of the world, there are not so many examples that confirm this maxim. Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev can be safely attributed to these few.

While still a student of the military academy, Mikhail Skobelev was sent 30 miles from St. Petersburg to the shore Gulf of Finland map. Having stopped in a small village, where he lived for several months, he was struck by the poverty and misery of the local peasants. Having spent all his salary on buying clothes and shoes for local children, he generously helped the local peasant Nikita, with whom he lived all this time. One day he went to the forest for poles and got stuck in a swamp on the way back. A seedy white sivka saved the life of the future hero of Russia. “I take her to the left, and she pulls me to the right,” Skobelev told Nikita, “if I have to ride a horse anywhere, so that I remember your sivka, I will always choose a white one.”

General Mikhail Skobelev on a white horse during the Russo-Turkish War (1877 - 1878). Artist Nikolay Dmitriev-Orenbursky (1883)

Obviously, after this, Skobelev developed a mystical addiction to white horses; and the white uniform during the battle was a continuation and completion of the whiteness of his horse. That is why the Russian soldiers called Skobelev "White General", and in Central Asia and the Balkans - "Ak Pasha"; his mention terrified Asian enemies and Turkish Janissaries. Simple Russian soldiers treated him with respect and reverence. Staff officers - disliked, envious of his successes, whispered behind his back that he was a poseur who deliberately flaunts his courage, contempt for danger and death. Vasily Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko, who knew the general well, the brother of the founder of the Art Theater, noted that "contempt for death is the best gesture of all gestures ever invented by people." Nemirovich-Danchenko wrote: “He knew that he was leading to death, and without hesitation did not send, but led him. The first bullet was for him, the first meeting with the enemy was his. would not back down from any sacrifice."

At the same time, Skobelev was not a "martinet". He was an intelligent, interesting, extraordinary person - ironic, cheerful, an excellent debater and a daring reveler. But the main cause of his life - the service of the Fatherland, he gave himself without a trace. He was an amazing commander and unusual person who during his lifetime became a real legend.

This year marks the 160th anniversary of the birth of Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev. The legendary general and future hero of the Fatherland, a favorite of Russian aristocrats and nobles, ordinary peasants and the army of pre-revolutionary Russia, was born on September 17, 1843 in a military family: he was the first-born of a lieutenant of the Cavalier Guard regiment, later a participant in the Crimean War, holder of an honorary golden sword. Mikhail's grandfather, Ivan Nikitich, during the Patriotic War of 1812 was an adjutant at Kutuzov himself, rose to the rank of general from infantry, was the commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress and at the same time an original military writer and playwright. The grandfather was the main figure in the home education of his grandson. After his death, the mother of the young Skobelev decided to send her son to France, where he studied at a boarding school, mastered several languages. Subsequently, Skobelev spoke eight European languages (in French, as in his native Russian) and could recite large excerpts from the works of Balzac, Sheridan, Spencer, Byron, Shelley. Of the Russian authors, he fell in love with Lermontov, Khomyakov, Kireevsky. He played the piano and sang in a pleasant baritone voice. In a word, he was a real hussar - a romantic in an officer's uniform.

Returning to his homeland, Mikhail entered St. Petersburg University in 1861, but soon family traditions took over, and he petitioned the tsar to enroll him as a cadet in the Cavalier Guard regiment. Thus began his military service.

In 1866, Skobelev, having brilliantly passed the entrance exams, entered the Academy of the General Staff. This was the heyday of the academy, in which such prominent military scientists as G. Leer, M. Dragomirov, A. Puzyrevsky taught. But the study was not easy for the temperamental officer, he either worked hard, admiring the teachers with his knowledge, or stopped going to lectures, indulging in bachelor parties. Probably, he would not have been able to complete the course of the academy if it were not for Professor Leer, who divined exceptional military talents in him and therefore took care of him with all his attention. At the request of Leer, the staff captain Skobelev, upon graduation from the academy, was enrolled in the staff of the general staff officers.

However, he did not stay there long. At the first opportunity, he asked for the right to participate in combat activities. In 1869, as a representative of the General Staff, he participated in the expedition of Major General A. Abramov to the borders of the Bukhara Khanate. This enterprise was not entirely successful, but allowed Mikhail Dmitrievich to get acquainted with Asian methods of warfare, which were strikingly different from those used in Poland. What he saw captured the young officer, and since then Central Asia has been pulling him to itself like a magnet.

Bust of General Mikhail Skobelev in Ryazan

In 1870, Skobelev was assigned to the Caucasus, to the detachment of Colonel N. Stoletov, where he showed initiative and energy, sometimes even excessive. It was here that a story happened to him that overshadowed the beginning of his service in Central Asia (the Central Asian theater of military operations was territorially part of the Caucasian Military District). Having asked N. Stoletov for a small batch of soldiers (Ural Cossacks), the young officer went to the Krasnovodsk region, where he carried out a daring and, although successful, reconnaissance mission in the Transcaspian region. Self-will was not liked by the authorities. In addition, the veracity of the report presented by Skobelev about the many Bukhara bandit gangs he had defeated raised doubts, especially since one of the participants in the reconnaissance, a Ural Cossack, accused Mikhail Dmitrievich of lying.

Subsequently, it became known that the Cossack did this because of his personal dislike for the young officer, who, in his temper, hit him in the face. And although a thorough investigation was carried out, which confirmed Skobelev's innocence, history in Bukhara society acquired an ugly shade and harmed Skobelev's authority for a long time. The ill-wishers took advantage of the opportunity to teach the "St. Petersburg upstart" a lesson. The matter ended with two duels between Mikhail Dmitrievich and the officers of the headquarters of the Governor-General K. Kaufman and the dispatch of Skobelev to St. Petersburg.

Here, Mikhail Dmitrievich took part in the work of the Military Scientific Committee of the General Staff, and then was appointed senior adjutant of the headquarters of the 22nd Infantry Division stationed in Novgorod, with a transfer to the General Staff as a captain. However, such military activity little seduced by Skobelev, although on August 30, 1872 he was awarded the rank of lieutenant colonel with a transfer to the headquarters of the Moscow military district. Almost immediately, he was seconded to the 74th Stavropol Regiment as a battalion commander. There Skobelev learns about the impending Khiva expedition. Using the influence of his uncle, Minister of the Imperial Court, Adjutant General Count A. Adlerberg, he literally begged for an appointment to Turkestan, where the next (sixth in a row) expedition was equipped to conquer the Khiva Khanate.

The expedition consisted of four detachments under the general command of General K. Kaufman. Skobelev was appointed to the Mangyshlak detachment (2140 people) Colonel N. Lomakin as the commander of the vanguard. For participation in the Khiva campaign of 1873, Mikhail Dmitrievich received his first St. George award - the Order of St. George IV degree, but for what exactly, it is not entirely clear. It is generally accepted that Skobelev received the order for a brilliant reconnaissance. The fact is that one of the four detachments, Krasnovodsky, under the command of Colonel V. Markozov, never reached Khiva. Skobelev was instructed to find out the reasons for this, who, in the course of this assignment, not only showed personal courage and organizational skills, but also dropped the charges against the command of the Krasnovodsk detachment, proving the impossibility of moving along the previously planned path.

Memorial plaque in honor of General Mikhail Skobelev on the commandant's house of the Peter and Paul Fortress

His merits in this reconnaissance were again ambiguously assessed by contemporaries. However, General Kaufman, having carefully checked the facts, decided to award all ordinary participants with the insignia of the Military Order (St. George Cross), and Mikhail Dmitrievich was presented to the Order of St. George IV degree. Soon the St. George's Cavalier Duma by a majority of votes recognized Skobelev as worthy of being awarded the order. Presenting the order, General Kaufman then said to Mikhail Dmitrievich: "You have corrected your previous mistakes in my eyes, but you have not yet earned my respect."

In 1874, Mikhail Dmitrievich was promoted to colonel and adjutant wing, married the maid of honor of the Empress, Princess M. Gagarina, but a cozy family life was not for him. The following year, he again seeks to send him to Turkestan, where the Kokand uprising broke out. As part of the Kaufman detachment, Skobelev commanded the Cossack cavalry, and his decisive actions contributed to the defeat of the enemy near Makhram. Then he was instructed to act at the head of a separate detachment against the Kara-Kyrgyz participating in the uprising; Skobelev's victories near Andijan and Asaka put an end to the uprising.

Dressed in a white uniform, on a white horse, Skobelev remained safe and sound after the most heated fights with the enemy (he himself, paying tribute to superstition, inspired himself and others that he would never be killed in white clothes). Already at that time there was a legend that he was charmed by bullets. For his exploits in the Kokand campaign, Skobelev was awarded the rank of major general, the orders of St. George of the 3rd degree and St. Vladimir of the 3rd degree with swords, as well as a golden saber with the inscription "For Courage" adorned with diamonds. The first fame came to him.

In April 1877, the Russian-Turkish war began, in which Russia came to the aid of the fraternal Slavic peoples, and Skobelev decided to take part in it without fail. It seemed that he had been waiting for this case all his life. Nemirovich-Danchenko writes in this regard:

"He was not a Slavophile in the narrow sense - this is undoubtedly. He went far beyond the framework of this direction, they seemed too cramped to him. Our people's and Slavic cause was dear to him. His heart lay with his native tribes. He felt a living connection with them - but and that was where his resemblance to today's Slavophiles ended. state structure, on the rights of individual tribes, on many internal issues he had completely different. If a nickname is needed, then he was more likely a populist. In a letter I received from his chief of staff, General Dukhonin, after the death of Skobelev, among other things, it is reported that on one of his last meetings with him, Mikhail Dmitrievich repeated several times: “We Slavophiles must come to an agreement, enter into an agreement with Golos” ... Golos is right in many respects. This cannot be denied. Mutual irritations and our squabbles only cause harm to Russia." He repeated the same thing to us more than once, saying that in such a difficult time as our fatherland is now experiencing, all people of thought and heart need to unite, create a common slogan for themselves and fight together against the dark forces of ignorance. Slavophilism was understood by the deceased not as a return to the old ideals of pre-Petrine Rus', but only as a service exclusively to his people. Russia for the Russians, Slavdom for the Slavs..." That's what he repeated everywhere."

But in St. Petersburg, an unfriendly opinion had formed about the young general by that time: envious people accused him of excessive ambition, an “unrestrained” lifestyle, and even embezzlement of state money. With difficulty, Skobelev was appointed to the Danube army as chief of staff of the Cossack division (his father commanded it), but soon he was sent to be at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, Grand Duke Nikolai Nikolayevich. When the days of preparing the Russian army for forcing the Danube came, Mikhail Dmitrievich achieved secondment of his assistant to the head of the 14th division M. Dragomirov. The division was instructed to be the first to cross the Danube, and the arrival of Skobelev turned out to be just in time. Dragomirov and the soldiers greeted him as "their own", and he was actively involved in the preparation of the crossing at Zimnitsa. Skillfully organized, on June 15 it was successful, despite the strong resistance of the Turks.

Folk pictures about the exploits of General Mikhail Skobelev

After the army had forced the Danube forward to the Balkans, the advance detachment of General I. Gurko moved, and on behalf of the commander-in-chief, Skobelev helped the detachment in mastering the Shipka Pass. By this time, large Turkish forces under the command of Osman Pasha launched a counteroffensive against the main forces of the Russian army and organized a strong defense of Plevna, a strategically important fortress and city. Mikhail Dmitrievich happened to become one of the active participants in the epic struggle for Plevna. The first two assaults on the city (July 8 and 18), which ended in failure for the Russian troops, revealed serious flaws in the organization of their actions.

Skobelev was given little consolation by the fact that during the assault on July 18, the consolidated Cossack detachment, which he commanded, moved forward further than its neighbors, and during the general retreat, retreated in perfect order. In the interval between the second and third assaults, he proposed to capture Lovcha, an important road junction leading to Plevna. The "White General" actually led the actions of the Russian detachment that took Lovcha, since the head of the detachment, Prince Imeretinsky, completely entrusted him with the attack.

Before the third assault on Plevna at the end of August, Skobelev was entrusted with the command of a unit of the 2nd Infantry Division and the 3rd Infantry Brigade. Having shown great energy and put everyone on their feet, he and his chief of staff A. Kuropatkin brought their troops to the maximum combat readiness. On the day of the assault, Skobelev, as always on a white horse and in white clothes, led the actions of his detachment on the left flank of the advancing troops. His detachment went into battle with music and drumming. After fierce battles with the enemy, he captured two Turkish redoubts and broke through to Plevna. But it was not possible to break the enemy in the center and on the right flank, and the Russian troops received a command to withdraw.

This battle near Plevna brought Skobelev more fame and made his name more famous throughout Russia than all his previous successes. Alexander II, who was near Plevna, awarded the 34-year-old commander with the rank of lieutenant general and the Order of St. Stanislav, 1st degree.

The sharp increase in Skobelev's popularity was largely due to the originality of his personality and the ability to win the hearts of soldiers. He considered it his sacred duty to take care of his subordinates, whom he provided with hot food in any combat situation. With sincere and emotional patriotic slogans and a lively appeal to the troops, the fearless general influenced them like no other. His associate and permanent chief of staff Kuropatkin recalled: “On the day of the battle, Skobelev seemed to the troops especially joyful, cheerful, handsome every time ... The soldiers and officers looked with confidence at his martial beautiful figure, admired him, joyfully greeted him and answered with all their hearts he is "glad to try" to his wishes, so that they will be great in the upcoming work.

In October 1877, Mikhail Dmitrievich took command of the 16th Infantry Division near Plevna. Three regiments of this division were already under his command: Kazan - near Lovcha, Vladimir and Suzdal - during the assaults on Plevna. During the period of complete encirclement and blockade of the city, he put his division in order, upset by heavy losses in previous battles. After the capitulation of Plevna, which could not withstand the blockade, Skobelev took part in the winter passage of Russian troops through the Balkans. His order, before setting out into the mountains, said: “We have a difficult feat worthy of the tested glory of the Russian banners: today we are starting to cross the Balkans with artillery, without roads, making our way, in sight of the enemy, through deep snowdrifts. Do not forget, brothers that we have been entrusted with the honor of the Fatherland. Our holy cause!"

As part of the Central Detachment of General F. Radetsky, Skobelev with his division and the forces attached to it overcame the Imetlisky Pass, to the right of Shipka, and on the morning of December 28 came to the aid of the column of N. Svyatopolk-Mirsky, who bypassed Shipka on the left and entered the battle with the Turks at Sheinovo . The attack of the Skobelev column, carried out almost on the move, without preparation, but in accordance with all the rules of military art, ended with the encirclement of the Turkish corps of Wessel Pasha. The Turkish commander surrendered his saber to the Russian general. For this victory, Skobelev was awarded the third golden sword with the inscription: "For courage", although, according to many, he deserved more.

Bypassing the positions of the Turks, Skobelev threw: "Bastards!"

Who are the bastards? - his companions were surprised.

Was it possible to give up such a position?

Yes, and you can’t defend, they went around.

You can’t defend, you can fight, you must die,” Skobelev concluded.

At the same time, the general, extremely merciless in battle, recognizing in decisive cases only a bayonet attack, without a single shot, in order to see the enemy face to face, taught his soldiers on victorious days: "Beat the enemy without mercy, while he holds a weapon in his hands. But as soon as he surrendered, he asked for amina, he became a prisoner - he is your friend and brother. If you don’t eat it yourself, give it to him. He needs it more. He is a soldier like you, only in misfortune."

At the beginning of 1878, Mikhail Dmitrievich was subordinate to the head of the Western Detachment, General I. Gurko, and, having led the avant-garde corps, ensured the occupation of Adrianople (Edirne). After a short rest, his corps marched on Istanbul (Constantinople), on January 17 broke into Chorla, which is 80 kilometers from the Turkish capital. An exhausted Turkey asked for peace. The peace treaty signed in San Stefano was quite beneficial for Russia and the Balkan peoples, but six months later, under pressure from the European powers, it was revised in Berlin, which caused a sharply negative reaction from Skobelev.

Monument to General Mikhail Skobelev in Plevna (Bulgaria). Five Bulgarian villages bear the name of the Russian general: Skobelevo (Lovech region); Skobelevo (Haskovskaya region); Skobelevo (Plovdiv region); Skobelevo (Starozagorsk region); Skobelevo (Sliven region)

By the end of the 70s, the struggle between Russia and England for influence in Central Asia intensified, and in 1880 Alexander II instructed Skobelev to lead an expedition of Russian troops to the Akhal-Teke oasis of Turkmenistan. The main goal of the campaign was the capture of the Geok-Tepe fortress (45 kilometers northwest of Ashgabat) - the main stronghold of the Tekins.

After a five-month struggle with the sands and the courageous Tekins, the 13,000-strong detachment of Skobelev approached Geok-Tepe, and on January 12, after the assault, the fortress fell. Then Ashgabat was occupied, and other regions of Turkmenistan were annexed to Russia. On the occasion of the successful completion of the expedition, Alexander II promoted Skobelev to the generals of infantry and awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree.

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One of the central boulevards in the Bulgarian capital Sofia is named after Mikhail Skobelev, and on the wall of one of the houses stands memorial plate with the name and image of the general

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Alexander III, who ascended the throne in March 1881, was wary of the loud glory of the "White General". In turn, Skobelev did not seek to win the trust of the new tsar and allowed himself to say whatever he thought about the reigning house, about the policy of Russia and its relationship with the Western powers. Fascinated by the ideas of Slavism, Orthodoxy and the rise of national self-consciousness, he repeatedly and publicly declared the danger threatening Russia from the west, which caused a stir in Europe. The general spoke especially sharply about Germany, the "Teutons". In March and April 1882, Skobelev had two audiences with the tsar, and although the content of their conversations remained unknown, according to eyewitnesses, Alexander III began to treat the general more tolerantly. Skobelev wrote to his friend General Kuropatkin: "If they scold you, don't really believe it, I stand for the truth and for the Army and I'm not afraid of anyone."

The worldview of Mikhail Skobelev was formed several years before the end of his life. Already at the end of the war in the Balkans, he said: “My symbol is short: love for the Fatherland; science and Slavdom. On these whales we will build such a political force that we will not be afraid of either enemies or friends! And there is nothing to think about the belly, for the sake of these great goals, let us make every sacrifice." It was in the last years of his life that the general became close to the Slavophiles, and especially I.S. Aksakov, who had a lot of influence on him, which was noticed by his contemporaries. “Poor man Ivan Sergeevich,” said N.N. Obruchev, you used to convince the late Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, reason with him. Well, it seems that the man has completely calmed down.

But one cannot say that Skobelev completely succumbed to the intellectual pressure of Aksakov and other theoreticians of Slavophilism. Nevertheless, he was a European and did not share even Aksakov's negative attitude towards the Petrine reforms, Western European parliamentarism. He was a supporter of the constitutional project of Loris-Melikov - he turned to him during a period of heavy reflection after an insulting audience in winter palace. With Aksakov and the Slavophiles, he was brought together by common views on the foreign policy of Russia, which they all considered unpatriotic, dependent on external influence. This conviction was formed by Skobelev after the Berlin Congress, where statesmen of the non-warring European powers dictated their terms to the victorious Russia. Skobelev was an ardent supporter of the liberation and unification of the Slavic peoples, but without harsh dictates from Russia.

It should be noted that his attitude to the Slavs was romantic and altruistic, similar to the position of F.M. Dostoevsky. In his "Diary of a Writer" he wrote about the capture of Geok-tepe by Skobelev: "Long live the victory at Geok-tepe! Long live Skobelev and his soldiers, and eternal memory to the heroes who have "dropped off the list"! We will add them to our lists."
Such an assessment of Dostoevsky was of considerable value to Skobelev. And no less valuable and consonant with his worldview was the writer's foresight regarding the role of Russia in the world.

The writer-prophet Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky wrote about it this way:

“According to my inner conviction, the most complete and irresistible, Russia will not have, and never has had, such haters and slanderers and even obvious enemies as all these Slavic tribes, as soon as Russia liberates them, and Europe agrees to recognize them as liberated! .. Even the Turks will be spoken of with more respect than Russia; they will curry favor with the European states, they will slander Russia, gossip about it and intrigue it ... It is especially pleasant for the liberated Slavs to speak out and blow the weight of the world that they are tribes educated, capable of the highest European culture, while Russia is a barbarian country, a gloomy northern colossus, not even purely Slavic blood, a persecutor and a hater European civilization…

Between themselves, these zemlyans will forever quarrel, forever envy each other and intrigue against each other. Of course, in the moment of some serious trouble, they will all certainly turn to Russia for help ...

Russia will for a long time get the anguish and care to reconcile them, to reason with them, and even, perhaps, to draw a sword for them on occasion. Of course, the question now arises: what is the advantage of Russia here, because of which Russia fought for them for a hundred years, sacrificed its blood, strength, money? Is it really because of reaping so much small, ridiculous hatred and ingratitude? .. In order to live higher life, great life, to shine the world with a great, disinterested and pure idea, to embody and create, in the end, a great and powerful organism of a fraternal union of tribes, to create this organism not by political violence, not by a sword, but by persuasion, example, love, selflessness, light; Finally, to elevate all these little ones to themselves and to raise their maternal recognition of her - this is the goal of Russia, this is her benefit, if you like. If nations do not live by the highest, disinterested ideas, the highest goals of serving humanity, but only serve their own "interests", then these nations will perish, will undoubtedly become numb, weakened and die. And there are no higher goals than those that Russia sets for itself, serving the Slavs, disinterestedly and without demanding gratitude from them, serving their moral (and not only political) reunification into a great whole.

... The head of the Skobelevsky headquarters, Mikhail Dukhonin, later recalled how he once found his commander in an extremely difficult mood. “It’s time to die,” said Skobelev. “One person cannot do more than what he can do ... I came to the conclusion that everything in the world is a lie, a lie and a lie. All this is glory, and all this brilliance is a lie Is this true happiness? How many dead, wounded, sufferers, devastated." The White General was very worried about those soldiers who laid down their lives in battle. Referring to his enemies, Skobelev exclaimed: “They think that there is nothing better than to lead troops under fire, to death. No, if they saw me on sleepless nights. If they could look into what is happening in my sometimes you yourself want to die - it's so terrible, scary, so painful for these meaningful sacrifices.

The general lived less than two months after this conversation. He died under very strange circumstances in the Dusso hotel in Moscow. The "paralysis of the heart" was officially registered. But rumors circulated around the Mother See: some suggested that Bismarck's agents had poisoned him, others considered it a political assassination, others saw a love affair behind it. And until now, the mystery of his death remains a mystery with seven seals...

General Skobelev repeatedly told his subordinates that he owes his fame, and indeed his whole life, to a Russian soldier. He really respected them, and they paid him the same. Hundreds of stories are told about how, during the transitions, he dismounted and walked along with his infantry, how he took care of the soldiers' kitchen, about supplying the troops, how, in case of need, he distributed money not only to fellow soldiers-officers, but also to privates.

The peasants, recent peasants, revered him as one of their own. "He's ours, he's Russian," they said.

So he was, understandable, crystal clear Russian man. His fate, his actions, legends and tales about him are striking in their exceptional integrity and intelligibility. If in our history someone has created a complete, archetypal image of a patriot that does not bifurcate anywhere, then this is Skobelev.

The funeral of Skobelev resulted in a grandiose popular demonstration.

Khitrovo said: "We are burying our banner." The soldiers echoed him: "You served our mother Russia. You are our eagle!"

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Monument to General Skobelev in Moscow. In 1912, in Moscow, on Tverskaya Square, a beautiful monument was erected to Skobelev at the expense of the people (!) Funds. The author is a self-taught sculptor Lieutenant Colonel P.A. Samonov. In total, six monuments to the general were erected in Russia before the revolution. In 1918, it was barbarously demolished and destroyed by the Bolsheviks in accordance with the decree "On the removal of monuments to tsars and their servants and the development of projects for monuments to the Russian socialist revolution"

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From the Church of the Three Hierarchs to the station, the coffin was carried in their arms. Along the entire movement of the funeral train, to the very homeland of Skobelev - the village of Spassky, peasants with priests went out to the railway - they went out with entire villages, towns with banners and banners.

"That would be impossible with us," Charles Marvin, a shocked London Times correspondent, said at the time.

“And it would be impossible for us,” one of the Russian colleagues answered him, “it’s impossible if it weren’t for Skobelev.”

... As you know, history does not have a subjunctive mood. An empty occupation is to build the course of events based on the premise that one or another active participant in the historical process would not have passed away in the prime of life, but would have lived long years and would give all unspent strength for the good of his Motherland and his people. However tragic death The 38-year-old General Skobelev, to whom both friends and opponents predicted a bright future, was so sudden and stunning that in subsequent years, especially during the period of setbacks that plagued our army and navy during the Russo-Japanese War, many exclaimed: "Oh, if Skobelev were alive today!"

Indeed, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Mikhail Dmitrievich could decisively change the course of the entire Russian history. There is no doubt that it was he who would become the Minister of War after P.S. Vannovsky. And if this happened, then, probably, Skobelev became commander-in-chief during the Far Eastern campaign of 1904-05. And, of course, he would not have missed the victories either at Liaoyang or at Mukden, and would have saved Port Arthur, and the entire campaign as a whole. Then the political situation in Russia would have been completely different and, quite possibly, the development of the country would have taken a more successful course, without the revolutions of 1905 and 1917.

But, alas, history cannot be rewritten, and the Russian troops in this unfortunate war were commanded, of course, by the competent, educated, honest and brave, but very indecisive General A.N. Kuropatkin. Back in time Russian-Turkish war 1877-78 M.D. Skobelev told him: "You, Alexei, are an excellent chief of staff, but God forbid you ever be commander in chief!"

By the way, Alexei Nikolayevich himself soberly assessed his military talent. During the presentation to Emperor Nicholas II on the occasion of his appointment as commander-in-chief of all land and maritime forces on Far East, Kuropatkin said to the tsar: "Only by the scarcity of choice can I explain the decision taken by Your Majesty." Of course, Alexei Nikolaevich cannot be denied honesty and directness.

Moreover, Skobelev's military talent could come in handy in later years, when the tangle of contradictions between the leading powers on the European continent became so confusing and insoluble that a real threat of world war arose. Mikhail Dmitrievich knew perfectly well the nature of the training of the German and Austro-Hungarian armies, their strategy and tactics, their strengths and weaknesses. And even if, due to his advanced age, he could not take a direct part in this war, then, undoubtedly, his rich experience would be indispensable in the fight against such dangerous opponents for Russia.

Alexander Kirilin,

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev

I would like to understand why some people in Rus' (and in Russia) enjoy a special national love? What qualities should a person have to be worthy of this love?

Such questions also arise when the name of M.D. Skobelev. The facts of his biography alone will not reveal the secret of this general's popularity among the people. Yes, a hereditary military man. But is this a rare case in our country? Yes, he was brave and brave in battles. But this is not uncommon either. Yes, I knew 8 foreign languages. But some knew more. So why was Skobelev so loved and still remembered, even though his life was very short: he lived only 38 years?

Let's try to see and understand behind the bare facts of the biography person.

Family

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was born in 1843 in St. Petersburg into a family of hereditary military men: his grandfather was an infantry general, his father was a lieutenant general. M.D. himself Skobelev was an infantry general, and then an adjutant general. Despite the fact that Skobelev Jr. followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather professionally, spiritually he was very close to his mother, Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva (nee Poltavtseva). She had a very great influence on her son, who saw her as a friend of his life. So let's say a few words about this wonderful woman.

Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva (1823-1880)

Portrait of O.N. Skobeleva. Watercolor by W. I. Hau (1842)

She was the middle of the five Poltavtsev sisters. In 1842 she graduated from the Smolny Institute and soon married Lieutenant General Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev. There were four children in their family: the first-born Michael and three daughters.

Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev

Olga Nikolaevna was a secular woman, but in the best sense of the word: she was not only smart and educated, but also knew how to deeply delve into the affairs of her husband and children, live by their interests and concerns. Here is how the Russian historian and critic Baron N.N. Knorring: “Olga Nikolaevna was a very interesting woman, with a domineering and persistent character. She loved her very much only son, visited him even in a field setting and her wide charitable activities supported his policy in the Slavic question. After the death of her husband in 1879, Olga Nikolaevna went to the Balkan Peninsula, where she headed the Bulgarian department of the Red Cross Society. She founded a shelter for 250 orphans in Philippopolis (now Plovdiv), organized shelters and schools in several cities. She participated in organizing the supply of hospitals in Bulgaria and eastern Rumelia (the historical name of the Balkans). In the Balkans, Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva was known not only as the wife and mother of glorious generals, but also as a generous philanthropist and courageous woman.

In Rumelia, she wanted to establish an agricultural school and a church in memory of her husband, but did not have time - her life was tragically cut short: on June 6, 1880, she was brutally hacked to death by a Russian lieutenant, orderly Skobelev, captain of the Rumelian police A. A. Uzatis for the purpose of robbery. Non-commissioned officer Matvey Ivanov, who accompanied Skobelev, was able to escape and raised the alarm. Uzatis was overtaken, surrounded, and he shot himself.

The Philippopolis City Council erected a monument at the site of the murder of Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva. And she was buried in her family estate, in the church.

Monument at the site of the murder of O.N. Skobeleva

Monument in the form of a pedestal ending with a cross. The pedestal is made of tufa. Its height is 3.1 meters. Inscription: “Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva, born March 11, 1823. You came to us with a lofty goal. But a terrible hand shortened your days. Holy forgive! Iv. Vazov. She was killed by a villain on July 6, 1880. The city of Plovdiv is eternally grateful to her.

Childhood and youth of M.D. Skobeleva

His first teacher was a German tutor, whom the boy hated for his hypocrisy, meanness and cruelty. Seeing how his son suffers, D.I. Skobelev sent the child to Paris to a boarding house with the Frenchman Desiderius Girardet, who later became a close friend of Skobelev, followed him to Russia and was with him even during the hostilities.

Mikhail Skobelev continued his further education in Russia: he entered St. Petersburg University, but the university was temporarily closed due to student unrest. And then Mikhail Skobelev entered the military service in the Cavalier Guard Regiment (1861). Thus began his military career. Even before entering the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff, he was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 4th degree "for courage", in 1864 he watched the theater of military operations of the Danes against the Germans. And after graduating from the Academy, Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was promoted to staff captain and in November 1868 was appointed to the Turkestan district.

M.D. Skobelev in the Khiva campaign

In difficult conditions of the campaign (walking, lack of water, heavy equipment that even camels could not do, etc.), Skobelev showed himself to be a skilled commander, he not only maintained perfect order in his echelon, but also took care of the needs of the soldiers, which made him very quickly gained their favor: a simple person always appreciates a good attitude towards himself. And always grateful for it.

Skobelev conducted reconnaissance in order to inspect the wells and the safety of the advance. There were also clashes with the enemy - in one of them he received 7 wounds with pikes and checkers and for some time he could not sit on his horse.

After returning to service, Skobelev was sent to destroy and destroy the Turkmen villages in order to punish the Turkmen for hostile actions against the Russians.

Later, he covered the wheeled convoy, and when the Khiva attacked the camel convoy, Skobelev moved with two hundred 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 beaten off by the enemy camels.

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev

On May 29, General K.P. Kaufman entered Khiva from the south. 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 gates, the assault on the northern part of the wall began. M. D. Skobelev stormed the Shakhabat gates, was the first to get inside the fortress and although he was attacked by the enemy, he kept the gate and the rampart behind him. The assault was stopped by order of General K. P. Kaufman, who at that time peacefully entered the city from the opposite side.

So Khiva submitted. The goal of the campaign was achieved, but one of the detachments, Krasnovodsky, never reached Khiva. To find out the reason, Skobelev decided to perform reconnaissance. It was a very dangerous task, because. the terrain was alien, at every turn they could be attacked. Skobelev with five riders, among whom were 3 Turkmens, set out for reconnaissance. Having stumbled upon the Turkmens, he barely escaped, but realized that there was no way to break through. Skobelev returned after covering 640 km in 7 days. For this intelligence and report, Skobelev was awarded on August 30, 1873 the Order of St. George, 4th degree.

Vacation in the winter of 1873-1874 Skobelev spent in southern France. There he learned about the internecine war in Spain, made his way to the location of the Carlists (a political party in Spain, it still exists, but no longer plays a serious role in politics) and was an eyewitness to several battles.

February 22, 1874 Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was promoted to colonel, on April 17 he was appointed adjutant wing with enrollment in the retinue of His Imperial Majesty.

In September 1874, Skobelev participated in Perm region in the implementation of the military service order.

And again Central Asia

Returning to Tashkent in April 1875, Skobelev took up a new position - the head of the military unit of the Russian embassy, sent to Kashgar through Kokand. The ruler of Kokand, Khudoyar Khan, was on the side of the Russians, but he was too cruel and greedy, and in July 1875 he was deposed and fled to Russian borders. The Russian embassy followed him, which was covered by Skobelev with 22 Cossacks. Thanks to his talent, caution and careful attitude towards the people entrusted to him, they reached Khujand without a single fight and without the use of weapons at all. But in early August, Kokand troops invaded the Russian borders, laid siege to Khujand, where Skobelev was sent to clear the environs of Tashkent from the enemy. Soon, the main forces of General Kaufman approached Khujand; Skobelev was appointed head of the cavalry.

Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev

In this battle, Mikhail Dmitrievich showed himself to be a brilliant cavalry commander, the Russian troops won a landslide victory, although Skobelev himself was wounded in the leg. An agreement was concluded with Nasreddin, according to which Russia acquired the territory north of the Syr Darya, which formed the Namangan department.

But the Kipchak and Kirghiz population of the khanate did not want to admit defeat and was preparing to resume the struggle. On the night of October 5, with 2 hundred and a battalion, Skobelev made a swift attack on the Kipchak camp, for which on November 18 he was promoted to major general. He was ordered to "act strategically defensively", that is, not going beyond the possessions of the Russian Empire.

However, Skobelev was never afraid to take the initiative into his own hands. And here he did the same. The people of Kokand did not stop trying to cross the border, so a small war was constantly taking place here. Skobelev resolutely suppressed attempts to cross the border: he defeated the Batyr-tyur detachment at Tyur-kurgan, then went to the aid of the Namangan garrison, and on November 12 defeated up to 20,000 enemies near Balykchi. It was necessary to put an end to this. Kaufman ordered Skobelev to move to Ike-su-arasy in winter and defeat the Kipchaks and Kyrgyz roaming there. Skobelev set out from Namangan on December 25, at his disposal were 2800 people, 12 guns, a rocket battery and a convoy of 528 carts. The Kipchaks shied away from the battle without offering worthy resistance.

On January 1, 1876, Skobelev crossed to the left bank of the Kara-Darya, made thorough reconnaissance of the outskirts of the city, and on January 8, after the assault, captured Andijan. By February 19, the Kokand Khanate was completely conquered by the Russian Empire, the Fergana region was formed here, and on March 2, Skobelev was appointed military governor of this region and commander of the troops. For this campaign, the 32-year-old Major General Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree with swords and the Order of St. George, 3rd degree, as well as a gold sword with diamonds with the inscription "for courage".

Medal in honor of the conquest of the Kokand Khanate

How did they meet the hero in St. Petersburg?

Having become the head of the Fergana region, Skobelev found a common language with the conquered tribes, almost everywhere elders came to him with an expression of humility.

But there was something that the military elite of that time did not like (however, it would not like today either): as the head of the region, Skobelev especially fought against embezzlement, which made him many enemies. Denunciations were sent to St. Petersburg with grave accusations that were not confirmed, but on March 17, 1877, Skobelev was removed from the post of military governor of the Fergana region.

Russian society reacted very unfriendly and distrustfully to those who showed themselves in battles and campaigns against " negligent". Many considered Skobelev an upstart who still had milk on his lips, and he had already received such high military awards. Ordinary human envy, the desire to humiliate others who are more worthy, but who do not want to be part of their community. M.D. Skobelev showed himself in business, not in armchair battles. He was a stranger in their midst, and distinguished not only by extraordinary courage, but also by a humane attitude towards his subordinates, and general erudition.

Many believed that success in Asia was given to him by chance.

This is well told by an eyewitness and participant in those events - Vasily Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko (not to be confused with Vladimir Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko, a famous theater figure - this is his older brother).

Vasily Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko

Vasily Ivanovich Nemirovich-Danchenko was a war correspondent during the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. (took part in hostilities and was awarded the soldier's St. George Cross), the Russian-Japanese war of 1904-1905, the Balkan wars of the First World War of 1914-1918. Unlike his brother, Vasily Nemirovich-Danchenko did not accept the revolution and emigrated. Since 1921 he lives first in Germany, then in Czechoslovakia. In the preface to his book "Skobelev", he notes that he did not seek to write a biography of the general, but "a series of memoirs and passages written under the living impression of bereavement this wonderful person. Between them there are sketches, which may be found too small. It seemed to me that in such a complex character as Skobelev, every detail should be on the account.

IN AND. Nemirovich-Danchenko writes: “Even then they envied him, envied his youth, his early career, his George on his neck, his knowledge, his energy, his ability to deal with subordinates ... The profound turkeys, who gave birth to every most consumptive idea with the painful attempts of a pregnant woman, did not understand this active mind, this ever-working laboratory of thoughts, plans and assumptions ...

Skobelev studied and read under the most sometimes impossible conditions. On bivouacs, on a hike, in Bucharest, on the shafts of batteries under fire, during intermissions of a hot battle ... He did not part with the book - and shared his knowledge with everyone. To be with him meant the same thing as to study on your own. He told the officers around him about his conclusions, consulted with them about ideas, entered into disputes, listened to every opinion. He peered into them and distinguished his future employees. The current chief of staff of the 4th Corps, General Dukhonin, by the way, characterized Skobelev as follows:
- Other talented generals Radetsky, Gurko take only a part of a person, they will not be able to use all of his strengths and abilities. Skobelev, on the contrary ... Skobelev will take everything that a subordinate has, and even more, because he will make him go forward, improve, work on himself ...

He rides in a wheelchair. The heat is unbearable, the sun burns... He sees a soldier barely hobbles ahead, almost bending under the weight of his knapsack...
- What, brother, is it difficult to go?
“Difficult, your-stvo…
- It's better to go ... The general is riding out, dressed lighter than you, and you are walking with a knapsack, this is not order ... Not order, right?
The soldier hesitates.
- Well, sit down with me ...
The soldier hesitates... he's joking, the general...
- Sit down, they tell you ...
The overjoyed Kirilka (as we called the undersized army men) climbs into the stroller ...
- Well, okay?
“Very well, yours.

- Rise to the rank of general and you will ride the same way.
- Where are we?
- Yes, my grandfather started as a soldier like that - and ended up as a general ... Where are you from?
And questions about the family, about the homeland begin ...
The soldier gets out of the carriage, idolizing the young general, his story is transmitted throughout the regiment, and when this regiment falls into the hands of Skobelev, the soldiers not only know, but also love him ... "

They say that Skobelev never took his salary. It always went to various charitable causes, sometimes, according to some, petty, but Skobelev did not regard the requests addressed to him in this way.

He brought up self-esteem in the soldiers, but at the same time demanded iron discipline. Having once caught a colleague beating an ordinary soldier, he shamed him and said: “... As for the stupidity of a soldier, you don’t know them well ... I owe a lot common sense soldier. You just need to be able to listen to them ... ".

But with each new feat, the enmity in the headquarters also grew towards him. Comrades could not forgive him for such an easy success, in their opinion, such love for soldiers, such luck in the war ... Trying to denigrate him, they attributed to him cowardice, a desire for self-promotion, I don’t even want to repeat everything that falls to the lot of almost every talented and original person .

Often he was deceived even by those whom he helped. But Skobelev never took revenge on anyone, always trying to justify someone else's act by the weakness of human nature.

He loved and understood the joke. He did not take offense at witty attacks addressed to him. But, as Nemirovich-Danchenko notes, all this was appropriate for him in his spare time. When it came to service, it was rare to find a person more demanding than he. And it could not have been stricter than Skobelev.

Now let's talk about Akhal-Teke expedition.

N.D. Dmitriev-Orenburg "General M. D. Skobelev on horseback" (1883)

Akhal-Teke expedition

In January 1880, Skobelev was appointed commander of a military expedition against the Tekins. The Tekins are one of the largest tribal groups within the Turkmen people.

According to Skobelev's plan, a decisive blow should have been delivered to the Teke Turkmens who inhabited the Akhal-Teke oasis. The Tekins, having learned about this, decided to move to the fortress of Dengil-Tepe (Geok-Tepe) and protect only this point. There were 45 thousand people in the fortress, of which 20-25 thousand were defenders; 5 thousand guns, many pistols, 1 gun and 2 zembureks. The Tekins usually made sorties at night and inflicted considerable damage.

Skobelev himself went all the way, checked all the wells, roads, and then returned back to his troops. Then the assault began.

The assault on the fortress took place on January 12, 1881. At 11:20 a.m., a mine exploded. The eastern wall fell and formed a collapse. After a long battle, the Tekins fled, Skobelev pursued the retreating enemy for 15 miles. Russian losses amounted to 1104 people, and they took captive up to 5 thousand women and children, 500 Persian slaves and booty, estimated at 6 million rubles.

Akhal-Teke expedition 1880-1881 is a first-class example of military art. Skobelev showed what Russian troops are capable of. As a result, in 1885, the Merv and Pendinsky oases of Turkmenistan with the city of Merv and the fortress of Kushka voluntarily became part of the Russian Empire. At the same time, his mother, Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva, was killed by a man whom he knew well from the Balkan War. Then another blow followed: Emperor Alexander II died as a result of a terrorist act.

In his personal life, Skobelev was not happy. He was married to Princess Maria Nikolaevna Gagarina, but soon divorced her.

On January 14, Skobelev was promoted to general of infantry, and on January 19 he was awarded the Order of St. George 2nd degree. On April 27, he went to Minsk, where he trained troops.

Death of General M.D. Skobeleva

It causes a lot of talk even today. It is officially recognized that General Skobelev died of a heart attack in Moscow, where he came on vacation, on June 25, 1882. He stayed at the Dusso Hotel. Upon arrival in Moscow, Skobelev met with Prince D. D. Obolensky, who notes in his memoirs that the general was out of sorts, did not answer questions, and if he did, then somehow abruptly. It was clear that he was worried about something. On June 24, Skobelev came to I. S. Aksakov, brought a bunch of documents and asked to keep them, saying: “I'm afraid that they will steal them from me. For some time now I have become suspicious.

Late at night, one of the girls of easy virtue ran to the janitor and said that an officer had suddenly died in her room. Skobelev was immediately identified in the deceased. The arriving police transported Skobelev's body to the Dusso hotel, where he stayed. Around the news of the death of General Skobelev, rumors and legends grew like a snowball, which did not stop until today. It was even said that it was an act of suicide. The majority was inclined to the version that "Skobelev was killed", that the "white general" fell victim to German hatred. The presence at his death of a “German woman” (Charlotte Altenrose, and according to other sources her name was Eleanor, Wanda, Rose) gave these rumors greater credibility. There was an opinion that "Skobelev fell victim to his convictions, and the Russian people have no doubt about it."

They say that M.D. Skobelev foresaw his imminent death. AT recent months During his life, he became very irritable, often started talking about the fragility of life, began to sell securities, gold jewelry and real estate, made a will, according to which the Spasskoye family estate was to be placed at the disposal of war invalids.

Among the letters that came to him, more and more anonymous letters with threats began to come across. Who and why wrote them is still unknown.

The death of Skobelev became a thunderbolt on a clear day for many, many Russian people. She shocked all of Moscow. Emperor Alexander III sent a letter to his sister Nadezhda Dmitrievna with the words: “I am terribly amazed and upset sudden death 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."

A combat general who has gone through so many wars! He was only 38 years old. The poet Y. Polonsky wrote:

Why is there a crowd of people?
What is he waiting for in silence?
What is grief, what is confusion?
Not a fortress fell, not a battle
Lost, - fell Skobelev! gone
The strength that was more terrible
The enemy has a dozen fortresses ...
The strength that the heroes
Reminded us of fairy tales.

Many knew him as a man of encyclopedic knowledge, original thinking, creative. The young men saw in Skobelev an example 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 realization political reforms. In their eyes, he became a leader worthy of leading the people.

Skobelev was buried in his family estate, the village of Spassky-Zaborovsky, Ryazhsky district, Ryazan province (currently, the village of Zaborovo, Alexander Nevsky district Ryazan region), next to his parents, where, during his lifetime, anticipating his death, he prepared a place. At present, the remains of the general and his parents have been transferred to the restored Church of the Savior in the same village.

Before the revolution, 6 monuments to General M. D. Skobelev were erected on the territory of the Russian Empire, but none of them has survived to our time.

Monument to Skobelev in Moscow

The monument in Moscow was opened on June 24, 1912. On May 1, 1918, it was demolished in pursuance of the decree "On the removal of monuments to tsars and their servants." On the site of the monument, in the same 1918, a monument to the Soviet constitution was erected, in 1919 supplemented by the Statue of Liberty and existed until 1941, and in 1954 a monument to Yuri Dolgoruky was erected.

The project of the monument was created by retired Lieutenant Colonel P. A. Samonov. Built from Finnish granite, it was a very expressive and unique monument in the engineering sense: the composition of the rider on horseback had only two supports - the hind legs of the horse (in Russia there was another similar monument - the equestrian monument to Nicholas I in St. Petersburg by P.K. Klodt). Sculptural groups of loyal soldiers towered on the sides of the figure of the “white general”, bas-reliefs depicting episodes of the Russian-Turkish war were placed in niches.

Recently, the question of perpetuating the memory of General Skobelev was again raised. The Modern Society Foundation initiated the collection of signatures in support of the restoration of the monument to the “white general” – Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev.

But why was Skobelev still called the "white general"?

In battle, he was always ahead of the troops in a white tunic on a white horse. Ak-Pasha (white general) was named by his enemies. But many contemporaries noticed Skobelev's strange predilection for white. The artist V.V. Vereshchagin explained it this way: “He believed that he would be more harmless 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.”

There is a legend that, while still a student of the military academy, he photographed the area on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. Returning, 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.

Perhaps after this incident, Skobelev developed a mystical addiction to white horses. And the white uniform was, as it were, a continuation of the whiteness of his horse. Skobelev believed 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 - he was wounded seven times in battle.

Bust of Skobelev in Ryazan