Denis Davydov list of the most famous works. Interesting facts from the life of Denis Vasilyevich Davydov. Military career and creative path

On the eve of February 23, we cannot help but recall Denis Davydov, a hussar poet, an outstanding lieutenant general and a true patriot of his Fatherland.

Davydov called himself "a hunter, a plowman, a family man and a fan of beauty." He really was an atypical hussar, no obsceneness and excesses: Denis Vasilyevich treated the lady of the heart with knightly reverence, often taking the spiny tail for worthy decent women, and he was not particularly interested in fire water. " He did not justify our proverb with himself: he is drunk and smart, he has two lands in him. He was smart, but he was not drunk”, Vyazemsky spoke about Davydov. It was this inconsistency that made it easy to separate the personality of the author from the personality of the lyrical hero, who often leads a more eventful life than the poet himself. But not everyone learned this literary innovation: for example, the mothers of potential brides theatrically grabbed their hearts when they found out that the groom was a hussar, which means that he was a mustachioed bawdy, a drunkard and a reveler. Of course, they did not want to hear about any lyrical hypostasis. But in fairness, we note that in one thing the author and his hero nevertheless coincided completely, namely, in love for the motherland and readiness to defend its interests to the last breath. And this is not the slightest exaggeration.

Biography of Denis Davydov

Denis Vasilyevich Davydov was born on July 27, 1784 in Moscow into a military family. Thus, the work of his whole life was predetermined. Even as a child, the future poet was assigned to the prestigious Cavalier Guard Regiment, and even blessed by Suvorov himself. Alexander Vasilievich, who came to visit Davydov's father, saw a nimble boy and said: “ This daring one will be a military man, I won’t die yet, and he will win three battles already". The words turned out to be prophetic. Denis was proud of such a fateful episode and an honorable blessing all his life, although his upbringing did not allow him to speak openly about it. Davydov was generally distinguished by rare modesty - not the slightest boast (which is also atypical for hussars).

Despite wealth and position in society, fate was not always favorable to his family. After the death of Catherine II, Davydov Sr. was dismissed due to a shortage of 100 thousand rubles, revealed in the Poltava regiment, commanded by Vasily Denisovich. It was the dishonest commissaries who were to blame, but, of course, no one began to understand anything. To compensate for the losses, the head of the family was forced to sell the family estate. But, despite all the hardships mentioned, the sons of the Davydovs grew up in an atmosphere of love and received an excellent home education. Denis studied French, went in for horseback riding and enjoyed walks in the fresh air, because Vasily Denisovich eventually bought the small village of Borodino - yes, yes, the very one that gave the name to the famous battle.

A squadron of flying hussars

In 1801, Davydov entered the service of the Cavalier Guard Regiment in St. Petersburg. He entered not without humiliating difficulties: after all, Denis was small in stature, which did not fit in with the ideas of stately defenders of the Fatherland. But Davydov managed to prove his right to be a cavalry guard. Pretty quickly, he gained fame as the most hardy, witty and at the same time modest soldier. Promotions were not long in coming: in September 1801, Denis became an Estandart Junker, a year later he was promoted to cornet, and in November 1803, to lieutenant. Around the same time, Davydov decided to take up poetry. Moreover, he decided to use his displayed courage and wit in the service in the same way in composing poetry. And few liked this agility. The fable “Head and Feet” angered Emperor Alexander I so much that he demoted Davydov to captain and transferred from the guard to the Belarusian hussar regiment in the Podolsk province. The case was unheard of at that time, because a prestigious military post was deprived only for very significant faults: gambling scams, bribery, embezzlement and military cowardice. But Denis Davydov paid the price for his wit.

But, contrary to all expectations, the novice writer liked the hussars. New comrades and new themes for creativity. And for nothing that far from St. Petersburg. What could be better? It was in his military "exile" that Davydov met a cult figure - lieutenant Alexei Petrovich Burtsev, who captivated the poet with his witty jokes and hussar manners:

Burtsov, yora, bully,

Dear companion!

For God's sake and...araka

Visit my house!

These cheerful, full of hedonism verses were memorized and quoted with pleasure. And what a small growth! All compensated for the breadth of the soul and a sharp tongue.

Military merit

During the first war with Napoleon, Denis Davydov desperately rushed to the front line. After all, his brother Evdokim had already distinguished himself in battle and was seriously wounded near Austerlitz. Davydov did not want to sit in the rear at all. After all the efforts, Denis was appointed adjutant to General Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration, and here a special delicate moment awaited him. The thing is that in his youth, Davydov managed to ridicule ... the nose of the famous commander. Naturally, the first meeting was more than exciting for the poet. According to legend, Pyotr Ivanovich exclaimed without malice: “And this man was laughing at my nose!” Denis, in turn, decided to effectively get out, referring to the fact that all the witticisms are out of envy, because he himself does not have a nose at all. Bagration liked this answer, and he played along with the witty poet. When they reported to him that the enemies were already “on the nose”. Pyotr Ivanovich clarified: “On whose? If on mine, then you can still dine, and if on Denisov, then on the horses!

Davydov did not allow himself any more liberties with regard to Bagration. "Leader of Homeric, Bagration the great!" he exclaimed in later verses. But that was after.

In the meantime, Davydov distinguished himself in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, where he was not afraid to stand alone against a detachment of French lancers. For such courage, he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, IV degree, in addition to receiving a cloak from Bagration himself and a trophy horse. It was only the first victory. Davydov also participated in the Russian-Turkish campaign, and during the Patriotic War of 1812 he distinguished himself by the fact that, together with 50 hussars and 80 Cossacks, he managed not only to capture 370 Frenchmen, but also to recapture 200 captured compatriots.

Stories about the courage and valor of Denis Vasilievich were passed from mouth to mouth, his images could be found both in simple village huts and in secular salons.

But, despite fair rewards and popular recognition, not all government officials respected Davydov's successes. So, for the heroic capture of Dresden, he was put under house arrest, because he was ahead of the general, who wanted to boast of a major victory.

Failures in love

How well Davydov developed a military career, he was just as unlucky in love. No, no, he did not dodge Cupid's arrows, on the contrary, he stubbornly searched for the one that would make him happy for many years. But met only disappointment. For example, his dramatic love for a lovely blue-eyed angel - Aglaya de Gramont. Denis was melting with love, the bride also seemed to willingly accept his courtship, and then she took and married her cousin Davydov. And only because of ... the opponent's high growth (which could be more humiliating!).

Soon the rejected Davydov fell in love again - this time with the pretty ballerina Tatyana Ivanova. And again unsuccessfully - the girl fled with her choreographer. There was another sad hobby. While serving near Kiev, Davydov suddenly became interested in Lisa Zolotnitskaya, the niece of the Raevskys. Her parents agreed to the marriage, on the condition that Denis would obtain a state estate for rent from the emperor. He rushed to Petersburg. Taking advantage of his departure, Lizanka started an affair with the famous reveler Pyotr Golitsyn, whose only advantage was an attractive appearance.

Happy marriage and... new love

After a series of high-profile failures, his devoted friends stood up for the poet, who volunteered to find a decent bride for Denis. Fortunately, their efforts were crowned with success, although they had to try hard to justify their faithful friend in front of the mother of the chosen girl. Like, Denis does not douse himself with champagne from head to toe and does not pinch the girls, famously twisting his mustache and making greasy jokes. In the end, Davydov happily married the pretty, educated and decent Sofya Chirkova.

They lived in peace and harmony. Denis retired from military affairs, engaged in hunting and raising children. And it would be possible to put an end to this story, if not for ... a new love. " Oh, how in our declining years we love more tenderly and more superstitiously", - Tyutchev aptly noted. 50-year-old Davydov fell in love with the 22-year-old niece of his colleague Evgenia Zolotareva. The stormy romance lasted 3 years, and during this time the poet wrote many passionate poems, which later became romances (for example, "Evening Bells").

As Davydov himself admitted: I really thought that the heart would not startle for a century and not a single verse would break out of the soul. Zolotareva put everything upside down: and her heart began to beat, and poems appeared, and even streams of love flow, as Pushkin said».

But, alas, this novel did not end in the best way. Sophia gave her unfaithful husband a stormy scandal, and the young windy Evgenia, having lost interest in a mature admirer, married the first person she met. It was this love that became the last for our hero.

Denis Davydov died suddenly on April 22, 1839 at his estate Verkhnyaya Maza. He was only 55 years old. Later, the ashes of the outstanding poet and patriot were sent to Moscow and buried in the cemetery of the Novodevichy Convent.

Connections

Denis Vasilievich Davydov(July 16, Moscow - April 22 [May 4], Verkhnyaya Maza village, Syzran district, Simbirsk province) - ideologist and one of the commanders of the partisan movement during the Patriotic War of 1812, lieutenant general, the most prominent representative of the so-called. hussar poetry.

Biography

Davydov's childhood

Representative of the old noble family Davydov. Born in the family of brigadier Vasily Denisovich Davydov (1747 -1808), who served under the command of A.V. Suvorov, in Moscow. A significant part of his childhood years were spent in a military situation in Little Russia and Slobozhanshchina, where his father served, commanding the Poltava Light Horse Regiment, and was the birthplace of his mother, the daughter of the Kharkov Governor-General E. Shcherbinin. Denis early joined the military, learned to ride well. But he was constantly tormented by his nondescript appearance: small stature (in his father, who was noticeably shorter than his mother) and a small, snub-nosed “button” nose.

At the end of the 18th century, the fame of the great Suvorov thundered throughout Russia, to whom Denis treated with extraordinary respect. Once, when the boy was nine years old, he happened to see the famous commander, he came to visit them on the estate. Alexander Vasilievich, looking at the two sons of Vasily Denisovich, said that Denis “this daring one will be a military man, I will not die, but he will win three battles already,” and Evdokim will go to the civil service. Denis remembered this meeting for the rest of his life.

Service after World War II

Denis Davydov, 1814.

After the Patriotic War of 1812, Denis Davydov got into trouble. Initially, he was sent to command a dragoon brigade, which stood near Kiev. Like every hussar, Denis despised the dragoons. Then he was informed that the rank of major general had been assigned to him by mistake, and that he was a colonel. And to top it all, Colonel Davydov is transferred to serve in the Oryol province as the commander of a horse-jäger brigade. This was the last straw, since he had to lose his hussar mustache, his pride. Jaegers were not supposed to have mustaches. He wrote a letter to the king that he could not fulfill the order because of his mustache. Denis was waiting for his resignation and disgrace, but the tsar, when they reported to him, was in a good mood: “Well! Let him remain a hussar." And he appointed Denis to the hussar regiment with ... the return of the rank of major general.

In 1815, Denis Davydov was elected a member of Arzamas with the nickname "Armenian". Together with Pushkin and Vyazemsky, he represents the branch of the Arzamas circle in Moscow. After the collapse of the Conversations, the controversy with the Shishkovists ended, and in 1818 Arzamas disintegrated. In 1815, Davydov served as chief of staff, first in the 7th and then in the 3rd corps.

His last campaign was in 1831 - against the Polish insurgents. Fought well. “Davydov’s military merits were respected this time, as, perhaps, in no previous war. In addition to the Order of Anna of the 1st class, awarded to him for the capture of Vladimir-Volynsky (although the Main Apartment for this successfully carried out operation by D. Davydov presented him to the Order of St. George of the 3rd degree, but the new sovereign followed in the footsteps of the former and also considered it necessary to downplay an award to a partisan poet), he received the rank of lieutenant general for a stubborn battle near the Budzinsky forest, where, by the way, he again had to cross arms with an enemy known back in 1812 - the Polish general Turno; "for excellent courage and diligence" during a heated battle at the crossings on the Vistula, Davydov was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir 2nd degree; and to this, for the entire Polish campaign, there is also a Polish insignia "Virtuti militari" 2nd class. Leaving the army, Denis Vasilievich firmly knew that he had completed his last campaign in his life. He didn't want to fight anymore. Now only a mortal threat to his dear fatherland could force him to pick up his tried and tested hussar saber again. However, thank God, such a threat was not foreseen in the foreseeable future.

Achievement list

September 28, 1801 - entered the service as an Estandart Junker in the Cavalier Guard Regiment.
1802 - promoted to cornet.
November 2, 1803 - promoted to lieutenant.
September 13, 1804 - transferred as a captain to the Belarusian hussar regiment.
July 4, 1806 - transferred to the lieutenant of the Life Guards Hussar Regiment.
January 3, 1807 - appointed adjutant to Lieutenant General Prince Bagration.
January 15, 1807 - promoted to staff captain.
March 4, 1810 - promoted to captain.
April 17, 1812 - transferred to the Akhtyrsky hussar regiment as a lieutenant colonel.
October 31, 1812 - promoted to colonel for distinction in service.
December 21, 1815 - for distinction in the battle of Larotiere, he was promoted to major general, with the appointment to be with the head of the 1st Dragoon Division.
March 14, 1816 - appointed to be with the head of the 2nd Cavalry Chasseur Division.
May 22, 1816 - appointed to be with the head of the 2nd Hussars Division.
November 7, 1816 - appointed brigadier commander of the 1st brigade of the same division.
February 19, 1818 - appointed chief of staff of the 7th Infantry Corps.
February 22, 1819 - appointed chief of staff of the 3rd Infantry Corps.
March 17, 1820 - with dismissal on leave abroad, he was appointed to be with the cavalry.
November 14, 1823 - dismissed from service due to illness, with a uniform.
March 23, 1826 - assigned to the service, with the appointment to be with the cavalry.
September 10, 1826 - appointed to the Caucasian separate corps as temporary commander of troops on the Erivan border during the war with Persia.
November 25, 1826 - dismissed on leave, from which he was allowed to return to Russia.
October 6, 1831 - promoted to lieutenant general for distinction in battle.
May 28, 1839 - excluded from the lists of the deceased.

In campaigns and battles was:

in Prussia, in 1807, on January 24, near Wolfsdorf, for distinction he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th class, with a bow; 25 - near Landsberg, 26 and 27 - near Preussish-Eylau; May 25 - near Gutstadt; 28 - near Heilberg, for distinction he was awarded the Order of St. Anna, 2nd class; June 2, near Friedland, for distinction he was awarded a gold saber with the inscription "for courage", the Prussian order "For dignity" and the gold Preussish-Eylau cross;
in Finland, in 1808, he occupied the island of Carloe with a detachment of Cossacks and participated in cases near Bagestat, Lappo, Perkho, Karstula, Kuortane, Salmi, Orovais, Gamle-Karleby, while capturing the Aland Islands, where, commanding a detachment of Cossacks, he knocked out the enemy from Bene Island and occupied it, and when crossing the Swedish coast near Grisselgam;
in 1809, in Turkey, during the capture of Machin and Girsov; in the battle of Rassevat; when imposing the fortress of Silistria; in the battle near Tataritsa;
in 1810, during the capture of Silistria; near Shumla, for which he was awarded St. Anna's diamond marks of the 2nd class, and during an attack by Ruschuk;
in 1812, June 26, near Mir, June 1, near Romanov, near Catan, where he commanded a night expedition, on August 3, 11 - near Dorogobuzh, 14 - near Maximov, 19 - near Rozhdestve, 21 - near Popovka, 23 - under Pokrov, 24 - near Borodino; from September 2 to October 18, he commanded a party of riders in the vicinity of Vyazma, Dorogobuzh and Gzhatsk, during this time he captured 3560 lower ranks, 43 headquarters and chief officers and many transports, shells and food, for which he was awarded the rank of colonel; then he was in business: October 28, near Lyakhov, 29 - near Smolensk, November 2 and 4, near Krasnoy, November 9, near Kopys, where he utterly defeated the cavalry depot of the French army, 14 - near Belinichi; for distinction he was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th class; occupied the city of Grodno with his detachment on December 8, and was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd class, for distinction;
In 1813, was in action near Kalisz, February 1; occupied the city of Dresden with his detachment on March 12, and participated in the battles: on April 27, near Dresden, on May 8 and 9, near Bautzen, on May 10, near Reichenbach and in all rearguard matters until the armistice, commanding a party of riders: on September 8, under Lutzen, 10 - near Zeitz, 12 and 16 - near Altenburg, 18 - near Penig, October 4 and 6, near Leipzig;
in 1814, was in business: January 14 and 15, near Brienne-Lechateau, 17 - under Larotiere, was awarded the rank of major general for distinction, 30 - near Momiral, 31 - near Chatotieri, February 11, near Mary, 23 - under Craon, 25 and 26 - near Laon, March 13, near Ferchampenoise;
in Persia, in 1826, he commanded troops on the Erivan border near Amamli; September 20, near Mirag; defeated the enemy corps under the command of Gassan Khan on September 21, and entered the Persian borders near the Sudagend tract on September 22;
in the campaign of 1831 with the Polish rebels, commanding a separate unit, on April 6, he took the city of Vladimir-on-Volyn by storm and, on September 14, was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 1st class, for the excellent courage and bravery shown in this battle; April 29, pursued Khrzhanovsky's corps to the fortress of Zamostye; July 7, crossing the river. Veprzh in the ford, participated in the battle at the village. Budzisko with the corps of the rebels Romarino and Jankowski and was promoted to lieutenant general for his distinction in this matter; On July 28, he was in action during the reflection of the Ruzhitsky corps, which made an attack on the bridge fortification, arranged near Podgurzha, on the left bank of the Vistula, and for the excellent courage and diligence shown in these cases, was awarded, on May 21, 1832, the Order of St. Vladimir 2 Art. and for the entire campaign the insignia "For Military Dignity" 2nd class.

Personal life

The first time Davydov fell in love with Aglaya Antonovna (Aglaya Angelica Gabriel) de Gramont. But she chose to marry his cousin, the tall cavalry guard colonel A. L. Davydov.

Then he fell in love with a young ballerina - Tatyana Ivanova. Despite the fact that Denis stood for hours under the windows of the ballet school, she married her choreographer. Davydov was very worried about this.

An indispensable condition of Liza's parents was that Denis would rent the state estate from the sovereign (this was a form of state support for people who were not rich, but distinguished themselves in the service). Davydov went to Petersburg to work. V. A. Zhukovsky, who simply adored Davydov, helped a lot. With his help, Davydov was quickly granted "in connection with the upcoming marriage" for rent the state estate of Balta, which brought six thousand rubles a year.

But then he got another blow. While he was busy in St. Petersburg, Lisa became interested in Prince Peter Golitsyn. The prince was a gambler and a reveler, besides, he was recently expelled from the guard for some dark deeds. But he was extraordinarily handsome. Davydov was denied. Moreover, Lisa did not even want to see him, passing the refusal through her father.

Davydov was very upset by Lisa's refusal. All his friends began to save him and for this they arranged a meeting for him with the daughter of the late General Nikolai Chirkov, Sophia. She was at that time already in adulthood - 24 years old. But friends vied with each other to praise her. Pretty, modest, reasonable, kind, well-read. And he made up his mind. Moreover, he was already 35 years old. But the wedding was almost upset, because the mother of the bride, having learned about his "chalice songs", ordered Davydov to be refused as a drunkard, a rogue and a gambler. The friends of the late husband barely persuaded her, explaining that General Davydov does not play cards, he drinks little - and these are just poems. After all, he is a poet!

Prose

Davydov's prose articles are divided into two categories: articles that are in the nature of personal memoirs, and articles that are historical and polemical. Of the first, the most famous are: “Meeting with the great Suvorov”, “Meeting with Field Marshal Count Kamensky”, “Memories of the battle of Preussisch-Eylau”, “Tilsit in 1807”, “Diaries of partisan actions” and “Notes on the Polish campaign of 1831 G.". In terms of the value of the reported data, these military memoirs still retain the importance of important sources for the history of the war of that era. The second category includes: “Did the frost destroy the French army”, “Correspondence with Walter Scott”, “Remarks on the obituary of H. H. Raevsky” and some others.

Davydov's collected works went through six editions; of these, the three-volume editions of 1860 and 1893, ed. A. O. Krugly (adj. to the journal "North")

perpetuation of memory

On the occasion of the 176th anniversary of the birth of D.V. Davydov, on July 16, 1960, a monument to D.V. Davydov was erected in the village of Verkhnyaya Maza, Radishevsky District, Ulyanovsk Region. Davydov is immortalized in military uniform.
On the eve of the 200th anniversary of the birth of D.V. Davydov, on May 19, 1984, his bust was unveiled in Penza. The peculiarity of the monument is that Davydov is immortalized not in military uniform, as he was usually depicted, but in civilian clothes of that time. This emphasizes that the monument to him was erected primarily as a poet.
According to one of the assumptions, Davydov served as the prototype of the character of the novel by L. N. Tolstoy "War and Peace" Vasily Denisov.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Patriotic War, in 1962, the feature film "Hussar Ballad" was shot, in which Davyd Denisov(Denis Davydov) as commander of a partisan detachment. Also to this date, postage stamps of the USSR were issued, one of which is dedicated to Davydov.
In 1980, the film "A Squadron of Flying Hussars" was made about Denis Davydov.
About Denis Davydov (and on his behalf) a book by Andrey Belyanin "The Hunt for the Hussar" was written.
In Vladivostok, there is Denis Davydov Street, and his bust is installed in the square at the beginning of the street.
there is Denis Davydov street in Moscow, Kazan, Novosibirsk, Orel, Perm.
A bust of Denis Davydov was erected in Ufa.
In Sumy, Ukraine, near the building where Davydov and other officers once lived, a full-length bronze monument to Davydov was erected in December 2011.

In numismatics

Bibliography before 1914

Russian biographical dictionary, ed. Russian Historical Society, - St. Petersburg, (Art. A. Petrov).
Sadovsky B., "Russian Stone", - M.,
Gervais V. V., Partisan-poet Davydov, St. Petersburg.,.
Rozanov I. N., Russian lyrics. From impersonal poetry to confession of the heart, - M.,.
Mezier A.V., Russian literature from the 11th to the 19th centuries. inclusive, part II, - St. Petersburg, .
Vengerov S. A. Sources of the dictionary of Russian writers, vol. II, - St. Petersburg, 1910.
Dictionary of Russian generals, participants in the hostilities against the army of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812-1815. // Russian archive: Sat. - M ., studio "TRITE" N. Mikhalkov, 1996. - T. VII. - S. 374-375.
Glinka V.M. , Pomarnatsky A.V. Davydov, Denis Vasilyevich // Military Gallery of the Winter Palace. - 3rd ed. - L.: Art, 1981. - S. 100-102.
Osipov A. A. Denis Vasilievich Davydov. 1784-1839 (Experience of literary characteristics) // Historical Bulletin, 1890. - T. 41. - No. 7. - S. 71-93.

Notes

Links



Date of Birth:
Place of Birth:
Date of death:
A place of death:	Upper Maza village, Syzran district, Simbirsk province, Russian Empire
Affiliation:	the Russian Empire
Type of army:	Cavalry
	Lieutenant General
Commanded:	Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment
Battles / wars:	Borodino, Battle of La Rotierre

Autograph

Childhood and youth

Military career

Patriotic War of 1812

Personal life

Relatives

Cousins

Interesting Facts

Creation

perpetuation of memory

Bibliography

(July 16 (27), 1784, Moscow - April 22 (May 4), 1839, Verkhnyaya Maza village, Syzran district, Simbirsk province) - lieutenant general, ideologist and leader of the partisan movement, participant in the Patriotic War of 1812, Russian poet of the Pushkin Pleiades ".

Biography

Childhood and youth

Born in the family of brigadier Vasily Denisovich Davydov (1747-1808), who served under the command of A. V. Suvorov, in Moscow. From an ancient noble family, leading its history from the Tatar Murza Minchak, who left for Moscow at the beginning of the 15th century. . A significant part of his childhood years were spent in a military situation in Ukraine, where his father served, commanding the Poltava Light Horse Regiment. Denis early joined the military, learned to ride well. But he was constantly tormented by the fact that he was short, snub-nosed and ugly.

At the end of the 18th century, the glory of the great Suvorov thundered throughout Russia, to whom Denis treated with extraordinary respect. Once, when the boy was nine years old, he happened to see the famous commander, he came to visit them on the estate. Alexander Vasilyevich, looking at the two sons of Vasily Denisovich, said that Denis, “this daring one, will be a military man, I will not die, but he will win three battles,” and Evdokim will go to the civil service. Denis remembered this meeting for the rest of his life.

After the death of Catherine II and the accession to the throne of Paul I, who did not like Suvorov, the welfare of the Davydovs came to an end. An audit of the Poltava regiment, commanded by his father, discovered a shortage of 100 thousand rubles, and Davydov Sr. was fired and ordered by court to pay this amount. Although his fault was only that he relied on the honesty of his quartermasters. I had to sell the property. Over time, getting out of debt, my father bought a small village near Moscow Borodino near Mozhaisk. During the Battle of Borodino, the village burned down together with the manor house. The father decided to identify his sons in accordance with the words of Suvorov - Denis in the cavalry guards, and his brother Evdokim in the archive of the Foreign Collegium.

Military career

In 1801, Davydov entered the service in the guards cavalry regiment, located in St. Petersburg. Moreover, when Denis came to be determined in the regiment, the officer on duty flatly refused to accept him because of his small stature. But Denis still managed to be accepted. His charm, wit and modesty quickly fell in love with the officers of the regiment and made him patronage. In the autumn of 1801 he became an Estandart Junker. In September 1802 he was promoted to cornet, in November 1803 to lieutenant. At this time, he began to write poetry and fables, but he became carried away and in fables began to ridicule the first persons of the state very caustically.

Because of the satirical verses, Denis was transferred from the guard to one of the army hussar regiments, to the Kiev province in Ukraine. This was done very rarely with the cavalry guards and only for big offenses - cowardice in battle, embezzlement or cheating in cards. But Denis liked the hussars. Dashing revels, violent jokes. All this he now sang in his "chalice songs", leaving the writing of fables.

The only bad thing was that Denis Davydov almost missed the first war with Napoleon. The guard took part in the battles with the French, but his hussars did not. The young cavalry officer, who dreamed of feats of arms and glory, was forced to stay away from these events. While his brother Evdokim, having left the service, entered the cavalry guards and managed to become famous near Austerlitz. Evdokim was seriously wounded (five saber, one bullet and one bayonet wound) and was taken prisoner. Napoleon, when he visited the infirmary where he was lying, had a conversation with him. This conversation was described by all European newspapers.

Denis at all costs decided to get to the front. In November 1806, Davydov at night penetrated Field Marshal M.F. Kamensky, who at that time was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army. Kamensky, a small, wizened old man in a nightcap, almost died of fear when Denis appeared before him and demanded that he be sent to the front. Only all this turned out to be in vain, since Kamensky commanded the army for only a week. He was removed because he lost his mind. He went out to the army in a hare coat, in a scarf and said: "Brothers, save yourself as best you can ...". According to one version, he went crazy after Denis Davydov appeared in front of him at night.

But, the fame of such a desperate hussar reached Maria Antonovna Naryshkina, the sovereign's favorite. And she helped him in his desire to fight. At the beginning of 1807, he was appointed adjutant to General P.I. Bagration. At one time, Davydov in one of his poems joked about Bagration's long nose and therefore was a little afraid of the first meeting with him. Bagration, seeing Denis, said to the officers present: "here is the one who made fun of my nose." To which Davydov, not at a loss, replied that he wrote about his nose only out of envy, since he himself practically does not have it. Bagration liked the joke. And he often, when he was informed that the enemy was "on the nose", asked again, on whose nose? If on mine, then you can still dine, and if on Denisov, then on the horses.

Already on January 24, 1807, Denis Davydov participated in battles with the French. In the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, he was with Bagration, who appeared with his adjutant in the most dangerous and critical areas. One fight, according to Bagration, was won only thanks to Davydov. He single-handedly rushed to a detachment of French lancers, and those, pursuing him, were distracted and missed the moment the Russian hussars appeared. For this battle, Denis received the Order of St. Vladimir IV degree, a cloak from Bagration and a trophy horse. In this and other battles, Davydov distinguished himself with exceptional courage, for which he was awarded orders and a golden saber.

At the very end of the campaign, Davydov had a chance to see Napoleon. Then peace was concluded in Tilsit between the French and Russian emperors, and many did not approve of it. Bagration said he was ill and sent Davydov instead. Davydov was very pleased that Napoleon was even lower than he was, and when, at the meeting, Napoleon tried to look at Denis, Davydov did not lower his eyes.

In the winter of 1808, he was in the Russian army operating in Finland, went along with Kulnev to Uleaborg, occupied the island of Carloe with the Cossacks and, returning to the vanguard, retreated across the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia.

In 1809, being with Prince. Bagration, who commanded troops in Moldova, Davydov participated in various military operations against the Turks, and then, when Bagration was replaced by gr. Kamensky, entered the vanguard of the Moldavian army under the command of Kulnev.

Patriotic War of 1812

At the beginning of the war in 1812, Davydov was a lieutenant colonel in the Akhtyrsky hussar regiment and was in the vanguard troops of the gene. Vasilchikov. On August 21, 1812, in view of the village of Borodino, where he grew up, where they were already hastily dismantling the parental house for fortifications, five days before the great battle, Denis Vasilyevich proposed to Bagration the idea of a partisan detachment. He borrowed this idea from the Guerillas (Spanish partisans). Napoleon could not deal with them until they were united in a regular army. The logic was simple: Napoleon, hoping to defeat Russia in twenty days, took that much food with him. And if you take away carts, fodder and break bridges, then this will create big problems for him.

From a letter from Davydov to the prince, General Bagration:

Bagration's order to create a flying partisan detachment was one of his last before the Battle of Borodino, where he was mortally wounded. On the very first night, Davydov's detachment of 130 hussars was ambushed by peasants and Denis almost died. The peasants were poorly versed in the details of the military uniform, which the French and Russians had similar. Moreover, the officers usually spoke French. After that, Davydov put on a peasant's caftan and let go of his beard (in the portrait by A. Orlovsky (1814), Davydov is dressed in the Caucasian fashion: a chekmen, an obviously non-Russian hat, a Circassian checker). With 130 hussars in one of the sorties, he managed to capture 370 Frenchmen, while repulsing 200 Russian prisoners, a truck with cartridges and nine trucks with provisions. His detachment, at the expense of the peasants and the liberated prisoners, grew rapidly.

His quick successes convinced Kutuzov of the expediency of guerrilla warfare, and he was not slow to give it a wider development and constantly sent reinforcements. The second time Davydov saw Napoleon was when he and his partisans were in the forest in ambush, and a dormez with Napoleon drove past him. But at that moment he had too little strength to attack Napoleon's guards. Napoleon hated Davydov fiercely and ordered Denis to be shot on the spot during his arrest. For the sake of his capture, he singled out one of his best detachments of two thousand horsemen with eight chief officers and one staff officer. Davydov, who had half as many people, managed to drive the detachment into a trap and take him prisoner along with all the officers.

One of the outstanding exploits of Davydov during this time was the case near Lyakhov, where he, along with other partisans, captured the two thousandth detachment of General Augereau; then, near the town of Kopys, he destroyed the French cavalry depot, scattered the enemy detachment near Belynichi, and, continuing the search to the Neman, occupied Grodno.

With the crossing of the border, Davydov was seconded to the corps of General Winzingerode, participated in the defeat of the Saxons near Kalisz and, having entered Saxony with an advanced detachment, occupied Dresden. For which he was put under house arrest by General Wintzingerode, as he took the city without permission without an order. Throughout Europe, Davydov's courage and luck were legendary. When Russian troops entered a city, all the inhabitants went out into the street and asked about him in order to see him.

For the battle when approaching Paris, when five horses were killed under him, but he, along with his Cossacks, nevertheless broke through the hussars of the Jacquinot brigade to the French artillery battery and, having cut down the servants, decided the outcome of the battle - Davydov was given the rank of Major General.

Service after World War II

After the Patriotic War of 1812, Denis Davydov got into trouble. Initially, he was sent to command a dragoon brigade, which stood near Kiev. Like any hussar, Denis despised the dragoons. Then he was informed that the rank of major general had been assigned to him by mistake, and that he was a colonel. And to top it all, Colonel Davydov is transferred to serve in the Oryol province as the commander of a horse-jäger brigade. This was the last straw, since he had to lose his hussar mustache, his pride. Jaegers were not supposed to have mustaches. He wrote a letter to the king that he could not fulfill the order because of his mustache. Denis was waiting for his resignation and disgrace, but the tsar, when they reported to him, was in a good mood: “Well! Let him remain a hussar." And he appointed Denis to the hussar regiment with ... the return of the rank of major general.

In 1814, Davydov, commanding the Akhtyrsky hussar regiment, was in the army of Blucher, participated with it in all major affairs, and especially distinguished himself in the battle of La Rotiere.

In 1815, Denis Davydov was elected a member of Arzamas with the nickname "Armenian". Together with Pushkin and Vyazemsky, he represents the branch of the Arzamas circle in Moscow. After the disintegration of "Conversations", the controversy with the Shishkovists ended, and in 1818 "Arzamas" disintegrated. In 1815, Davydov served as chief of staff, first in the 7th and then in the 3rd corps.

In 1827 he successfully acted against the Persians.

His last campaign was in 1831 - against the Polish rebels. Fought well. He took the city of Vladimir-Volynsky, for which he received Anna of the 1st degree.

Personal life

The first time Davydov fell in love with Aglaya Antonovna. But, she chose to marry his cousin - a tall dragoon colonel. Then he fell in love with a young ballerina - Tatyana Ivanova. Despite the fact that Denis stood for hours under the windows of the ballet school, she married her choreographer. Davydov was very worried about this.

While serving near Kiev, Davydov once again fell in love. His chosen one was the Kiev niece of the Raevskys - Liza Zlotnitskaya. At the same time, the Society of Lovers of Russian Literature elected him as its full member. He was very proud, since he himself did not dare to call himself a poet before. An indispensable condition of Liza's parents was that Denis would rent the state estate from the sovereign (this was a form of state support for people who were not rich, but distinguished themselves in the service). Davydov went to Petersburg to work. V. A. Zhukovsky, who simply adored Davydov, helped a lot. With his help, Davydov was quickly granted “in connection with the upcoming marriage” the state estate of Balta, which brought six thousand rubles a year, to rent.

But then he got another blow. While he was busy in St. Petersburg, Lisa became interested in Prince Peter Golitsyn. The prince was a gambler and a reveler, besides, he was recently expelled from the guard for some dark deeds. But, he was extraordinarily handsome. Davydov was denied. Moreover, Lisa did not even want to see him, passing the refusal through her father.

Davydov was very upset by Lisa's refusal. All his friends began to save him and for this they arranged a meeting for him with the daughter of the late General Nikolai Chirkov, Sophia. She was at that time already in adulthood - 24 years old. But friends vied with each other to praise her. Pretty, modest, reasonable, kind, well-read. And he made up his mind. Moreover, he was already 35 years old. But, the wedding was almost upset, because the mother of the bride, having learned about his “chalice songs”, ordered Davydov to be refused as a drunkard, a rogue and a gambler. The friends of the late husband barely persuaded her, explaining that General Davydov does not play cards, he drinks little - and these are just poems. After all, he is a poet! In April 1819, Denis married Sophia.

As soon as Sophia began to give birth to children for him, Denis lost the desire to pull the military strap. He wanted to be at home, near his wife. Davydov kept showing up ill and going on months-long vacations. Even the Caucasian war, where he was sent under the command of General Yermolov, did not captivate him. He stayed in the active army for only two months, and then begged Yermolov for a six-week vacation to improve his health. Having stopped by for a view of the mineral waters, having sent several letters about his illness (including to Walter Scott) for persuasiveness, he rushed to the Arbat to Moscow, where at that time three sons and Sofya, pregnant again, were waiting for him. In total, nine children were born in the marriage of Denis and Sophia.

After the Polish company, when he was 47 years old and he only thought about peace, he was finally left behind. True, he was never allowed to retire, but they did not touch him, and his entire service was limited to wearing a lieutenant general's uniform.

DV Davydov spent the last years of his life in the village of Upper Maza, which belonged to the poet's wife, Sofya Nikolaevna Chirkova. Here he continued to engage in creativity, conducted extensive correspondence with A.F. Voeikov, M.N. Zagoskin, A.S. Pushkin, V. A. Zhukovsky, other writers and publishers. He visited his neighbors - the Yazykovs, the Ivashevs, A.V. Bestuzhev, N.I. Polivanov. Visited Simbirsk. He ordered books from abroad. Hunted. Wrote military-historical notes. He was engaged in raising children and housekeeping: he built a distillery, arranged a pond, etc. In a word, he lived for his own pleasure.

But, in 1831, he went to visit a colleague in Penza and fell head over heels in love with his niece, 23-year-old Evgenia Zolotareva. He was 27 years older than her. Despite the fact that he loved his family very much, he could not help himself. It also failed to hide. This passionate romance lasted three years. Then Evgenia married the first groom she came across, and Denis, having let go of her beloved this time easily, without torment, returned to the family.

Five years later, he died - still quite young and quite healthy at less than 55 years old. He died in his estate, his ashes were transported to Moscow and buried in the cemetery of the Novodevichy Convent. His wife, Sofya Nikolaevna, outlived Denis by more than 40 years.

As a person, Davydov enjoyed great sympathy in friendly circles. According to Prince P. A. Vyazemsky, Davydov retained an amazing youth of heart and character until his death. His gaiety was infectious and captivating; he was the soul of friendly conversations.

Relatives

Cousins

the legendary general Alexei Petrovich Yermolov, who conquered the Caucasus;
Vasily Lvovich Davydov - Decembrist, a prominent figure in the Southern Society, convicted in 1825 and sentenced to 20 years of hard labor;
Evgraf Vladimirovich Davydov - Colonel of the Life Guards Hussar Regiment, later Major General. His portrait by Kiprensky has long been considered a portrait of Denis Davydov;

Children

Denis Denisovich Davydov
Vasily Denisovich Davydov
Nikolai Denisovich Davydov
Vadim Denisovich Davydov (1832-1881)
Yulia Denisovna Davydova (1835-1882)
Achilles Denisovich Davydov
Maria Denisovna Davydova
Ekaterina Denisovna Davydova
Sofia Denisovna Davydova

Once Denis Davydov said the following: “It is enough to invite a hundred Armenians, and they will beat off the enemy.”

Shortly before his death, Davydov petitioned for the reburial of his boss P.I. Bagration on the Borodino field, which was done by the Highest will of Emperor Nicholas I after the death of Denis Vasilyevich.

Creation

Lyrics

Davydov's literary activity was expressed in a number of poems and in several prose articles.

Successful guerrilla actions in the war of 1812 glorified him, and since then he has created a reputation for himself as a "singer-warrior", acting in poetry "swoop" as in war. This reputation was also maintained by Davydov's friends, including Pushkin. However, Davydov's "military" poetry in no way reflects the war: he sings of the life of the then hussars. Wine, love affairs, wild revelry, a daring life - that's their content.

In this spirit, “Message to Burtsov”, “Hussar Feast”, “Song”, “Song of the Old Hussar” were written. It is important to note that it was in the above works of his that Davydov showed himself as an innovator of Russian literature, for the first time using professionalism in a work intended for a wide range of readers (for example, in describing the hussar life, hussar names of clothing items, personal hygiene, names of weapons are used). This innovation of Davydov directly influenced the work of Pushkin, who continued this tradition.

Along with poems of Bacchic and erotic content, Davydov had poems in an elegiac tone, inspired, on the one hand, by a tender passion for the daughter of a Penza landowner, Evgenia Zolotareva, and, on the other, by impressions of nature. This includes most of his best works of the last period, such as: "Sea", "Waltz", "River".

In addition to original works, Davydov also had translations - from Arno, Vigée, Delisle, Ponce de Verdun and imitations of Voltaire, Horace, Tibull.

Prose

Davydov's collected works went through six editions; of these, the three-volume editions of 1860 and 1893, ed. A. O. Krugly (adj. to the journal "North")

perpetuation of memory

On the occasion of the 176th anniversary of the birth of D.V. Davydov, on July 16, 1960, a monument to D.V. Davydov was erected in the village of Verkhnyaya Maza, Radishevsky District, Ulyanovsk Region. Davydov is immortalized in military uniform.
On the eve of the 200th anniversary of the birth of DV Davydov on May 19, 1984, his bust was unveiled in Penza. The peculiarity of the monument is that Davydov is immortalized not in military uniform, as he was usually depicted, but in civilian clothes of that time. This emphasizes that the monument to him was erected primarily as a poet.
Davydov served as the prototype for the character of Vasily Denisov's novel "War and Peace" by L. N. Tolstoy.
On the occasion of the 150th anniversary of the Patriotic War, in 1962, the feature film "Hussar Ballad" was shot, in which Denis Davydov is shown as the commander of a partisan detachment. Also to this date, postage stamps of the USSR were issued, one of which is dedicated to Davydov.
In 1980, the film "Squadron of Flying Hussars" was shot about Denis Davydov.
About Denis Davydov (and on his behalf) a book by Andrey Belyanin "The Hunt for the Hussar" was written.
There is Denis Davydov Street in Moscow.
In Vladivostok, there is Denis Davydov Street, and his bust is installed in the square at the beginning of the street.
There are Denis Davydov streets in Kazan.
Denis Davydov Street is in Novosibirsk.
A bust of Denis Davydov was erected in Ufa.
In Kostroma, there are microdistricts named after Denis Davydov - "Davydovsky-1", "Davydovsky-2" and "Davydovsky-3".

Bibliography

Russian biographical dictionary, ed. Russian Historical Society, - St. Petersburg, 1905 (Art. A. Petrov).
Sadovsky B., "Russian Stone", - M., 1910
Gervais V. V., Partisan-poet Davydov, St. Petersburg, 1913.
Rozanov I. N., Russian lyrics. From impersonal poetry to confession of the heart, Moscow, 1914.
Mezier A.V., Russian literature from the 11th to the 19th centuries. inclusive, part II, - St. Petersburg, 1902.
Vengerov S. A. Sources of the dictionary of Russian writers, vol. II, - St. Petersburg, 1910.
Dictionary of Russian generals, participants in the hostilities against the army of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812-1815. // Russian archive: Sat. - M.: Studio "TRITE" N. Mikhalkov, 1996. - T. VII. - S. 374-375.
Glinka V.M., Pomarnatsky A.V. Davydov, Denis Vasilyevich // Military Gallery of the Winter Palace. - 3rd ed. - L.: Art, 1981. - S. 100-102.
Gennady Serebryakov Denis Davydov (ZhZL)
Osipov A.A. Denis Vasilievich Davydov. 1784-1839 (Experience of literary characteristics) // Historical Bulletin, 1890. - T. 41. - No. 7. - P. 71-93.

Denis Vasilyevich Davydov is a glorious son of the Russian Land, a valiant warrior who did not spare himself in battles and beat the enemies of Russia. Born into a military family in 1784, his father had a high military rank and commanded a regiment.

Once at dinner, the Great Russian commander Suvorov, who examined the regiment of Vasily Denisovich, made up the company of Davydov Sr. Seeing the son of Vasily Denis, he asked the boy if he loves soldiers? The boy replied that he loved Suvorov, saying that everything was in Alexander Vasilyevich: soldiers, victories and glory.

He was delighted with the answer, and said that the boy should be a military man, and an outstanding one at that. Denis Davydov, of course, complied with the insistence. He really became a military man and, moreover, outstanding. Became .

It is worth noting that Denis was the cousin of another illustrious general of the Patriotic War -.

Davydov from childhood was fond of military affairs, studied military science, the history of battles, took military lessons from a major in the French army, who was now in the Russian service. From childhood, Denis was drawn not only to military exploits, but also to poetry. Many of his poems were able to some success and fame. For his work, sometimes daring, he was out of favor with his superiors.

In 1806 he became an adjutant to Bagration. It was in this capacity that Denis Vasilyevich began the campaign of the Russian-French wars. In January 1807, he participated in his first battle, showed himself successfully, almost got captured, but was very brave. For his actions, Davydov was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 4th degree. He participated in many battles with the French and received several commemorative orders and awards.

He met the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812 with the rank of lieutenant colonel and commanded one of the battalions in Bagration's second army. Davydov participated in defensive battles on the Russian borders, retreated inland with the army and experienced the bitterness of the defeats that overtook the Russian army. Soon, shortly before, he turned to Bagration with a request to allow him to begin the formation of partisan detachments. He, in fact, was the author of the project of a people's war against the French interventionists.

The first raid of Davydov's partisans is dated September 1, when the partisans defeated one of Napoleon's rear groups, recapturing the convoy with valuables, transport, military equipment, the success was obvious. Weapons captured from the French were distributed among the peasants. The uniforms of the Russian and French hussars were similar. Incidents often happened when Russian peasants mistook their soldiers for strangers. Then Davydov dressed his partisans - hussars in peasant clothes, the commander himself also changed his appearance. In the army, they made fun of their appearance, but he himself stood up for Denis Vasilyevich, stating that such measures were necessary in a people's war.

Davydov was lucky. His detachment grew, inflicting stronger and heavier blows on the French. Neither day nor night, the partisans did not give rest to the enemy. On November 4, he captured the French generals. For participation in the national hero Denis Davydov received the Order of St. George, and was also promoted to colonel.

In 1823 he retired, there was time for creativity. The general published several essays and books. He made friends with Pushkin and other famous poets. In 1826 Davydov again returned to the active army. He takes part in the Russian-Iranian war. After Yermolov's resignation, he left the Caucasus and lived in the village for several years. Later he participated in the suppression of the Polish uprising. For his successes, he received the rank of lieutenant general and new orders.

He died at the age of 54, in 1839. Denis Vasilyevich Davydov - Hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, his name will forever remain in the memory of grateful descendants.

The famous military and statesman of the first quarter of the 19th century, major general, partisan hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, talented military writer and poet, founder of hussar lyrics Denis Vasilyevich Davydov was born 225 years ago - on July 27, 1784. Passionate, seething nature, ardent patriot. He participated in all the wars that Russia waged during his lifetime.

Denis Vasilyevich was born in Moscow into a military family. Since 1801, his service begins. He entered the Estandart Junker (a rank in the cavalry assigned to the nobles who were awaiting promotion to officers) in the cavalry guard regiment, a year later he was promoted to cornets, and in November 1803 - to lieutenants. During this period, his literary talent begins to unfold. Differing wit and free-thinking poems quickly brought him popularity. Since 1806, Davydov has been serving in the St. Petersburg Life Guards Hussars. Six months later he was a staff captain. Davydov's service during this period of his life was not burdensome. “In the entire regiment there was more friendship than service ...” But for Russia this time was quite alarming, and Davydov considered it his duty to get into the army. After the hassle, he was enlisted as an adjutant to Prince P.I. Bagration.

The Russian army, pressed by Napoleon, settled down near the village of Wolfsdorf. The rearguard of the Russian army under the command of Bagration covered the further retreat. The battle near Wolfsdorf in January 1807 was Davydov's baptism of fire, in which he showed remarkable courage. Bagration introduced him to the Order of Vladimir IV degree. For subsequent battles near Landsberg and Preussish-Eylau, Davydov was awarded the golden cross on the St. George ribbon. Intense battles followed one after another. June 14, 1807 in a bloody battle near Friedland, Napoleon won. The Russians fought with great stubbornness, but under heavy artillery fire they were forced to withdraw. For participation in the Friedland battle, Davydov was awarded a golden saber with the inscription: "For courage."

On July 7, 1807, Russia and France concluded the Treaty of Tilsit. And in February 1808, the war between Russia and Sweden began. Under the terms of the Treaty of Tilsit, Napoleon granted Alexander I the right to dominate Eastern Europe and promised not to provide military assistance to Turkey. The Russian government decided to use the favorable situation and strengthen its military and political positions on the coast of the Baltic Sea in order to secure Petersburg. Denis Davydov was appointed to the vanguard, commanded by Colonel Ya. P. Kulnev. Under the leadership of Kulnev, he went through a good school of outpost service - swift maneuvers, raids, cavalry skirmishes and skirmishes. The war with Sweden ended with the Peace of Friedrichsham, signed in September 1809. Under its terms, Finland was ceded to Russia as the Grand Duchy of Finland.

The Russian-Turkish war of 1806-1812 also became a good school for the young officer. He participated in the capture of the Turkish fortress of Silistria and in the bloody battle of Shumla in June 1810. For military exploits in these battles, he was awarded the diamond badges of the Order of Anna II degree and promoted to captain.

Combat experience, broad military knowledge, acquired by Davydov in the first decade of his military service, came in handy in the Patriotic War of 1812, in which he played a prominent role.

Since May 1812, Davydov was the commander of the first battalion of the Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment with the rank of lieutenant colonel. By the time Napoleon's campaign began, Bagration's 2nd Western Army was located in the vicinity of Volkovysk, and Davydov's regiment was in Zabludovo, near Bialystok. Here the war of 1812 found him.

Napoleon's blow in 1812 led to the birth of the national liberation nature of the war. Davydov was among the few officers who appreciated this phenomenon and raised the banner of partisan struggle. He turned to Bagration with a request to allocate a special cavalry unit for partisan operations in the rear of the Napoleonic army. The idea aroused the interest of Bagration, who turned directly to Kutuzov. Despite his approval, Davydov was given only 50 hussars and 150 Cossacks! The command was skeptical about the effectiveness of the actions of the partisans.

Supporting Davydov's initiative, Bagration ordered the best hussars and Cossacks to be allocated to him. On September 6, Davydov's partisan detachment, consisting of 50 hussars and 80 Cossacks (instead of the promised 150), as well as three officers of the Akhtyrsky regiment and two cornets of the Don Cossack regiment secretly left the village of Borodino and moved into the deep rear of the French.

The first stronghold of the partisans was the village of Skugarevo, Smolensk province. Davydov began fighting on September 13, the day Napoleon entered Moscow: Davydov's detachment attacked a large detachment of French marauders. 90 people were taken prisoner and the property stolen from the peasants was recaptured. September 14, another raid - on enemy transport in Tsarevo-Zaimishche. The result - more than 120 prisoners, 10 food trucks and one truck with cartridges.

Davydov's partisan detachment stayed in Skugarevo for 10 days. During this time, more than 300 people were taken prisoner, more than 200 Russian soldiers were released from captivity, 32 artillery carts and a large number of trucks with military equipment and food were captured. The first experience taught that the best tactic for the guerrillas is continuous movement, not allowing the enemy to know where they are.

By the end of September, another 180 Cossacks had joined Davydov's detachment. Now under his command there are already 300 cavalrymen, not counting the infantry. It became possible to deploy large-scale actions. The detachment was divided into small battle groups. Communication between them was supported by volunteers from the peasants. The team's success has increased.

The partisan pickets placed by Davydov held significant areas under control, forcing the enemy to accompany the transports with reinforced guards - sometimes up to 1,500 people. Under the blow of the partisans was the city of Vyazma itself, turned by the French into an important stronghold with a strong garrison. Davydov personally drew up a plan of attack on the city. On September 25, after a swift attack, the city was taken. The enemy lost more than 100 people killed and about 300 prisoners. Trophies - 20 trucks with provisions and 12 with weapons.

The bold actions of Davydov's partisans alarmed the French governor of Smolensk, General Barage d'Ilye. On his orders, a cavalry detachment of 2000 sabers was formed from the teams following through Vyazma with the task of clearing the entire space between Gzhatsk and Vyazma from Russian partisans. A large price was promised for the head Davydov himself. However, the enemy's attempts were in vain. So, on October 1, between the villages of Yurenevo and Gorodishche, the partisans fought three battalions of Polish infantry escorting a large transport. They lost only 35 people, but captured huge booty: 36 artillery decks (gun platform), 40 provisions trucks, 144 oxen, about 200 horses, captured 15 officers and more than 900 privates.A third partisan base was set up near the village of Gorodishche.About 500 militiamen were assigned to protect it.

Davydov's "guerrilla army" grew rapidly. Small detachments of infantry were created from recaptured Russian prisoners of war. Kutuzov appreciated the successes of Davydov, promoted the partisan to colonel. To reinforce Davydov, the Don Cossack regiment of Popov, consisting of five hundred, arrived. The successful actions of the Davydov detachment convinced Kutuzov to develop the partisan movement in every possible way. At the direction of the field marshal, several more partisan detachments were created, led by officers of the regular troops. The number of Davydov's troops also increased: he had at his disposal two light-horse Cossack regiments. Incessant pursuit of the enemy and new successes. By the end of October, Davydov's detachment had captured more than 3,500 privates and 43 officers.

In early November, the French brigade of General Augereau concentrated on the road between Yelnya and Smolensk. Davydov's detachment of 1200 sabers with 80 rangers and 4 guns defeated the enemy during a swift attack. 2,000 privates and 60 officers, led by General Augereau, were taken prisoner. Pursuing the enemy, Davydov arrived in a village near the city of Krasnoy. At a personal meeting with the partisan, Kutuzov said: “Your successful experiments have proved to me the benefits of the guerrilla war, which has done so much harm, does and will do to the enemy.” During November, Davydov's detachments carried out a number of successful operations. For courage, Davydov was presented to the Order of George IV degree.

The expulsion of the Napoleonic troops from Russia was coming to an end. In early January 1813, Colonel Davydov joined the main avant-garde of the army of General F.F. Vintsengerode. With his flying cavalry detachment, Davydov performed the duties of an advanced patrol of the main vanguard of the army. The old partisan detachment remained at his disposal: two regiments of Don Cossacks, a team of hussars and combined Cossacks with a total of 550 people.

In early January 1813, the famous Foreign Campaign began. Walking in the vanguard of the advancing Russian army, Davydov's detachment was the first to enter Saxony. On February 13, he participated in the defeat of the Saxon corps of General Renier at Kalisz, on March 22 he occupied the capital of Saxony - Dresden. In the autumn of 1813, Davydov received two Don Cossack regiments at his disposal. At the head of these Cossack regiments, the poet-partisan in the autumn campaign of 1813 participated in many avant-garde battles and in the grandiose "Battle of the Nations" near Leipzig on October 16-19. Then Davydov participates in many battles of the 1814 campaign. After the battle of Brienne on January 29, 1814, and on February 1 at La Rotierre, Davydov received the rank of major general as a reward. Napoleon could no longer prevent the destruction of his empire. As part of the Russian army, which entered Paris on March 30, 1814, Davydov was also at the head of a brigade of hussars.

Davydov sharply condemned the post-war order in the Russian Empire. The Guard has become, as Davydov said, "a funny army." Considering it impossible to serve in the capital under such orders, he continued to serve in the provinces in secondary staff positions. In November 1823, Alexander I signed a decree on his dismissal "due to illness."

With the beginning of the reign of Nicholas I, Davydov decided to return to duty. In early April 1826, he was again assigned to the service to be "with the cavalry." In August, he was assigned to Georgia - the Russian-Persian war began. Upon Davydov's arrival in the Caucasus, the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army, General A.P. Yermolov, appointed him commander of a three thousandth detachment for offensive operations against the Persians. Davydov was tasked with stopping the northward movement of the Erivan Sardar (the title of the Persian governor of Erivan) and his brother Hassan Khan and knocking them out of the borders conquered by the Russians. Already in early October 1826, Davydov utterly defeated the 4,000-strong detachment of Hassan Khan, penetrated the Persian border near the Sudagend tract, and by December built a fortress here.

Denis Davydov was an active participant in eight military campaigns, one of the most talented, educated and brave officers of the Russian army. Denis Vasilyevich died on May 4, 1839 and was buried in Moscow.