Fearless Denis Davydov. A brave warrior and a wonderful poet. Denis Davydov

WITH early years He saw his true calling in military affairs, while poetry was inextricably linked with the elements of war. “...A peaceful and calm life never inspires anything in me, I need moral shocks, and strong shocks, and then I was only a poet,” Denis Davydov wrote to his cousin.

There are legends about how Davydov managed to get into the thick of the fighting. According to one of them, a young hussar, bored in the Podolsk province, at night infiltrated Field Marshal Mikhail Kamensky, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army at that time, demanding that he be released to the front. Davydov’s efforts would have been in vain, since Kamensky was soon removed from his post, but his “feat” was learned at court, and the hussar became an adjutant to Prince Pyotr Ivanovich Bagration. Davydov himself describes this story somewhat differently.

“In 1806, having been transferred to the Life Hussar Regiment as a lieutenant, Davydov came to St. Petersburg. Soon the war with the French broke out, and the famous Prince Bagration elected him as his adjutant. Davydov rode into the army, rode into the vanguard, threw himself into the battle, was almost captured, but was saved by the Cossacks.”

From the autobiography “Some features from the life of Denis Vasilyevich Davydov”

Bagration became Denis Davydov’s favorite boss, senior friend and mentor. There is a famous anecdote about the prince and his adjutant; it is known to historians in two versions thanks to the diaries of Alexander Pushkin. According to the first edition, Davydov, having appeared to General Beningsen, said: “Prince Bagration sent me to report that the enemy is on our nose.” To which he replied: “Denis Vasilyevich, if it’s on yours, then it’s already close, if it’s on Prince Bagration’s nose, then we’ll still have time to dine.” According to the second option, Bagration himself made a sarcastic comment about the nose, having once been offended by Davydov for an epigram ridiculing his profile. Obviously, both of these stories come from Davydov himself, who was known as a witty and amazing storyteller, and emphasize not only external features heroes of the joke, but also the friendliness of their relationship.

Together with Bagration, Davydov took part in a number of important battles, after one of which he received the Order of St. Vladimir, IV degree. In 1812, it was to him that the poet turned with the idea of ​​​​creating a partisan detachment. Bagration signed the order for the formation of this unit, which played such a serious role in the victory over Napoleon, on the eve of the Battle of Borodino, in which he was mortally wounded. As for Davydov’s flying detachment, during the war he became famous for his unprecedented exploits, here are just a few of them: with 50 hussars and 80 Cossacks in one of the raids, Davydov managed to capture 370 French prisoners, while repelling 200 Russian prisoners, a cart with cartridges and nine carts with provisions; near Lyakhovo, together with other partisans, he captured General Augereau’s two-thousand-strong detachment; When approaching Paris, he and the Cossacks broke through the hussars of General Jacquinot's brigade to the French artillery battery and, having destroyed the servants, decided the outcome of the battle.

After 1812, without exaggeration, the whole world knew about Davydov and his incredible courage. Engraving by English artist Denis Dighton with the signature “Denis Davydov. Black Captain" was kept in the office of Walter Scott, with whom the poet corresponded and to whom he showed some of his poems. It is unlikely that the English novelist was able to appreciate the talent of the hussar poet, but in Russia there were many admirers of his work. Among others - Pushkin, Yazykov, Zhukovsky. Davydov was a member literary society“Arzamas”, and, according to the other residents of the circle, his cheerful, cheerful texts were impossible to imitate.

Less well known are the prose texts of Denis Davydov, including such articles as “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.” Based on the value of the data reported, these military memoirs still remain important sources for the history of the war of that era.

After the end of World War II, Davydov’s career did not develop in the best possible way. For the government, he forever remained a freethinker, which means a person who cannot be involved in serious campaigns. And although Denis Davydov took part in hostilities until 1831, he considered himself a person deprived of service.

The famous partisan and poet died on April 22 (May 4 according to the Gregorian calendar), 1839, at the age of 55. His ashes were transported to Moscow and buried in the cemetery

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, village of Verkhnyaya Maza, 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 galaxy” "

Biography

Childhood and youth

Born into the family of foreman Vasily Denisovich Davydov (1747-1808), who served under the command of A.V. Suvorov, in Moscow. From ancient noble family, which traces its history back to the Tatar Murza Minchak, who went to Moscow at the beginning of the 15th century. . A significant part of his childhood was spent in a military situation in Ukraine, where his father served, commanding the Poltava light horse regiment. Denis got involved in military affairs early and learned horse riding well. But he was constantly tormented by the fact that he was short, snub-nosed and ugly.

At the end XVIII century throughout Russia the glory of the great Suvorov thundered, to whom Denis treated with extraordinary respect. Once, when the boy was nine years old, he had a chance to see the famous commander, he came to their estate to visit. 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, and he will already win three battles,” and Evdokim will go into 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 well-being of the Davydovs came to an end. An audit of the Poltava regiment, which my father commanded, discovered a shortage of 100 thousand rubles and Davydov Sr. was fired and ordered by court to pay this amount. Although his only fault was that he relied on the honesty of his quartermasters. I had to sell the estate. Over time, having gotten out of debt, my father bought a small village near Moscow, Borodino, near Mozhaisk. During the Battle of Borodino, the village, along with the manor's house, burned down. The father decided to assign his sons in accordance with the words of Suvorov - Denis to the cavalry guards, and his brother Evdokim to the archives of the Foreign Collegium.

Military career

In 1801, Davydov entered service in the Guards Cavalry Regiment, located in St. Petersburg. Moreover, when Denis showed up to be assigned to the regiment, the officer on duty flatly refused to accept him because of his short stature. But Denis still managed to be accepted. The officers of the regiment very quickly fell in love with him for his charm, wit and modesty and gave him patronage. In the fall of 1801 he became an estandard cadet. In September 1802 he was promoted to cornet, and in November 1803 to lieutenant. At this time he began to write poetry and fables, but he got carried away and in his fables he began to very caustically ridicule the top officials of the state.

Because of the satirical poems, Denis was transferred from the guard to one of the army hussar regiments, to the Kyiv province in Ukraine. This was done to cavalry guards very rarely and only for major offenses - cowardice in battle, embezzlement or cheating at cards. But Denis liked the hussars. Dashing feasts, riotous jokes. He now sang all this in his “desirable songs”, abandoning 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 hussar regiment did not. A young cavalry officer who dreamed of feats of arms and glory, was forced to remain aloof from these events. While his brother Evdokim, having left the service, joined the cavalry guards and managed to become famous at Austerlitz. Evdokim was seriously wounded (five saber wounds, one bullet wound 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 in all European newspapers.

Denis decided to go to the front at any cost. In November 1806, Davydov at night penetrated Field Marshal M.F. Kamensky, who was appointed commander-in-chief of the Russian army at that time. Kamensky, a small, dry old man in a nightcap, almost died of fear when Denis appeared in front of him and demanded that he be sent to the front. But 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 came out to the army in a hare sheepskin coat and a scarf and declared: “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 made fun of Bagration’s long nose in one of his poems and therefore was a little afraid of his 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, without being taken aback, replied that he wrote about his nose only out of envy, since he practically doesn’t have one himself. Bagration liked the joke. And he often, when it was reported to him that the enemy was “on the nose,” asked again, on whose nose? If on mine, then you can still have lunch, and if on Denisov, then on the horses.

Already on January 24, 1807, Denis Davydov took part in battles with the French. In the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, he was under Bagration, who appeared with his adjutant in the most dangerous and critical areas. One battle, according to Bagration, was won only thanks to Davydov. He single-handedly rushed at a detachment of French lancers and they, chasing him, were distracted and missed the moment of the appearance of the Russian hussars. 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 with orders and a golden saber.

At the very end of the campaign, Davydov had a chance to see Napoleon. At that time, 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 in his place. Davydov was very pleased that Napoleon was even shorter than him, 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, marched with Kulnev to Uleaborg, occupied Karloe Island with the Cossacks and, returning to the vanguard, retreated across the ice of the Gulf of Bothnia.

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

Patriotic War of 1812

At the beginning of the war of 1812, Davydov was a lieutenant colonel in the Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment and was in the vanguard troops of the general. Vasilchikova. On August 21, 1812, in sight of the village of Borodino, where he grew up, where his parents’ house was already being hastily dismantled into 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 cope with them until they united into a regular army. The logic was simple: Napoleon, hoping to defeat Russia in twenty days, took so much food with him. And if you take away carts, fodder and break bridges, this will create big problems for him.

From Davydov’s letter 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 had little understanding of the details of military uniforms, which were similar among the French and Russians. Moreover, the officers usually spoke French. After this, Davydov put on a peasant’s caftan and grew a beard (in the portrait by A. Orlovsky (1814) Davydov is dressed in Caucasian fashion: a checkmen, a clearly non-Russian hat, a Circassian saber). With 130 hussars in one of the forays, he managed to capture 370 French, while repelling 200 Russian prisoners, a truck with ammunition and nine trucks with provisions. His detachment grew rapidly at the expense of peasants and freed prisoners.

His rapid successes convinced Kutuzov of the advisability guerrilla warfare, and he was not slow to give it wider development and constantly sent reinforcements. The second time Davydov saw Napoleon was when he and his partisans were in ambush in the forest, 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 allocated one of his best detachments of two thousand horsemen with eight chief officers and one staff officer. Davydov, who had twice less people, managed to drive the detachment into a trap and take him prisoner along with all the officers.

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

After crossing the border, Davydov was assigned to the corps of General Wintzingerode, 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, since he took the city without permission without orders. Throughout Europe, legends were made about Davydov’s courage and luck. When Russian troops entered a city, all the residents went out into the street and asked about him in order to see him.

For the battle on the approach to Paris, when five horses were killed under him, but he, together with his Cossacks, still broke through the hussars of the Jacquinot brigade to the French artillery battery and, having chopped up the servants, decided the outcome of the battle - Davydov was awarded the rank of major general.

Service after World War II

After the Patriotic War of 1812, Denis Davydov began to have troubles. At first he was sent to command the dragoon brigade, which was stationed near Kiev. Like any hussar, Denis despised dragoons. Then he was informed that the rank of major general had been assigned to him by mistake, and he was a colonel. And to top it all off, Colonel Davydov is transferred to serve in the Oryol province as commander of a horse-jaeger brigade. This was the last straw, since he had to lose his hussar mustache, his pride. Huntsmen were not allowed mustaches. He wrote a letter to the king saying that he could not carry out the order because of his mustache. Denis was expecting 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 Blucher’s army, participated with it in all major affairs and especially distinguished himself in the battle of La Rotier.

In 1815, Denis Davydov was elected a member of Arzamas with the nickname “Armenian”. Together with Pushkin and Vyazemsky, he represents a branch of the Arzamas circle in Moscow. After the collapse of Conversations, the controversy with the Shishkovists ended, and in 1818 Arzamas disbanded. In 1815, Davydov took the place of 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 Polish rebels. He fought well. He took the city of Vladimir-Volynsky, for which he received Anna I degrees.

Personal life

The first time Davydov fell in love with Aglaya Antonovna. But she chose to marry his cousin - the 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 fell in love once again. 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 a full member. He was very proud, since he himself had not dared to call himself a poet before. An indispensable condition Liza’s parents believed that Denis would obtain a government estate for rent from the sovereign (this was a form state support persons who are not rich, but have distinguished themselves in service). Davydov went to St. Petersburg to do some work. V. A. Zhukovsky, who simply adored Davydov, helped a lot. With his help, Davydov was quickly granted “in connection with his upcoming marriage” to rent the state-owned Balta estate, which brought in six thousand rubles a year.

But then he received a new blow. While he was busy in St. Petersburg, Lisa became interested in Prince Pyotr Golitsyn. The prince was a gambler and a reveler, and besides, he had recently been expelled from the guard for some dark deeds. But he was extraordinarily beautiful. Davydov was refused. Moreover, Lisa did not even want to see him, conveying the refusal through her father.

Davydov took Lisa’s refusal very hard. 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. At that time she was already in mature age- 24 years. But her friends vying with each other praised 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, as the bride’s mother, having learned about his “desirable songs,” ordered Davydov to be rejected as a drunkard, a dissolute person and a gambler. Friends of her late husband barely persuaded her, explaining that General Davydov does not play cards, drinks little - and these are only poems. After all, he is a poet! In April 1819, Denis married Sophia.

As soon as Sophia began to give birth to his children, Denis lost the desire to pull the military burden. He wanted to be at home, near his wife. Davydov called in sick every now and then and went on vacations of many months. Even Caucasian war, where he was sent under the command of General Ermolov, did not captivate him. He stayed in the active army for only two months, and then asked Yermolov for a six-week leave to improve his health. Stopping by for a view mineral water, having sent several letters about his illness (including to Walter Scott) for persuasiveness, he rushed to the Arbat in Moscow, where at that time three sons and Sophia, who was once again pregnant, 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 all he could think about was peace, they finally left him behind. True, he was never allowed to resign, but they did not touch him, and his entire service was limited to wearing a lieutenant general’s uniform.

Last years D.V. Davydov spent his life in the village of Verkhnyaya 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. I visited my neighbors - the Yazykovs, Ivashevs, A.V. Bestuzhev, N.I. Polivanov. Visited Simbirsk. He ordered books from abroad. I was hunting. He wrote military-historical notes. He was involved in raising children and running the household: he built a distillery, set up 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 madly 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. I couldn't hide it either. This passionate affair lasted three years. Then Evgenia married the first groom she came across, and Denis, having let his beloved go this time easily, without pain, 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 disposition until his death. His gaiety was infectious and exciting; he was the soul of friendly conversations.

Relatives

Cousins

• legendary general Alexey Petrovich Ermolov, who conquered the Caucasus;
• Vasily Lvovich Davydov - Decembrist, a prominent figure in 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, for a long time was considered a portrait of Denis Davydov;

Children

1. Denis Denisovich Davydov
2. Vasily Denisovich Davydov
3. Nikolay Denisovich Davydov
4. Vadim Denisovich Davydov (1832-1881)
5. Yulia Denisovna Davydova (1835-1882)
6. Akhill Denisovich Davydov
7. Maria Denisovna Davydova
8. Ekaterina Denisovna Davydova
9. Sofya Denisovna Davydova

• Denis Davydov once said the following: “It’s enough to invite a hundred Armenians, and they will repel the enemy.”

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

Creation

Lyrics

Literary activity Davydova expressed herself in a number of poems and several prose articles.

Successful partisan actions in the War of 1812 glorified him, and since then he has been creating a reputation for himself as a “singer-warrior”, acting “at once” in poetry, as in war. This reputation was also supported by Davydov’s friends, including Pushkin. However, Davydov’s “military” poetry in no way reflects the war: he glorifies the life of the hussars of that time. Wine, love affairs, riotous revelry, daring life - this is their content.

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

Along with poems of bacchanalian 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 last period, somehow: “Sea”, “Waltz”, “River”.

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

Prose

Davydov's prose articles are divided into two categories: articles that are in the nature of personal memoirs, and historical and polemical articles. 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.". Based on the value of the data reported, these military memoirs still remain important sources for the history of the war of that era. The second category includes: “Did frost destroy the French army”, “Correspondence with Walter Scott”, “Notes on the obituary of N. N. Raevsky” and some others.

Davydov's collected works went through six editions; Of these, the most complete are the three-volume editions of 1860 and 1893, ed. A. O. Krugloy (addendum to the magazine “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, Radishchevsky 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 was erected to him primarily as a poet.
• Davydov served as the prototype for the character in L.N. Tolstoy’s novel “War and Peace” Vasily Denisov.
• For the 150th anniversary of the Patriotic War, in 1962, filmed Feature Film"Hussar Ballad", which shows Denis Davydov as the commander of a partisan detachment. Also for this date, USSR postage stamps were issued, one of which is dedicated to Davydov.
• In 1980, the film “Squadron of Flying Hussars” was made about Denis Davydov.
• Andrei Belyanin’s book “Hunting the Hussar” was written about Denis Davydov (and on his behalf).
• In Moscow there is Denis Davydov Street.
• In Vladivostok there is Denis Davydov Street, and his bust is installed in the park 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 Kamena”, - M., 1910
• Gervais V.V., Partisan-poet Davydov, St. Petersburg, 1913.
• Rozanov I. N., Russian lyrics. From impersonal poetry to confession of the heart, - M., 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 who took part in the fighting against the army of Napoleon Bonaparte in 1812-1815. // Russian archive: Sat. - M.: studio "TRITE" N. Mikhalkov, 1996. - T. VII. - pp. 374-375.
• Glinka V.M., Pomarnatsky A.V. Davydov, Denis Vasilievich // Military gallery Winter Palace. - 3rd ed. - L.: Art, 1981. - P. 100-102.
• Gennady Serebryakov Denis Davydov (ZhZL)
• Osipov A.A. Denis Vasilievich Davydov. 1784-1839 (Experience literary characteristics) // Historical Bulletin, 1890. – T. 41. – No. 7. – P. 71-93.

Writing about Denis Vasilyevich Davydov, like about any other general with a rich literary and memoir heritage, is extremely difficult. This is due not least to the fact that in his biography numerous anecdotes of varying degrees of reliability are firmly intertwined, purely biographical facts and what philologists call “literary behavior” - in other words, you have to deal with three Davydovs at once: the mythical hussar and partisan, real officer and nobleman, as well as famous poet and a writer. Much has been written about each of these three, and each of them is good in its own way, but the first and last often outshine the average. This is what we will try to look at in more detail.

Portrait of Denis Vasilievich Davydov, J.Dow workshop

Denis Vasilyevich was born into the family of an Old Moscow nobleman, commander of the Poltava Light Horse Regiment, Brigadier Vasily Denisovich, one of A.V.’s good friends. Suvorov. The good-natured father of his regiment managed the affairs of the regiment somehow, completely trusting his quartermasters. Denis himself was destined for military service from childhood and only dreamed of it, but his short stature and rather puny physique did not foretell a quick promotion for him.

With the accession of Emperor Paul I, as often happens at the beginning of a new reign in Russia, audits began in all regiments. One of these checks reached the Poltava regiment, where, unfortunately for Vasily Denisovich, a shortage of 100 thousand rubles was discovered, which, according to the court, the brigadier who was dismissed from service had to pay at that very moment. The family had to sell the estate and wander without a home for some time, until, having got out of debt, Vasily Denisovich bought a “wonderful place”... the village of Borodino near Mozhaisk.

Meanwhile, Denis Davydov with with great difficulty entered service in the Guards Cavalry Regiment. The fact is that because of his small stature, the officer on duty did not want to accept him, because this was simply contrary to the regulations. However, Denis Vasilyevich was not at a loss and, putting pressure on the commander through the patronage of his father’s friends, finally achieved his enrollment in the regiment. Then he will ironically talk about this story: “Finally, they tied our little fellow to a huge broadsword, lowered him into deep boots and covered the sanctuary of his poetic genius with flour and a triangular hat.”

Nevertheless, Denis Vasilyevich was loved in the regiment for his wit and meekness, to which he was partially obliged to intercede for himself when enlisting in the regiment, and one of the senior officers, A.M. Kakhovsky even took up the education of Denis, compiling for him several lists of military, artistic and scientific literature. Denis Vasilyevich himself will later remember his service in the Cavalry Regiment with great warmth.

Naturally, finding himself in such a brilliant society, the young officer, who had a very strong craving for literature, began to “write” poetry, which at first was not very good, but extremely caustic. For a couple of such “critical” poems that reached someone’s high-ranking hands, the young officer was transferred from the guard to the Belarusian Hussar Regiment with the rank of captain. However, despite traditional presentation Denis Davydov liked the punishment of the people of that era, and in general he did not really regret his transfer. Moreover, many were talking about the coming war, which the young hussar so longed for.

However, Denis Vasilyevich was not able to take part in the campaign of 1805, since his regiment, as luck would have it, remained in its own Belarus and no one gave even a hint that he would have to go somewhere. Added to this was the news that younger brother Denis, Evdokim, who from childhood was determined to make a career at the Foreign Collegium, voluntarily joined the cavalry guards and, having received 5 saber wounds, one bullet and one bayonet wound at Austerlitz, was taken prisoner, where in the hospital he spoke with Napoleon, about which all European newspapers wrote . Denis could no longer stand this and went to the commander-in-chief to ask to be sent to the front. Having found nothing better than to get to old man M.F. Kamensky to his house to ask for a transfer, he scared him so much that he definitely couldn’t count on this channel. The mistress of Emperor Alexander, M.A., helped Denis with joining the troops. Naryshkina, who stood up for young man before the sovereign.

Postage Stamp USSR - 150 years of the Patriotic War of 1812, 1962

As a result, in 1807 he nevertheless received an appointment in the army as an adjutant to Prince Bagration. And everything would have been fine, but due to his youth, Davydov also managed to ridicule the Georgian nose of this commander, which the prince himself remembered very well, so at headquarters he was not greeted in a very friendly manner, and Bagration himself, at the first meeting, recalled this insolence to him, to which Davydov replied: “I repent, your Excellency. I did this solely out of envy, since I myself have almost no part of my face. Apart from this button.” The general liked the joke, and Denis became one of Bagration’s favorite officers for a long time.

At the end of the 1807 campaign, having earned the personal praise of the prince, a burqa, his first order and a fart gray hair, Denis managed to complete one more of his cherished dream- see Napoleon. This happened during peace negotiations in Tilsit, where Bagration sent him in his place. Davydov later recalled with pleasure that during the meeting he withstood Napoleon’s long, arrogant gaze, and was also surprised that the ruler of half the world turned out to be half a head shorter than even the very short Denis.

After the Austrian campaign, Davydov participated in the Swedish and Turkish wars, where he showed himself first-class and received a number of promotions, and just before the war of 1812 he asked to join the Akhtyrsky Hussar Regiment, with which he went through the entire first half of the campaign.

Davydov rides on horseback in a Cossack and yarmulke; behind him are two hussars; the camp is visible on the left. Hood. A. Orlovsky, 1814

Shortly before the Battle of Borodino, Denis Vasilyevich submitted a note to Prince Bagration with a proposal to create partisan detachment ov following the example of the Spanish ones, and received the approval first of Pyotr Ivanovich, and then of M.I. himself. Kutuzova. The first partisan detachments were very small and did not yet know the principles of camouflage, and they were not really familiar with the people. As a result, Davydov’s detachment was almost destroyed by the peasants for their shaved face and habit of speaking French. After this incident, Denis grew a beard and traveled exclusively in a Cossack costume.

The “invention” of partisan detachments and their tactics of interrupting enemy communications led to the creation of a very tense situation in the French rear and became one of the reasons for the catastrophic retreat of the Great Army from Moscow, which, thanks to the actions of Denis Vasilyevich, was deprived of its main supplies.

Rubicon. Crossing the river by Denis Davydov's detachment. Hood. S.L. Kozhin. 1812 Canvas, oil.

During the foreign campaign of the Russian army, Davydov once again showed his extreme impatience and, contrary to orders, during the Saxon operation he arbitrarily occupied Dresden, for which he was put under house arrest. However, the fame of Davydov spread so much throughout Europe that it was impossible to keep him out of business for a long time. Soon, Denis Vasilyevich atoned for his previous guilt, breaking through to the battery with his Cossacks near Paris and thereby deciding the outcome of the battle. For this feat, Davydov was awarded the rank of major general. By the way, they will try to take away this rank from Davydov, as it was given by mistake, but the intercession of the emperor will allow Denis Vasilyevich to defend his rights.

After the war, Davydov was extremely active in literary and political life: makes friends with Karamzinists and future Decembrists, writes his memoirs, publishes collections of poetry. In 1820, Denis Vasilyevich went on vacation, and in 1823, he retired with the right to wear a uniform. During this period he published all his main works.

In 1826, Davydov again entered active military service, fought in Persia, participated in the suppression of the Polish uprising, for which he received the rank of lieutenant general. However, in 1831 he finally decided to leave the service and devote himself to literature.

The last years of D.V.’s life Davydov is trying to transfer the ashes of his teacher P.I. Bagration, however, dies shortly before, never seeing his request fulfilled.

Grave of D.V. Davydov at Novodevichy Cemetery

At the death of Davydov, his friend P.A. Vyazemsky will write a poem:

EPERNAY(To Denis Vasilievich Davydov)

So from a distant foreign land
My poem was looking for you, Denis!
And the constant was waiting for you
Not grapes, but cypress.

I was looking for a friend on the day of return,
But the day of return was sad!
And drinking buddy and brother
One I sadly hugged the shadow.

The poet's light cup has cooled,
The partisan sword also cooled down;
Among the incense bowls and pipes
There is no longer any lively speech.

They don't fall from her like stars,
Lights and flashes of sharp words,
And the rider’s speech is attacks
Does not commit on fools.

The stream does not flow forever new
Bivvy tales story
About the harsh ice of Finland,
About the fire-breathing Caucasus,

About a year sealed in blood,
When under the glow of the Kremlin,
Burning with revenge and love,
The Russian land has risen,

When, having brought unconditionally
All sacrifices are on the native altar,
Unanimously, without exception
The people went into mortal combat.

They were listening to your folk story,
A moving story
Shadows came out of the coffin,
And their shine blinded our eyes.

Bagration is Achilles in soul,
Kutuzov - wise Odysseus,
Seslavin, Kulnev - with simplicity
And the valor of the man of ancient days!

Bogatyrs of the strong era,
Glorious era, you are no more!
And so he descended into the darkness of the grave
Your colleague, your poet!

Death has crushed our glory,
And we look with a tear of longing
On overturned bowls,
On the abolished wreaths.

I’m calling, - the seasoned chorus is silent;
I am looking for you, but your house is empty;
My belated verse will not meet
Smiles from cold lips.

But my song, the legend of my soul
About bright, irrevocable days,
Take it, Denis, like a libation
To your ashes, dear ashes to your heart!

Denis Vasilyevich Davydov (1784 - 1839) - a legendary man: lieutenant general, leader of the partisan movement of 1812, poet. Napoleon hated him, but a special French detachment sent to capture him was captured by Davydov’s partisans. Writing daring poems about Emperor Alexander I, Denis Vasilyevich fell into disgrace more than once. But he was forgiven thanks to his exploits and amazing disposition that won the hearts of people.

Famous military man statesman first quarter of the XIX century, major general, partisan hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, talented military writer and poet, founder of hussar poetry Denis Vasilyevich Davydov was born 225 years ago - 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. His service began in 1801. He entered the cavalry regiment as an estandard cadet (a rank in the cavalry assigned to nobles awaiting promotion to officers), a year later he was promoted to cornet, and in November 1803 to lieutenant. During this period, his literary talent began to reveal itself. His poems, distinguished by their wit and free-thinking, quickly brought him popularity. Since 1806, Davydov has served in the St. Petersburg Life Guards Hussar Regiment. Within six months he was a headquarters 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 active army. After troubles, 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 further retreat. The battle of Wolfsdorf in January 1807 was Davydov’s baptism of fire, in which he showed remarkable courage. Bagration presented him with the Order of Vladimir, IV degree. For subsequent battles near Landsberg and Preussisch-Eylau, Davydov was awarded a gold cross on the St. George ribbon. Intense battles followed one after another. June 14, 1807 in bloody battle Napoleon was victorious at Friedland. The Russians fought with great tenacity, but were forced to retreat under heavy artillery fire. For his participation in the Battle of Friedland, Davydov was awarded a golden saber with the inscription: “For bravery.”

On July 7, 1807, Russia and France concluded the Peace of Tilsit. And in February 1808, the war between Russia and Sweden began. Under the terms of the Peace 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 take advantage of the favorable situation and strengthen military-political positions on the coast Baltic Sea to secure St. Petersburg. Denis Davydov was assigned to the vanguard, commanded by Colonel Ya. P. Kulnev. Under the leadership of Kulnev, he passed good school outpost service - rapid maneuvers, raids, cavalry skirmishes and skirmishes. The war with Sweden ended with the Peace of Friedrichsham, signed in September 1809. According to its terms, Finland ceded to Russia as the Grand Duchy of Finland.

Russo-Turkish War 1806-1812 also became a good school for a young officer. He took part 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 insignia 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 Patriotic War 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, the 2nd Western Army Bagration was located in the vicinity of Volkovysk, and Davydov’s regiment was in Zabludov, near Bialystok. This is where the War of 1812 found him.

Napoleon's blow in 1812 determined the emergence of the national liberation character 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 Napoleonic army. The idea aroused the interest of Bagration, who turned directly to Kutuzov. Despite his approval, Davydov was allocated only 50 hussars and 150 Cossacks! The command was skeptical about the effectiveness of the partisans' actions.

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 deep into the rear of the French.

The first stronghold of the partisans was the village of Skugarevo, Smolensk province. Fighting Davydov began on September 13, the day Napoleon entered Moscow: Davydov’s detachment attacked a large detachment of French marauders. 90 people were captured and the property looted from the peasants was recaptured. On September 14, another raid was carried out on enemy transport in Tsarevo-Zaimishche. The result is more than 120 prisoners, 10 food trucks and one truck with ammunition.

Davydov’s partisan detachment stayed in Skugarev for 10 days. During this time, more than 300 people were captured, 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 tactics for partisans is continuous movement, preventing the enemy from knowing where they are.

By the end of September, another 180 Cossacks joined Davydov’s detachment. Now under his command there are already 300 cavalrymen, not counting the infantry. It became possible to launch large-scale actions. The detachment was divided into small combat groups. The connection between them was maintained by volunteer peasants. The detachment's successes increased.

The partisan pickets set up by Davydov controlled large areas, forcing the enemy to accompany the transports with reinforced security - sometimes up to 1,500 people. The city of Vyazma itself, which the French had turned into an important stronghold with a strong garrison, came under attack from the partisans. Davydov personally drew up a plan to attack 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 Baraguet d'Hillier. On his orders, a cavalry detachment of 2000 sabers was formed from the teams traveling through Vyazma with the task of clearing the entire space between Gzhatsk and Vyazma from Russian partisans. A high price was promised for the head Davydov himself. However, the enemy’s attempts were in vain. Thus, on October 1, between the villages of Yurenevo and Gorodishche, the partisans gave battle to three battalions of Polish infantry accompanying a large transport. They lost only 35 people, but captured huge booty: 36 artillery decks (gun platform), 40 provisions wagons, 144 oxen, about 200 horses, captured 15 officers and more than 900 privates. A third partisan base was set up in the area of ​​the village of Gorodishche. About 500 militia were assigned to guard it.

Davydov’s “partisan army” grew rapidly. Small infantry detachments were created from captured Russian prisoners of war. Kutuzov appreciated Davydov’s successes and promoted the partisan to colonel. To reinforce Davydov, Popov’s Don Cossack regiment of five hundred arrived. The successful actions of Davydov’s detachment convinced Kutuzov to develop in every possible way partisan movement. 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 two light-horse Cossack regiments at his disposal. 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 captured. Pursuing the enemy, Davydov arrived in a village near the city of Krasny. During a personal meeting with a partisan, Kutuzov said: “Your successful experiments have proven to me the benefits of partisan warfare, which has caused, is causing and will cause so much harm to the enemy.” During November, Davydov's troops carried out a number of successful operations. For his courage, Davydov was presented with the Order of George, IV degree.

The expulsion of Napoleonic troops from Russia was coming to an end. At the beginning of January 1813, Colonel Davydov joined the main vanguard of the army of General F. F. Wintsengerode. With his flying cavalry detachment, Davydov served as the forward patrol of the main vanguard of the army. The old partisan detachment remained at his disposal: two regiments Don Cossacks, a team of hussars and combined Cossacks with a total number of 550 people.

At the beginning of January 1813, the famous Foreign trip. Walking in the vanguard of the advancing Russian army, Davydov’s detachment was the first to enter Saxony. On February 13, he took part in the defeat of General Rainier’s Saxon Corps at Kalisz, and on March 22, he occupied the capital of Saxony, Dresden. In the fall 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. Davydov then took part in many battles of the 1814 campaign. After the battle of Brienne on January 29, 1814 and February 1 at La Rotière, Davydov received the rank of major general as a reward. Napoleon could no longer prevent the destruction of his empire. Davydov was part of the Russian army that entered Paris on March 30, 1814, at the head of a brigade of hussars.

Davydov sharply condemned the post-war order in Russian Empire. The guard turned, as Davydov said, into a “funny army.” Considering it impossible to serve in the capital under such conditions, he continued to serve in the provinces in secondary staff positions. In November 1823, Alexander I signed a decree dismissing him “due to illness.”

With the beginning of the reign of Nicholas I, Davydov decided to return to duty. At the beginning of April 1826, he was again assigned to serve “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. Ermolov, appointed him commander of a three-thousand-strong detachment for offensive operations against the Persians. Davydov was tasked with stopping the movement to the north of the Erivan Sardar (the title of the Persian governor of Erivan) and his brother Hassan Khan and driving them out of the borders conquered by the Russians. Already at the beginning of October 1826, Davydov completely defeated the four thousand-strong detachment of Hassan Khan, penetrated the Persian border at the Sudagend tract, and by December erected 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.