Barclay de Tolly, Mikhail Bogdanovich

(1761-1818) - Russian commander. Field-Marshal (1814). Prince (1815). Service in the Russian army began in 1776. Distinguished in the assault Ochakov during the Russian-Turkish war of 1787-1791 gg., During the Russian-Swedish War of 1788 - 1790 he. and in the Polish campaign of 1792-1794 he. He participated in the wars with France and Sweden in the early XIX. From 1809, Mr.. - Chief of Army and Governor-General of Finland. In January 1810 - September 1812. - Minister of War, a member of the State Council. Author military reforms 1810 - 1812 he. Since the beginning of World War II was on the emperor as responsible for directing military operations (the official status of the commander in chief he had not). Managed to achieve the connection of the Russian armies at Smolensk, disrupting the plans of Napoleon's Russian forces to break apart. Initiated the creation of the first guerrilla. Attempts to Barclay de Tolly to maintain an army at all costs caused discontent and accusations against him. He even accused of treason. With the appointment of Kutuzov commander in chief Barclay de Tolly remained commander of the 1 st Army. Distinguished in the battle of Borodino. At the council at Fili, proposed the idea to leave Moscow in order to save the army and led on behalf of Kutuzov's army withdrawal from Moscow. While foreign campaign commanded the 3rd Army. Since 1813. - Chief of all the Russian and Prussian armies. After the conclusion of the Paris peace-Commander 1 st Army. Upon his retirement, spoke against the establishment of military settlements. He offered end-time soldiers to grant land and enroll in the voluntary tillers.