Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev is a famous Russian general. Skobelev was born in St. Petersburg on September 17 (29), 1843. His father Dmitry Ivanovich was a military man with the rank of lieutenant general. Mother Olga Nikolaevna was a highly educated and virtuous woman.
Skobelev’s grandfather Ivan Nikitich was also a military man, he went from a soldier to a general, was the commandant of the Peter and Paul Fortress, participated in and even reached Paris.
The Skobelev family was a military family, loyal to the royal throne and the Russian people. Mikhail Dmitrievich continued the good reputation of his family. From childhood, he was brought up in a patriotic manner, he knew about the value of civic duty and labor, self-sacrifice for the good of the people.
Since childhood, Skobelev showed a passion for science. Mikhail Dmitrievich knew 8 foreign languages, had a keen sense of music, and studied Russian history. In his youth he studied at St. Petersburg University. After studying, Mikhail goes to military service, because having such roots, Skobelev could not do otherwise.
Soon Mikhail Skobelev became a cadet of the Cavalry Guard Regiment. Five years later, having passed the exams, he was enrolled in the Academy of the General Staff, where he showed great success in his studies. Mikhail learned a lot about the art of war and political history, and he also had success in literature. After successful exams, he was enrolled in the General Staff, with the assignment of the next military rank.
Skobelev's service took place in responsible positions. The future general took part in hostilities in Turkestan and the Trans-Caspian region. In one of the military operations, Skobelev was wounded seven times and miraculously survived. For courage in military operations in Central Asia, Mikhail Dmitrievich was presented with the Order of St. George, 4th degree.
In 1874, Skobelev received the rank of adjutant. In 1876 he led an expedition sent beyond the Altai Range, to southern Kyrgyzstan. The result of the expedition was the recognition of the Fergana Tien Shan as Russian land. Before the next Russian-Turkish war, he asks to be sent to the Danube Army. Mikhail Dmitrievich was enlisted in the 14th division with the rank of major general.
Skobelev was an orderly of the famous military theorist Dragomirov. Dragomirov's division was the first echelon that was to ensure the crossing of Russian troops across the Danube. For the operation to cross Russian troops, Mikhail Dmitrievich was awarded the Order of St. Stanislav, 1st degree. He also took part in the siege of Plevna.
Plevna was a well-fortified city that occupied important strategic positions. Skobelev led a detachment that was part of the Caucasian Cossack Brigade. The task of his brigade was to cover the strike group of Russian troops from the south. The first assault on the city was unsuccessful. Then Skobelev, at a military council, proposed cutting off the road leading to the city and capturing Lovcha. Skobelev's plan did not find proper understanding among the generals, and soon a second assault on Plevna was ordered, which ended in failure.
The Russian army was unable to take the city and lost 7 thousand soldiers. Mikhail Skobelev was able to save the main forces of the Russian army from complete defeat. Skobelev was highly praised by the commander-in-chief, who wrote in a report: “... In hellish fire, with his heroic personal example he inspired the troops and made them capable of miracles of courage...”.
Two days later, Mikhail Skobelev led a cavalry detachment that was supposed to advance on Lovcha. Much depended on Skobelev’s success. At this time, the famous, fierce battles were taking place at the Shipka Pass. The Turks began to press. Skobelev led the troops in an attack on Lovcha. The battle began on the morning of September 3, Russian troops showered the enemy with artillery fire, the battle lasted about 12 hours. Thanks to Skobelev’s maneuvers, the Turks were confused, and Russian troops took Lovcha. The victory at Lovcha was of great importance for the Russian army, whose morale was undermined due to the failures at Plevna.
The third assault on the city was again unsuccessful, although Skobelev’s detachment managed to take possession of the advanced fortifications. After the 3rd assault, Plevna was besieged from all sides by Russian troops. Mikhail Dmitrievich was ordered to lead the division, which numbered 16 thousand people. The division, after some time, began to be called Skobelevskaya. He had to do a lot during the long months of the siege of Plevna.
Skobelev supported the morale of the soldiers and taught them military affairs. Soon the Turks tried to break the blockade, but were repulsed by Russian troops, as a result of which the Turkish garrison surrendered. Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was appointed the new military governor of the city. Next, the Russian army had to move through the Balkans.
The transition promised to be very dangerous and difficult. The Russian army nevertheless accomplished it, writing another glorious page in Russian history. Sheinovo was taken, and several Turkish detachments surrendered. The road to Istanbul was open...
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev died in Moscow in 1882 under very mysterious circumstances. Some historians believe that he was killed for political reasons. Skobelev's death shocked all of Russia and Bulgaria. Countries plunged into mourning. In 30 years, a monument to the Russian Hero will be opened on Tverskaya. Representatives from Bulgaria and Central Asia attended the opening. However, the monument lasted only 6 years and was demolished by decree of the USSR government.
Skobelev’s biography is filled with feat, a feat for the good of the Fatherland. Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev is an outstanding Russian commander, a national hero who will forever live in the memory of not only the Russian people, but also the Bulgarian people.
An outstanding military leader - “white” (as he was called because he always fought on a white horse and in a white uniform), General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev showed himself as an exemplary military administrator in the Russian-Turkish War (1877-1878), in the conquests of Russian lands empire in Central Asia. He was also a good leader who cared about his subordinates.
Biography: General Skobelev M.D. in childhood and youth
The future military leader was born in St. Petersburg on September 17, 1843 in the family of Lieutenant General Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev by his wife Olga Nikolaevna.
He was raised at home and was later sent to France.
At the age of 18, he entered St. Petersburg University, successfully passing the exams, but due to student unrest, the university was closed.
Then he went to military service in a cavalry guard regiment. In 1866 he became a student at the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. In military surveying (geodesy) and statistics he was among the laggards, but in history and the art of war he had no equal in the entire course. Upon graduation, he was assigned to the military of the Turkestan Military District.
Biography: General M. D. Skobelev From staff captain to general
In 1868, Mikhail Dmitrievich was appointed captain in the Turkestan district. In 1870, as a cavalry commander, he was entrusted with an important task from the Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasian Army, at whose disposal he was at that time. He needed to pave the way to the Khiva Khanate, which he did brilliantly. But he voluntarily reviewed the plan of operations that the commanders-in-chief were developing against Khiva, for which he was expelled from the army for 11 months. Afterwards he recovers, takes part in various campaigns, and regularly performs his duties.
In 1874, Skobelev was promoted to colonel and enlisted in the emperor's retinue. Already in 1875, he was appointed head of the part of the embassy of the Russian Empire, which was sent to Kashgar. The Kokand expedition is what historians call this period of his life, which includes his biography. General Skobelev proved himself to be a brave, prudent organizer and an excellent tactician.
When in the spring of 1877 he was sent to the commander-in-chief of the army that was at war with Turkey, his colleagues did not receive him very friendly. For some time he did not receive any appointments, but after the capture of Lovchi in battles near Plevna, crossing the Imetli Pass, and the battle near Shipka, where he acted as a detachment commander, he began to be respected.
In 1878, he returned to Russia with the rank of adjutant general with the rank of lieutenant general.
Biography: General Skobelev M.D. and his last feat
The main merit for which Skobelev received a second degree and title was the conquest of Geok-Tepe (Ahal-Tepe) in 1880. When he addressed the officers at an event celebrating the anniversary of the expedition, he was met with the irritation of Austria and Germany. His speech had a strong political overtones and pointed to the oppression of the Slavs by their fellow believers.
On June 24, 1882, General Skobelev (the biography described in some sources contains the date June 26) died suddenly at the Anglia Hotel in Moscow. According to one version, he was killed by the Germans who hated him.
Outstanding Russian military leader, adjutant general (1878), infantry general (1881). Hero of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878.
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was born on September 17 (29), 1843, in the family of lieutenant of the Cavalry Regiment (later lieutenant general) Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev (1821-1879). He received his primary education at home and in a private boarding school in Paris. In 1858-1860, he prepared for exams at St. Petersburg University and successfully passed them, but the university was closed due to student unrest.
In 1861, M.D. Skobelev entered service in the Cavalry Regiment. In 1862 he was promoted to harness cadet, and in 1863 to cornet. In 1864, at his personal request, he was transferred to the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment, which participated in the suppression of the Polish uprising of 1863-1864. For his distinctions during the campaign, M.D. Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 4th degree, and promoted to lieutenant.
In 1866-1868, M. D. Skobelev studied at the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. Upon completion of the course, he was assigned to the General Staff.
In 1868, M.D. Skobelev was promoted to staff captain and sent to serve in the Turkestan Military District. From the beginning of 1869, he was at the district headquarters in Tashkent (now in Uzbekistan). In 1870 he was sent to the command of the Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasian Army.
In 1871 he was appointed to the Krasnovodsk detachment, in which he commanded the cavalry. He took part in the Khiva campaign of 1873, and was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree, for successful reconnaissance of the area.
In January-February 1876, M.D. Skobelev participated in the suppression of the anti-Russian uprising in the Kokand Khanate, troops under his command defeated the rebels near Andijan and Asaka. For military distinctions, M.D. Skobelev was promoted to major general, awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree, and St. Vladimir, 3rd degree with swords, as well as the gold St. George weapon with diamonds and with the inscription “For courage.” With the end of the uprising and the annexation of the Kokand Khanate in 1876, M.D. Skobelev was appointed military governor and commander of the troops of the newly formed Fergana region, holding this post until March 1877.
During the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878, M.D. Skobelev was first at the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, then he was the chief of staff and actually commanded the Combined Cossack Division. In July 1877, he commanded the Caucasian Cossack brigade during the 2nd assault on Plevna, and in August, a separate detachment during the capture of Lovchi. During the 3rd assault on Plevna in August 1877, M.D. Skobelev led the left-flank detachment that broke through to the fortress. Commanding the 16th Infantry Division, it participated in the blockade of Plevna and the winter crossing of the Imitli Pass, the division played a decisive role in the battle of Sheinovo. In February 1878, the troops of M.D. Skobelev occupied San Stefano near Istanbul. During the war, he was promoted to lieutenant general and awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st degree, with swords and golden arms of St. George with diamonds and with the inscription “For crossing the Balkans.” In August 1878, M. D. Skobelev was appointed adjutant general to the emperor. The successful actions of the commander's troops created him great popularity in Bulgaria, where several settlements, streets, squares and parks in a number of cities were named after him.
In 1878-1880 M.D. Skobelev was the corps commander. In 1880-1881 he led the 2nd Akhal-Teke expedition. On the territory of modern Turkmenistan, troops under his command stormed the Geok-Tepe fortress. For this victory, M.D. Skobelev was promoted to infantry general and awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree.
M. D. Skobelev shared Slavophile views and dreamed of a pan-European unification of Slavic states under the leadership. In 1882, while in Paris, he spoke from these positions in defense of the Balkan peoples against the aggressive policies of Germany and Austria-Hungary. The international complications that followed the statements of M.D. Skobelev forced Emperor Alexander III to recall him from Europe.
M. D. Skobelev died suddenly of cardiac paralysis in the Moscow Hotel Anglia on June 25 (July 7), 1882. The unclear circumstances of his death gave rise to several conspiracy theories blaming foreign intelligence services, the Russian secret police and the domestic revolutionary underground.
M.D. Skobelev was a talented military leader and a capable military administrator. He combined his deep and comprehensive knowledge in the field of military affairs with personal courage and the ability to lead subordinate troops to carry out difficult combat missions.
The legendary commander Mikhail Skobelev, with whose name many brilliant victories of Russian weapons are associated, was born on September 17 (29), 1843 in the Peter and Paul Fortress, of which his grandfather was the commandant. Skobelev...
The legendary commander Mikhail Skobelev, with whose name many brilliant victories of Russian weapons are associated, was born on September 17 (29), 1843 in the Peter and Paul Fortress, of which his grandfather was the commandant. Skobelev was a third-generation military man; his grandfather and father rose to the rank of general.
In his youth, Mikhail intended to devote himself to civil service and entered the mathematics department of St. Petersburg University, however, his studies had to be interrupted. The university was closed due to student unrest, and Skobelev, heeding his father’s advice, petitioned the emperor to enroll as a cadet in the elite Life Guards Cavalry Regiment.
Military service began with the oath and kissing the cross, according to the description given by the leadership, Junker Skobelev “serves zealously, not sparing himself.” A year later he was promoted to cadet harness, six months later to the junior officer rank of cornet, and in 1864 Skobelev participated in the suppression of the uprising of Polish rebels. He was included in the retinue of Adjutant General Eduard Baranov, but being burdened by his retinue duties, he begged the general to send him to the combat sector. Skobelev received his baptism of fire in a battle with the Shemiot rebel detachment, and was awarded the Order of St. Anne, IV degree, for his bravery.
Participation in the Polish expedition confirmed the correctness of the chosen path; subsequently Skobelev repeatedly repeated: “I am where the guns thunder.”
In 1866, he entered the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. The defeat in the Eastern War forced the government to reconsider its approach to military education, now officers were trained according to a new program, and future military leaders left the Academy with a thorough knowledge base.
As one of the best graduates, Mikhail Dmitrievich is sent to the General Staff. After a short period of “paper” work in the General Staff, Skobelev showed himself in Central Asia; in 1873 he became a participant in the Khiva campaign, the general leadership of which was carried out by General Konstantin Kaufman. Skobelev commanded the vanguard of the Mangyshlak detachment (2,140 people), in difficult conditions, in almost daily skirmishes with the Khivans, his detachment approached the capital of the khanate in May 1873.
On May 29, Khiva fell, the first decree that the khan was forced to issue was a ban on the slave trade, because one of the goals of the expedition was to suppress the slave trade. Russia, as Engels, who was stingy with positive assessments of the “tsarist regime,” noted, played “a progressive role in relation to the East... Russia’s dominance plays a civilizing role for the Black and Caspian Seas and Central Asia...”.
Due to strong opposition from the British, the Russian government failed to implement the initial plan to establish good neighborly relations with the Central Asian states peacefully, so military measures were used. Skobelev will subsequently repeatedly perform this responsible role of enforcing peace.
Already in 1875, after a short business trip to Spain, Skobelev led a campaign to suppress the rebellion that broke out in Kokand. A Russian detachment of only 800 people with 20 guns near the village of Makhram entered into battle with the 50,000-strong army of the usurper Khudoyar. Despite the huge numerical superiority, the Russians scattered the enemy and put him to flight. Skobelev’s formula “It’s not enough to be brave, you need to be smart and resourceful” worked flawlessly.
N.D. Dmitriev-Orenburgsky “General M.D. Skobelev on horseback”, 1883
In October 1875, Mikhail Dmitrievich was promoted to major general, and in February of the following year he was appointed governor-general of the newly formed Fergana region. With his characteristic zeal, Skobelev began to develop the region and in this post proved himself to be a skilled diplomat. He dealt with the local nobility and warlike tribes “firmly, but with heart.”
He understood that military force alone was not enough to establish Russia’s authority, so he was actively involved in solving social issues. On Skobelev’s initiative, a city was founded, which later received the name Fergana and became the regional center of Uzbekistan; the governor-general took a personal part in its design.
Having learned about the start of the war with the Ottoman Empire, Skobelev, using his connections in St. Petersburg, changed the relatively calm office of the governor-general to a battlefield more familiar to him. Participation in the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878 became the peak of Mikhail Dmitrievich’s military career and at the same time was the realization of his life credo: “My symbol is short: love for the Fatherland, science and Slavism.”
The Russian army owes Skobelev’s talent the capture of the strategically important city of Lovech, and it was he who became the true hero of the third assault on Plevna.
Thanks to the efforts of Skobelev, the battle of Sheynov was won, when a crushing blow by the Russians paralyzed the actions of the 30,000-strong army of Wessel Pasha. General Skobelev personally accepted the surrender of Wessel Pasha and his army.
In battle, the general was always ahead of the troops in a white jacket and on a white horse. “He believed that he would be more unharmed on a white horse than on a horse of a different color...”, explained this choice by artist Vasily Vereshchagin, who was well acquainted with Skobelev.
Skobelev’s detachment captured Adrianople and the town of San Stefano, located 20 kilometers from the Turkish capital. It was just a stone's throw from Constantinople.
Of course, Skobelev, who shared the views of the Slavophiles on the historical mission of Russia to liberate Constantinople from Muslims, which at the same time was the cherished dream of the Slavs and Greeks, was eager to begin the assault on this city.
The brilliant strategist saw that the historical moment was close, “... the presence of an active army in Adrianople and the opportunity... and now to occupy the capital of Turkey in battle,” he noted in one of the letters. But diplomacy decided otherwise; the war ended with the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano.
The name of the “White General,” as both Russians and Turks called him, thundered throughout Europe. After the signing of peace, Skobelev took personal initiative on the issue of organizing capable paramilitary units in Bulgaria, called gymnastic societies. The Bulgarians, for their efforts to liberate Bulgaria from the Turkish occupiers and help in the post-war development of the country, ranked General Skobelev among their national heroes.
Vyacheslav Kondratyev “Plow up Geok-Tepe!”
After the war with the Ottomans, the general will lead the Akhal-Teke expedition, which became a matter of special national importance. Skobelev turned out to be the only one who combined the talents of a military leader and the wisdom of a diplomat. The emperor himself had a confidential conversation with the general regarding this expedition. It was successful, the last source of unrest was eliminated, and peace was established in the Trans-Caspian possessions of Russia.
The general was always on the front line during hostilities. Even during the war with the Turks, soldiers composed a song about their commander, which contains the following lines:
I was not afraid of enemy bullets,
Not afraid of a bayonet,
And more than once near the hero
Death was already close.
He laughed at bullets
Apparently, God protected him.
He was wounded many times, but the bayonet and bullets did not harm his life. Skobelev did not die in war, but under other very mysterious circumstances. The causes of death, which occurred on June 25 (July 7), 1882, remained undisclosed; various versions of what happened are still being put forward. A countless number of people came to see off Mikhail Dmitrievich on his final journey.
The Russian general devoted his short but bright life entirely to the Fatherland.
“White General” - Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev.
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev (September 17 (29), 1843 - July 7, 1882) - Russian military leader and strategist, infantry general (1881), adjutant general (1878).
Participant in the Central Asian conquests of the Russian Empire and the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878, liberator of Bulgaria. He went down in history with the nickname “White General” (Turkish Ak-paşa [Ak-Pasha]), which is always associated primarily with him, and not only because he participated in battles in a white uniform and on a white horse. The Bulgarian people consider him a national hero
V. Miroshnichenko Portrait of General M.D. Skobeleva
Mikhail Skobelev was born in the Peter and Paul Fortress, the commandant of which was his grandfather, Ivan Nikitich Skobelev. Son of lieutenant (later lieutenant general) Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev and his wife Olga Nikolaevna, daughter of retired lieutenant Poltavtsev
Ivan Nikitich Skobelev (1778 or 1782-1849) - Russian infantry general and writer from the Skobelev family. Father of General Dmitry Skobelev, grandfather of General Mikhail Skobelev.
Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev (October 5 (17), 1821 - December 27, 1879 (January 8, 1880)) - Russian military leader, lieutenant general, commander of His Imperial Majesty's Own convoy, head of the Company of Palace Grenadiers. Father of General Mikhail Skobelev.
Vladimir Ivanovich Gau
Olga Nikolaevna Skobeleva (née Poltavtseva) (March 11, 1823 - July 6, 1880) - the wife of General D. I. Skobelev and the mother of General M. D. Skobelev. The head of the infirmaries during the Russian-Turkish War of 1877-1878.
Childhood and adolescence
Until the age of six, he was raised by his grandfather and family friend, the keymaster of the Peter and Paul Cathedral, Grigory Dobrotvorsky. Then - a German tutor, with whom the boy did not have a good relationship. Then he was sent to Paris, to the boarding house of the Frenchman Desiderius Girardet. Over time, Girardet became a close friend of Skobelev and followed him to Russia, where he served as a home teacher for the Skobelev family.
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev in childhood Lithograph 1913
Mikhail Skobelev continued his education in Russia. In 1858-1860, Skobelev was preparing to enter St. Petersburg University under the general supervision of academician A. V. Nikitenko, then, for a year, his studies were supervised by L. N. Modzalevsky. In 1861, Skobelev successfully passed the exams and was accepted as a high-ranking student in mathematics, but he did not study for long because the university was temporarily closed due to student unrest.
Alexander Vasilyevich Nikitenko. Portrait by Kramskoy (1877)
Lev Nikolaevich Modzalevsky, portrait by F. E. Burov
Military education
On November 22, 1861, Mikhail Skobelev entered military service in the Cavalry Regiment. After passing the exam, Mikhail Skobelev was promoted to harness cadet on September 8, 1862, and to cornet on March 31, 1863. In February 1864, he accompanied, as an orderly, the Adjutant General Count Baranov, who was sent to Warsaw to promulgate the Manifesto on the liberation of the peasants and the provision of land to them. Skobelev asked to be transferred to the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment, which carried out military operations against the Polish rebels, and on March 19, 1864 he was transferred. Even before the transfer, Mikhail Skobelev spent his vacation as a volunteer in one of the regiments pursuing Shpak’s detachment.
Mikhail Skobelev when he was a cadet
Since March 31, Skobelev, in the detachment of Lieutenant Colonel Zankisov, has been participating in the destruction of the rebels. For the destruction of Shemiot's detachment in the Radkowice Forest, Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. Anne, 4th degree, “for bravery.” In 1864, he went on vacation abroad to see the theater of military operations of the Danes against the Germans. On August 30, 1864, Skobelev was promoted to lieutenant.
Young lieutenant M. D. Skobelev, 1860s
In the fall of 1866, he entered the Nikolaev Academy of the General Staff. Upon completion of the academy course in 1868, Skobelev became the 13th of 26 officers assigned to the General Staff. Skobelev had lackluster success in military statistics and photography, and especially in geodesy, but this was corrected by the fact that in the subjects of military art Skobelev was second, and in military history first in the entire graduation, and was also among the first in foreign and Russian languages, in political history and many other subjects.
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev - lieutenant
First cases in Asia
In view of the petition of the commander of the troops of the Turkestan Military District, Adjutant General von Kaufmann I, Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev, was promoted to headquarters captain and in November 1868 was appointed to the Turkestan District. Skobelev arrived at his place of service in Tashkent at the beginning of 1869 and at first was at the district headquarters. Mikhail Skobelev studied local methods of combat, also carried out reconnaissance and participated in small matters on the Bukhara border, and showed personal courage.
Konstantin Petrovich von Kaufman
At the end of 1870, Mikhail was sent to the command of the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian army, and in March 1871, Skobelev was sent to the Krasnovodsk detachment, in which he commanded the cavalry. Skobelev received an important task; with a detachment he was supposed to reconnoiter the routes to Khiva. He reconnoitered the route to the Sarykamysh well, and walked along a difficult road, with a lack of water and scorching heat, from Mullakari to Uzunkuyu, 437 km (410 versts) in 9 days, and back, to Kum-Sebshen, 134 km (126 versts) at 16.5 hours, with an average speed of 48 km (45 versts) per day; With him there were only three Cossacks and three Turkmen.
Skobelev presented a detailed description of the route and the roads leading from the wells. However, Skobelev voluntarily reviewed the plan for the upcoming operation against Khiva, for which he was dismissed on 11-month leave in the summer of 1871 and transferred to the regiment. However, in April 1872 he was again assigned to the main headquarters “for writing studies.” He participated in the preparation of a field trip of officers of the headquarters and the St. Petersburg military district to the Kovno and Courland provinces, and then he himself took part in it. After which, on June 5, he was transferred to the General Staff as a captain with an appointment as senior adjutant of the headquarters of the 22nd Infantry Division, in Novgorod, and on August 30, 1872, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel with an appointment as a staff officer for assignments at the headquarters of the Moscow Military District. He did not stay in Moscow for long and was soon assigned to the 74th Stavropol Infantry Regiment to command a battalion. He fulfilled the requirements of the service there regularly. Skobelev established good relations with his subordinates and superiors.
Khiva campaign
In the spring of 1873, Skobelev took part in the Khiva campaign as an officer of the general staff under the Mangishlak detachment of Colonel Lomakin. Khiva was the target for Russian detachments advancing from different points: Turkestan, Krasnovodsk, Mangishlak and Orenburg detachments. The path of the Mangishlak detachment, although it was not the longest, was still fraught with difficulties, which increased due to the lack of camels (a total of 1,500 camels for 2,140 people) and water (up to half a bucket per person). In Skobelev’s echelon it was necessary to load all the combat horses, since the camels could not lift everything that was supposed to be carried on them. They left on April 16, Skobelev, like other officers, walked.
Khiva campaign 1873. Through the dead sands to the wells of Adam-Krylgan (Karazin N.N., 1888).
When passing the section from Lake Kauda to the Senek well (70 versts), the water ran out halfway. On April 18 we reached the well. Skobelev showed himself in a difficult situation to be a skilled commander and organizer, and when leaving Bish-Akta on April 20, he already commanded the forward echelon (2, later 3 companies, 25-30 Cossacks, 2 guns and a team of sappers). Skobelev maintained perfect order in his echelon and at the same time took care of the needs of the soldiers. The troops covered 200 versts (210 km) from Bish-Akta to Iltedzhe quite easily and arrived in Iteldzhe by April 30.
Skobelev carried out reconnaissance all the time in order to secure the passage of the army and inspect the wells, moving with a cavalry detachment in front of the army in order to protect the wells. So on May 5, near Itybay’s well, Skobelev with a detachment of 10 horsemen met a caravan of Kazakhs who had gone over to the side of Khiva. Skobelev, despite the numerical superiority of the enemy, rushed into battle, in which he received 7 wounds with pikes and checkers and could not sit on a horse until May 20.
After Skobelev was out of action, the Mangishlak and Orenburg detachments united in Kungrad and, under the leadership of Major General N.A. Verevkin, continued to move to Khiva (250 versts) through very rough terrain, cut by many canals, overgrown with reeds and bushes, covered with arable land, fences and gardens. The Khivans, numbering 6,000 people, tried to stop the Russian detachment at Khojeyli, Mangyt and other settlements, but to no avail.
General Verevkin Nikolai Alexandrovich
Skobelev returned to duty and on May 21, with two hundred and a missile team, moved to Mount Kobetau and along the Karauz ditch to ruin and destroy Turkmen villages in order to punish the Turkmens for hostile actions against the Russians; He fulfilled this order exactly.
On May 22, with 3 companies and 2 guns, he covered the wheeled convoy, and repelled a number of enemy attacks, and from May 24, when Russian troops stood at Chinakchik (8 versts from Khiva), the Khivans attacked the camel convoy. Skobelev quickly realized what was going on and moved with two hundred hidden, in the gardens, to the rear of the Khivans, came across a large detachment of 1000 people, overthrew them on the approaching cavalry, then attacked the Khivan infantry, put them to flight and returned 400 camels recaptured by the enemy.
On May 28, the main forces of General N. A. Veryovkin carried out reconnaissance of the city wall and captured the enemy blockade and a three-gun battery, and, due to N. A. Veryovkin’s wound, command of the operation passed to Colonel Saranchov. In the evening, a deputation arrived from Khiva to negotiate surrender. She was sent to General K.P. Kaufman.
At the fortress wall. “Let them come in!”, Vasily Vereshchagin
Painting in memory of the capture of Khiva by Russian imperial troops
On May 29, General K.P. Kaufman entered Khiva from the south. However, due to the anarchy that prevailed in the city, the northern part of the city did not know about the capitulation and did not open the gates, which caused an assault on the northern part of the wall. Mikhail Skobelev with two companies stormed the Shakhabat Gate, was the first to get inside the fortress, and although he was attacked by the enemy, he held the gate and rampart behind him. The assault was stopped by order of General K.P. Kaufman, who at that time was peacefully entering the city from the opposite side.
Vasily Vasilievich Vereshchagin - "Luck"
Khiva submitted. The goal of the campaign was achieved, despite the fact that one of the detachments, Krasnovodsk, never reached Khiva. To find out the cause of the incident, Skobelev volunteered to carry out reconnaissance of the section of the Zmukshir - Ortakuyu route (340 versts) that Colonel Markozov had not traversed. The task was fraught with great risk. Skobelev took with him five horsemen (including 3 Turkmen) and set out from Zmukshir on August 4. There was no water in the Daudur well. When there were still 15-25 miles left to Ortakuy, Skobelev, on the morning of August 7, near the Nefes-kuli well, came across Turkmen and barely escaped. There was no way to break through, and therefore Mikhail Skobelev returned to the starting point on August 11, having covered more than 600 miles (640 km) in 7 days, and then submitted a proper report to General Kaufman. It became clear that in order to transport the Krasnovodsk detachment to Zmukshir, during a waterless journey of 156 versts, it was necessary to take timely measures. For this reconnaissance, Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree (August 30, 1873).
In the winter of 1873-1874, Skobelev was on vacation and spent most of it in southern France. But there he learned about the internecine war in Spain, made his way to the location of the Carlists and was an eyewitness to several battles.
Battle of Trevino
On February 22, Skobelev was promoted to colonel, and on April 17, he was appointed aide-de-camp and enrolled in the retinue of His Imperial Majesty.
On September 17, 1874, Skobelev was sent to the Perm province to participate in the implementation of the order on military service.
Major General
In April 1875, Skobelev returned to Tashkent and was appointed head of the military unit of the Russian embassy sent to Kashgar. He had to appreciate the military significance of Kashgar in all respects. This embassy headed to Kashgar through Kokand, whose ruler Khudoyar Khan was under Russian influence. However, the latter, with his cruelty and greed, provoked an uprising against himself and was deposed in July 1875, after which he fled to Russian borders, to the city of Khojent. The Russian embassy followed him, covered by Skobelev with 22 Cossacks. Thanks to his firmness and caution, this team, without using weapons, brought the khan to Khojent without losses.
In Kokand, the rebels, led by the talented Kipchak leader Abdurrahman-Avtobachi, soon triumphed; Khudoyar's son Nasr-eddin was elevated to the khan's throne; “Gazavat” was proclaimed; at the beginning of August, Kokand troops invaded Russian borders, besieged Khojent and agitated the native population. Skobelev was sent with two hundred to clear the outskirts of Tashkent from enemy gangs. On August 18, the main forces of General Kaufman (16 companies of 8 hundreds with 20 guns) approached Khujand; Skobelev was appointed chief of the cavalry.
Kokand. Entrance to the palace of Khudoyar Khan, built in 1871
Meanwhile, the Kokands concentrated up to 50,000 people with 40 guns at Makhram. When General Kaufman was moving towards Makhram, between the Syr Darya and the spurs of the Alai Range, the enemy horse masses threatened to attack, but after shots from Russian batteries they scattered and disappeared into the nearby gorges. On August 22, General Kaufman's troops took Makhram. Skobelev and his cavalry quickly attacked numerous enemy crowds of foot and horsemen, put them to flight and pursued them for more than 10 miles, promptly using the support of a rocket battery, while he himself was slightly wounded in the leg. In this battle, Mikhail Dmitrievich showed himself to be a brilliant cavalry commander and the Russian troops won a convincing victory.
Syr Darya River
Having occupied Kokand on August 29, Russian troops moved to Margelan; Abdurrahman fled. To pursue him, Skobelev was sent with six hundred men, a rocket battery and 2 companies mounted on carts. Skobelev followed Abdurrahman relentlessly and destroyed his detachment, but Abdurrahman himself fled.
Meanwhile, an agreement was concluded with Nasreddin, according to which Russia acquired the territory north of the Syr Darya, which formed the Namangan department.
Kokand Khanate. City of Andijan. Gate to the palace
Kokand Khanate. City of Andijan. Main caravanserai
However, the Kipchak and Kyrgyz population of the Khanate did not want to admit that they were defeated and were preparing to resume the fight. Abdurrahman deposed Nasreddin and elevated “Pulat Khan” (Bolot Khan) to the khan’s throne (he was the son of a Kyrgyz mullah named Asan, his name was Ishak Asan uulu, one of the leaders of the struggle for the independence of the Kokand state). The center of the movement was Andijan.
Kokand Khanate. City of Andijan. Palace of the son of Kokand Khan
Kokand Khanate. City of Andijan. Palace of the Son of Kokan
Major General Trotsky, with 5½ companies, 3½ hundreds, 6 guns and 4 rocket launchers, moved from Namangan and took Andijan by storm on October 1, and Skobelev carried out a brilliant attack. Returning to Namangan, the detachment also met the enemy. At the same time, on the night of October 5, Skobelev, with 2 hundreds and a battalion, carried out a swift attack on the Kipchak camp.
General Trotsky Vitaly Nikolaevich
On October 18, Skobelev was promoted to major general for military distinction. In the same month, he was left in the Namangan department as a commander with 3 battalions, 5½ hundreds and 12 guns. He was ordered to “act strategically defensively,” that is, without going beyond the boundaries of the possessions of the Russian Empire. But circumstances forced him to act differently. Subversive elements constantly infiltrated the area; In the Namangan department, an almost continuous small war broke out: uprisings broke out in Tyurya-Kurgan, then in Namangan. Skobelev constantly stopped the attempts of the Kokand residents to cross the border. So he defeated Batyr-tyur’s detachment at Tyurya-kurgan on October 23, then hurried to help the Namangan garrison, and on November 12 defeated up to 20,000 enemies at Balykchy.
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev.
Under such conditions, the offensive enterprises of the Kokand people could not be stopped. There was a need to put an end to this. General Kaufman found Skobelev’s forces insufficient to hold at least the majority of the Khanate and ordered Skobelev to move in the winter to Ike-su-arasy, part of the Khanate along the right bank of the Darya (up to the Naryn) and limit himself to a pogrom of the Kipchaks and Kyrgyz wandering there.
Skobelev set out from Namangan on December 25 with 2800 people with 12 guns and rocket batteries and a convoy of 528 carts. Skobelev’s detachment entered Ike-su-arasy on December 26 and in 8 days passed through this part of the Khanate in different directions, marking its path by destroying villages. The Kipchaks avoided battle. There was no worthy resistance in Ike-su-arasy. Only Andijan could provide resistance, where Abdurrahman gathered up to 37,000 people. On January 1, Skobelev crossed to the left bank of the Kara Darya and moved towards Andijan, on the 4th and 6th he made thorough reconnaissance of the outskirts of the city and on the 8th he captured Andijan after the assault. On the 10th, the Andijan resistance ceased; Abdurrahman fled to Assaka, and Pulat Khan to Margelan. On the 18th, Skobelev moved towards Assaka and defeated Abdurrahman, who wandered for several more days and finally surrendered on January 26th.
Medal "For the conquest of the Khanate of Kokand"
On February 19, the Kokand Khanate was completely conquered by the Russian Empire and the Fergana region was formed, and on March 2, Skobelev was appointed military governor of this region and commander of the troops. In addition, for this campaign, 32-year-old Major General Skobelev was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd degree with swords and the Order of St. George, 3rd degree, as well as a gold sword with diamonds with the inscription “for bravery.”
Breastplate for the Golden Weapon "For Bravery"
Some Kyrgyz rebels were forced to move to neighboring Afghanistan. Among them was Abdyldabek, the son of Kurmanjan Datka, known by the nickname “Alai Queen”.
Military governor
Having become the head of the Fergana region, Skobelev found a common language with the conquered tribes. The Sarts reacted well to the arrival of the Russians, but still their weapons were taken away. The warlike Kipchaks, once conquered, kept their word and did not rebel. Skobelev treated them “firmly, but with heart.” Finally, the Kirghiz, who inhabited the Alai ridges and the valley of the Kizyl-su River, continued to persist. Skobelev had to go into the wild mountains with weapons in his hands and use them also against civilians, using methods that have always been used in wars in the East. In addition to the punitive operation against the Kyrgyz, the expedition to the mountains also had scientific purposes. Skobelev and his detachment walked to the borders of Karategin, where he left a garrison, and almost everywhere the elders appeared to him with expressions of humility.
Map of the Fergana region of the Russian Empire
As the head of the region, Skobelev especially fought against embezzlement; this created many enemies for him. Denunciations against him with serious accusations poured into St. Petersburg. On March 17, 1877, Skobelev was removed from the post of military governor of the Fergana region. Russian society at that time was distrustful and even unfriendly towards those who advanced in battles and campaigns against the “neglects”. In addition, many still perceived him as the fledgling hussar captain he had been in his youth. In Europe, he had to prove by deeds that his success in Asia was not given to him by chance.
The initiator of the creation of the modern city of Fergana, which was founded in 1876. The project for the construction of a new city, called New Margilan. Since 1907 it was renamed Skobelev, and since 1924 it has been called Fergana. In December 1907, on the twenty-fifth anniversary of the death of M.D. Skobelev, the city was renamed in his honor. A marble triumphal column was installed, topped with a bronze bust of M. D. Skobelev by the sculptor A. A. Ober. The city bore the name of the first governor of the Fergana region until 1924.
Skobelev. Governor's Street in 1913.
Directly at the initiative of M.D. Skobelev, the initial project for the creation of a new city included the house of officers' meeting, regional administration, military headquarters, police department, treasury, post office, governor's residence, city garden and other objects that still decorate the city.
Adjutant General
Meanwhile, on the Balkan Peninsula, since 1875, a liberation war of the Slavs against the Turks took place. In 1877, Skobelev went into the active army to take personal part in the Russian-Turkish War. At first, Skobelev was only at the main apartment and participated in small operations on a voluntary basis. Then he was appointed only the chief of staff of the combined Cossack division, which was commanded by his father, Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev.
Dmitry Ivanovich Skobelev
On June 14-15, Skobelev participated in the crossing of General Dragomirov’s detachment across the Danube at Zimnitsa. Taking command of 4 companies of the 4th Infantry Brigade, he struck the Turks on the flank, forcing them to retreat. What is said in the report of the head of the detachment: “I cannot help but testify to the great help provided to me by E.V.’s retinue, Major General Skobelev... and the beneficial influence that he had on young people with his brilliant, invariably clear calm.” For this crossing he was awarded the Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st degree with swords.
Portrait of general and statesman Mikhail Ivanovich Dragomirov
Ilya Efimovich Repin
After the crossing, Skobelev participated: on June 25 in the reconnaissance and occupation of the city of Bela; July 3 in repelling the Turkish attack on Selvi, and July 7, with the troops of the Gabrovsky detachment, in occupying the Shipka Pass. On July 16, with three Cossack regiments and a battery, he conducted reconnaissance of Lovchi; found out that it was occupied by 6 camps with 6 guns, and considered it necessary to take Lovcha before the second assault on Plevna, but it had already been decided otherwise. The battle at Plevna was lost. Scattered attacks by the columns of Generals Velyaminov and Prince Shakhovsky, whose general commander was considered General Baron Kridener, ended in retreat. Skobelev and his troops guarded the left flank of the Russian troops and showed what cavalry is capable of in capable hands and held out against superior enemy forces for as long as it was necessary to cover the retreat of the main troops.
“Shipka-Sheinovo. Skobelev near Shipka"
Vasily Vasilievich Vereshchagin
After the Plevna failures, a brilliant victory was won on August 22, 1877: during the capture of Lovchi, Skobelev again showed his talents in commanding the forces entrusted to him, for which on September 1 Skobelev was promoted to lieutenant general. At the end of August, it was decided to carry out a third assault on the Plevna fortification, for which 107 battalions (including 42 Romanian) and 90 squadrons and hundreds (including 36 Romanian) or 82,000 bayonets and 11,000 sabers with 444 guns (including 188) were allocated Romanian). General Zolotov determined the Turkish forces at 80,000 people with 120 guns. Artillery preparation began on August 26 and ended on August 30 with the start of the assault.
The troops of the right flank, Romanian infantry and 6 Russian battalions, stormed Gravitsky Redoubt No. 1 on the least important Turkish left flank. The troops on the right flank lost 3,500 people and it was decided to stop the offensive in this area, despite the fact that there were still 24 fresh Romanian battalions remaining. The center of Russian troops launched 6 attacks and these attacks were repulsed with losses of 4,500 people. After which, with the onset of twilight, it was decided to stop the battle. The left flank under the command of Skobelev with the support of Prince Imeretinsky, with 16 battalions, captured two enemy redoubts, while the battalions were greatly upset. There was nothing to develop success with. All that remained was to fortify and hold the redoubts until reinforcements arrived. But no reinforcements were sent, except for one regiment sent on the initiative of one private commander, but he also arrived late. Skobelev had 1/5 of all Russian and Romanian forces, and attracted more than 2/3 of all the forces of Osman Pasha. On August 31, Osman Pasha, seeing that the main forces of the Russians and Romanians were inactive, attacked Skobelev from both flanks and executed him. Skobelev lost 6,000 people and repelled 4 attacks by the Turks, then retreated in perfect order. The third assault on Plevna ended in failure for the allied forces. The reasons were rooted in the improper organization of troop control.
Artillery battle near Plevna. Battery of siege weapons on the Grand Duke's Mountain
Nikolay Dmitriev-Orenburgsky
During the siege of Plevna, Skobelev was at the head of the Plevno-Lovchinsky detachment, which controlled the IV section of the siege ring. He was against the siege, which he argued with Totleben, since it greatly slowed down the advance of the troops. Meanwhile, Skobelev was busy putting the 16th Infantry Division in order, which had lost up to half of its personnel. Some of the division's soldiers were armed with rifles captured from the Turks, which were superior in accuracy to the Krnka rifles used by the Russian infantry.
On November 28, Osman Pasha made an attempt to break out of the encirclement. The ensuing battle ended with the surrender of Osman's army. Skobelev took an active part in this battle with the 3rd Guards and 16th Infantry Divisions.
“Capture of the Grivitsky redoubt near Plevna”
N. D. Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, (1885), VIMAIViVS
N. D. Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, (1889), VIMAIViVS
After the fall of Plevna, the commander-in-chief decided to cross the Balkans and move to Constantinople. Skobelev was sent under the command of General Radetzky, who with 45,000 stood against Wessel Pasha with 35,000. General Radetzky left 15½ battalions at the Shipka position against the Turkish front, and sent:
A) Skobelev’s right column (15 battalions, 7 squads, 17 squadrons and hundreds and 14 guns)
B) the left column of Prince Svyatopolk-Mirsky (25 battalions, 1 squad, 4 hundreds and 24 guns) bypassing the main forces of Wessel Pasha, who were in fortified camps near the villages of Shipki and Sheinova.
On the 28th, all three parts of General Radetzky’s detachment attacked the enemy from different sides and forced Wessel Pasha’s army to capitulate (30,000 people with 103 guns); Skobelev personally accepted the surrender of Wessel Pasha.
Fedor Fedorovich Radetsky
Nikolai Ivanovich Svyatopolk-Mirsky
After crossing the Balkans, Skobelev was appointed head of the army's vanguard (32 battalions and 25 squadrons of hundreds with artillery and 1 battalion of sappers) and moved through Adrianople to the outskirts of Constantinople. After the cessation of hostilities, on May 1, he was appointed head of the “left detachment” of the army, and then was part of the army when it was located in Turkey and during the gradual clearing of the territory of Turkey itself and Bulgaria, newly created by Russia.
Skobelev arrived at the Balkan theater of military operations as a very young and semi-disgraced general. Skobelev showed outstanding examples of military art and care for his subordinates, and also proved himself to be a good military administrator.
"General M.D. Skobelev on horseback"
N. D. Dmitriev-Orenburgsky, (1883)
Skobelev became very famous after the war. On January 6, 1878, he was awarded a gold sword with diamonds, with the inscription “for crossing the Balkans,” but the attitude of his superiors towards him remained unfavorable. In a letter to one relative on August 7, 1878, he wrote: “The more time passes, the more the consciousness of my innocence before the Emperor grows in me, and therefore the feeling of deep sorrow cannot leave me... only the duties of a loyal subject and soldier could force me to temporarily come to terms with the unbearable the severity of my situation since March 1877. I had the misfortune of losing confidence, this was expressed to me, and this takes away from me all the strength to continue to serve with benefit for the cause. Therefore, do not refuse... with your advice and assistance for my removal from office, with enlistment... in the reserve troops.” But gradually the horizon before him became clearer and the charges against him were dropped. On August 30, 1878, Skobelev was appointed adjutant general to the Emperor of Russia, which indicates the return of trust in him.
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev.
After the war, Mikhail Dmitrievich began preparing and training the troops entrusted to him in the Suvorov spirit. On February 4, 1879, he was confirmed as corps commander and carried out various assignments in Russia and abroad. Skobelev paid attention to assessing certain aspects of the military system of Germany, which he considered the most dangerous enemy of the Russian Empire, and was very close to the Slavophiles.
M. D. Skobelev among the officers and lower ranks of the “Skobelev” division
General of Infantry
In January 1880, Skobelev was appointed commander of a military expedition against the Tekins. Skobelev drew up a plan, which was approved and should be recognized as exemplary. Its goal was to deal a decisive blow to the Teke Turkmens inhabiting the Ahal-Teke oasis. For their part, having learned about the campaign, the Tekins decided to move to the Dengil-Tepe (Geok-Tepe) fortress and limit themselves to the desperate defense of only this point.
The beginning of the Trans-Caspian railway, built to support the Turkmen campaign of the Russian army.
Skobelev's artillery.
Uniforms of Russian soldiers, officers and Cossacks who fought with the natives of Central Asia in the 19th century.
There were 45 thousand people in the Dengil-Tepe fortress, of which 20-25 thousand were defenders; they had 5 thousand rifles, many pistols, 1 gun and 2 zembureks. The Tekins carried out forays, mainly at night, and inflicted considerable damage, even once capturing a banner and two guns.
Skobelev himself made a sortie, walked all the way, checked all the wells and roads, and after that returned back to his troops. Then the assault began.
The mitrailleuse battery repels the attack of the Turkmen cavalry. These “light machine guns”, which took part in Skobelev’s Geok-Tepa expedition, were serviced by military sailors.
Russian heliographic post in the vicinity of Geok-Tepe.
Breakthrough into the fortress of one of the attacking columns.
The Russian flag over the Dengil-Tepe mound - the last center of defense of the defenders of the fortress.
The assault on the fortress took place on January 12, 1881. At 11:20 a.m. a mine exploded. The eastern wall fell and formed an easily accessible collapse. The dust had not yet settled when Kuropatkin's column rose to attack. Lieutenant Colonel Gaidarov managed to capture the western wall. The troops pressed back the enemy, who, however, offered desperate resistance. After a long battle, the Tekins fled through the northern passes, with the exception of a part that remained in the fortress and died fighting. Skobelev pursued the retreating enemy for 15 miles. Russian losses during the entire siege with the assault amounted to 1,104 people, and 398 people were lost during the assault (including 34 officers). Inside the fortress, up to 5 thousand women and children, 500 Persian slaves and booty estimated at 6 million rubles were taken.
Painting by Nikolai Karazin "Storm of Geok-Tepe".
Soon after the capture of Geok-Tepe, Skobelev sent detachments under the command of Colonel Kuropatkin; one of them occupied Askhabad, and the other went more than 100 miles to the north, disarming the population, returning it to the oases and distributing a proclamation with the goal of speedily pacifying the region. And soon a peaceful situation was established in the Trans-Caspian possessions of the Russian Empire.
Alexey Nikolaevich Kuropatkin
Akhal-Teke expedition 1880-1881. represents a first-class example of military art. The center of gravity of the operation was in the sphere of military-administrative issues. Skobelev showed what Russian troops are capable of. As a result, in 1885, the Merv and Pendinsky oases of Turkmenistan with the city of Merv and the Kushka fortress voluntarily became part of the Russian Empire. On January 14, Skobelev was promoted to infantry general, and on January 19, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree. On April 27, he left Krasnovodsk for Minsk. There he continued to train troops
Having received a month's leave on June 22 (July 4), 1882, M. D. Skobelev left Minsk, where the headquarters of the 4th Corps was located, to Moscow. He was accompanied by several staff officers and the commander of one of the regiments, Baron Rosen. As usual, Mikhail Dmitrievich stayed at the Dusso Hotel, intending to go to Spasskoye on June 25 (July 7) to stay there “until the big maneuvers.” Upon arrival in Moscow, Skobelev met with Prince D. D. Obolensky, according to whom, the general was not in good spirits, did not answer questions, and if he did answer, it was abruptly. It was clear from everything that he was alarmed about something. On June 24, Skobelev came to I.S. Aksakov, brought a bunch of some documents and asked to keep them, saying: “I’m afraid that they will be stolen from me. For some time now I have become suspicious."
Portrait of the poet and Slavophile Ivan Sergeevich Aksakov.
Ilya Efimovich Repin
The next day there was a dinner hosted by Baron Rosen in honor of receiving the next award. After dinner in the evening, M.D. Skobelev went to the Anglia Hotel, which was located on the corner of Stoleshnikov Lane and Petrovka. Girls of easy virtue lived here, including Charlotte Altenrose (according to other sources, her names were Eleanor, Wanda, Rose). This cocotte of unknown nationality, who seemed to have come from Austria-Hungary and spoke German, occupied a luxurious room on the ground floor and was known throughout the revelry of Moscow.
Late at night, Charlotte ran to the janitor and said that an officer had suddenly died in her room. The deceased was immediately identified as Skobelev. The arriving police calmed the residents, transporting Skobelev's body to the Dusso hotel, where he was staying.
A tangle of legends and rumors grew around the tragedy in the Moscow hotel. The most varied, even mutually exclusive, assumptions were expressed, but they were all united in one thing: the death of M. D. Skobelev is associated with mysterious circumstances. Reporting a widely circulated rumor of suicide in Russia, one of the European newspapers [source not specified 639 days] wrote that “the general committed this act of despair in order to avoid the dishonor that threatened him as a result of revelations certifying him as a nihilist” [source not specified 639 days ].
General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev
The majority was inclined to believe that “Skobelev was killed,” that the “white general” fell victim to German hatred. The presence of a “German woman” at his death seemed to give these rumors greater credibility. “It’s remarkable,” a contemporary noted, “that the same opinion was held in intelligent circles. Here it was expressed even more definitely: persons were named who could participate in this crime, allegedly directed by Bismarck... The same message attributed to Bismarck the disappearance of the plan for the war with the Germans, developed by Skobelev and stolen immediately after the death of M.D. Skobelev from his estate.”
This version was also supported by some representatives of official circles. One of the inspirers of the reaction, Prince N. Meshchersky, wrote to Pobedonostsev in 1887: “Any day now, Germany could pounce on France and crush it. But suddenly, thanks to Skobelev’s bold step, the common interests of France and Russia were revealed for the first time, unexpectedly for everyone and to the horror of Bismarck. Neither Russia nor France were already isolated. Skobelev fell victim to his convictions, and the Russian people have no doubt about it. Many more fell, but the job was done.”
Skobelev was buried in his family estate, the village of Spassky-Zaborovsky, Ryazhsky district, Ryazan province (currently the village of Zaborovo, Aleksandro-Nevsky district, Ryazan region), next to his parents, where during his lifetime, anticipating his death, he prepared a place. Currently, the remains of the general and his parents have been transferred to the restored Spassky Church in the same village.
General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev on his deathbed. Drawing by Nikolai Chekhov. 1882.
Interesting Facts
He knew 8 languages, and spoke French especially well.
The Order of St. George, 4th degree, which previously belonged to M. D. Skobelev, was awarded in 1916 to Colonel V. I. Volkov, who in 1918 played one of the main roles in the events that led to the all-Russian power of Admiral A. V. Kolchak
Bust of General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev in the park of Pleven, Bulgaria
Bust of General Skobelev in Ryazan
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