Peter Bagration

Russian General
1765-1812

Peter Bagration was an experienced senior officer by the time the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars had broken out, having learnt his trade against the Turks and Poles.

Joining General Suvarov for the campaigns against Revolutionary France in Italy and Switzerland, Bagration earnt himself much praise from the old Russian warhorse, who liked his ferocious battlefield style.

Later, he fought at Hollabrunn - where his determined rearguard action saved General Mikhail Kutusov's army - Austerlitz, Eylau, Heilsberg and Friedland.

In 1809, Bagration was again sent to fight the Turks, returning in time to face the French invasion of Russia in 1812.

Disturbed by the Russian policy of ceding land for time, Bagration said he "trembled with shame" about retreating.

Nonetheless, he successfully led the Second West Army into the Russian interior despite extremely poor relations with the other commander Mikhail Barclay de Tolly.

At Borodino, Bagration commanded the Russian left wing and fought bravely until wounded in the leg. The injury from the musketball became infected and he died on 24 September, 1812.

Russia mourned the loss of an honourable soldier who gave his army plenty of fire and fierceness.