Alexander Ivanovich Baryatinsky (1815-1879) was a Russian field marshal general and a participant in the Caucasian War. During the Crimean War of 1853-1856, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Separate Caucasian Corps. From 1856 to 1862, he was the Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasian Army and the Tsar's Viceroy in the Caucasus. He was also a member of the State Council.

His father did not support young Alexander's dream of a military career, believing that he had provided his son with an excellent education at home, not to make him a military officer, courtier, or diplomat. It was only through the support of Empress Alexandra Feodorovna that the 16-year-old managed to enroll as a cadet in the Cavalry Guard Regiment, and after completing the School of Guards Sub-Ensigns (later known as the Nikolaev Cavalry School), he became a cornet in the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment. However, at first the newly-made cuirassier, either paying tribute to his bravery, or because of the traditions of the then "golden youth", "hussar" more and more, so much so that Nicholas I himself drew attention to it.

...In the biographies of Soviet people of different generations, Spain, China, and Afghanistan were a kind of"character school". The Caucasus also played a similar role in the fate of the youth of the XIX century, including Alexander Baryatinsky. Here, a young rake quickly formed a real military officer, who was distinguished by a deep interest in the history and geography of the region, the customs and traditions of the peoples who inhabited it. How useful all this was to him in the future! Baryatinsky's service in the Caucasus began with his participation in General A. A. Velyaminov's expedition beyond the Kuban. On September 21, 1835, a daring charge by the vanguard under his command against the highlanders resulted in the enemy's defeat and scattering. During this attack, the commander himself was severely wounded in the side by a bullet.

Baryatinsky, who had returned to the capital for treatment, was first appointed to serve the heir to the throne, Tsarevich Alexander Nikolaevich, and a few years later became his aide-de-camp. For someone else, the prospects would have been breathtaking: a wide circle of social acquaintances and proximity to the royal family allowed for rapid and safe advancement in the ranks, as long as one did not slip on the parquet during a ball or make a mistake in one of the numerous high-society intrigues. Alexander Ivanovich felt that he had a different calling: in 1845, he requested a new assignment in the Caucasus, where, as a colonel, he took command of a battalion in the Kabardian Regiment.

The most significant event in which the young officer took part was the Dargin expedition of 1845, led by Prince Mikhail Vorontsov, Commander-in-Chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps, against Shamil. During this expedition, Baryatinsky was wounded twice. He returned to St. Petersburg for treatment, having received the Order of St. George, 4th Class, the first significant award among the many he would receive throughout his military career.

Since then, he has been inseparable from the Caucasus, with the exception of a brief stay in the capital and trips abroad for medical treatment. In 1847, he returned to the region as the commander of the Kabardian Regiment. During his three-year service, Baryatinsky gained a reputation as a strict and even ruthless commander in maintaining discipline, but he was also known for his exceptional care for his subordinates and his thorough knowledge of the regiment's operations. Under his leadership, any abuse by the quartermasters was virtually impossible. However, Baryatinsky often looked into his own pocket for the interests of his service. For example, he re-equipped his regiment with modern rifle-stocks using his own funds.

In May 1850, Alexander Ivanovich was ordered to accompany the Tsarevich to Tiflis, and at the end of the same year, Baryatinsky became the commander of the Caucasian Grenadier Brigade, and in the spring of the following year, 1851, he was appointed the commander of the left flank of the Caucasian line. He spent the entire time (until 1853) in Chechnya, "persistently and systematically subjugating it to Russian rule." His decisive actions against Shamil at the village of Vozdvizhenskoye, during the storming of the Shalinsky trench, his brilliant attack on the enemy's position at Michik, and the assault on the village of Khan-Kale are remembered in the history of military art. He employed original tactics that allowed him to solve complex tasks with minimal losses, such as extensive use of reconnaissance and hidden maneuvers.

Here's what's also important: unlike many other dignitaries, Alexander Ivanovich understood that peace in the Caucasus could not be achieved with just a bullet. Therefore, he devoted significant efforts to the administrative and economic restructuring of the region, including the construction of roads and clearings, as well as the establishment of military and people's administration bodies in support of the central government, taking into account the traditions of the mountain peoples.

Promoted to the rank of lieutenant general, Baryatinsky was elected by M.S. Vorontsov to the post of chief of staff of the Caucasian Corps in 1853. Thus, the general was presented with a wide field of activity, which he had long desired. However, the fight against Shamil had to be temporarily suspended due to the outbreak of the Crimean War (1853-1856). Baryatinsky was assigned to Prince V.O. Bebutov's Alexandropol detachment and actively participated in the Battle of Kuruk-Dara, which determined the fate of the entire campaign in Transcaucasia. On July 6, 1854, an 18 - thousandth Russian detachment completely defeated the 40-thousandth (according to other estimates, 60) army of the Turks. Overjoyed, Nicholas I awarded Bebutov the Order of St. Nicholas the Great. St. Andrew the First-Called (despite the fact that he had the rank of Lieutenant-General only), and Baryatinsky - St. George of the 3rd degree.

A little later, after falling out with N.N. Muravyov, who had replaced the deceased Vorontsov, Alexander Ivanovich left for St. Petersburg, but it turned out that he only returned in October 1856, having been promoted to General of Infantry, as Commander-in-Chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps (later the Army) and Viceroy of His Imperial Majesty in the Caucasus. He issued a concise order in the style of Suvorov: "Soldiers of the Caucasus. Looking at you and marveling at you, I have grown up and matured. I am blessed by you and for your sake to be your leader, and I will work to justify this grace, happiness, and great honor." This energetic command was followed by equally energetic and purposeful actions, which finally ended the half-century-long war in three years.

The speedy establishment of peace in the Caucasus was most urgently required by Russia, because the anti-Russian propaganda of England, Turkey, and Persia found favorable ground here; the war was a huge burden on the treasury and did not allow this richest region, the "pearl of the Russian crown", to be included in the economic and cultural process of the whole country.

A 220,000-strong Russian army was concentrated in the Caucasus. All of its generals, starting with Baryatinsky and the chief of the main staff of the corps, D. A. Milyutin, had experience in mountain warfare and had learned to use numerical superiority and the superiority of modern small arms. According to the instructions of the new viceroy, they fought not only with bayonets, but also by cutting through forests to increase the maneuverability of their troops and by defending them with new fortresses. Baryatinsky also used another important reserve: he pursued a policy of friendly relations with the peaceful highlanders, giving them generous gifts, thereby strengthening his own authority and weakening the enemy's position. "Shamil," wrote a contemporary, "was always accompanied by an executioner, while Baryatinsky was accompanied by a treasurer who immediately rewarded the distinguished leaders and commanders with gold and precious stones." As a result of a combination of force and diplomacy, the Russians managed to subjugate all of flatland Chechnya and eastern Dagestan by 1859.

Shamil's appeals to the war-weary Chechens were in vain. With the capture of his mountainous residence of Vedeno on April 1, 1857, only a few regions of mountainous Dagestan remained of the once-vast Imamate.

Sensing that the struggle was entering a decisive phase, Baryatinsky went directly to the troops. Together with his chief of staff, the future Field Marshal Milyutin, he prepared a powerful offensive operation against the Imam's last stronghold. The final tragedy unfolded in August 1859 near the Dagestani village of Gunib. The rock where it was located was a natural fortress, fortified according to all the rules of military fortification. Nevertheless, the 400-man detachment that the Imam commanded was no match for the overwhelming force of the Tsar's troops. On August 18, Baryatinsky offered to surrender to Shamil, promising to allow him to travel to Mecca with whoever he wished to accompany him. However, the Imam refused, doubting the Russian commander's sincerity, and defiantly declared, "I still have a sword in my hand - come and take it!"

On the early morning of August 25, a decisive assault began. In the midst of the battle, when the besieged were down to no more than 40 men and were preparing to sell their lives dearly, the fire suddenly ceased: Baryatinsky once again offered Shamil to surrender. Shamil was convinced of the treachery of the "infidels," but his sons' refusal to continue the resistance and the urging of his companions not to put the lives of their women and children at risk broke the old man's resolve. What happened next defied the Imam's previous understanding of his long-standing adversary. Having given up, Shamil was ready to hear from Baryatinsky: "And what, donguz (pig), where is your saber, which you offered me to take myself?" To avoid shame, the imam prepared to stab himself. But to his great amazement, he was given the honors due to the head of a state, even if defeated. And with Baryatinsky, he was then connected for a long time by personal friendship.

The Viceroy of the Caucasus announced the end of the war with a concise order, perhaps even imitating A. V. Suvorov's report to Catherine the Great about the capture of Warsaw: "Gunib has been taken. Shamil is in captivity. I congratulate the Caucasian Army." Alexander II awarded the commander with the Order of St. George, 2nd Class, for his success in Dagestan, and the Order of St. Andrei Pervozvanny was awarded for his victory at Gunib, was appointed commander of the Kabardian Regiment, and was finally promoted to field marshal. The troops greeted this news with jubilation, believing it to be a "reward for the entire Caucasus."

Baryatinsky's earthly journey ended in March 1879. For three days, by the emperor's decree, the Russian army observed mourning for its field marshal "in commemoration of his valiant services to the throne and the Fatherland."

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