And the The Welcome to Russian History Retold, episode 135, Russian Generals of the Napoleonic era, Part 2.

Last time we discussed an overview of the Russian Imperial Army.

Today we're going to cover the careers and lives of the big three generals in the Napoleonic

war. Piotr Bhagrashon. of the big three generals in the Napoleonic War.

Piotr Bhagrashon, Mikhail Andreas Barclay de Toli,

and finally Mikhail Kutuzov. Piotr Ivanovich Bagrashon was born in 1765 to the Royal Georgian

dynasty, the Bagrashioni. This royal family ruled Georgia from the Middle Ages until the early 19th century

when it was annexed by Russia. Interestingly enough, the Baguarchon family still exists today with some politicians in Georgia

calling for a return to a constitutional monarchy.

Bagarshon began his military career in 1782 as a sergeant and the Kavsansk rifles in the

Astrahan infantry regiment. His first engagement was part of the Russian Circassian War, fought between

1763 to 1864. This is not just a continuous battle, but there were many wars within this war.

And its intention was for Russia to conquer the Caucasus,

the land of the Cabardians, Balcars, Carachays, Abysins, Ossessions, Ingwishes, and Chechens.

Here is where much of the animosity between these peoples and the Russians have their

beginnings. The town of Sochi, home of the 2014 Winter Olympics, is in this area,

which is why there are such heightened fears of terrorist attack.

During this war, hundreds of thousands of people died in the area,

many from starvation when they were forcibly deported to the Ottoman Empire.

Baghrashon followed his orders to a T, but his career was one of constant elevation because of his military genius, something which he gave credit to his mentor, Alexander Suverov. By 1799, he had risen to the rank of Major General.

Suverov took him under his wing when he had by Grashenne join him in the Italian and Swiss

campaigns.

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