DICTATORSHIP OF THE PROLETARIAT AND THE DICTATORSHIP OF ONE PERSON “To destroy classes, a period of dictatorship of one class is needed, precisely that of the oppressed classes that is capable of not only overthrowing the exploiters, not only mercilessly suppressing their resistance, but also breaking ideologically

Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov

M.T. Loris-Melikov.
Photo from the site http://narovol.narod.ru/visel.htm

A man of rare selflessness

Loris-Melikov Mikhail Tarielovich (October 1, 1825, Tiflis - December 12, 1888, Nice), Armenian by origin. From a count and noble Armenian family. Their ancestors in the 16th century. were the rulers of the city of Lori. In 1602, melik Nazar and melik Dai of Lori received a firman from the Persian Shah Abbas, confirming their old rights, and they converted to Islam. Subsequently, the L.-Melikovs returned to Christianity and continued to be hereditary bailiffs of the Lori steppe, which was part of the Georgian kingdom, as a result of which they belonged to the highest Georgian nobility. The L.-Melikov family was established in the Russian nobility in 1832. The gr. Mikhail Tarielovich. The Loris-Melikov family was included in the 6th part of the noble genealogy book of the Tiflis province.

Son of Tariel Zurabovich and his wife Ekaterina Akhverdova. He received his education at the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages, then at the School of Guards Ensigns and Cavalry Junkers. In St. Petersburg, he became close friends with Nekrasov, then still an unknown young man, and lived with him in the same apartment for several months. In 1843 he was released as a cornet in the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment. In 1847, Loris-Melikov, at his own request, was transferred to the Caucasus, where an uprising of mountain tribes under the leadership of Shamil was raging.

He served as an officer on special assignments under the Commander-in-Chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps M.S. Vorontsov. Participated in expeditions to Dagestan and Chechnya in 1848 and 1849–1853. In 1852 he was appointed head of the Terek region., awarded the order St. Anne 4th degree and a saber with the inscription “For bravery.”

In 1853 - 1856 L. -Melikov participates in the Transcaucasian theater of the Crimean War, where he was promoted to colonel, and then at the age of 30 to major general. From August 1855 he served as an officer on special assignments under the Commander-in-Chief of the Caucasian Army N.N. Muravyov. When N.N. Muravyov besieged Kars, he needed a partisan team that would stop all foreign relations of the blocked fortress. L.-Melikov organized a large detachment consisting of Armenians, Georgians, Kurds and others (here, as in many other things, L.-Melikov was helped by his knowledge of several eastern languages), and brilliantly fulfilled the task assigned to him.

“... the corps commander, later Count Loris-Melikov, based on the plans of the General Staff, sent his brother, with his adjutant and two hundred Cossacks to make a reconnaissance near Kars, and Alexander was given a map according to which he was supposed to travel in one direction near Kars, and return differently. From the stories of my brother, I know that the following happened: when he went on reconnaissance, and the adjutant, or the officer with him, held this map in front of him, suddenly he met with several Turkish battalions, and since Alexander had orders to drive around and return with on the other hand, he gave the command to “attack.” His squadron broke through the chain of Turkish infantry, leaving a relatively small number of people behind. They began to gallop further; suddenly he sees in front of him a huge abyss that was impossible to cross, and if he were to jump into this abyss, then everyone, without exception, would die in it. Then Alexander ordered to turn around and attack in the opposite direction. At this time, help arrived to the Turkish battalion, from which many people had already been destroyed, and Alexander had to attack again and break through again, and in these two attacks he left half the people on the field.

All this happened because the General Staff officers drew up the wrong plan. During the attacks, my brother had the flag of this detachment with him all the time, and he returned without losing this flag, for which, according to the statute, he was entitled to “George.” But this put Loris-Melikov in a most difficult position, because if he had reported everything that had happened, the officers of the General Staff would have had to go to trial. Then Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich called my brother, explained the situation to him and said: “My friend, I’m sorry, but this matter must be forgotten, as if it had never happened, because otherwise I will have to hand over all the officers of the General Staff.” And so it was decided...” (pp. 10 – 11, chapter 1, Count S.Yu. Witte, Memoirs, Slovo Publishing House, Berlin, 1923).

In 1861, L.-Melikov was made the military commander of Southern Dagestan and the Derbent mayor, and in 1863 - the head of the Terek region. Here he stayed for almost 10 years, demonstrating brilliant administrative abilities. In an effort to pacify the rebellious North Caucasian regions, he pursued a policy combining harsh repressive measures with measures for the socio-economic and cultural development of the region. He dealt harshly with Russia's irreconcilable opponents, and even organized the mass emigration of disgruntled Chechens to Turkey (1865). In just a few years, he prepared the population so well for the perception of citizenship that already in 1869 it turned out to be possible to establish administration of the region on the basis of a common provincial institution and even put into effect the judicial statutes of Emperor Alexander II. Built the first one in the North Caucasus railway Rostov - Vladikavkaz. L.-Melikov showed special concern for public education: the number educational institutions from several dozen increased under him to over 300. With his personal funds, a vocational school was established in Vladikavkaz, bearing his name. Trying to secure the support of the local elite, he constantly consulted with elders and clergy.

In May 1875, at his own request (due to illness), he was relieved of his post; promoted to cavalry general. That same year he went abroad for treatment.

He returned to service with the beginning of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878. L.-Melikov, already holding the rank of cavalry general and the rank of adjutant general, was appointed commander of a separate corps on the Caucasian-Turkish border. On April 12, 1877, L.-Melikov entered Turkish possessions, took Ardahan by storm and concentrated his main forces near Kars, sending General Tergukasov to Erzurum. Meanwhile, the Turks gathered large forces under the command of Mukhtar Pasha, and fears for the detachment of General Tergukasov prompted L. Melikov to attack them at Zevin. The objective of the attack was completed - General Tergukasawa’s detachment was saved. The reinforcements that approached Mukhtar Pasha forced L.-Melikov to descend from Saganlug and lift the siege of Kars (June 27).

Having received reinforcements, L.-Melikov carried out a strategic bypass of Mukhtar Pasha’s position on Aladzha (performed by the column of General Lazarev). Finally, on October 3, the Turks, simultaneously attacked from the front and rear, were completely defeated. Some of them fled to Kars, and about 7 thousand surrendered. The battle of October 3 radically changed the position of Russian troops in Asia Minor, revolutionized the mood of the local population, especially the Kurds, and opened the way to a series of brilliant victories.

L.-Melikov took Kars, which was considered impregnable, by storm, defeated the combined forces of Mukhtar and Izmail Pasha on Deva-Boyna and, in the middle of a severe winter, in a treeless area, at an altitude of 700 feet. launched a blockade of Erzurum. Thanks to the trust of the local population and contractors in L.-Melikov, he even fought a war on enemy territory using credit money, which brought savings to the treasury of several tens of millions. At the conclusion of peace in 1878, L.-Melikov was awarded the title of count.

When in October 1878, in the Vetlyaninskaya village of the Enotaevsky district of the Astrakhan province, a plague broke out, which had long been forgotten in Europe - its last epidemic was in the late 20s of this century - the news of its appearance within Russia caused extraordinary alarm and panic not only here, but throughout Europe, which had good consequences: there was a general cleansing of cities and villages that feared the introduction of infection.

“...Germany threatened to mobilize its army and declare Russia under quarantine if the epidemic is not stopped. Now, when Alexander II saw that he could not trust the vigilance of even the palace police, he gave dictatorial rights to Loris-Melikov...” (section VII, ch. Western Europe, part 2, P.A. Kropotkin, Notes of a Revolutionary, M, Moscow Worker, 1988).

Count Loris-Melikov was sent to the Astrakhan region with unlimited powers to eradicate the epidemic. The measures themselves taken by the count, with all their diversity, boiled down mainly to isolating houses and cordoning off villages in which there were sick people, and houses and all movable property were burned, with the owners being given their value. Thanks to this, the epidemic did not go further and stopped in January of the following 1879. During the same period, L.-Melikov was appointed temporary Astrakhan, Saratov and Samara governor-general, vested with unlimited powers.

When he arrived in Tsaritsyn on January 27, the epidemic here had already died out. L.-Melikov personally visited Vetlyanka and, making sure that the danger had passed, he himself presented a proposal for the destruction of his general government, spending 4 million of the 4 million allowed to him. loan no more than 308 thousand rubles. L.-Melikov's return to St. Petersburg coincided with the establishment of temporary governors-general, vested with almost unlimited powers to eradicate sedition (April 1879). L.-Melikov was sent as a temporary governor-general of 6 provinces to Kharkov, where shortly before that the governor, Prince, was killed. Krapotkin. Of all the temporary governors-general, L. Melikov was the only one who tried not to disturb the legitimate course of affairs, to pacify society and strengthen its connection with the government on the basis of mutual assistance.

On February 12, 1880, after the failed assassination attempt by S.N. Khalturin “...When the Executive Committee made a bold attempt to blow up the Winter Palace, Alexander II took a step that was previously unprecedented. He created a kind of dictatorship and vested Loris-Melikov with emergency powers. Alexander II had previously given dictatorial powers to this general, an Armenian by birth, when the plague appeared in Vetlyanka, in the lower reaches of the Volga, and Germany threatened to mobilize its army and declare Russia under quarantine if the epidemic was not stopped. Now, when Alexander II saw that he could not trust the vigilance of even the palace police, he gave dictatorial rights to Loris-Melikov, and since Melikov was considered a liberal, the new step was interpreted in the sense that they would soon convene a Zemsky Sobor..." (chap. VIII, part II, book P.A. Kropotkin, “Notes of a Revolutionary”, - M.: Moscow Worker, 1988)

The Supreme Administrative Commission for the Protection of State Order and Public Peace, was established in St. Petersburg by a personal decree of Emperor Alexander II, given to the Senate on February 12, 1880 (P.S.Z., No. 60492), in order to stop attempts on state and social system of Russia. The commission consisted of the chief commander, Adjutant General Count M. T. Loris-Melikov, and members appointed to assist him at his direct discretion. The members of the commission were: member of the State Council K. P. Pobedonostsev, adjutant general Prince. A.K. Imeretinsky, State Secretary M.S. Kakhanov, Privy Councilors M.E. Kovalevsky, I.I. Shamshin, P.A. Markov; retinue E.I.V. Major Generals P.A. Cherevin and M.I. Batyanov and acting. Art. owls S. S. Perfilyev. Moreover, the chief commander could invite to the commission all persons whose presence was considered useful to him. On March 5, a conversation took place between the chief boss and representatives of the St. Petersburg city public administration - the city mayor. P. L. Korf, and vowels I. I. Glazunov, Ts. A. Kavos, V. I. Likhachev and M. P. Mitkov. The office of the chief commander was managed by A. A. Skalkovsky.

The chief commander was given extraordinary powers to achieve the task assigned to him. In addition to the rights of the commander-in-chief in St. Petersburg and the direct conduct of cases of state crimes in the capital and local military district, he was given the supreme direction of these affairs in all other places of the empire, as well as the right to make all orders and take all measures that he recognizes as necessary to protect state order and public peace, while defining penalties and the procedure for liability for failure to comply with its orders and measures. These orders and measures were subject to unconditional execution and compliance by everyone and could be canceled only by the sovereign and the chief commander himself. All departments were obliged to provide the chief commander with full assistance and immediately fulfill all his demands. Finally, the chief commander was given the opportunity to directly request, when he deemed it necessary, the commands and instructions of the sovereign. Thus, Loris-Melikov appeared as a dictator.

Later, in a letter to A.F. Koni, M.T. Loris-Melikov writes about his rapid rise: “... Then they are called “to pacify the plague.” I don’t know the Volga region at all. No! Go. And there he became a satrap for 12 million in Kharkov. Do what you want. I barely had time to look around, think about it, learn, and suddenly - bam! - go manage the entire state. I had the authority to declare the highest commands at my personal discretion. Not a single temporary worker - neither Menshikov, nor Biron, nor Arakcheev - has ever had such comprehensive power.” (from a letter from M.T. Loris-Melikov to A.F. Koni, see http://narovol.narod.ru/visel.htm).

This appointment was met with universal sympathy, especially in view of L.-Melikov’s appeal made on February 14, 1880 to the residents of the capital, in which he expressed his views on the difficult task ahead of him. He thought of fighting evil by two means: 1) criminal police, not stopping at any measures of severity to punish criminal actions, and 2) state - aimed at calming and protecting the interests of the right-thinking part of society, restoring the shaken order and returning the fatherland on the path of peaceful prosperity. At the same time, the chief commander counted on the support of society as a means that could assist the authorities in resuming the correct course of state life.

LORIS-MELIKOV, MIKHAIL TARIELOVICH(1825–1888), Russian military man and statesman. Born in 1825 in Tiflis (modern Tbilisi) into a noble and wealthy Armenian family. Having completed his studies at the Lazarevsky Institute of Oriental Languages ​​in Moscow, in 1839 he entered the School of Guards Ensigns and Cavalier Junkers in St. Petersburg; upon completion in 1843, he received the rank of cornet and was sent to serve in the Life Guards of the Grodno Hussar Regiment. In 1844 he was promoted to lieutenant.

In 1847, at his own request, he was transferred to the Caucasus, where an uprising of mountain tribes under the leadership of Shamil was raging. Served on special assignments with the Commander-in-Chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps M.S. Vorontsov. Participated in expeditions to Dagestan and Chechnya in 1848 and 1849–1853; awarded the Order of St. Anne, 4th degree and a saber with the inscription “For bravery.” During the Crimean War of 1853–1856, he distinguished himself in the battles of Bashkadyklar on November 19 (December 1), 1853 and Kyuryuk-Dara on July 24 (August 5), 1854. From August 1855 he served on special assignments under the commander-in-chief of the Caucasian Army N.N. Muravyov. Promoted to colonel and then to major general.

After the capture of Kars by Russian troops in November 1855, he was appointed head of the Kars region; from that moment his administrative career began. From 1858 he served as chief of troops in Abkhazia and inspector of line battalions of the Kutaisi General Government. On May 2 (14), 1860, he received the post of military commander of Southern Dagestan and at the same time the mayor of Derbent. On March 28 (April 9), 1863 he became the head of the Terek region (modern Northern Dagestan, Chechnya, Ingushetia, North Ossetia, Kabardino-Balkaria) and the ataman of the Terek Cossack army. In an effort to pacify the rebellious North Caucasian regions, he pursued a policy combining harsh repressive measures with measures for the socio-economic and cultural development of the region. He dealt harshly with Russia’s irreconcilable opponents and even organized the mass emigration of disgruntled Chechens to Turkey (1865); on the other hand, he eliminated the serfdom of mountain peasants from local feudal lords, extended the all-Russian tax, administrative and judicial system to the region, built the first Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway in the North Caucasus, and opened the first educational institution (Trade School) in Vladikavkaz at his own expense. Trying to secure the support of the local elite, he constantly consulted with elders and clergy. In May 1875, at his own request (due to illness), he was relieved of his post; promoted to cavalry general. That same year he went abroad for treatment.

Returned to service with the outbreak of the Russian-Turkish War of 1877–1878; appointed commander of the Separate Caucasian Corps. He led all operations in the Caucasian theater of military operations. For the capture of the Ardahan fortress on May 5 (17), 1877, he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree, for the defeat of the army of Mukhtar Pasha on the Aladzhin heights on October 1–3 (13–15) - the Order of St. George, 2nd degree, for the capture Kars November 6 (18) – Order of St. Vladimir, 1st degree. The pinnacle of his successes was the capitulation of Erzerum on February 11 (23), 1878. At the end of the war, he was elevated to the dignity of count.

In January 1879, he was appointed temporary governor of the Astrakhan, Samara and Saratov provinces with unlimited powers to combat the “Vetlyanskaya plague” epidemic that began in the Lower Volga region (from the village of Vetlyanskaya, where its first outbreak took place). Thanks to decisive quarantine and sanitary measures, its spread was quickly stopped; Moreover, out of 4 million rubles allocated for these purposes. saved 3 million 700 thousand and returned them to the treasury. To his authority as an outstanding commander was added the reputation of not only an effective, but also an honest administrator who cares about the interests of the state.

In April 1879, he was appointed temporary Kharkov Governor-General with emergency powers in connection with the growing wave of revolutionary terror (the former Governor-General D.N. Kropotkin was killed by the Narodnaya Volya member G.D. Goldenberg on February 9 (21). He pursued a flexible policy: he limited the scale of repression against the opposition, tried to win over the liberal public to the side of the authorities (the project for the reform of urban educational institutions, etc.); At the same time, he reorganized the local police in the spirit of strict centralization. Thanks to his moderation, he was the only one among the provisional governors-general who was not included in the list of those sentenced to death by the Executive Committee of Narodnaya Volya.

February 12 (24), 1880, after S.N. Khalturin’s failed assassination attempt on Alexander II on February 5 (17), he was appointed, on the recommendation of Minister of War D.A. Milyutin, as head of the newly created Supreme Administrative Commission for the Protection of State Order and Public Peace, under whose jurisdiction there was supreme supervision of political investigations throughout the country; The Third Department of His Imperial Majesty's Own Chancellery and the Separate Corps of Gendarmes were subordinate to her; the unification of the efforts of all punitive authorities pursued the goal of speedy suppression revolutionary movement. Widely using the right to act on behalf of the emperor and apply any measures to establish order throughout the territory of the Russian state, he actually became a dictator. At the same time, he set a course for political and socio-economic reforms. On April 11 (23), 1880, he presented his program to the emperor, which included the involvement of elected representatives from the nobility, zemstvos, and city dumas in the discussion of draft laws and government regulations, the restructuring of local government, the expansion of the rights of Old Believers, tax reform, public education reform, and measures to support the peasantry. (reducing redemption payments, issuing loans for the purchase of land and resettlement) and easing tensions between workers and entrepreneurs. To calm the public, he achieved the removal of the retrograde Minister of Education D.A. Tolstoy (April 1880); At his suggestion, on August 6 (18), 1880, the Third Department and the Supreme Administrative Commission itself were abolished. He headed the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the scope of which expanded significantly due to the emergence of the State Police Department in its structure, to which the functions of political investigation, previously within the competence of the Third Department, were transferred. At the same time he became the chief of the Separate Corps of Gendarmes. The abolition of odious institutions was thus accompanied by the centralization of police institutions.

In September 1880, he publicly promised to restore the rights of zemstvo and judicial bodies, expand freedom of the press, and conduct Senate audits not only to check the activities of officials, but also to identify the needs of the population and the “mood of minds.” In October, he proposed to abandon the practice of repression against liberal publications, which became the cause of his conflict with the Chairman of the Committee of Ministers P.A. Valuev.

The decline of the wave of terror in the second half of 1880 led to the strengthening of M.T. Loris-Melikov’s position at court; was awarded the highest Russian award- Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. On January 28 (February 9), 1881, he presented Alexander II with a plan for the implementation of his April program of 1880, proposing the creation of temporary commissions (financial and administrative) from officials and elected from zemstvos to process the information collected as a result of Senate audits and to prepare the planned reforms; their implementation would actually mean the introduction of representative principles into the system of government of the Empire. On February 17 (March 1), Alexander II approved the plan and scheduled its discussion for March 4 (16). However, on March 1 (13), 1881, the emperor died at the hands of terrorists. Under his successor Alexander III, conservatives, led by the Chief Prosecutor of the Holy Synod, K. P. Pobedonostsev, prevailed in the ruling circles. On March 8 (20), the decision on M.T. Loris-Melikov’s project was postponed. On April 29 (May 11), Alexander III published a Manifesto, proclaiming the inviolability of autocracy, which marked a complete rejection of any political reforms. On May 4 (16), M.T. Loris-Melikov resigned.

After retirement, he lived mainly abroad, in France (Nice) and Germany (Wiesbaden). Sometimes he came to St. Petersburg to participate in meetings of the State Council. Died on December 12 (24) in Nice. Buried in Tiflis.

Ivan Krivushin

Loris-Melikov

Mikhail Tarielovich

Battles and victories

Russian statesman and military leader, cavalry general (1875), member of the State Council (1880).

Hero of the Caucasus and “velvet dictator”. Personal courage, administrative talent and natural intelligence allowed him to successfully manage such a troubled region as the Caucasus. Successful fighting in Transcaucasia brought him the glory of the conqueror of Kars. At the end of his career he fought terrorists and promoted liberal reforms in Russia.

“Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov, a count, one of the most remarkable statesmen and military figures in Russia, was born in Tiflis into the family of a wealthy Armenian who conducted extensive trade with Leipzig,” begins an article about him in the Brockhaus and Efron encyclopedia. Came from the nobility. He studied at the Lazarev Institute of Oriental Languages ​​in Moscow, then at the School of Guards Ensigns and Cavalry Junkers in St. Petersburg (1841-1843). “In St. Petersburg, he became close friends with Nekrasov, then still an unknown young man, and lived with him in the same apartment for several months,” notes Brockhaus and Efron. In 1843 he was released as a cornet in the Life Guards Grodno Hussar Regiment.

In 1847 he was transferred to the Caucasus as an officer for special assignments under the governor, Count. M.S. Vorontsov, of whom he recalled: “I owe everything to him. These ten years with him were a school of life for me... I had to be in society, I didn’t want to be worse than others. I began to study, read, think, and did not forget my special work.” At the age of 22, Loris-Melikov fights in Lesser Chechnya, in Dagestan, participates in laying roads and setting up firing points. His immediate superior (since 1848), Adjutant General Prince Argutinsky-Dolgorukov, highly evaluates his service young officer, decides to entrust complex cases to Loris-Melikov.

On November 23, 1851, Hadji Murat, one of Shamil’s closest associates, went over to the side of the Russians. When deciding the question: who will protect him and how, a decision was made about which M.S. Vorontsov informed the Minister of War, Prince A.I. Chernyshev that on December 8, 1851, Hadji Murad arrived in Tiflis and was entrusted to captain Loris-Melikov: “an excellent and very smart officer who speaks Tatar, who already knows Hadji Murad, who “seems to also completely trust him.” In particular, Loris-Melikov informed Prince Vorontsov, who in turn reported to Prince Baryatinsky: “I find extremely important one point that Loris speaks about, namely, that Hadji Murat, apparently with good intentions, advises not to allow access to us some honorary Chechens... I, on the contrary, always followed a system of patronage for anyone who wanted to move to us, and could not refuse this system. It is necessary to take appropriate measures so that anyone who wishes to be transferred to us will be accepted..."

Conversations with Hadji Murat in themselves were very useful for understanding the essence of the war in the Caucasus, but Loris-Melikov asked to be given the opportunity to prove himself in battles. January 14, 1852 M.S. Vorontsov wrote to M.T. Loris-Melikova: “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for your diligent and useful service and I can confirm you. That the service you now provide to us will not remain without due reward. According to your wishes, I am writing today to Prince Baryatinsky about requesting you to join the detachment, where you can stay for a few days to participate in military affairs.”

M.T. Loris-Melikov was recalled to fight in the winter expedition - combat operations in the Mesker-Yurt area. Detachments of mountaineers successfully attacked the Russians. Then the artillery was turned on, and the highlanders began to retreat, “and the rapid attack of the Cossacks under the command of the guard captain Loris-Melikov,” as noted in the order of February 26, 1852 for the Separate Caucasian Corps, “completed the defeat of the enemy.”

Having learned about this, Prince Vorontsov immediately (February 18) from Tiflis wrote to Prince Baryatinsky, the commander of the left flank of the Caucasian army:

I am in awe of the brilliant attack of the Cossacks under the command of our brave Loris-Melikov.

On the same day, the governor in the Caucasus and commander-in-chief personally congratulated the hero himself: “I am writing to you with the courier leaving us (from Tiflis) to tell you, dear Loris-Melikov, that I was very pleased with the news of your wonderful cavalry deed, in in which you so bravely attacked the cavalry of the highlanders with the brave Cossacks...” In such conditions, promotions and awards quickly occurred, following one after another.

In September 1848, the lieutenant “for the distinction rendered in affairs with the highlanders” was awarded the Order of St. Anna, IV degree, with the signature: “for courage.” In 1849, Loris-Melikov was promoted to headquarters captain. In August 1850 a new order: St. Anne III degree with swords and bow. In July 1851, Loris-Melikov became a captain. In 1852, the officer was awarded two more orders: St. Anne II class with swords and St. Anna II class with the Imperial crown. For his distinction in the battle of Bash-Kadykmar against the Turks, he was awarded a golden saber with the inscription: “For bravery.” For successful actions in the fight against the highlanders, Loris-Melikov was promoted to colonel.

IN Crimean War(1853-1856) M.T. Loris-Melikov in the Caucasian theater of military operations. The Turkish army of Abdi Pasha (about 100 thousand people) was opposed by small garrisons. The war began on October 4 (16), 1853, and on October 29, near the town of Karachakh, Loris-Melikov, at the head of a Cossack squadron, came under enemy fire. After this battle, he was constantly in battle, showing courage and resourcefulness. In April 1855 M.T. Loris-Melikov was appointed “to serve on special assignments” under the governor in the Caucasus and the commander-in-chief of the Separate Caucasian Corps, General N.N. Muravyov. Loris-Melikov was subordinate to a detachment of “three hundred hunters”, consisting of people of different nationalities: Russian and Turkish Armenians, Georgians, residents of Muslim provinces. They were distinguished by their courage, quickness, knowledge of the area, and ability to obtain information about the enemy. Successful military operations led by Loris-Melikov contributed to the start of the main operation - the capture of the Kars fortress. The siege of Kars began. Under the pressure of the Russians, the defenders of the fortress were forced to capitulate on November 16, 1855. As a result, the entire Kars Pashalyk (province subject to the power of the Pasha) was captured. Now it has become the Kara region. Loris-Melikov was appointed its head.

Complex administrative and economic activities lay ahead on Turkish territory. It was possible to establish relations with Turkish officials; The office, treasury, police and postal departments began to operate. According to N.N. Muravyov, thanks to the skillful orders of Loris-Melikov, “order was soon restored, both in the region and in the city of Kars itself. The tax farms that existed under Turkish rule were brought to light and began to provide income, among which the most important was received from the salt mines that we acquired on the banks of the Araks, near Kagyzman.” Loris-Melikov’s correct orders were also evident in the management of the spiritual sphere. It turned out that mosques occupied as storage facilities during hostilities lost their religious significance. The Russians were accused of desecrating Muslim shrines. We had to act quickly. The head of the region gathered the mullahs. After which the mosques were urgently cleared of foreign objects, which made it possible to restore services.

Further international events stopped the successful actions of the administrator. In March 1856, according to the Treaty of Paris, Kars and its surroundings were returned to Turkey in exchange for Sevastopol and other Russian cities occupied by the allies. During the procedure for the transfer of Kars, Mushir Izmail Pasha “on behalf of the government, friendly thanked Colonel Loris-Melikov for taking care of the Region.” The merits of Loris-Melikov were especially appreciated in Russia. In August 1856 M.T. Loris-Melikov was promoted to major general. At this moment he was only 30 years old.

After Crimean War The young general was in great demand. On July 10, 1857, the new governor in the Caucasus, Field Marshal Prince A.I. Baryatinsky submitted a report to the Minister of War N.O. Sukhozaneta was sent to the Caucasian Corps by Loris-Melikov, who became the chief of troops in Abkhazia and inspector of the line battalions of the Kutaisi General Government.

In 1860, a new promotion followed - the post of military commander of Southern Dagestan and Derbent mayor. In the same year, Loris-Melikov carried out an important diplomatic assignment. On May 11, 1860, Prince Baryatinsky reported to Alexander II that M.T. Loris-Melikov was sent to Constantinople, where, together with the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, Prince A.B. Lobanov-Rostovsky must obtain the consent of the Turkish government “to open three points on the border for us in order to send groups of settlers there...” The mission was successfully completed, and Loris-Melikov received another order in June 1860 - St. Anne, 1st degree with swords.

The Caucasus, this alarming region, was in the center of attention of the country's authorities, and the inner circle of Alexander II was also worried. In March 1863 Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich gathered representatives in Vladikavkaz different nations Terek region and announced that General Loris-Melikov would become their leader. According to Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, the head of the Terek region is worthy of a new production. Emperor Alexander II listened to the opinion of his brother - on April 17, 1863, Loris-Melikov became lieutenant general.

Meanwhile, the situation in the region was not favorable. The current circumstances forced Mikhail Tarielovich to become more familiar with the vast region entrusted to him, located from the Main Caucasus Range in the south to the borders of Stavropol and the Astrakhan region in the north.

The issue of resettlement of the North Caucasian peoples became the most difficult for the new head of the Terek region. He thought that he could limit himself to the resettlement of the mountaineers within the territory entrusted to him - from the mountainous regions to the plain. But the Caucasian governor opposed this. Thus began the mass eviction of the highlanders of the Terek region to Turkey. In Constantinople, crowds of hungry settlers roamed the streets, which drew the attention of the European press, accusing the Russian government of “barbaric violence” against the tribes of the Caucasus.

Cossacks were settled on the liberated lands. This is how the Cossack zone arose - from Vladikavkaz to the Kumyk plane.

The discontent of the local population made itself felt. But Loris-Melikov sought to do everything possible in the conditions of the Caucasus. In his difficult affairs, he found a reliable assistant. It was Circassian Dmitry (Lukman) Kodzokov. Until now, the literature devoted to the activities of Loris-Melikov has been silent about him. A graduate of Moscow University, an expert on the Caucasus, he served as an official on special assignments under the Viceroy, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich. Loris-Melikov appointed an educated official as chairman of the Commission for the analysis of personal and land rights of residents of the Terek region.

Thus, in the Terek region, the reforms of the 60-70s carried out in Central Russia were implemented, which contributed to the development of commercial agriculture, the strengthening of private farms, and the influx of labor from the central provinces. The Governor of the Caucasus and Emperor Alexander II monitored the multifaceted activities of Loris-Melikov. April 19, 1865 M.T. Loris-Melikov was awarded the Order of the White Eagle.

The high assessment of Loris-Melikov’s management activities could not remain without consequences. By the highest order of August 30, 1865, he was appointed adjutant general to His To the Imperial Majesty, “with retention in their positions.”

Loris-Melikov’s administrative and military activities in the Terek region led him to conclusions, which he shared with his friend Dr. N.A. many years later. Belogolov:

The government did everything it could, it secured the Caucasus to the empire by force of arms, but for this annexation to turn into a strong, inextricable bond, cultural influence is necessary, it is necessary for Russian people and capital to rush to this fertile region and settle in it as farmers, industrialists, factory owners.

Publisher L.F. Panteleev wrote: “From conversations with Mikhail Tarielovich, I got the impression that by nature he had a great mind and the ability to quickly assimilate ideas that were new to him. When I was in the Caucasus... there, I heard the name Loris-Melikov for the first time, and from a very advantageous angle. As the head of the Terek region, he not only managed to maintain order, but at the same time earned the complete trust of the natives. In conversations with me, Loris-Melikov willingly launched into stories about the Caucasus, especially about the highlanders, about how, in fact, it’s easy to control them, if only you take care of their folk customs.”

From the speech of M.T. Loris-Melikova to the residents of the Argun district 10/21/1865:

Two years ago I thanked you for your behavior. I am glad that on this visit I can repeat my gratitude.

Having traveled around the North Caucasus lands in 1871, he became familiar with the order in the region, with the situation of the population and army units. Alexander II wrote to his brother Mikhail: “A whole series of measures, conceived and carried out under your direct leadership, led to the establishment of a strong order in mountain societies and advanced their civil development so much that it is now recognized as possible to subordinate many of them to civil institutions common to the Russian population.”

It is possible that in such cases, the Emperor was shown only what His Majesty might like. Although it cannot be ruled out that the results of Loris-Melikov’s administrative and military activities revealed some progressive innovations to the Emperor. V.P. testified about the changes in the region. Meshchersky, who visited Vladikavkaz in the fall of 1877. The head of the Terek region, Loris-Melikov, “made the “small town” beautiful and big city, with boulevards, a theater, large buildings for schools, barracks, a hospital, and the gifted administrator left his memory here..."

A certain author of a letter to Tsarevich Alexander Alexandrovich (the future Emperor Alexander III) noted: “In Tiflis they told me that you allegedly can’t stand Loris, and on your last visit to the Caucasus they showed and expressed this quite sharply. I don’t know what your opinion is now about Loris, but I can say one thing: he is one of the smartest personalities of a statesman, and, in addition, honest as a Spartan about money! The subtlety of his mind, the education and dexterity of this man are remarkable, and if you ever asked yourself the question: what to do with Loris, everyone who knew him would say unanimously: this is the type of ambassador, to England, if not to Constantinople (perhaps he is already there will not be), or the Minister of State Property, because his distinctive feature is to be what no one here knows how to be: a good administrator!”

Thanks to his administrative abilities, Loris-Melikov did a lot to stabilize the situation in the region and sought to manage economic life there. But the centuries-old customs and traditions of the mountaineers, continuous waiting local uprisings - all this did not allow us to completely solve the Caucasian problem.

In May 1875, due to illness, Loris-Melikov left his post as head of the region, was appointed to serve under the governor of the Caucasus, Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich, and then left for treatment in Ems (Germany).

By the fall of 1876, the threat of war with Turkey was becoming more and more real. The Caucasian theater of military operations was supposed to divert enemy forces from the Balkans. On November 11, 1876, the Highest order followed on the appointment of Loris-Melikov as commander of the active corps on the Caucasian-Turkish border with “remaining in the rank of adjutant general for the Terek Cossack army.”

On April 12 (24), 1877, Alexander II issued a Manifesto on the war with Turkey. During Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. M.T. Loris-Melikov actually led military operations in Transcaucasia. May 5, 1877 Russian command invited the Turkish commandant to surrender Ardahan. For the capture of Ardahan, Loris-Melikov was awarded the Order of St. George, III degree. And subsequently the corps successfully crushed the enemy. For his distinction in the defeat of Mukhtar Pasha's army on the Aladzhin Heights, Loris-Melikov was awarded the Order of St. George, II degree. Speaking fluently in Turkish, Persian, and Armenian, he (as before in the Caucasus) willingly hosted influential persons of the conquered area and, talking with them, often found out the state of the enemy’s forces. He also interrogated prisoners and talked with ordinary peasants.

However, circumstances were not yet in favor of the Russian troops: they had to abandon the blockade of Kars. Major General S.O. Kishmishev examined this episode in a book about the war in Turkish Armenia in 1877 - 1878. (1884), which was highly appreciated by Mikhail Tarielovich. Regarding the lifting of the siege of Kars, Kishmishev noted that “history will record this as one of the remarkable military events.” From the book of Major General S.O. Kishmisheva (about lifting the siege of Kars): “... We owe such a happy outcome solely to the energy of the corps commander, revealed in last days the siege to an amazing degree: he foresaw everything, provided for everything, ordered everything personally, took everything into consideration. The success of the matter was a worthy and best reward for the enormous work and worries incurred during these days by Adjutant General Loris-Melikov.”

But finally, on the night of November 6, 1877, the assault on Kars was prepared. N.I. Speransky, staff captain (about the assault on Kars): “At about 5-6 pm we learned in secret that the assault on Kars was scheduled for tonight... It was 8 pm. The almost full moon rose high in the sky and illuminated the white walls and minarets of the terrible and mighty fortress with a silver light... Finally, with relief, we learned that he was leading. book with corps commander Loris-Melikov left their headquarters and went to the position. It was at the beginning of 9 o’clock in the evening, by this time all the troops assigned for the assault were already in their places several miles from Kars.”

The main battle under the leadership of Loris-Melikov on the morning of November 6 ended successfully. At 10 o'clock in the morning the Corps commander was in the fortress. Then the chief of artillery of Kars, Huseyn Bey, appeared before Loris-Melikov. To Loris-Melikov’s question: “Wouldn’t it have been better to surrender Kars and avoid bloodshed than to witness such a sad picture?” - he replied: “A fortress like Kars could not be surrendered without a fight.”

From the charter of Emperor Alexander II dated November 14, 1877:

To the adjutant general, cavalry general, commander of the active corps on the Caucasian-Turkish border, Mikhail Loris-Melikov. As a reward for your courage and exemplary management, crowned with a new feat of our troops during the storming of the Turkish fortress of Kars, on November 14, we have most mercifully granted you a knight of the imperial order of Our Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Prince Vladimir, first degree with swords.

The capture of Kars was joyfully welcomed in various circles of Russia. On November 7, 1877, Chairman of the Committee of Ministers P.A. Valuev wrote in his diary: “Kars was taken by storm. The most brilliant thing of our century. Praise and glory to the Caucasian Army." Valuev also named the main hero of the occasion: Loris-Melikov “the winner of Kars.” A day earlier and D.A. Milyutin noted in his diary: “Today there is great joy: a telegram from Grand Duke Mikhail Nikolaevich about the capture of Kars.”

Having described the capture of Kars, the correspondent of the newspaper “Golos” noted that the merits of Loris-Melikov himself stand out especially. Not only Russians, but also foreign publicists pay tribute to this remarkable general. Here is what the correspondent of the French newspaper Temps wrote: “Loris-Melikov is a completely secular and learned person. He is far from old (he is 52 years old) and wins everyone over with the gentleness of his communication.”

M.T. himself Loris-Melikov wrote about the Kars fortress: “The stronghold of Asian Turkey; This fortress, with some adaptation and reduction of its line of defense, can become completely inaccessible to the enemy and will serve us as a solid stronghold.”

At the beginning of the 20th century. It was decided to build a monument to those who died in all the assaults on the Kars fortress. The first place was taken by the project of the sculptor B.M. Mikeshin - the son of the monumental artist M.O. Mikeshina. November 6, 1910 took place Grand opening majestic monument. However, according to the Treaty of Batumi of June 4, 1918, Kars officially ceded to Turkey. Also in 1918, the monument was blown up. A pre-revolutionary postcard gives us an idea of ​​what the nine-meter high monument was like - the Monument to the Soldiers Fallen during the Storming of the Kars Fortress.

With the end of the Russian-Turkish War, the glorious military career of General Loris-Melikov, which made him a famous military leader and administrative figure, also ended. For his services in April 1878 he was elevated to the dignity of a count of the Russian Empire. At the beginning of 1879, he was appointed temporary governor-general of Astrakhan, Saratov and Samara, and in April, after the assassination attempt by A.K. Solovyov to Emperor Alexander II, - temporary Kharkov Governor-General.

Constitution of Loris-Melikov.
1904 edition

He waged a determined fight against terrorists, while trying to win over the opposition part of society. After the explosion in the Winter Palace carried out by S.N. Khalturin, February 12, 1880 Loris-Melikov was appointed head of the Supreme Administrative Commission and actually received unlimited powers. February 20, 1880 I.O. Mlodetsky made an unsuccessful attempt on Loris-Melikov. On August 6, 1880, the Supreme Administrative Commission, on the initiative of Loris-Melikov, was abolished, and he was appointed Minister of the Interior and Chief of the Gendarmes. He presented a report to Alexander II, in which he raised the question of carrying out a number of economic reforms. On January 28, 1881, Loris-Melikov presented a report to the emperor in which he proposed the establishment of temporary preparatory commissions. The commissions were to include government officials and elected representatives from zemstvos and city governments. The project was named “Constitution” by Loris-Melikov.

On the morning of March 1, 1881, Alexander II received Loris-Melikov, signed the report he presented and scheduled a meeting of the Council of Ministers for March 4 to discuss the presented project, but a few hours later the emperor was killed by the People's Will. After the assassination of Alexander II and the publication Alexander III Manifesto (dated April 29, 1881) “on the inviolability of autocracy,” Loris-Melikov retired on April 30, 1881 (along with him, ministers A.A. Abaza and D.A. Milyutin resigned).

The last years of his life, while remaining a member of the State Council, he lived mainly abroad (in Wiesbaden and Nice), where he became close to N.A. Belogolov, A.I. Koshelev and some other prominent liberals, occasionally traveled to St. Petersburg to participate in the most important meetings of the State Council. Loris-Melikov owns a number of articles, incl. "A note compiled from the stories and testimony of Hadji Murad (1881)."

RYBAKOV S.P., Ph.D., Associate Professor MGIMO(U)

Literature

Kostanyan Yu.L. Count Mikhail Tarielovich Loris-Melikov (1824-1888). St. Petersburg, 2004

Grossman L.P. Velvet dictator. (About M. Loris-Melikov) M., 2011

Belogolovy N.A. Count Mikhail-Tarielovich Loris-Melikov: Memoirs of Dr. N.A. White-headed 1878-1888. St. Petersburg, 1889

Kovalevsky M.M. The Constitution of Count Loris-Melikov and his private letters. Berlin, 1904

Babayan L.A. Loris-Melikov: hero of the Caucasus - “velvet dictator” of Russia: on the 180th anniversary of the birth of M.T. Loris-Melikova. Yerevan, 2004

Internet

John 4 Vasilievich

Platov Matvey Ivanovich

Military Ataman of the Don Cossack Army. Started active military service from the age of 13. Participant in several military campaigns, best known as a commander Cossack troops during Patriotic War 1812 and during the subsequent Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army. Thanks to the successful actions of the Cossacks under his command, Napoleon’s saying went down in history:
- Happy is the commander who has Cossacks. If I had an army of only Cossacks, I would conquer all of Europe.

Skopin-Shuisky Mikhail Vasilievich

In my short time military career He practically knew no failures, both in battles with the troops of I. Boltnikov, and with the Polish-Liovian and “Tushino” troops. The ability to build a combat-ready army practically from scratch, train, use Swedish mercenaries in place and during the time, select successful Russian command cadres for liberation and protection huge territory Russian north-western region and the liberation of central Russia, a persistent and systematic offensive, skillful tactics in the fight against the magnificent Polish-Lithuanian cavalry, undoubted personal courage - these are the qualities that, despite the little-known nature of his deeds, give him the right to be called the Great Commander of Russia.

Svyatoslav Igorevich

I would like to propose the “candidacies” of Svyatoslav and his father, Igor, as the greatest commanders and political leaders of their time, I think that there is no point in listing to historians their services to the fatherland, I was unpleasantly surprised not to see their names on this list. Sincerely.

Chernyakhovsky Ivan Danilovich

To a person to whom this name means nothing, there is no need to explain and it is useless. To the one to whom it says something, everything is clear.
Twice a hero Soviet Union. Commander of the 3rd Belorussian Front. The youngest front commander. Counts,. that he was an army general - but just before his death (February 18, 1945) he received the rank of Marshal of the Soviet Union.
Liberated three of the six capitals of the Union Republics captured by the Nazis: Kyiv, Minsk. Vilnius. Decided the fate of Kenicksberg.
One of the few who drove back the Germans on June 23, 1941. Marshal of the Soviet Union, outstanding Soviet military figure, military theorist.
B. M. Shaposhnikov made a significant contribution to the theory and practice of construction Armed Forces USSR, in their strengthening and improvement, training of military personnel.
He was a consistent advocate of strict discipline, but an enemy of shouting. Rudeness in general was organically alien to him. A true military intellectual, b. colonel of the tsarist army.

Voivode M.I. Vorotynsky

Outstanding Russian commander, one of Ivan the Terrible's close associates, drafter of the regulations for the guard and border service

Joseph Vladimirovich Gurko (1828-1901)

General, hero of the Russian-Turkish war of 1877-1878. Russo-Turkish War 1877-1878, which marked the liberation of the Balkan peoples from centuries-old Ottoman rule, brought forward a number of talented military leaders. Among them should be named M.D. Skobeleva, M.I. Dragomirova, N.G. Stoletova, F.F. Radetsky, P.P. Kartseva and others. Among these illustrious names there is one more - Joseph Vladimirovich Gurko, whose name is associated with the victory at Plevna, the heroic transition through the winter Balkans and victories along the banks of the Maritsa River.