Wittgenstein P.K. (1768-1842) Field Marshal

Categories / Army. Navy/Personalia
WITTGENSTEIN [Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg] Petr Khristianovich (Peter Christian Adolf) (1768-1842), Count, from 1834 Gracious Prince, military commander, Field Marshal General (1826). In 1781 signed up in the guards, in 1793 joined the army in the rank of First Major. Participated in the Polish Campaign of 1794, Persian Campaign of 1796, wars with France of 1805 and 1806-07, Russo-Turkish War of 1806-12. At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812 commanded the 1st Infantry Corps (over 30 thousand soldiers) within the 1st Western Army, afterwards, operating separately from the Army, successfully provided cover of the Petersburg vector (his corps received reinforcement from the units of the St. Petersburg Provincial National Militia), became famous as the "saviour of the capital", and one of the most renowned persons of St. Petersburg. In October-November of 1812 forced the enemy back to Vitebsk, however failed to establish co-ordination with General P.V. Chichagov's 3rd Army in the military operations at the Berezina River. In the spring of 1813 appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Allied troops, after a number of defeats assumed the Command of the Corps again. During the Russo-Turkish War of 1828-29 - Commander-in-Chief of the Danube Army. Retired on 9 February 1829. Wittgenstein's portrait hangs in the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace.

References: Бантыш-Каменский Д. Н. Биографии российских генералиссимусов и генерал-фельдмаршалов. Репр. воспр. изд. 1840 г. Пушкино, 1990. Ч. 3-4. С. 1-80.

G. V. Kalashnikov. Chichagov Pavel Vasilievich
Wittgenstein Peter Hristianovich (Peter Christian Adolf)
Бантыш-Каменский Д. Н. Биографии российских генералиссимусов и генерал-фельдмаршалов. Репр. воспр. изд. 1840 г. Пушкино, 1990 Winter Palace