Jakob Petrovich Kulnev

Jakob Petrovich Kulnev (born the August 6th 1763, dead the 1812 with Klyastitsy (Bielorussia)) was, with Pierre de Bagration and Aleksey Petrovich Yermolov, one of the Russian military chiefs most popular at the time of the Napoleonean Guerres. Enthusiastic admiror of Suvorov, it took part in 55 battles. He lost the life with the Bataille of Klyastitsy during the countryside of Russia of Napoleon.

First campaigns

The father of Kulnev was a Balte officer of minor nobility. The future general born in Ludza (Latvia current) and between at the school of infantry for the nobility.

In 1785 after a short stay in the regiment of infantry of Chernigov, it joined, as lieutenant, the regiment of dragons of Saint-Pétersbourg and under the order of Souvorov, takes part in the Russo-Turkish war, of 1787 to 1792 and in the Polish countryside of 1794-1795. The ten following years of its life are little known.

In 1807 as a Lieutenant-colonel it orders the regiment of hussards of Hrodno which faces the armies of Napoleon. It is made a name for with the Bataille of Heilsberg and the Bataille of Friedland, in which it manages to be left a surrounding.

Countryside of Finland

In the War of Finland against the Sweden, Kulnev carries out the avant-garde of Buxhoevden. For its participation in the seat of Jakobstad he sees himself allotting a sword of gold crimped of diamonds and being marked For Courage . He is distinguished with Lapua, Kuortane, Oravais, three engagements for which he receives the Ordre of Saint-George and the row of general Lieutenant.

The crowning of the countryside takes place when Kulnev carries out the avant-garde of Bagration through the the Baltic frozen towards the islands of Åland and, with Grislehamn, with less than 70 kilometers of Stockholm, the capital of the enemy. This daring operation forces the Swedes to seek peace at any price.

Countryside of Turkey

The Order of Holy-Anne to the 1st degree, is allotted to him for its courage. Kulnev is invited to deal with avant-garde of the army of the Danube which fights against the Turks in Bulgaria.

During the countryside of Turkey of 1810, Kulnev is one of the generals most capable of Russia. It shows determination with Shumla, Nikopol, Rousse, and Batin, giving to the countryside a daring character which had missed until there. A conflict which opposes it to the commander-in-chief, Nikolay Kamensky, however forces it to leave the army.

Countryside of Russia (1812)

Napoleon invaded Russia in 1812, Kulnev defends the roads leading to Saint-Pétersbourg. The July 3rd, its detachment captures a French general and 200 riders. The July 18th, it leads 5.000 riders, which form the avant-garde of the body of Wittgenstein, against the marshal Oudinot to the Bataille of Klyastitsy, making 900 prisoners with the enemy. Kulnev crosses the Drissa river and is opposed with an important French quota. The Russians are taken with part by artillery shootings, Kulnev receives a ball of gun in the legs and loses the two members. He dies the very same day of his wounds.

Posterity

Although he did not live to take part in the Bataille of Borodino and other famous battles of the countryside of Russia, one remembers Kulnev like a savage and impetuous combatant.

A monument will be set up on the place of its death in 1830. In 1909, a regiment of hussards will bear its its name.

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