For some reason I am certain that on December 19 media will make us mourn over the recently deceased ex-president of Czech Republic, Vaclav Havel. At least in the Internet and on some TV channels the process commenced immediately upon the news about Havel’s death was broadcast on Sunday morning. I am equally certain that few will remember Pyotr Rumyantsev this Monday either in Russia or in Czech Republic.
It’s clear that unlike Havel, Count Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky did not leave this world yesterday, but rather 215 years ago on December 19, 1796. Meanwhile the Count did more service to both Russia and the entire Slavonic world, including the Czech Republic, than the Czech ex-president in late 20th century.
There are historic figures who have done something transcending the bounds of one country and who are appreciated by the entire mankind. Perhaps Havel has all grounds to be included in this special list, but the name of Rumyantsev-Zadunaisky was deservedly entered there long ago. This fact corroborates an anomaly so typical of the modern Russian memory: we tend to forget our great countrymen of bygone ages.
Why not rectify this situation?
Pyotr Rumyantsev was born on January 15, 1725. His father started his career as a batman of Peter the Great and ended as General. He married the granddaughter of the closest to Tsar Aleksey Mikhailovich boyar Artamon Matveev. Pop history experts still try to find facts corroborating that Peter the Great was the actual biological father of the future general. They mention their outward similarity, his impressive tallness and build as well as piss and vinegar. Yet the gossip remains just a gossip.
Pyotr Rumyantsev passed the first serious exam in his military career during the Seven-Year War on Prussia. He aspired for such an excellence that it became clear to many that Russia acquired a new battlefield star. After the Battle at Kunersdorf the presumably best European General of the mid 18th century, Prussian King Friedrich the Great, advised his generals, “Beware of this wild dog Rumyantsev. All other Russian generals aren’t dangerous.”
In 1764, Rumyantsev was appointed governor-general of Malorossiya (Ukraine) and took this post till his very death, i.e. more than 30 years – a rare example of political longevity. Under his rule this restless region of Russia saw unprecedented development and accumulation of wealth.
Rumyantsev did not leave the battlefield either. He is a conqueror of Turks in the war of 1768-1774. For his valor he was granted the “Zadunaisky” (Trans-Danube) extension to his name. It was in those days that Catherine the Great instituted the highest military decoration of the Russian Empire – Saint George. The first award went to Queen, while Rumyantsev was the second one to be awarded. He was the first military commander to be honored with this insignia and with the rank of Field Marshal! The Russian-Turkish war of 1768-1774 was dubbed the Rumyantsev War. The Russian military history knows no other precedents, when any war was personified to such an extent. It should be noted that unlike other best nobles of Catherine the Great, Rumyantsev never was one of her favorites. Therefore all of his honors were well-deserved.
Rumyantsev was also a prolific author. He left behind him several tracts on the art of war that are of interest even today. His strategic and tactic discoveries formed the basis of Suvorov’s doctrine, not to mention his advice on the training of troops. To be more exact, Suvorov further developed Rumyantsev’s heritage. Generalissimo himself often repeated that he was a disciple of Rumyantsev. Grigoriy Potemkin also considered himself Rumyantsev’s disciple. A human attitude to the soldier should be credited to Rumyantsev first and Suvorov second.
Rumyantsev was the father of three sons. One of them named Nikolai was a very well-educated person of his time and founder of the collection that formed the basis of the famous Rumyantsev’s museum.
Count Rumyantsev was not lucky in historical mythology. It so happened that Catherine’s most outstanding favorite Potemkin overshadowed him in politics and great Suvorov is honored as number one Russian general. In reality, though, the figure of Zadunaisky is in no way inferior to those of the Prince of Taurus and the Count of Rymnik!
The figure of Vaclav Havel is also iconic for the Czech Republic as he was the first president after his nation cast off the shackles of Communism. Havel greatly contributed to that historic outcome and his contribution to Czech Republic’s accession to NATO was even greater. It’s surely up to Czechs to decide on their attitude to ABM and other “burdens” of their NATO membership.
As for us, let us honor the memory of General and Field Marshal Petr A. Rumyantsev who opened access to the Black Sea for Russians and Ukrainians!
Mikhail Bykov
