A. M. Martynov

The biography of the "hundred-victorious" commander A. V. Suvorov is fairly speckled by unpredictable take-off and falling. One of the most tremendous happened in Kobrin on April 23, 1797 (on May 4 it is new. Art.). Soon it was widely publicized among contemporaries under the name "Kobrin Action", i.e. a performance, representation.

However for more distinct understanding of further events previously it is necessary to leaf through several previous pages of history of Kobrin. From them we learn that the devastating wars which blew over Belarus in the middle of the 17th and the beginning of the 18th of centuries and permanently accompanied with the fires and epidemics to such an extent ruined Kobrin and undermined welfare of the population that in 1766 under the resolution of Polish Sejm, along with tens of other Belarusian cities, Kobrin was deprived of city self-government and under the name "Kobrin Key" is included in structure of royal table manors of the Brest economy. According to the order Lithuanian A. Tizengauz's podskarbiya in 1768 in one verst to the South from the city center was put the estate "Province". Here from completely the decayed city town hall from time immemorial standing on the territory of the lock the administration of "Key" was translated. At the same time here from a market square the new "Губерниальная" Street since 1864 renamed in Suvorov lay.

On August 18, 1795 the empress Catherine II sent to the Senate the decree in which it is told: "In requital of the well-known merits of our general field marshal Alexander Suvorov-Rymniksky, we most gracious granted it in eternal and hereditary possession from come to our treasury in the Lithuanian province from economy of Brzhestskaya who was among royal table manors, the Key Kobrin with other keys, folvarka and settlements in which according to the sheet submitted to us six thousand nine hundred twenty two male souls are shown, with the lands belonging to them, grounds and all economic cash in it, ruling over our Senate, having ordered where follows about return of all that to it, to the count Suvorov-Rymniksky to prepare to our signing our appointed diploma".

"the highest favor" on September 14 the Lithuanian governor general Repnin notified Suvorov who at that time was in Warsaw on this. For acquaintance with the new granted huge estate, nearly three times surpassing all other manors of Suvorov, combined, the entrusted person and the major N. A. Balk subordinated on service was sent them to Kobrin. It is remarkable that along with Suvorov from the same Brest economy the field marshal P. A. Rumyantsev-Zadunaysky received the Pruzhansky key with 5700 serfs.

Apparently, already soon after Suvorov's input in possession excessive office eagerness of a glavnoupravlyayushchy Key of Koritsky led to the open conflict between "yard" and Kobrin petty bourgeoises. The legend about this collision so characteristic of customs of that era, long remained in memory of local old residents.

Began with the fact that to Kobrin "president", on terminology of that time, Yarmoshevich of "Province" the instruction to direct to work to the estate of petty bourgeoises whose considerable number was engaged in agriculture arrived from the residence glavnoupravlyayushchy and in every respect a little in what differed from peasants. Out of respect for the newly appeared famous neighbor Yarmoshevich implicitly fulfilled the strange requirement. And petty bourgeoises resignedly came to work, considering it as the good-neighbourhood help usual in these parts called by "toloky".

However Koritsky was not satisfied with single appearance at work, and demanded that and further petty bourgeoises regularly two times a week were to the estate for departure of corvee on an equal basis with serfs. Having quickly realized that the loop of corvee is just about ready to drag on on their neck seriously and for a long time, petty bourgeoises rebelled and flatly refused to meet the illegal requirement. Yarmoshevich on behalf of citizens categorically declared to the managing director's messenger that they from time immemorial were free people, and therefore nobody has the right to force them to work gratuitously. In confirmation of told a reference to the appointed diplomas which are stored at it confirming petty-bourgeois privileges was made.

In response to so prederzostny behavior the enraged Koritsky sent to Yarmoshevich Cossacks, otkhlestavshy the disobedient person lashes. So convincing argument forced petty bourgeoises to reconcile and come to work temporarily. However, having conceded before force, kobrinets were not inclined to consider lawful the enslavement at all. They elected several representatives who led by Yarmoshevich went to St. Petersburg for upholding of the violated rights. And as then petty bourgeoises differed in nothing from men and wore mainly homespun clothes, including caftans from rough white cloth, we will cover similar to usual Polesia rolls, someone expressed opinion that is more useless to petty bourgeoises to go to the capital like men. It was therefore solved: for greater success of the started enterprise to samooblozhitsya about two kopeks from soul on purchase of blue paint for change of color of deputy caftans … having considered the submitted documents in the relevant Petersburg authorities and having asked arrived, recognized validity of petty-bourgeois arguments. The decree on release of citizens from any work in the Key was issued. The city of Kobrin became the district city of the Lithuanian province And that at the same time Suvorov's interests did not suffer at all, in addition allocated it 340 serfs. "Nowadays in missing number against the granted quantity Kobrinskoye's forest area, with the souls attributed to it from Kobrinskaya's volost 146 is ranked. Yes Rudskaya's volosts from Divinsky's key: village of Kletishche 71 and village Habovichi 136". Moreover the ancient Kobrin castle which decayed by then, a house was transferred to it in the city yes an economic barn over Mukhavts completely.

After year stay in Poland, in October, 1795 Suvorov was recalled to St. Petersburg, and at the beginning of the next year received in command one of three southern armies which staff was in the town of Tulchin on Podoliya. In view of the approaching war with France Suvorov especially intensively prepared troops for military operations against the initiative and courageous opponent. Development of a final version of the well-known instruction to troops which became widely known subsequently under the name "Win Against Sciences" belongs to this period

In November, 1796 in Tulchin news of sudden death of the queen and accession to the throne of the emperor Paul I was received. New reign at once was marked by abrupt withdrawal pains of the orders established at Catherine II. Hastily the most senseless prohibitive decrees against the "Jacobin infection" haunting the European monarchs began to be printed various, often.

Especially rumors about the begun reorganization of orders in the Russian army on a Prussian harmony guarded Suvorov. With assistance of the brutal discipline of the rod Gatchina German officers began to spread a mindnumbing and senseless "shagistika and a ruzhistika" in the Russian army. And it was adopted not only the Prussian military charter - even the Prussian military uniform was servilely copied. The powdered wigs with curls and braids cancelled still Potyomkiny were again restored so hated to soldiers.

Paul I was convinced that not only soldiers who "is the mechanism the article the officer provided", but even should not show an initiative. The resolution of the emperor said: "To order all, starting with the field marshal and finishing privates, all that has to do to them!".

All this was contrary to Suvorov's principles, the irreconcilable enemy of the template and stagnancy which is deeply convinced that "each soldier has to understand the maneuver". At so opposite views between the emperor and the venerable commander there had to be a conflict sooner or later. And he did not keep itself waiting long.
Without being content with verbal condemnation, the obstinate field marshal defiantly postponed introduction of the new charter in the troops subordinated to it, consciously or involuntarily broke petty bans of the emperor. Numerous envious persons and Suvorov's ill-wishers from court servants diligently noted all manifestations of not subordination from his party, reported about them to the haughty emperor.

Did not pass also two months after Ekaterina's death as tension was fueled before that the emperor at first in a sharp form showed discontent with behavior of the field marshal after which reprimands in orders on army followed.

Understanding that under the arisen circumstances it will be hardly possible to continue service, Suvorov sent on January 11, 1797 to the emperor a request to grant him year leave, referring to "many wounds and mutilations" and indicating "corrections from day a day of the weakening my forces" the need. In reply followed reskript Pavel: "The obligation of service interferes from it to leave". And two weeks later Suvorov retires in general, and with the offensive formulation - without the right of carrying a uniform. Resignation on the fact that "the field marshal count Suvorov having belonged to his imperial majesty that as there is no war also to it there is nothing to do was based, for a similar response it is discharged of service".

Already since the beginning of 1797 in a predveriya of inevitable leaving army, Suvorov in letters repeatedly stated the intention after retirement to lodge in Kobrin to conduct life of "the rural nobleman". Then he suggested some of closer officers to resign together with him and to move to him to service to Kobrin, promising to reward them for it the earth with serfs. All eighteen officers willingly accepted this offer and raznovremenno moved to the new residence.

At dawn of dim March day 1797 through an outpost of the remote Ukrainian town of Tulchin passed the modest closed sleigh which soon curtailed on leading to the North bolshak. Shown to travelers roadside every time was the surprising accompanied with respectful bows to station inspectors. Still! In the document it appeared that the retired general field marshal count Alexander Suvorov-Rymniksky follows on own need from Tulchin for Kobrin. Means, rumors that even Suvorov appeared in disgrace at the new emperor are right.

With burning feeling of undeserved offense the old commander went this time to a way road. Could not get over in any way that it is already "retired". Before his obscured look again and again to what the burdensome scene of farewell to old fellow soldiers importunately emerged. However little by little the condition of depression lost sharpness, having given way to the memoirs connected with the same road so memorable to it on a campaign of 1794.

Then, in the first of August, at the head of six-thousandth group Suvorov acted from Nemirov, going to Kobrin. The whole month lasted the campaign alternated by long stops in Lutsk, Dubno, Cowell.

Passable now but to familiar places, Alexander Vasilyevich revived in memory wearisome transitions to a heat and pouring rains on almost impassable off road terrain. Frequent detours astride many versts of the columns which stretched on march, conversations with soldiers at camp fires. To what recently all this was! And here on a whim of the crowned petty tyrant he already "retired", is distracted from work which was given all life, from "soldatstvo", without which life not life.

As well as in that campaign, especially difficult was a road from Ratno to Divin. Dragged to this settlement only by the evening. Here on the night of September 3 there was the first in that campaign fight with an advance party of an enemy cavalry which was almost completely destroyed. And in this that opened to a look, a wooden churchlet about two domes at entry into Divin he ordered to serve thanksgiving in honor of the first victory. At last the tiresome way is complete. In Guberni's gate the crew splashed by March dirt drove. From it the lean old man in a road raincoat quickly came off, behind it the huge figure of the favourite striker Prokhor Dubasov with a small road chest seemed. Suvorov's appearance caused general revival. Doors began to clap, on a porch joyfully excited inhabitants of the estate, long ago with impatience expecting appearance of the owner poured out. This genuinely warm meeting dispelled the suppressed mood of the disgraced commander a little. He felt among people close to it again.

If about the town of Kobrin containing at that time several honeycombs of houses, Suvorov already had some idea for 1794 when it was necessary to be late here for days, then it was necessary to get acquainted with the new granted estate for the first time. From a central square of the city to it Gubernialnaya Street seated by pyramidal poplars conducted. The estate occupied the space to four tithes which are dug round by a ditch with the small earth shaft which partly remained until now. In the middle of the estate there was a wooden house from seven rooms. Before it young lindens were landed, and the small rectangular pond is behind dug out. Nearby there was one more house under a high chetyryokhskatny gontovy roof in which the part of the arrived retired officers was placed.

Having a little had a rest after the journey, Suvorov began to penetrate actively into the provision of economic affairs, making necessary orders. First of all ordered to transfer all office constructions far away from a house, for line of a garden, and in the garden to build a small small chapel. Then began to travel over villages and folvarka, talked to peasants, attentively looked narrowly at their life, listened attentively to not absolutely clear local dialect.

And here, in Kobrin, Suvorov continued "to behave in a queer way" as usual. Being content with the most unpretentious food, he did not give an easy time in anything to himself. Despite sixty six years, he not only slept at an open window, but also bathed in a pond, despite of spring cold weather. And during frequentations of the Peter and Paul church which is fallen in love to it built in the 15th century climbed up a belltower and excitedly rang in bells - to amazement of the ingenuous kobrinets who were not expecting something similar from so important person. Even during church service his mischief did not stop: having discharged the weak-sighted sexton, he began to read the apostle, sang along with choristers, flying into a rage when they were false, and often ran across from a choir on a choir, bringing order. However, as Suvorov with the new, unusual role of "the peace plowman" tried to accustom, it troubled him. Too painful was a sincere shake-up caused by a sudden separation from favourite business to which all his thoughts were directed. Quite often people around observed how in deep thoughtfulness he strolled on the estate, or long stayed on a huge stone on a roadside of the road conducting to the estate.

The message of the beloved daughter Natasha on the birth of the first grandson named in honor of the grandfather by Alexander was the only pleasant event which brightened up this the period, burdensome for it. In response to the letter Suvorov wrote to the son-in-law Nikolay Zubov: "Graff Nikolay Aleksandrovich! You amused me what did not have near seventy years! Reading, shivered! Natasha! Bring the count Alexander Nikolaevich to me on a visit, and he let about the same will ask the father, your man".

According to the local legend, the important St. Petersburg dignitary passing by Kobrin visited Suvorov once. The hospitable owner treated him "than God sent" then the guest said goodbye and left. Soon then Suvorov caused "bosnyak" (messenger) Voytkovsky and ordered to it, having taken the best horses, to catch up with the guest and to return to "Gubernya". Meanwhile the guest managed to drive off fairly, and only at Krupchits that in fifteen versts from Kobrin, the messenger caught up with him and returned to the estate. And then the owner tenderly told the struck dumb dignitary that, pouring itself vodka, he by absent-mindedness forgot to cork a bottle and asked it to correct an oversight then the guest continued a way.

While Suvorov little by little got used to the new situation, convinced that he was completely left alone, - in far St. Petersburg were not inclined to forget about it at all. Over his head clouds began to be condensed again. Already one message that disgraced "field marshal" decided to choose for a constant residence Kobrin located far from the capital was met at court with suspicion. Even more data that Suvorov surrounded himself with the officers who defiantly retired together with it forced to prick up the ears the hypochondriac emperor. What is behind all this?.

And on April 23 at ten o'clock in the evening in Kobrin the official of Secret office a collegiate assesor Nikolev rode. Having demanded to wake immediately Suvorov, the visitor showed him nominal highest command in which it was told: "To go to you to Kobrin or another of Suvorov's residence from where it privezt to his borovitsky villages, where and to consign Vyndomskoma (the borovitsky governor of a town), and in case of need to demand the help from any administration".

The last words allow to assume that the emperor did not exclude a possibility of disobedience from Suvorov and even the direct resistance of his supporters officers. The terrible imperial instruction literally stunned Suvorov. Besides, the trying to toady, arrogant Nikolev all the behavior even more heated a situation. Significantly referring to the oral most strict instruction received by it nearly from the emperor, he insisted on immediate departure, did not agree even to allow Suvorov to put the most urgent economic matters in order. Having appeared during that time without money, Suvorov was forced to borrow one thousand rubles from Koritsky, having left under his supervision diamonds worth three hundred thousand, the field marshal's baton estimated at fifteen thousand, and all awards.

Retirees officers also fell into an unattractive state. The matter is that soon after arrival in Kobrin Suvorov issued to each of them the temporary "civil letter" on possession of certain villages. However, as these documents had private character, for giving of validity they should have been brought in the notarial book and to assure the autographic signature of the donator. This book was delivered to the house only in exceptional cases if business concerned the seriously ill patient. In view of the fact that Suvorov had no an opportunity to be personally in court, Koritskoma nevertheless managed to be called in "Gubernya" of the notary Vorotynetsky literally at the last moment when Suvorov already was in crew. Vorotynetsky showed it for the signature the processed documents which Suvorov silently signed, and the driver touched that hour horses. Referring to the received instructions, Nikolev strictly forbade somebody to accompany from retirees officers the arrested in the reference. The exception was made only concerning his unseparable servant friend Prokhor Dubasov.

So incomprehensible haste of a uvoz of the disgraced field marshal from Kobrin bogs in borovitsky seemed to all witnesses of "Kobrin action" as this incident was soon called a hundred-oral rumor, some dreadful dream. In the letter dated on April 25 to Suvorov's nephew Hvostov, Koritsky, apparently, reckoning with a possibility of perlustration, reported about this drama event in such careful expressions "23 numbers, at ten o'clock popolunoch, visited us misfortune through departure of his Excellency with purposely sent to his borovitsky villages"...

Ten days later Nikolev "dostavil" of Suvorov in his ancestral lands - the mean small village of Konchanskoye mislaid among the woods and bogs of the Borovitsky county of the Novgorod province. Here the exiled the commander was "consigned" to Vyndomsky to whom vigilant shadowing it was assigned.

News of the new undeserved blow which comprehended Suvorov quickly was carried among troops, and then a timid shepotok spread across all Russia, everywhere causing still big sympathy for the old commander. After Suvorov's uvoz the officers who remained in "Guberni" fell into extremely uncertain state. It was necessary to expect passively an inevitable outcome which did not keep itself waiting.

Exactly in a month the same Nikolev appeared in Kobrin again, immediately arrested all officers-prizhivalshchikov and brought them in the Kiev fortress. There they were placed on solitary confinements. Then according to Paul I's instructions the Kiev military governor Saltykov founded the commission for interrogation of arrested. On a consequence they showed that, retiring and going to Kobrin, they "were zabluzhdena Suvorov's promises". Then the emperor allowed Saltykov to treat persons under investigation at discretion. The governor released the majority from under arrest and allowed to part on houses, having taken previously a subscription that on the first call they will be there where it will be specified. Only two of eighteen were sent to the shelves, three expressed desire to lodge in the different cities, the others came back under a hospitable shelter of the Kobrin Key.

Having stopped so drastic measures a possibility of any "plot" from Suvorov and his adherents, Pavel however did not calm down completely and sent to the Novgorod governor Mitusov the autographic instruction: "Have watching that the majors of Anting expelled from service, Gresse and the captain prince Chetvertinsky and similar to them from Suvorov's suite had no intercourse with the former field marshal count Suvorov living in the Novgorod province".

The soldier's idol who is cut off from the whole world, consisting under hardly disguised house arrest did not cease to inspire fear in the autocrat All-Russian for a long time. In all the time of the stay in the konchansky reference Suvorov did not miss an opportunity to keep in contact with the remote Kobrin, the course of affairs in which was very anxious.

From regular daily reports of Vyndomsky to the governor Mitusov, then to an oberprokuror to Kurakin it is known that Suvorov sent the major of Zion to Kobrin behind the left jewelry and other things. To it there came Kobrin Jews concerning delivery to treasury of the food from its villages. There came from Kobrin the captain Pavlikovsky and demanded personal appointment to the exiled, but did not get permission. He reported that besides it others will arrive. When Pavlikosky was told to go to St. Petersburg under supervision of the courier for production of inquiry and he refused, then Vyndomsky arrested him.

However, at a position of the Suvorov jailer Vyndomsky stayed not for long, having soon resigned. His position was held by the old acquaintance of the exiled Nikolev whom Suvorov met ironically: "I heard that you are granted (for Kobrin "feat") by a rank. However, and service big. Served, served! Continue to act this way - still will award".

After Suvorov's uvoz in his Kobrin possession there came the full disorder threatening to pass into final chaos. The officers who came back after the Kiev arrest whose position remained uncertain lounged about idle, living at the expense of Suvorov, or, having taken control of villages, conducted injurious economy.

Suvorov sent to "Key" of Zion for establishing order. However to carry out it it appeared not easily. The idlers officers who flew from all directions on Suvorov good and hungry shlyakhtich tried to snatch pieces more fatly, quarreled, gossiped, informed at each other. Zion liberally treated a neighboring shlyakhta with Times at it had dinner to hundred, over sixty guests had supper. Krasovsky who inherited to Zion daily feasts, music, hunting also did not stop. Flow in Kobrin of the idlers who are eager to use at the expense of the being absent owner all increased. On a salary the mass of parasites, on a table which released 1500 rubles consisted. Only personal intervention of the owner, but alas could bridle outlaws! that was impracticable.

A. Martynov



• Kobrin action
• Orekhovo
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