Lifeguard Izmaylovski regiment was formed on the order of Empress Anna Ioanovna in 1730. It was considered to be the third most important in Russian guard. It got its name from Izmaylovo village, the patrimony of the Romanovs where it was lodged. Separate quarters and a church were built for a new guard’s unit. The regiment took part in the storm of Ochakov under the command of Count Minich, the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805, Guttstadt and Friedland in 1807. Although those battles were lost by the Russian army but the guards did their best.
The units of Izmaylovski regiment under the command of Colonel Matvey Khrapovitsky fought in Borodino field.The troops of Napoleon Bonaparte attacked Russian positions not far from Shevardino village. A fierce battle lasted till night, left wing of Russian troops retreated to the line of defence in Semyonovskaya village which had been prepared beforehand. According to Kutuzov’s idea they should gain a foothold here and hold firm, protecting reserves before going into battle. In case of failure retreat in the direction of Moscow. Napoleon planned to turn left flank, squeezed the troops and forced them to capitulate.
The battle for Semyonovskaya village started on the 26th of August (7th of September).French attacked it and Raevsky Battery, as a result of a bloody battle they managed to move 1,5 kilometres forward but the defence stood firm. The brigade lost a half of its manpower, Matvey Khrapovitsky was wounded in his leg, though he didn’t leave his position and continued commanding his units. Borodino Battle lasted the whole day and didn’t have any certain result. According to rough estimates of contemporaries, Russian army lost up to 45000 soldiers, French army up to 35000. But the field of a battle was left for Napoleon that according to the rules of the war of that time considered to be his victory.
But after all Russia won in the war. The Grand Army of Bonaparte ran away, losing its unit transport and people, the fields of war moved to Europe. Izmaylovski regiment distinguished itself in battles near Lutzen, Leipzig, Bautzen. Near Kulm its units showed a genuine heroism, fighting with overwhelming forces of the enemy under the command of General Vandamme. Only courage of guardsmen saved a united Austrian-Russian-Prussian army from a crushing defeat. An arm of commander of the regiment, a count Alexander Ostermann Tolstoy was torn off by a cannonball.
The regiment entered Paris together with other units of Russian guardsmen. For a shown heroism and resilience in the Patriotic War and foreign marches in 1813, it was awarded with three Guardsmen banners « For excellence shown during defeat and expulsion of the enemy from the territory of Russia’. St. George trumpets were given to it « For an excellence in the Battle of Kulm’. The monument to Izmaylovski regiment was erected in 1912 to commemorate a centenary anniversary of the Battle of Borodino near Semenovskaya village.
The units of Izmaylovski regiment under the command of Colonel Matvey Khrapovitsky fought in Borodino field.The troops of Napoleon Bonaparte attacked Russian positions not far from Shevardino village. A fierce battle lasted till night, left wing of Russian troops retreated to the line of defence in Semyonovskaya village which had been prepared beforehand. According to Kutuzov’s idea they should gain a foothold here and hold firm, protecting reserves before going into battle. In case of failure retreat in the direction of Moscow. Napoleon planned to turn left flank, squeezed the troops and forced them to capitulate.
The battle for Semyonovskaya village started on the 26th of August (7th of September).French attacked it and Raevsky Battery, as a result of a bloody battle they managed to move 1,5 kilometres forward but the defence stood firm. The brigade lost a half of its manpower, Matvey Khrapovitsky was wounded in his leg, though he didn’t leave his position and continued commanding his units. Borodino Battle lasted the whole day and didn’t have any certain result. According to rough estimates of contemporaries, Russian army lost up to 45000 soldiers, French army up to 35000. But the field of a battle was left for Napoleon that according to the rules of the war of that time considered to be his victory.
But after all Russia won in the war. The Grand Army of Bonaparte ran away, losing its unit transport and people, the fields of war moved to Europe. Izmaylovski regiment distinguished itself in battles near Lutzen, Leipzig, Bautzen. Near Kulm its units showed a genuine heroism, fighting with overwhelming forces of the enemy under the command of General Vandamme. Only courage of guardsmen saved a united Austrian-Russian-Prussian army from a crushing defeat. An arm of commander of the regiment, a count Alexander Ostermann Tolstoy was torn off by a cannonball.
The regiment entered Paris together with other units of Russian guardsmen. For a shown heroism and resilience in the Patriotic War and foreign marches in 1813, it was awarded with three Guardsmen banners « For excellence shown during defeat and expulsion of the enemy from the territory of Russia’. St. George trumpets were given to it « For an excellence in the Battle of Kulm’. The monument to Izmaylovski regiment was erected in 1912 to commemorate a centenary anniversary of the Battle of Borodino near Semenovskaya village.
