Petr Likhachev was born in 1758 into a noble family of Pskov Governorate. At the age of 14 the young man joined the army as fourrier. His task was purveyance of supplies for the army. He served as sub-officer for quite a long time and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant only in 1784.
Likhachev participated in taking of the Crimea in 1783, in the war against Sweden 1788-1790. In 1793-1808 he fought on the Caucasian line and took part in operations against the highlanders. During that period, Likhachev was promoted to Major General and awarded the Order of Saint Anna, 1st Class for the military expedition against the Nogais in 1804, the Order of Saint George, 3d Class for distinguished conduct under fire in the assault of Chechen Khan Kale fortification in 1807.
In 1809 the General was appointed colonel in chief of the Tomsk infantry regiment. On the 17th of January, 1811 he took up the position of the 24th Infantry Division Commander. During the war of 1812 Likhachev and his division defended Smolensk. He was granted diamond insignia to the Order of Saint Anna for the deed.
In the battle of Borodino on the 26th of August Likhachev’s division defended the Kurgan Battery or Raevsky Battery – a key element of the Russian Army fortification. Chronic rheumatism caused a lot of suffering to Likhachev and he could move about only with difficulty. The enemy cuirassiers and infantry assailed the division lines. One of the attacks resulted in the defenses breaching and Likhachev wounding and taking prisoner.
When the general was taken to Napoleon, the Emperor ordered to return him his sword in acknowledgment of the general’s valour, but Likhachev rejected it saying ‘Capture deprived me of my sword and I can take it back only from my Sire’. At the behest of Napoleon he was sent to France. He was rescued from captivity by the Russian army in Koenigsberg but died there from wounds.
Petr Likhachev portrait was painted post mortem in 1820s in the English painter George Dawe studio. The model which the painters used is unknown. The portrait is part of the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace, commemorating heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Museum-Panorama ‘Battle of Borodino’ hosts the copy of the Portrait of Likhachev dated 1964.
Likhachev participated in taking of the Crimea in 1783, in the war against Sweden 1788-1790. In 1793-1808 he fought on the Caucasian line and took part in operations against the highlanders. During that period, Likhachev was promoted to Major General and awarded the Order of Saint Anna, 1st Class for the military expedition against the Nogais in 1804, the Order of Saint George, 3d Class for distinguished conduct under fire in the assault of Chechen Khan Kale fortification in 1807.
In 1809 the General was appointed colonel in chief of the Tomsk infantry regiment. On the 17th of January, 1811 he took up the position of the 24th Infantry Division Commander. During the war of 1812 Likhachev and his division defended Smolensk. He was granted diamond insignia to the Order of Saint Anna for the deed.
In the battle of Borodino on the 26th of August Likhachev’s division defended the Kurgan Battery or Raevsky Battery – a key element of the Russian Army fortification. Chronic rheumatism caused a lot of suffering to Likhachev and he could move about only with difficulty. The enemy cuirassiers and infantry assailed the division lines. One of the attacks resulted in the defenses breaching and Likhachev wounding and taking prisoner.
When the general was taken to Napoleon, the Emperor ordered to return him his sword in acknowledgment of the general’s valour, but Likhachev rejected it saying ‘Capture deprived me of my sword and I can take it back only from my Sire’. At the behest of Napoleon he was sent to France. He was rescued from captivity by the Russian army in Koenigsberg but died there from wounds.
Petr Likhachev portrait was painted post mortem in 1820s in the English painter George Dawe studio. The model which the painters used is unknown. The portrait is part of the Military Gallery of the Winter Palace, commemorating heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Museum-Panorama ‘Battle of Borodino’ hosts the copy of the Portrait of Likhachev dated 1964.
