Nikolay Samokish, a battle painter, created several drawings and artworks to commemorate the 100th anniversary of 1812 Patriotic war, including Heroic Feat of Rayevsky’s Soldiers at Saltanovka. This painting represents a legendary episode of the battle near Saltanovka village. On July 11 (23 old style), 1812, Lieutenant General Rayevsky, Commander of the 7th Infantry Corps, headed the attack of Smolensky Regiment against the forces of Napoleon’s Marshal Louis Nicolas Davout. Rayevsky was accompanied by his sons Aleksandr and Nikolay, aged sixteen and ten.
In a letter to his wife, Rayevsky proudly mentioned the bravery of the boys:
In a letter to his wife, Rayevsky proudly mentioned the bravery of the boys: