BAGRATION

bagration, peter, prince (1765-1812), russian general descended from the noble georgian family of the bagratides was born in 1765. he entered the russian army in 1782, and served for some years in the caucasus. he was engaged in the siege of ochakov (1788), and in the polish campaign of 1794, being present at the taking of praga and warsaw. his merits were recognized by suvarov, whom he accompanied in the italian and swiss campaign of 1799, winning particular distinction by the capture of the town of brescia. in the wars of 1805 his achievements were even more brilliant. with a small rearguard he successfully resisted the repeated attacks of forces five times his own numbers (hollabruenn), and though half his men fell, the retreat of the main army under kutusov was thereby secured. at austerlitz he was engaged against the left wing of the french army, under murat and lannes, and at eylau, heilsberg and friedland he fought with the most resolute and stubborn courage. in 1808 by a daring march across the frozen gulf of finland he captured the aland islands, and in 1809 he commanded against the turks at the battles of rassowa and tataritza. in 1812 he [v.03 p.0207] commanded the 2nd army of the west, and though defeated at mogilev (23rd july), rejoined the main army under barclay, and led the left wing at borodino (7th sept.), where he received a mortal wound. a monument was erected in his honour by the tsar nicholas i. on the battlefield of borodino.