Digital copies from “Suvorov” collection to celebrate the 285th birthday anniversary of a great commander

To mark the 285th birthday anniversary of a great Russian general Alexander Suvorov, celebrated November 24, 2014, the Presidential Library features on its website digital copies of rare books about the outstanding military leader.

The fact that the military art of Suvorov was far ahead of his age is now generally acknowledged. However, there was a time, as noted N. Orlov in 1900 in his memorial speech "Tactics of Suvorov" when "...Clausewitz, finding a lot of instructive knowledge in Suvorov’s teaching, comes to the conclusion that he does not "have a strong military logic." Only recently foreigners begin to reward Suvorov according to the deserts. An Austrian, Kriglshteyn Binder, writes: "We boldly, with complete conviction recognize in this majestic offspring of the Slavic tribe a greatest commander, along with Frederick and Napoleon. But do we always and everywhere need foreign authorities? Why cannot we comprehend ourselves a great genius of our Russian commander knowing his deeds, and pay tribute to the memory of a remarkable representative of the Russian people?"

In his "Tactics of Suvorov" Major-General Orlov pays tribute to the military genius of the generalissimo of Catherine's age: "Those features that are usually considered to be worked out during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic era, long before that time had been established in Suvorov's troops.

Attaching great importance to the moral element, Suvorov always considered the spirit higher than the form; he introduced his spirit into tactics, and therefore the most common tactic acquired in his hands a feature that distinguishes the master."

Among the features of Suvorov’s tactics the author notes his attempt to have the unity of governing in the theater. Suvorov had always adapted to circumstances rather than followed the form of the military regulations:

"In 1789, during the Second Turkish War in the reign of Catherine, Suvorov, acting together with the allied Austrian detachment of Prince Coburg, senior in rank, took, however, the initiative of action into his own hands. The Russian general had managed to do so, evading a meeting with his ally (the known anecdote: "Suvorov prays", "Suvorov sleeps") and sent him only a definitive disposition of the upcoming action. That is how Suvorov explained his decision: "We would have spent all the time in all sorts of debate: diplomatic, tactical, enigmatic, while the enemy would have solved our dispute, defeating the tacticians." Mocking at the "tacticians", Suvorov did not wish to express mockery at science, but only at the pedantry, which misused of science."

The commander bore stoically the hard work of war both when he was a soldier, and having obtained the highest military ranks: he slept on straw, got up at dawn, ate simple meal, dressed lightly. He also "...avoided feasts, notes E. D. Zhelyabuzhsky in his "Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov." He cast everything that could indulge the body and relax the soul. Because of this life Suvorov was always healthy and better than others endured hardships of bivouac life."

In the same rare edition of 1873, the author quotes Suvorov himself: "I was praised by kings, loved by soldiers, friends were surprised with me, enemies cursed me, courtiers laughed at me. Being Aesop in the courts, I told the truth through fairy-tales, played the role of Balakirev for the benefit of the Fatherland."

The whole life of Alexander Vasilyevich was dedicated to protecting the Motherland, selfless service, which was the essence of his nature.

Besides books and documents associated with the name of the commander, the public has also greatly enjoyed an exhibition, "Alexander Suvorov: about feats, valor and glory" held in the Presidential Library in October to celebrate the 285th anniversary of the great Russian commander and the 110th anniversary of the opening of the Museum of Alexander Suvorov. The display was organized by the A. V. Suvorov Museum. Digital copies of books from the museum’s library of more than 25,000 items will eventually join the "Suvorov" collection of the Presidential Library, which is always in high demand among readers.