A prominent military leader A. V. Suvorov in the historical documents and memories of contemporaries — on the Presidential Library website

On November 24, 2017, is celebrated the next anniversary of birth of the great Russian military leader Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov. An extensive array of sources dedicated to an exclusive commander who has not lost a single battle is available on the Presidential Library website. The collection contains the digital copies of research works, popular science publications, collections of documents and visual materials.

The books, authored by the Generalissimo himself, deserve a particular attention. Among them there is a detailed A biography of Alexander Suvorov, written by himself in 1786, from which the reader, in particular, learns the history of Suvorov family: “In 1622, during the lifetime of Tsar Mikhail Feodorovich, Nome and Suvar left Sweden and upon receipt their petition were granted the Russian citizenship. The above honored men were divided in to different kinds, and Suvor’s became known as Suvorov.”

Biographical study The famous commander, His Highness Prince Alexander Suvorov of 1885 tells about the young years of the future commander: “He was a sickly and a weak child, thin and short of stature, that is why his father was afraid to send him into military service, but were preparing for civil. The boy was very fond of reading — especially the books describing campaigns and battles. From reading these kind of books he has developed such a passion for military service that he wish for nothing more then it.” Young Alexander already in his early years had a strong character and incredible will, so his ailing did not become an obstacle to the realization of the dream: “To strengthen his health, young Suvorov tried to accustom himself to the cold and to the heat, ran tirelessly through the meadows, swam in early spring and late fall. Finally, my father decided to change his mind and agreed to assign his son in the regiment.”

The collection of the Presidential Library includes an electronic copy of the 1900-year edition Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov in his own manuscripts, which contains the autograph of the commander in Italian. Here he himself describes the beginning of his career: “…enrolled in the soldiers on October 22, 1742; awarded the title of Corporal on April 25, 1747; of sub-lieutenant — on December 22, 1749; of sergeant — on June 8, 1751; released as lieutenant on April 25, 1754 at the age of 24.”

Such a beginning of the career has given him the opportunity to deserve the undisputed authority of his subordinates, according to the essay The famous commander, His Highness Prince Alexander Suvorov: “Serving in the lower ranks, Suvorov lived in barracks, ate soldier’s food, he cleaned his dress himself and always with a special willing fulfilled all the soldiers’ duties. During the soldier’s service, his health got much strengthened, he used to enduring fatigue, bad weather and various hardships better than others. In addition, he became closer to the soldiers, learned their habits and needs, and soldiers fell in love with him. When he was already commander-in-chief, only one of his words was enough to inspire them; with him they were forgetting a danger and a fatigue, they threw themselves into the river, tore into the fire and climbed into the impregnable fortresses.”

It is interesting to look at Alexander Vasilyevich through the eyes of his contemporaries. The electronic collection includes several books with memories of the commander. For example, the adjutant of Suvorov, E. B. Fuchs, in his notes entitled Anecdotes of the Prince of Italy, the Count of Rymnik Suvorov says: “It always struck me, astounded me how such a man, face to face the cleverest, so well educated, whenever he steps away from the threshold of his office becomes such a joker, a prankster <…>. He played comedy with people, and fooled around on the stage, and spectators applauded him. Once, out of patience, I ventured to ask him, what does all this mean? “Nothing, — he replied: this is just my manner.”

The personality of the commander, the distinctive features of his character and appearance, as well as his habits, are revealed in the 1808-year edition of The spirit of the great Suvorov, or real anecdotes of about the Prince of Italy, the Count of Rymnik Alexander Vasilievich Suvorov. It includes, among others, the unique correspondence of Suvorov: letters from Catherine the Great and Paul I, as well as the rulers of Germany, Prussia, Poland. In one of these messages the generalissimo explained his point of view on what qualities a true military leader should have: “…he is very brave, but without passion; quick with reasoning; subordinate without humiliation, the boss without excessive hope on himself, the winner without vanity, devoting without arrogance, noble without pride, flexible in everything without guile, tight without stubbornness, modest without pretense…” In the same book there is a collection of documents of the commander, including the ones about the science and tactics of battles, shooting skills, rules of combat.

Special attention should be paid to A. V. Suvorov’s separate military theoretical work entitled The Science of Victory, which is also included in the digital selection. The 1913-year edition of is accompanied by his own illustrations and layouts of the commander, explaining his thoughts.

An entire section of the collection of the Presidential Library is dedicated to Alexander Suvorov’s military activity. It included such publications as Suvorov as the soldier: 1742—1754 (The results of archival sources related to his service in the lower rank) of the 1900-year edition, the three-volume Generalissimos prince Suvorov of 1884, A. V. Suvorov among the reformers of the Catherine’s Army of 1886, The storm of Ismail by Suvorov in 1790 (With the portraits, drawings and layouts) of 1890, the books entitled Suvorov’s campaigns in Italy and Switzerland of 1846, The analysis of Suvorov’s military engagements in Italy in 1799 of 1892, The end of Poland and Suvorov of 1900 and many others.

Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov died in St. Petersburg on May 6 (18), 1800, and was buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra. Only three words are inscribed on his tombstone: “Here lies Suvorov,” directly as the great commander and humble man has appointed.