Dmitry Milyutin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Count Dmitry Alekseyevich Milyutin
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| Дмитрий Алексеевич Милютин | |
General Dmitry Milyutin in 1865
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| Minister of War | |
| In office 16 May 1861 – 21 May 1881 |
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| Monarch | Alexander II Alexander III |
| Preceded by | Nikolay Sukhozanet |
| Succeeded by | Pyotr Vannovsky |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 28 June 1816 Moscow, Moscow Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Died | 25 January 1912 (aged 95) Simeiz, Taurida Governorate, Russian Empire |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Russian Empire |
| Branch/service |  Russian Imperial Army |
| Years of service | 1836-1881 |
| Rank | Field Marshal |
| Battles/wars | Caucasian War Crimean War Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878) |
| Awards | see awards |
Count Dmitry Alekseyevich Milyutin (born June 28, 1816, in Moscow – died January 25, 1912, in Simeiz) was a very important figure in the Russian Empire. He was a military expert and served as the Minister of War from 1861 to 1881. He was also the last person to be named a Field Marshal in Imperial Russia. Milyutin is famous for making big changes to the Russian army in the 1860s and 1870s. These changes made the army much stronger and more modern.
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Becoming a Military Leader
Dmitry Milyutin finished his studies at Moscow University in 1833. He then went on to graduate from the Nicholas Military Academy in 1836. Instead of working in government like his brother, Dmitry chose a military career.
He joined the Caucasian War (1839–1845) as a volunteer. During this war, he got seriously hurt. After recovering, he went back to the military academy to teach as a professor.
Milyutin's Smart Ideas
In the years that followed, Milyutin became known as a very smart scholar. He believed that studying military facts and numbers (statistics) was very important. He wrote the first big book on this topic, which won him the Demidov Prize in 1847.
Milyutin greatly admired the famous general Suvorov. He thought Suvorov's 1799 campaign in Italy was a perfect example of military skill. Milyutin wrote a detailed five-volume book about this campaign in 1852 and 1853.
Fixing the Army
Milyutin used his knowledge to figure out why Russia lost the Crimean War. He then came up with some bold ideas to improve the army. Emperor Alexander II liked his ideas and made Milyutin the Minister of War in 1861. A few years before this, Milyutin also helped capture Imam Shamil, which ended the long Caucasian War.
Minister of War
Dmitry Milyutin was the Minister of War for a long time, from May 16, 1861, to May 21, 1881. During his time, he made many important changes to the Russian military.
Big Changes to the Army
One of his biggest reforms was introducing a new system for military service. Before, soldiers served for 25 years. Milyutin changed it so that all men aged 21 had to serve for 6 years. This rule applied to everyone, even nobles.
He also created military districts across the country. This helped organize the army better. The way soldiers were educated also changed, and all new recruits could get a basic education. Milyutin's reforms were a huge step forward for Russia. Before his changes, the Russian Army often lived in temporary shelters, not proper barracks.
Success in War
The success of Milyutin's reforms was clear during the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878). During this war, the Russian army struggled to capture the city of Pleven three times. Many people thought they should give up. But Milyutin ordered them to continue the siege in a more organized way. This decision led to a victory for Russia.
After the war, Milyutin set up a group to look into problems that came up during the siege, like issues with food supplies. Because of his great service, he was given the title of Count and received many high honors, including the Order of Saint Andrew.
Later Life
After the Congress of Berlin, Milyutin took over as the main leader of Russia's foreign policy. However, when Emperor Alexander II was assassinated in 1881, Milyutin's position became uncertain. He resigned from his job soon after.
In 1898, when Emperor Alexander II's 80th birthday was celebrated, Milyutin was promoted to Field Marshal. He was the first person to receive this high military rank in many years, and he was the last in the history of the Russian Empire. He passed away in Simeiz in 1912.
Honours and Awards
Dmitry Milyutin received many awards for his service, both from Russia and other countries.
From Russia
- Order of St. Anna, 1st and 2nd class
- Order of the White Eagle
- Order of St. Stanislaus, 1st and 3rd class
- Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class
- Order of St. Alexander Nevsky
- Order of St. Andrew
- Demidov Prize
- Order of St. George, 2nd class
From Other Countries
Kingdom of Romania
- Order of the Star of Romania
Kingdom of Prussia:
- Grand Cross of the Order of the Red Eagle
- Pour le Mérite (military award)
- Knight of the Order of the Black Eagle
Austrian Empire:
- Knight of the Imperial Order of the Iron Crown, 2nd Class
- Grand Cross of the Austrian Imperial Order of Leopold
French Third Republic
- Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
- French Order of Academic Palms
Kingdom of Sweden:
- Knight of the Royal Order of the Seraphim
Kingdom of Denmark:
- Knight of the Order of the Elephant
Kingdom of Hungary:
- Grand Cross of the Royal Hungarian Order of St. Stephen
Grand Duchy of Mecklenburg-Strelitz
- House Order of the Wendish Crown
Principality of Serbia
- Order of the Cross of Takovo
Principality of Montenegro
- Order of Prince Danilo I
Qajar dynasty
- Order of the Lion and the Sun
