Mikhail Kamensky facts for kids
Count Mikhail Fedotovich Kamensky (Russian: Михаи́л Федо́тович Каме́нский; 19 May 1738 – 12 August 1809) was an important Field Marshal in the Russian Empire. He played a big role in wars during the time of Empress Catherine the Great and during the Napoleonic campaigns.
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Life and Military Career
Mikhail Kamensky started his military journey as a volunteer with the French army between 1758 and 1759. After that, he took part in the Seven Years' War, a major conflict involving many European powers.
Important Roles and Battles
In 1783, Kamensky was made Governor General of two regions in Russia: Ryazan and Tambov guberniyas. A Governor General was like a high-ranking leader in charge of a large area.
During the war with Turkey in 1788, he led Russian forces to victory against the Turks. This happened at a place called Gangur in Moldavia.
He had also helped in an earlier war with the Turks, the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774. In that conflict, he worked with Alexander Suvorov, who was a very famous Russian general. Together, they helped win the Battle of Kozludzha, which brought that war to an end.
Challenges and Retirement
Later, when Prince Potemkin, a powerful military leader, became ill, he gave command of the army to Mikhail Kakhovsky. However, Kamensky refused to follow Kakhovsky's orders. He felt that because he had been in the army longer, he should be in charge. Because of this, he was removed from military service.
In 1797, Emperor Paul I gave Kamensky the special title of count. After this, Kamensky officially retired from the army.
Return to Command and Final Years
In 1806, Kamensky was called back to lead the Russian army in Prussia. This army was fighting against the French forces led by Napoleon in the War of the Fourth Coalition. However, after only six days in command, just before a big fight called the battle of Pułtusk, he said he was ill. He then gave command to Feodor Buxhoeveden and went back to his home near Oryol.
Mikhail Kamensky was known for how he treated his serfs, who were like workers tied to the land. In 1809, at 71 years old, he died due to an incident involving one of his workers.
He had two sons who also became generals: Sergei Kamensky and Nikolai Kamensky. Interestingly, the famous British actor Helen Mirren is one of his descendants.
