Lev Mikhailovich Yashvil

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
AllegianceRussian Empire
Service/branchImperial Russian Army
  • Artillery & Army
Years of service1786-1836
RankGeneral of the Artillery
Commands heldAdvanceguard at Chashniki (1812)
Chief of Artillery of the Russian army (1813 - 1814)
Chief of Artillery of the First Western Army (1819 - 1832)
Battles/wars
Awards Weapons:
Signature

Prince Lev Mikhailovich Yashvil (Russian: Лев Михайлович Яшвиль), also known as Levan Mikheilis dze Iashvili (Georgian: ლევან მიხეილის ძე იაშვილი) (1772 - April 19, 1836) was a Georgian nobleman and a general of the Imperial Russian Army. Yashvil took part in a number of significant military campaigns, including during the French invasion of Russia, the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792) and the Kościuszko Uprising.

Family

Yashvil was born to an émigré Georgian noble family of Iashvili. He had an older brother Vladimir, who would also rise to the rank of a General and become personally involved in the assassination of Emperor Paul I of Russia.

Military career

Wars with Turkey and Poland

Yashvil graduated from the cadet corps as an artillery officer in 1786 and took part in the Russo-Turkish War (1787–1792), earning the rank of lieutenant after the success at Kinburn and Ochakov.

Following the peace treaty Yashvil deployed to Poland for the Polish campaign of 1794, where he played a decisive role in initial victories that culminated in the unsuccessful Siege of Warsaw. His deeds during battle and for the capture of the suburb of Praga and eventually the city itself (Warsaw), Yashvil was awarded with the orders of Saint Vladimir 2nd and Saint George 4th degree.

From 1794 to 1799 Yashvil was part of the Guard Horse Artillery. He was promoted to captain in 1799 and colonel the following year and from 1801 to 1806 was transferred to several Guard battalions of the artillery. In that period he took upon himself to restore and modernise the Russian artillery.

Napoleonic wars

With the

Gold Sword for Bravery and one of the two highest Prussian military honors Pour le Mérite
. In addition he was declared the most valuable asset of the campaign.

In 1808 Yashvil was promoted to

lieutenant-general. Following the French retreat from Russia, Yashvil was appointed commander of the Russian artillery in 1813. For his participation in the Prussian and Saxony campaigns, he received several more decorations, including the second highest Prussian award, the Order of the Red Eagle
.

During a field inspection of the army in Champagne, Russian regent Alexander I awarded general Yashvil with the Order of Saint Vladimir 1st degree, for the brilliant state of the imperial artillery. Throughout his service he maintained good and favourable relations with the tsar.

Later years

Grave of General Yashvil

After the war with the French and his return to Russia, Yashvil served as the commander of artillery of the

Kiev. The general was buried at the Vydubychi Monastery.[1]

Awards

Order of St. Andrew
Order of Saint Alexander Nevsky
Pour le Mérite
Order of the Red Eagle
Two times Order of Saint Vladimir (1st and 2nd Grade)
Two times Order of St. George (3rd and 4th Grade)
Order of Saint Anna (1st Grade)
Order of Saint John
Two times

Gold Sword for Bravery

See also

References

  1. ^ (in Russian) Яшвиль, Лев Михайлович. museum.ru. Accessed on May 11, 2008.