Великие князья Николай Николаевич старший и Михаил Николаевич в Севастополе в 1854–1855 гг.: по официальным документам архива А. И. Философова.

Abstract

This article investigates the question of the political purpose, practical significance and particular results of the visit of the Grand Duke Nicholas Nikolaevich (Senior) of Russia and Grand Duke Michael Nikolaevich of Russia to Sebastopol during the Crimean war in 1854–1855. Despite being mentioned in several generalizing monographs, this episode of their biographies has not yet become an object of a special research. Due to the analyses of the official data of the «Log», that was kept during the Grand Dukes` visit to Sebastopol, and due to the analyses of sources of personal origins, the following conclusions were made: the emperor Nicholas I of Russia attached a great importance to his sons’ visit to the besieged Sebastopol because he expected that the presence of the Grand Dukes would have a positive effect on the martial spirit of the city`s defenders. During the first visit (from October to December 1854) the Grand Dukes performed representative functions, increasing the enthusiasm of the troops. They inspected the field camps, visited the patients in the hospitals, participated in award ceremonies and organized cash giveaways. In December 1854 the Grand Dukes had to interrupt their trip and return to Saint Petersburg because of the illness of their mother, the Empress of Russia Alexandra Feodorovna. But when her condition improved, the Emperor of Russia Nicholas I insisted on their return to Sebastopol, because he was convinced of the high ethical value of their presence in the besieged city. During the second visit (from January to February 1855) they got the appointment on the command positions in Sebastopol and gained experience managing troops in combat. The Sebastopol visit became an important stage in the military career of the Grand Dukes of Russia Nicholas Nikolaevich (Senior) and Michael Nikolaevich.