Garrison Artillery in Northwest Russia in the 1710s: Management Features

Abstract

Introduction. The article discusses the relationship between various departments and leaders associated with the management of garrison artillery in the 1710s. Methods. Documents preserved in the archives of the Order of Artillery allow us to understand the principles of this administration, especially in the part of supplying fortresses with guns and ammunition. Analysis and results. The main body of documentary materials on the issue which is of interest to us is preserved in the archives of the Order of Artillery (Archive of the Military Historical Museum of Artillery, Engineers and Signal Corps). In addition, important information was found in the correspondence of the Admiralty Office (in the Russian State Archive of the Navy), as well as in the letters of Peter I (they are published). The artillery department was involved in the supply, and the reports were sent from the fortresses about how many and what tools there were in the fortresses. But in the military situation, Peter I himself often interfered in the matter, and the heads of the provinces often gave orders for the transfer of ammunition from one garrison to another. This was especially frequent in the first years of the war, since then fortresses were often used as strongholds for siege operations, and in such cases some of the guns were taken from them for those corps that carried out these sieges. Management in the years of the Northern War was very confusing and largely depended on the relationship in the command of Peter I, as well as on the nature of military operations.