Count Alexander Ivanovich Ostermann-Tolstoy (1771 – 11 February 1857) was a General of infantry (1817), the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812.
Alexander Ivanovich Tolstoy was born into the family of Ivan Matveeviča Tolstoy (1746-1808) (whose mother was the daughter of count a. Count Osterman's Corps, diplomat, companions of Peter the great) and Agrafeny Il′iničny Bibikovoj. Empress Catherine II allowed herself during the young Tolstoy in 1796 to take the title, the name and coat of arms of kind Ostermanov from his childless dvorûrodnyh grandparents — Fyodor and Ivan count Osterman's Corps.
A. Tolstoy on customs from a very early age recorded for military service in the life guard Preobrazhensky Regiment. The 14-year-old age he was an ensign for seniority. Military service began in 1788, in the war against the Turks, was in the army of Prince Potemkin. Participated in 1790 under the command of Suvorov's storm of Izmail, awarded for distinguished order of St. George, 4th class. In 1793 he served in the egerskom package formed Bugsky m. i. Kutuzov — husband Emperor of Catherine Il′iničny Bibikovoj.
In February 1798, Osterman-Tolstoy, taking the title and surname of Countess Ostermanov, promoted to General-majors at the age of 28 years and appointed Chief of Šlissel′burgskogo musketeer Regiment. Suddenly all the 2 months removed from military service and rank valid statskogo Adviser, stripped from military service. The reason the doghouse of King Paul I was simple, the new King did not like the favourite of his mother, Catherine II. Only after accession to the throne Alexander Osterman-Tolstoy was in 1801 to return to the army.
With the beginning of the wars against Napoleon in 1805, General Ostermann at the theatre of hostilities. In 1806, promoted to Lieutenant.
In the spring of 1807, the territory of Prussia took military actions against the Corps of Marshal Ney, who sought to cut off the Russians from Koenigsberg. 24 may, avant-garde Bagration, which was a division of count Osterman's Corps-Tolstoy, took a hit than the enemy. In this battle Ostermann was wounded in the leg by a bullet the play-off. In October 1810, Osterman, jacked up the wound, the resignation of the right to wear uniforms, but immediately went back into service with the start of the Patriotic War of 1812.
During the war he commanded the 4th Infantry Corps of the 1st Western army Barclay de Tolly, scored ostrovno and Borodine. Under Near Osterman-Tolstoy was wounded, but after a few days back.
Earl is famous for its words, spoken to them in the battle of ostrovno: "Violently boomed an enemy artillery and vyryvala entire series brave the Russian regiments. It was difficult to carry our guns, charges they rasstrelâlis′ the guns have fallen. Ask Earl: "what should I do?" "Nothing, he is responsible, is stand and die!" (C.N. Glinka).
In the campaign of 1813, Osterman-Tolstoy glorified his name on August 17 in brilliant battle of Kulm where he lost his left hand, one heart. Russian artist Vasily Kondratievich Sazonov painted depicting count Osterman's Corps-Tolstoy during the surgery, has over him at the battle of Kulm. Even earlier, on May 9, 1813 in the battle under the Baucenom he was wounded by a bullet in the shoulder.
King of Prussia awarded count Osterman's Corps Great Prussian Iron Cross, an award which was presented in their history only seven times. Victory at Kulm closed the Napoleon road in Bohemia, and the people of the Czech Republic made the hero of the battle of the gift. In the State Historical Museum is the hrabromu Cup, podnesennyj Ostermanu from the Czech women's in memory of Kulm on 17 August 1813, and jacket, which was Osterman tolstoi when injured.
Osterman returned to Petersburg in early 1814, and was immediately appointed as aide-de-camp to General Alexander i. in this capacity until his death the emperor. In 1816, he was appointed commander of the Grenadier Corps. In August 1817 gets Chin-from-infantry, but his health after a severe wounds was so shaken that he be released the same year and dismissed from the Corps in indefinite leave, while continuing to be listed in the military service.
In the early 1820s Osterman-Tolstoy lived in Saint Petersburg in his home on the promenade.
During the Suppression of the Decembrist revolt in 1825 some rebel officers (e. Zavalishin, n. Bestuzhev and Kuhelbecker) took refuge in the House of count Osterman's Corps-Tolstoy, located on the promenade. Among the Decembrists were relatives of count Osterman's Corps, for whom he unsuccessfully strove.
After Nicholas I's accession to the throne, not poladiv with the new emperor, Osterman-Tolstoy went to Italy.
In 1828, count Osterman traveled be Emperor Nicholas I, to offer their services during the Turkish campaign; his proposal was not adopted. Count Osterman's corps finally dismissed from the service with permission to travel abroad. Alexander Ivanovich again went to Rome, then settled in Geneva, where he spent almost 20 years, occasionally leaving abroad.
