The Ingermanland Period of the Northern War (1701-1704)

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At a time when active measures were being held in Russia to strengthen the defense, the Swedish king Karl XII directed all his attention to the Saxon Elector. After the battle of Narva, the Swedish troops stopped at the winter apartments in Dorpat (Tartu). Reconnaissance units were displayed at Marienburg and Bonnenburg, 6-thousand. detachment was left in Estland. At the same time, new shelves were quickly formed in Sweden.

In the summer of 1701, the Swedish 11 th. Army moved to Riga, which was again besieged by the Polish-Saxon army. 9 (20) July 1701, the Swedes unexpectedly crossed the Western Dvina and defeated the army of Augustus II. Saxons retreated first to the Stock Exchanges, then to Kovno and on to the Courland. By the end of 1701, the Swedes had captured all the fortifications in Livonia. Karl led his army to Lithuania and Poland and “stuck” there, chasing Augustus. As a result, Karl made Russia a secondary direction, not expecting more trouble from there. To defend the border with the Russian state, he left 15 thousand soldiers. About 8 thousand under the command of Wolmar von Schlippenbach were located in the vicinity of Dorpat and 7 thousand detachment of Abraham Kroniort in Ingermanland and Karelia.

The Russian Tsar set the following task for the troops: to seize Ingermanland and, first of all, the line of the Neva River, securing its left flank in Livonia. The Russian commander Sheremetev had at his disposal up to 40 thousands of bayonets and sabers: in the Pskov direction up to 30 thousand people, in the Novgorod-Ladozh direction 10 thousand detachment Apraksin. In addition, 20 thousand auxiliary Repnin corps was sent to the aid of Elector Augustus.

Initially, both sides were limited to small raids, probing each other’s strength. Tsar Peter ordered Sheremetev to send cavalry detachments to the Livonia regions, disturb the Swedes with frequent raids, destroy his food bases, and gradually teach Russian troops to act against an experienced enemy. Shlippenbach in the winter of 1700-1701 with several hundred dragoons invaded the Pskov lands, looted and burned dozens of villages, then tried to take the Pechersk monastery, which the Cossacks defended, but could not because of the lack of artillery. Mutual raids continued in the summer of 1700.

The Ingermanland Period of the Northern War (1701-1704)


Attempt to seize Arkhangelsk

Swedish Vice Admiral Eric Scheeblad (Sheblad) has developed a plan of attack on Arkhangelsk. This northern port was of great strategic importance for Russia, only through it were maritime trade relations with Western Europe maintained. The capture of Arkhangelsk allowed Russia to be deprived of the supply of European goods. Karl endorsed this idea.

In the spring of 1701, the detachment of the ships of Sheeeblad left Gotenburg, it included the 4 battleship, the 2 frigate and one yacht. To preserve the secrecy of the operation, it was announced that the ships were fishing for whales to the shores of Greenland. But in reality, the ships went to the White Sea. In order for the strike to be sudden, Dutch and English flags were raised on ships.

When the Swedish squadron approached the island of Mudyug, it was located near the mouth of the Northern Dvina, from a Russian coastal observation post made a request for the purpose of the expedition. The Swedes responded that they had profits for commercial purposes. A boat was sent to the ships to inspect the ships, but the Swedes killed the soldiers. Only D. Borisov and translator I. Ryabov were left as pilots.

25 June 1701, Sheeblad was singled out from the 3 squadron of the ship, they had to enter Dvina and approach Arkhangelsk. But the plan failed, Borisov and Ryabov accomplished the feat - they put the Swedish ships stranded at the Novodvinsk fortress. It should be noted that the fortress on 1 thousand. Peter ordered the garrison to be built only at the end of December 1700 - the decree was received by Dvinsky voivode Alexey Prozorovsky. Work began in the spring of 1701, the fortress was built on the island of Linsky in 20 versts from Arkhangelsk. Finished the main work in time for the appearance of the Swedish ships.

Borisov was killed by the Swedes, the wounded Ivan Ryabov managed to escape - he reached the shore by swimming. Stranded Swedish ships came under fire from Russian batteries. All night long there was a battle, as a result, the Swedes were able to remove one frigate from the ground and leave, the crews of other ships moved on it. Two ships - a frigate and a yacht became Russian trophies. Sheeblad was forced to leave the Russian waters, the plan of capture of Arkhangelsk failed.


Engraving of the Novodvinsk Fortress from the book of the travel artist Muscovy Cornelius de Bruyne “Journey through Muscovy”, Amsterdam, 1711.

From the battle of the Rauge manor to the battle of Erestfere

Battle of the manor of Rauge. After a period of cross-border skirmishes, Peter decided to move to more decisive actions. In August, Boris Sheremetev received an order from Peter to send troops to search for the enemy and destroy his territory. 2 (13) September Sheremetev army arrived at the Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery. There, he learned from local residents that significant enemy forces stand in three manor houses - Rappin (Räpino), Neu-Kazarits (Vastse-Kazaritsa) and Rauge (Rõuge).

On September 3, three Russian detachments were sent to the territory of Livonia: the detachment of B.P. Sheremetev’s son, Major General Mikhail Borisovich Sheremetev (about 11 thousand people, but only about 2400 people belonged to regular troops, the rest were irregular troops - Cossacks, Tatars, Kalmyks, etc.); the detachment of Colonel Savva Aigustov (approximately 5 thousand people); detachment of stolnik Yakov Rimsky-Korsakov (3,7 thousand). They were opposed to 3 Thousands of Swedes.

On September 5, a detachment of M. Sheremetyevo attacked the fortified Swedish position at Rappin, where there was a Swedish detachment under the command of Major Anders von Rosen (about 600 people). The Swedes, taking advantage of the fortified position, successfully fought off attempts by the Russian cavalry to cross the river Voo (Vybovka). Sheremetev resorted to a detour - part of the detachment crossed the river southwest of Rappin and attacked the Swedish positions from the rear. As a result, the Swedish squad was defeated: von Rosen and more than four hundred enemies were killed, 80 people captured, seized 3 banners, two guns, another weapon. Only about a hundred people were able to escape.

At the same time, the clash occurred at the manor of Neu-Kazarits. Aigustov's squad destroyed the Swedish guard of the guard, and then struck the enemy post of Baron B. Rehbinder (approximately 160 people). The Swedish commander managed to send a messenger to Schlippenbach, who was in the village of Kirrenpe with the main forces. Rebinder's detachment held back the onslaught of the Russians before the Dragoons Schlippenbach march, which threw Aigustov's detachment abroad (according to H. E. Palli, the Swedes lost 50 people, the Russian 100-150 soldiers).

Another skirmish occurred at the Rauge manor. There was a Swedish detachment under the command of captain von Nolken and captain Brusin (250 man). Initially, success was on the side of the Rimsky-Korsakov detachment, but after the reinforcements arrived, sent out by Shlippenbach, the Russians went abroad.

Both sides claimed victory. Especially Schlippenbach tried - he declared victory in the general battle over the 50 thousandth Russian army (!), While losing just 30 people. The Russian army, according to his report, lost 1,5-2 thousand killed and wounded. As a result, Europe fell into error, the press picked up a triumphant mood, so the Dutch wrote about the defeat of the 100 of the thousand army of "Russian peasants".

Sheremetev also declared victory. A solemn parade was held at the Pechersky Monastery: the seized banners were carried in front, then the cannons were carried and the regiments of victory were walking. A firing of guns and shotguns was arranged. He also underestimated his losses, reporting 85 dead and wounded. In general, we can say that in tactical terms, everyone remained with their own - the Swedes did not allow the invasion into the depths of their territory, the Russians conducted reconnaissance by force. But gradually the strategic initiative began to pass into the hands of the Russian army.

Battle of Erestfere 2 (13) October 1701 of the Year in Russia was declared a “general expedition” to Livonia. Prepared 18-th. housing with 16 tools. 26 December 1701 of the year (6 January 1702 of the year) the body occupied the tract Vybuk. December 28 was broken reconnaissance detachment of the Swedes.

Sheremetev did not allow Schlippbach to concentrate all his forces and imposed a battle on him on December 29. It happened 7 miles from Dorpat in Erestfer (Erastfer). The fight was hard. Initially, success was on the side of the Swedes. They were able to repel the attack of the Russian avant-garde, but with the approach of the main forces, the situation was broken in favor of the Russian army. Sheremetev repeated the attack, simultaneously sending some of the forces around the enemy. After the 4-hour battle, the Swedes were surrounded, the Swedish cavalry wavered and ran, crushing their infantry. It was a success: 8 thsd. Schlippenbach squad was completely crushed and fled, the Swedes lost only killed 3 thou. People, captured 350 people, captured 6 guns. The loss of the Russian corps - 1 thousand killed.

Moscow solemnly celebrated this victory. Sheremetev was promoted to field marshal general, awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (fourth gentleman of this order), officers received gold medals in 7 chervonets dignity (it was the first gold medal in Russia), soldiers in the silver ruble.


M. B. Grekov. "The attack of the Swedes by the Yaroslavl dragoons near the village of Erestfer 29 December 1701 of the year"

Battle of Gummelshof

Within six months after the battle of Erestfer, clashes on the borders of the Russian and Swedish armies continued, but did not take on significant dimensions. Since the summer of 1702, Peter decided to conduct larger operations in the Baltic States.

12 (23) July 1702 of the year 17,5 thousand Sheremetev building made from Pskov. The Russian corps passed through the New Town (in 60 versts from Pskov), where the regimental carts were left and, taking stock for a week, Sheremetev sent troops to the Kerepetskaya manor. There he learned from the prisoners that Shlippenbach with the 9 ths. Detachment with the 16 guns was located at the Sanghe manor. Sheremetev turned the corps to the manor, but Schlippenbach led the troops to the manor Plator. The Russians began to pursue the Swedish squad, but the Swedes retreated across the river Amovzh (Embach), destroyed the bridges, and thus suspended the advance of the Sheremetev corps.

Sheremetev gave the troops a rest, on July 18 (29) three regiments and irregular cavalry (Cossacks, Kalmyks, Tatars) were sent to reconnaissance. The Russian avant-garde, approaching the Amovzhe River, shot down the Swedish posts, installed a ferry and overtook the enemy 15 versts from the river at the Gumelsgof manor.

Shlippenbach decided to crush the detachment detached from the main Russian forces and attacked him. Initially, the Swedes were successful, they even captured several guns. But at this time the main forces of the Sheremetev corps approached. They began a stubborn battle with the enemy. At this time, other parts bypassed the Swedes from the flanks. Schlippenbach's detachment was completely defeated: he himself barely escaped captivity, fled with the dragoons to Pernov, leaving behind infantry and artillery. The Russian corps lost about 1 thousand killed and wounded.

The outcome of the battle was sad for the Swedes: 2 thousand killed, 238 prisoners and 15 seized guns (according to other information - about 5,5 thousand killed and wounded, 308 prisoners, 21 banner seized, the whole convoy). Sheremetev marched across southern Livonia, destroying fortifications, capturing prisoners and food supplies.

After the defeat in the battle of Gummelshof, the Swedish command began to avoid fighting in the open field, and the remaining troops took refuge behind the walls of their fortresses. The whole countryside was left to the mercy of fate - in the autumn of 1702, Russian troops ravaged Livonia, and next year, Estland, “so that the enemy would not have shelter and it would be impossible to file their cities (assistance)”. After these events, Shlippenbach was replaced as commander-in-chief of the southeastern strategic direction by General Adam Levengaupt. Slippenbach was promoted to vice-governor of Estland.

Actions of the Navy

The Russian army needed the support of the Navy, and Peter understood this. In January, Peter ordered the construction of 1701 planes on the Volkhov and Luga rivers in January, at the same time, a census of ships from private owners began on the Ladoga and Onega lakes, on the Svir, Tikhvin and Volkhov rivers.

But that was not enough. In the winter of 1702, a shipyard began to be built on the Syasya river (it flows into Lake Ladoga). A year later, ships began to be built on the Voronezh River, and in the spring of 1703 shipbuilding began on the Svir River. Here, the Olonets shipyards were built at Lodeynoye Pole - they became one of the main enterprises in the process of creating the Russian Baltic fleet. The first ship built at the Olonets shipyards in 1703 was the 28-gun frigate “Standart”.

The advancing Russian troops were greatly benefited by detachments of small river boats (karbas, boats, etc.), which were used to transport goods along rivers and lakes. For combat operations, teams of soldiers were planted on them (10-20 people). In May, a squad of Russian ships met with a Swedish squadron led by Commander Lesherny (Losherny) in the Strait of 1702 in the Strait connecting Peipsi and Pskov Lakes. The fight lasted three days. The Swedes drowned several karbas, but the Russians did not retreat, trying hard to get close to enemy ships and engage in hand-to-hand combat. As a result, the victory was left to the Russian squad, the Swedes retreated, losing three yachts - they were taken aboard. Russian squad broke into Lake Peipsi.

There were military operations on Lake Ladoga; a Swedish squadron of Vice Admiral Numers was operating there. 15 June 1702, the Swedish ships stood at the mouth of the river Crows, the Swedish crews robbed on the bank of the village. Russian squad struck a sudden blow, the Swedes retreated. Another battle took place at Kexholm, a Russian detachment from 30 ships attacked the squadron of Numers. The Swedes lost several ships and, before 300, killed and wounded people.

As a result, the Swedish command removed its squadron from Lake Ladoga, ceasing to feel safe there. Swedish ships on the Neva brought into the Gulf of Finland. The Russian army received an excellent opportunity to take the fortress Noteburg (Old Russian Nut) at the source of the Neva River.


"Standard"

Taking Noteburg

The fortress was of strategic importance, as it closed the exit from Lake Ladoga to the sea. No Russian ship could pass this fortress. The Swedes were well aware of the significance of this fortress, so the Noteburg was long before the Northern War was turned into the main stronghold for control over the conquered territories. On its walls and bastions stood 150 guns, the garrison numbered 450 people. An additional difficulty was that the fortress was located on the island, and it was believed that it could not be taken by storm.

In August, Peter 1702 personally spoke with the guard from Arkhangelsk (where he was at the time leading the construction of the fleet), sending an order to Sheremetev about the concentration of forces around the fortress. In late September, Sheremetev's army occupied both banks of the Neva near the fortress. To block the fortress from the sea, 50 boats were dragged dragged from Lake Ladoga to the Neva. On the banks of the battery installed for shelling the fortress.

In total, the besiegers had more than 12 thousand soldiers directly at the Nut and more than 20 thousand at the closest approaches to it, on the banks of the 51 laid siege gun. The Swedish commander Gustav von Schlippenbach thought he would be assisted by the commander-in-chief of the Swedish forces in Ingria Kroniort and refused to capitulate. But help to the Swedish garrison did not come: shortly before the beginning of the siege of Noteburg -13 (August 24), Apraksin routed the Kroniort detachment on the bank of the Izhora River.



1 (12) October 1702, the bombardment of the fortress began, it lasted ten days and partially damaged the walls of Noteburg. But the full breach failed. 11 (22) of October began storming the fortress, the soldiers were thrown into the walls by boat. The battle was 12-hours, but the Swedes stubbornly fought off all the attacks, the Russian troops suffered heavy losses. As a result, Peter decided to continue the siege and stop the assault. The position was saved by the initiative of Prince Mikhail Mikhailovich Golitsyn. He refused to depart: "I do not belong to you, sir, now I belong to God alone." And he ordered to push the boats away from the shore, so that the soldiers would not have the temptation to retreat (some of them ran away, the deserters were then hanged). They were sent to the aid of a detachment under the leadership of A. Menshikov. A hundred soldiers led by Menshikov managed to break through to one of the walls. As a result, the Swedes, having exhausted the possibilities of resistance, capitulated. The capitulation was accepted on honorable terms (respecting the enemy's courage), the Swedish garrison was released on all four sides, they kept the banners.

Totals. The Swedes lost 367 people killed and wounded. The total loss of the Russian army is about 2 thousand people. Russia returned the ancient Russian fortress Oreshek. Peter called it Shlisselburg - "key-city", because it opened the way to the capture of the mouth of the Neva.



1703 Campaign

In 1703, the Russian army continued the offensive. Having captured the middle course of the Neva, the Russian troops prepared for an assault on Nyenskans. This fortress was located at the mouth of the Ohta River (it flows into the Neva) and closed the exit from the Neva to the Gulf of Finland. The fortress was located on the Okhta promontory. In Nyenskanz there was a garrison of 600 soldiers with 75 guns.

At the end of April 1703, 20, the thousand army of Sheremetev marched along the right bank of the Neva River to the fortress. 25 April (6 May) Russian 2 thousand vanguard, sent on ships, attacked the Swedish post (150 people) at the entrance to the fortress and defeated him. On the same day, the main forces of the Russian army began to approach the fortress. The fortress was blocked. 26 April (7 May) to the Nyenskans on ships arrived the king with artillery (16 mortars, 48 siege guns) and siege tools.

Preparations for the assault began: trenches and trenches were being dug, batteries were being built. On April 30, the commandant was offered to capitulate. After the refusal, the bombing of the fortress began. 1 (12) in May after the 12-hour assault, the fortress capitulated. 5 May two Swedish ships from the squadron of Numers, not knowing that the fortress had fallen, approached her and anchored. Peter and Menshikov at the head of the squad of guardsmen on rowing ships attacked the Swedes and took the ships to board the ship. About the fierceness of the battle says the fact that from the 77 people of the Swedish crews were killed 58 people. In honor of this victory, a medal was issued with the inscription: "The Impossible happens."

Having seized the river Neva completely, Peter decided to consolidate his position on it. Already 16 in May 1703, the Peter and Paul Fortress was laid on the banks of the Neva, marked the beginning of the construction of a new capital of Russia - St. Petersburg. Nyenskans were razed. In the same year, in order to protect the new city from the sea, the Kronslot (Kronstadt) fortress began to be built. In winter, two regiments were landed on Kotlin Island, which began to build temporary dwellings and coastal fortifications. The commandant of the fortress received an order to keep the defense until the last soldier.

In late May - early June 1703, the Russian troops captured the fortress of Yam, Koporye, Marienburg. As a result, the ancient Izhora land was liberated. The Kroniort squad was defeated. He held a strong position - on the Sestra River, which flows into the Gulf of Finland, creating a threat to St. Petersburg from the north. July 9 at the river Sisters at Toutselke Peter with 4 dragoons and two guards regiments broke 4 thousand Swedes detachment. Kroniort was dropped on the line Vyborg - Kexholm.



1704 Campaign

This year, the Russian command planned to seize Narva, Ivangorod and Dorpat. The Swedish command, in order to divert Russian forces from Livonia and return the mouth of the Neva to their own hands, decided to deliver a combined strike from the sea and land. Sister was concentrated on the river and marched to St. Petersburg 8 thousand detachment of General I. Maydel. He was discovered in advance and prepared for defense.

2 (13) July, the Swedes began shelling Russian positions, after the 4-hour battle, they did not dare to force the river and were forced to retreat. The Swedes returned to r. Sister At the same time, the Swedes tried to attack from the sea. On July 12 (23), a squadron of Admiral de Prouat approached Kotlin with the 1 thsd landing party. The assault was repulsed, the two-day bombardment of the Russian positions yielded nothing and the Swedes retreated. In early August, another attempt by Meidel to seize Petersburg was repelled. In the winter of 1704, a new attempt by the Swedish Navy to capture Kotlin was repelled.

At this time, 22 thousand army Sheremetev approached Dorpat. The city defended the 5 thousand garrison with 120 guns under the command of K. Schutte. Sheremetev tentatively secured himself from Lake Peipsi - there was a Swedish flotilla of 13 ships deployed there under the command of Commander Löscher (she wintered on the Embach River). The count gave an order to General Verdun with several infantry regiments on ships to occupy the mouth of the river and not to let the Swedish flotilla out of the river. The General placed the troops on both sides of the river, where it is narrowing, set up an ambush, waited for the Swedish ships and captured their entire flotilla.

Before the assault, Dorpat was bombarded with 24 siege guns, 15 mortars, 7 howitzers. On the night of 13 (24) in July, the assault began, Russian troops captured the raelin in front of the Russian gates. The 6 fire captured the Swedish guns destroyed the Russian gates and captured the Powder Tower. After that, the commandant, Colonel Schutte, capitulated. With the capture of Dorpat (and the subsequent capture of Narva), Russia secured Peipsi Lake from the appearance of the Swedish Navy in it and strengthened its Russian presence in the Baltic States.

After the capture of Dorpat, the Russian army moved to Narva. 14 July the fortress was lined. In Narva there was a 4,5 thousand garrison with 432 guns under the command of Rudolf Horn. In Ivangorod there was a small detachment, but with 128 guns. Peter offered Gorn to surrender the fortress. But he laughed at the king, recalling the 1700 siege of the year.

The Swedes tried to help the garrison. The squadron of Admiral de Prouat twice tried to approach the fortress and land landing forces, but the Swedes forced the coastal batteries to retreat with strong fire.

The fortress was subjected to 10-day artillery fire. The bombardment brought down part of the fortress artillery and failed to break through the gaps in the walls of the three bastions. 9 (20) August at 2 hours of the day began the assault. In the first line went 3 columns (1,6 thousand people) under the command of the General Semenov Chambers Regiment, Prince Repnin and Menshikov. An hour later, the Russian shock columns captured the main shaft. The Swedes retreated to the old town, the commandant ordered to capitulate. But the noise of the battle drowned out the signals of the Swedes. The garrison was largely exterminated. Menshikov and Peter were able to stop the slaughter a few hours after the capture. A week after the fall of Narva, Ivangorod capitulated.


A. E. Kotzebue, Taking Narva.

Results of the 1701-1704 campaign

- For four years after the defeat near Narva, the Russian army seized the whole Izhora land (Ingria), cleared a large part of Estland and Livonia from the Swedes. For Sweden, there were only Revel, Pernov and Riga.

- The fortresses of Shlisselburg, Petropavlovsk, Kronslot, Yamburg, Dorpat became a powerful pillar of Russia in the territories captured by the Russian army.

- The Baltic Fleet was laid.

- The Russian army received a unique experience of war with a strong opponent, capture of well-fortified fortresses.

- The Russian command correctly chose the main direction of the strike, consistently developed success. The slowness of the actions of the Russian armed forces during this period of the Northern War was due to its organizational shortcomings and the stubborn resistance of the Swedes.


The actions of the Russian army and navy in 1702-1704 years.
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  1. Igor
    +4
    10 February 2012 15: 18
    But the plan failed, Borisov and Ryabov accomplished a feat - they put Swedish ships aground at the Novodvinsk fortress.

    Oh, these Russian guides! They constantly lead the enemies to the wrong place.
    1. +3
      10 February 2012 17: 05
      Igor, here you are wrong, just from there was the best view of the fortress !! laughing lol
  2. smoke
    +2
    10 February 2012 17: 31
    it's time to follow in the footsteps of Peter, then Narva Yes

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