How a Russian secret agent won Bonaparte's trust: Second after the emperor

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

Russian officer Alexander Chernyshev in his youth untwisted external military intelligence. Having succeeded in this field, he soon took the place of the second person in the military-administrative hierarchy after the sovereign himself. Savvy, courteous, courageous and disposed Chernyshev fell in love with everyone he approached. Carrying a secret mission in France, he was close to Napoleon. Even when the latter was provided with irrefutable evidence of Chernyshev's agent activities, Bonaparte refused to the last to believe in such a possibility.

Combat debut and "blue bird"

Alexander Chernyshev grew up in the Moscow family of Lieutenant General Ivan Chernyshev. After receiving a solid home education from a prestigious French educator, the young man entered the service in the cavalry regiment. The star of the future minister rose under Alexander I. Chernyshev was young, smart, handsome, courteous, courageous and, importantly, extraordinarily lucky. He equally easily attracted both ladies and his superiors, as evidenced by his success in secular and career fields.

On a happy occasion on the days of the coronation of the emperor in 1801, the hero of the occasion accidentally turned to Chernyshev during a dance at a ball. Alexander I was pleasantly surprised by the dexterous and easy response, and the young man was immediately identified as a camera-page, which at that time opened the way for career growth along the military line. Chernyshev firmly grabbed the wing of a bluebird and a year later became a cornet, after three more he was elevated to lieutenant, after 9 he wore colonel's shoulder straps, and at 27 years old - generals. Chernyshev's career growth was helped by the military campaign of 1805-1807 and, in particular, the battle of Austerlitz, for his participation in which he received the first non-rank award - the Vladimir cross with a bow, intended for colonels.

Napoleonic sympathies and a joker-scout

In 1808, the Russian emperor sent Chernyshev with his first diplomatic mission to Napoleon. Soon the cavalry guard settled in the French capital at the Russian mission. The dashing colonel from Russia was popular with the ladies and quickly gained a reputation as a socialite. In Paris, there was even gossip that he seduced Bonaparte's sister Pauline Borghese. Everything could have happened, because Chernyshev, with his usual courage, carried the woman out of the fire in the Austrian residence of the ambassador in his own arms. Any doors were open before the idol of the high society, and the image of a carousel and joker successfully masked his true intentions and special abilities.

During the signing of the peace in Tilsit, Chernyshev was introduced to Napoleon, who noticed solid military awards for such a young officer. When the latter began to recall the battles at Austerlitz and Friedland, a dispute even began between the interlocutors. Chernyshev was not embarrassed and competently refuted the arguments of the first French commander, which conquered and bribed the emperor.

In fact, Chernyshev went to Paris as a military intelligence officer. In between receptions and balls, he headed a network of informants, transmitting valuable information to St. Petersburg. The Russian emperor was sent documents intended for reports to Napoleon himself: mobilization plans, army structure, maps of the movement of units. Alexander I learned about the impending aggression long before the French attack on Russia from Chernyshev, who had his own people in the Ministry of War in Paris.

Counterintelligence signaled to Napoleon about the suspicious gestures of the Russian diplomat, but for a long time there was no direct evidence. Napoleon was sure that a charming Russian joker and merry fellow could not be the one who took strategic secrets from under his nose. Chernyshev, in turn, supplied Bonaparte with information approved by official St. Petersburg, completely lulling the emperor's vigilance.

Declassified Agent

In January 1812, a report from the police minister was put on Napoleon's desk, which contained information about the clandestine activities of the Russian attaché. The emperor traditionally refused to believe that he was being led by the nose, but given the insistence of his own subordinates, he ordered a search of Chernyshev's home in his absence. The results of the search opened Bonaparte's eyes, and he ordered to deal with the traitor. Well aware of the upcoming operation of the French police, Chernyshev decided not to wait for a denouement and, anticipating exposure, left France. Returning to the active army, the dashing commander led a progressive partisan unit into the war of 1812. The light cavalry subordinated to him in 1813-1814 acted in the vanguard of the main forces. Chernyshev distinguished himself in the capture of Luneburg, Berlin, Kassel.

Controversial merits and resignation of the minister

After the ascension to the throne of Nicholas I, the attitude towards Chernyshev changed. On the one hand, the sovereign did not see him as his entourage, but at the same time appreciated him for his professionalism. In 1827, the intelligence officer was appointed acting head of the War Ministry. After 5 years, Chernyshev became the official Minister of War of Russia. Under his leadership, the system of military administration was reformed in Russia, regulations were developed, new fortifications were erected, and new cadet corps were created. But some military historians scold Chernyshev for his unforgivable conservatism. Under him, the introduction of new firearms systems was inhibited in Russia. Perhaps the minister was professionally stuck in an era when he was defeating the superior forces of the French with saber and pike. Times have changed dramatically, and the army continued to quote Suvorov with his winged one: "A bullet is a fool, a bayonet is a fine fellow."

Experts attribute this backwardness even to the failures of the later military campaign of 1853-56. But, according to Andrey Koshkin, a full member of the Academy of Military Sciences, it is unfair to blame Chernyshev alone for the failures of the Crimean War. Shortly before the events, he managed to leave the post of Minister of War, therefore, a number of unsuccessful military-political decisions were made personally by Emperor Nicholas I.

However, the fate of the last Bonaparte was sad. He was openly mocked and called a pygmy.