Preparation of the second Azov campaign
Tsar Peter carried out "work on mistakes" and considered that the main problem is the river, marine component. The construction of a "sea caravan" - military and transport ships and vessels began immediately. This venture had many opponents - there was too little time for this task (one winter), the question was difficult from the point of view of organization, attraction of resources, etc. But the plan was steadily implemented. From Moscow came one after another decrees, orders to the governors, city governors on the mobilization of people and resources.
Already in January 1696, at the shipyards of Voronezh and in Preobrazhenskoye (a village near Moscow on the banks of the Yauza, there was the residence of Peter's father, Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich), a large-scale construction of ships and vessels was launched. The galleys built in Preobrazhenskoye were dismantled, transported to Voronezh, reassembled there and launched on the Don. Peter ordered to make 1,300 plows, 30 sea boats, 100 rafts by the spring. For this, carpenters, blacksmiths, and working people were mobilized from all over Russia. The Voronezh region was not chosen by chance; for the local population, the construction of river vessels has been a common trade for more than one generation. In total, over 25 thousand people were mobilized. From all over the country, not only foremen and workers were traveling, but also carrying materials - timber, hemp, resin, iron, etc. Work proceeded quickly, and by the beginning of the campaign the plows had built even more than planned.
The task of building warships was solved in Preobrazhensky (on the Yauza River). The main type of ships under construction were galleys - rowing ships with 30-38 oars, they were armed with 4-6 guns, 2 masts, 130-200 crew (plus they could carry significant troops). This type of ship met the conditions of a theater of military operations, galleys with their shallow draft, maneuverability, could successfully operate on the river, shallow waters of the lower Don, the coastal waters of the Sea of Azov. The early experience of shipbuilding was used in the construction of ships. So, in Nizhny Novgorod in 1636 the ship "Frederick" was built, in 1668 in the village of Dedinovo on the Oka - the ship "Eagle", in 1688-1692 on Lake Pereyaslavskoye and in 1693 in Arkhangelsk with the participation of Peter, several ships were built. Soldiers of the Semyonovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments, peasants, artisans who were summoned from settlements where shipbuilding was developed (Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Nizhny Novgorod, etc.) were widely involved in the construction of ships in Preobrazhensky. Among the craftsmen, the Vologda carpenter Osip Scheka and the Nizhny Novgorod carpenter Yakim Ivanov enjoyed universal respect.
Throughout the winter in Preobrazhensky, the main parts of the ships were made: keels (the base of the hull), frames ("ribs" of the ship), stringers (longitudinal beams going from bow to stern), beams (transverse beams between the frames), pillers (vertical struts supporting the deck), planks, planking of decks, masts, oars, etc. In February 1696, parts were prepared for 22 galleys and 4 fire-ships (a ship filled with flammable substances to set fire to enemy ships). In March, ship units were transported to Voronezh. Each galley was delivered in 15-20 carts. On April 2, the first galleys were launched, their crews were formed from the Semyonovsky and Preobrazhensky regiments.
The first large three-masted ships (2 units), with rather strong artillery weapons, were also laid in Voronezh. They demanded a large complex of shipbuilding work. It was decided to install 36 guns on each of them. By the beginning of May, the first ship was built - the 36-gun sailing and rowing frigate Apostol Peter. The ship was built with the help of the Danish master August (Gustav) Meyer. He became the commander of the second ship - the 36-gun "Apostle Paul". The length of the rowing-sailing frigate was 34.4 m, the width was 7.6 m, the ship was flat-bottomed. In addition, the frigate had 15 pairs of oars in case of calm and for maneuver. Thus, in the Russian state, far from the seas, in an extremely short time they were able to create an entire shipbuilding industry and built a "naval military caravan" - a detachment of warships and transport ships. When the troops arrived from Moscow to Voronezh, a whole armada of military transport ships was already waiting there - 2 ships, 23 galleys, about 1,500 plows, rafts, barges, boats.
Frigate "Apostle Peter"
In the same period, the army was significantly increased (twice - to 70 thousand people), at the head of it was put a single commander-in-chief - boyar Alexei Semyonovich Shein. He was a participant in the campaigns of Prince V. Golitsyn, during the first Azov campaign he commanded the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments, thus he knew the theater of military operations very well. Shein was the first in Russia to officially receive the rank of generalissimo. As a result, the problem of one-man management was solved. True, Peter could have put another experienced military leader, Sheremetev, at the head of the army, but for some reason the tsar did not like him. Perhaps due to age. Young Shein was closer to the king and he introduced him to his circle. Sheremetev was awarded for the successful campaign of 1695 and sent back to Belgorod.
Peter also took care of attracting military specialists in engineering, artillery and mine work. Poorly knowing the capabilities of the Russian army and the abilities of its commanders and exaggerating everything foreign, Pyotr Alekseevich began hiring specialists in Germany and Holland. Later, including taking into account the Narva defeat in the war with Sweden, Peter gradually began to rely on national cadres, and tightened the selection of foreigners, among whom there were many different trash, who longed for high earnings in Russia.
The campaign plan was changed. Most of the troops were taken from Sheremetev - border regiments, noble cavalry and half of the Little Russian Cossacks. He was left with an auxiliary detachment - 2, 5 thousand soldiers, about 15 thousand Cossacks. Sheremetev was supposed to go down the Dnieper and distract the enemy at Ochakov. Under the leadership of Shein, the main forces were assembled - 30 soldier regiments, 13 riflemen, local cavalry, Don, Little Russian, Yaik Cossacks, Kalmyks (about 70 thousand people). The troops were divided into three divisions - Golovin, Gordon and Rigeman. Peter appointed Lefort to command the fleet. Peter retained the role of "Peter Mikhailov's scorer" and gave the command to Shein.
The first Russian generalissimo Alexey Semyonovich Shein
Second Azov campaign
On April 23, 1696, the first echelon of 110 transport ships with troops, artillery, ammunition and food began the cruise. After that, other ships and warships began to leave. The 1000-kilometer cruise was the first test for the crews, in the process the skills of the sailors were honed, the imperfections were completed. The movement was fast, sailing and rowing, day and night. During the campaign, there was a process of developing rules for organizing service in galleys, conducting naval combat - they were announced in a special "Edict on galleys". The "Decree" spoke about the order of signaling, anchoring, sailing in a marching formation, discipline, conducting active hostilities against the enemy.
On May 15, the first detachment of galleys approached Cherkassk, where the advance guard of the ground forces also came (the troops marched on ships and by land). Cossack intelligence reported that Azov had several enemy ships. On May 16, Azov was besieged. On May 20, the Cossacks on their boats with a surprise attack seized 10 transport ships (tunbas), panic began in the Turkish squadron. Taking advantage of the first success, the Cossacks were able to approach the Turkish squadron (it was at night) and set one of the ships on fire. The Turks took the ships away, and burned one themselves, not having time to raise the sails.
On May 27, the Russian flotilla entered the Sea of Azov and cut off the fortress from supply sources across the sea. Russian ships took up positions across the Gulf of Azov. In the same period, the main forces approached the fortress, they occupied the trenches and earthworks built in 1695. The Turks, in their carelessness, did not even destroy them. The Ottomans tried to make a sortie, but they expected it. 4 thousand Don Cossacks of the order chieftain Savinov were ready and repulsed the attack.
Shein refused an immediate assault and ordered to "proceed with the trenches." The amount of engineering work was planned to be enormous. They surrounded the Azov in a semicircle, both flanks rested against the Don. An "earthen town" was being built across the river. Above the city, a floating bridge was built on ships. Built batteries for siege weapons. Russian artillery began shelling the fortress. Fires broke out in Azov. At the mouth of the Don, two strong batteries were placed to strengthen the forces of the naval blockade. If Turkish ships broke through our flotilla, these batteries should have prevented enemy ships directly from reaching Azov.
These precautions were not superfluous. About a month later, a Turkish squadron of 25 pennants approached with 4 thousand troops to help the Azov garrison. Finding the Russian galleys blocking the mouth of the Don, the Turkish Admiral Turnochi Pasha stopped his forces at a considerable distance. On June 28, the Turkish fleet tried to land a landing party. The Russian ships prepared for battle, weighed anchors and went to meet the Turkish ships. The Ottomans, seeing the determination of the Russian flotilla for battle, retreated. Thus, the Turkish fleet abandoned attempts to help the besieged garrison, Azov was left without outside help. This played an important role in subsequent events: the Azov fortress was cut off from the supply of reinforcements, ammunition and food. And psychologically - it was a victory, the Turks became depressed, having lost hope for the help of their comrades.
Russian artillery smashed the outer ramparts of Azov, and the infantry tirelessly dug the ground, pushing the trenches closer and closer to the fortress. On June 16, our soldiers reached the ditches. The garrison was asked to surrender, but the Turks responded with fire. The Turkish soldiers still hoped to sit out behind the powerful stone walls and towers, they were so thick that they did not take their cannonballs. However, Shein still refused to assault. The commander-in-chief ordered to build a huge rampart around the fortress. We decided to move him and in this way overcome the moat and climb the walls with the help of assault ladders and other devices. Large-scale engineering work began again. 15 thousand people worked in shifts. When foreign specialists invited by Tsar Peter arrived, they were no longer needed. They did without them, they only marveled at the scale of the work that the Russians did.
Contemporaries described these works as follows: “The Great Russian and Little Russian troops, which had been around the city of Azov, evenly rolled the earthen rampart to the enemy ditch from everywhere, and because of this, the rampart, sweeping the ditch and leveling it, with the same rampart through that ditch, reached the enemy's Azov rampart and the ramparts reported only close, hedgehog it was possible with the enemy, except for weapons, with one hand to be tormented; and the earth behind their rampart was pouring into the city."
On June 10 and June 24, our troops repulsed the strong sorties of the Turkish garrison, which was trying to help 60 thousand army of the Crimean Tatars, who were camped south of Azov, across the Kagalnik River. Crimean prince Nureddin with his horde attacked the Russian camp several times. However, Shein put up the noble cavalry and Kalmyks as a barrier against him. They brutally beat and drove away the Crimean Tatars, Nureddin himself was wounded and almost captured.
The shaft approached the walls, caught up with them in height. Batteries were installed on its crest, they shot through the entire Azov and inflicted heavy losses on the garrison. In addition, three mine trenches were prepared to undermine the walls. The garrison was again offered to leave the city and leave freely, the Ottomans responded with fierce shooting. On July 16, our troops completed the preparatory siege work. On July 17-18, Russian troops (1,500 Don and Zaporozhye Cossacks) captured two Turkish bastions.
After that, the Turkish garrison completely lost heart: the losses were heavy, the sorties failed, there was no help from Istanbul, the loss of the main positions began, the artillery shelling now caused significant damage, since the Russian army had heavy guns. On July 18, the white flag was thrown and negotiations began. The Ottomans were allowed to leave with their personal belongings, and they left all the artillery and supplies to the victors. Shein even kindly offered to take them on Russian ships to Kagalnik, where the Tatars were stationed. The Russian command put forward only one categorical demand: to hand over the "German Yakushka" - the defector Yakov Jansen, who spoiled a lot of the blood of the Russian army in 1695. Jansen at that time had already "got into trouble" - he converted to Islam, enrolled in the Janissaries. The Ottomans did not want to betray him, but in the end they conceded. On July 19 (29), the head of the garrison, Gassan Bey, surrendered.
Taking the Azov fortress. Thumbnail from the manuscript 1st floor. 18th century "History of Peter I", Op. P. Krekshina. Collection of A. Baryatinsky. State Historical Museum. The miniature includes a scene of the extradition by the Turks of Yashka (Jacob Jansen), a Dutch sailor-traitor
He had only 3 thousand people left from the garrison. Turkish soldiers and residents began to leave the fortress, loaded onto the planes and boats that were waiting for them. Gassan Bey was the last to leave Azov, laid 16 banners at the feet of the commander-in-chief, presented the keys and thanked for the honest fulfillment of the agreement. Russian troops entered the fortress. In the city they found 92 guns, 4 mortars, large reserves of gunpowder and food. He could resist for a long time, if not for the skillful actions of the Russian army. On July 20, the Turkish fortress Lyutikh also surrendered, which was located at the mouth of the northernmost branch of the Don.
The first regiments went north to Moscow in early August. On August 15, the king left the fortress. In the Azov fortress, 5, 5 thousand soldiers and 2, 7 thousand riflemen were left as a garrison. An unprecedented celebration was held in Moscow in honor of the Azov Victoria.
Taking Azov. In the center, on horseback, Tsar Peter I and voivode Alexei Shein (engraving by A. Shkhonebek)
Outcomes
Thus, the entire course of the Don became free for Russian courts. Azov became a Russian bridgehead in the Azov region. Tsar Peter I, realizing the strategic importance of Azov as the first Russian fortress in the Black Sea region and the need to defend the conquests (the war continued), already on July 23 approved a plan for new fortifications of Azov. The fortress was badly damaged by Russian artillery. In addition, they decided to create a base for the Russian fleet, without which it was impossible to conquer the Black Sea region. Since Azov did not have a convenient harbor for basing the navy, on July 27 they chose a more successful place on the Tagan cape, where Taganrog was founded two years later.
Voevoda A. S. Shein on June 28, 1696 received the rank of Generalissimo (the first in Russia) for military successes. Later Shein was appointed Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Army, commander of artillery, cavalry and manager of a foreign order. Since 1697, Shein supervised the work in Azov, the construction of the sea harbor in Taganrog, repelling the constant attacks of the Tatars and Turks.
The Azov campaigns in practice showed the importance of artillery and the fleet for the conduct of war. And Peter drew conclusions from this, he cannot be denied organizational skills and strategic thinking. On October 20, 1696, the Boyar Duma proclaimed "There will be ships …". An extensive program of military shipbuilding of 52 (later 77) ships was approved. Russia begins sending nobles to study abroad.
It was completely impossible to "cut a window" to the south. It was necessary to capture the Kerch Strait in order to get a passage from the Azov to the Black Sea or completely capture the Crimea. The Tsar understood this perfectly. After the capture of Azov, he said to his generals: "Now, thank God, we already have one corner of the Black Sea, and in time, perhaps, we will have all of it." To the remark that it would be difficult to do this, Peter said: "Not all of a sudden, but little by little." However, a war began with Sweden and plans for the further expansion of Russian possessions in the Black Sea region had to be postponed, and, as it turned out, for a long time. It was only under Catherine II that Peter's plans were fully realized.
