Kutuzov, Mikhail Ilarionovich definition of Kutuzov, Mikhail Ilarionovich in the Free Online Encyclopedia.

Kutuzov, Mikhail Ilarionovich (mēkhəyēl` ēləryôn`əvĭch k

`zəf), 1745–1813, Russian field marshal. He fought against the Polish Confederation of Bar (see Bar, Confederation of Bar, Confederation of, union formed in 1768 at Bar, in Podolia (now in W Ukraine), by a number of Polish nobles to oppose the interference of Catherine II of Russia in Polish affairs.
..... Click the link for more information. ) and served in the Russo-Turkish Wars Russo-Turkish Wars. The great eastward expansion of Russia in the 16th and 17th cent., during the decline of the Ottoman Empire, nevertheless left the shores of the Black Sea in the hands of the Ottoman sultans and their vassals, the khans of Crimea .
..... Click the link for more information. of 1768–74 and 1787–92, in which he lost an eye. He took part (1805) in the battle of Austerlitz, which was fought against his advice. In 1811–12 he again took command against the Ottomans and defeated them in a brilliant campaign that brought Bessarabia to Russia. In Aug., 1812, Kutuzov replaced Barclay de Tolly Barclay de Tolly, Mikhail, Prince (mēkhəyēl`, bərklī` də tô`lyē)
..... Click the link for more information. as commander in chief against the invading armies of Napoleon I Napoleon I (nəpō`lēən, Fr. näpôlāōN`), 1769–1821, emperor of the French, b.
..... Click the link for more information. . Kutuzov was expected to engage the French in battle and to abandon his predecessor's delaying tactics. The battle of Borodino Borodino (bərədyĭnô`), village, central European Russia, c.70 mi (110 km) W of Moscow. It was the site, on Sept.
..... Click the link for more information. was the result; after that butchery, Kutuzov resumed Barclay's wise policy of retreat, which eventually led to Napoleon's ruin. He pursued Napoleon relentlessly after the retreat of the Grande Armée from Moscow (1812–13). He was created prince of Smolensk for a victory there late in 1812.