War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy [820]
Bekleshov, Alexander Andreevich (1745–1808): Served in various posts of the Russian administration and at the end of his life worked closely with Speransky. He was governor general of Moscow in 1804–1807.
Belliard, Auguste Daniel (1769–1832): Took part in Napoleon’s Italian, Egyptian, and Spanish campaigns, was chief of staff of Murat’s armies in 1805–1808, and was named governor of Madrid in 1808. Promoted to major general, he took part in the Russian campaign in 1812.
Bennigsen, Count Leonty Leontievich (1745–1826): Russian general, born in Brunswick, joined the Russian army in 1773. Opposed to the policies of Paul I, he took an active part in the conspiracy to assassinate him. Appointed governor of Lithuania in 1801, commanded an army in the campaigns of 1805–1807, was initially successful, but was badly defeated at Friedland, after which he retired. In 1812 he was called back to service, fought at Borodino, and defeated Murat at Tarutino. Following a dispute with Kutuzov, he retired a second time, but returned to service after Kutuzov’s death.
Berezina: A river in Belorus, tributary of the Dnieper, which, on 26–29 November 1812, the remains of Napoleon’s Grande Armée had to cross on hastily built bridges while fighting off the attacks of the pursuing Russian army.
Bernadotte, Jean-Baptiste (1763–1844): French general, made a marshal of the empire and, in 1805, prince of Pontocorvo. In 1810 King Charles XIII of Sweden adopted him as his son and heir, hoping that the French might help him to take Finland back from the Russians, but Bernadotte, having become the virtual ruler of Sweden, joined the anti-French coalition. In 1818 he became King Charles XIV. His dynasty still sits on the Swedish throne.
Berthier, Louis-Alexandre (1753–1815): Major general and marshal of the empire, prince of Wagram and of Neuchâtel, one of the most trusted generals of Napoleon, who made him minister of war under the Consulat. Took part in all of Napoleon’s campaigns in Italy, Spain, Austria, and Russia.
Bessières, Jean-Baptiste (1768–1813): French marshal and cavalry commander, made prince of Istria in 1809, participated in all of Napoleon’s major battles, and was commander in chief of cavalry during the Russian campaign. Killed in action at Weissenfels in eastern Germany.
Bonaparte, Joseph (1768–1844): Older brother of Napoleon, became king of Naples in 1806 and was king of Spain from 1808 to 1813. He retired to the United States after Waterloo but later returned to Europe.
Borodino: Village in the Mozhaisk district, between Moscow and Smolensk, on the Kolocha River, which, on 7 September (26 August by the Julian calendar), was the scene of the most important and bloody battle of the war of 1812, called la bataille de la Moskowa by the French, after the nearby Moskova River. There was great loss of life on both sides, but no decisive victory for either.
Broussier, Jean-Baptiste (1766–1814): French major general, campaigned in Lombardy, distinguished himself at the battle of Wagram (6 July 1809). Took part in the Russian campaign and the campaigns in Saxony. Sought refuge in Strasbourg after the fall of Napoleon and died suddenly of a stroke.
Buckle, Henry Thomas (1821–62): English historian and sociologist, author of The History of Civilization in England (1857–62); formulated the idea that the development of civilization leads to the cessation of wars.
Buxhöwden, Count Fyodor Fyodorovich (1750–1811): Russian general, served under Suvorov in Poland and was made military governor of Warsaw; in 1805 joined Kutuzov’s forces, commanded a corps at Austerlitz, was commander in chief during the Swedish war of 1808.
Catherine II, the Great (1729–98): Daughter of the duke of Anhalt-Zerbst, wife of the Russian emperor Peter III, became empress of Russia after the assassination of her husband in 1762. Her successful wars extended the southern and western