War and Peace - Leo Tolstoy [822]
Davydov, Denis Vassilievich (1784–1839): Russian major general, first organizer of partisan warfare against the retreating French army. A poet famous for the invention of “hussar poetry,” he was admired by Pushkin and was a popular figure in society. He also wrote a treatise on partisan warfare and an autobiography, Some Events from the Life of Denis Vassilievich Davydov, which, in the words of D. S. Mirsky, contains “some of the best military reading in the language.” He was the model for Tolstoy’s Denisov.
Delzons, Alexis Joseph (1775–1812): Fought under Napoleon in the campaigns in Italy and Egypt, and as brigadier general in the Austrian campaigns of 1805–1809. In Russia he served under Eugène de Beauharnais at Borodino and Maloyaroslavets, where he was killed leading the counterattack against the Russians.
Dessaix, Count Joseph Marie (1764–1834): Served in the French republican army at the siege of Toulon, in the Pyrenees, and in the Italian campaign. Opposed the coup d’état of 18 Brumaire. As brigadier general and commander of the Legion of Honor, he fought at Wagram and in 1810 was made a count. Took part in the Russian campaign, in which he was wounded twice.
Diderot, Denis (1713–84): French writer and philosopher, one of the directors of the Encyclopédie raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers (“Descriptive Encyclopedia of the Sciences, Arts, and Trades”). A materialist and atheist, he was one of the most effective advocates of eighteenth-century philosophical ideas. He corresponded with Catherine the Great and visited Russia in 1773.
Directoire: The government that replaced the Convention in France and functioned from October 1795 to November 1799, when it was overturned by Napoleon and replaced by the Consulat.
Dokhturov, Dmitri Sergeevich (1756–1816): Major general of Russian infantry. His action at Austerlitz and at the dam of Augesd earned him the nickname “the Iron General.” At Borodino he replaced the mortally wounded Bagration on the left wing. At Maloyaroslavets his alert action forced Napoleon to retreat down the old Smolensk road instead of going to Kaluga, where there were abundant supplies and access to the rich and untouched southern provinces.
Dolgorukov, Prince Sergei Nikolaevich (1769–1829): Infantry officer, fought in the Swedish war, became major general in 1798. From 1805 to 1811 he served mainly on diplomatic missions, but returned to the army in 1812.
Dolgoruky, Prince Yuri Vladimirovich (1740–1830): Descendant of Grand Prince Yuri Vladimirovich Dolgoruky (ca. 1096–1157), the founder of Moscow. He was military commander of Moscow under Paul I.
Dorokhov, Ivan Semyonovich (1762–1815): Russian cavalry officer, took part in the Russo-Turkish war of 1787–91, was made major general in 1803, commanded a hussar regiment in the 1805–1807 campaign, and in 1812 distinguished himself defending Bagration’s flèches on the left wing at Borodino.
Duport, Louis (1781–1853): French ballet dancer who purified the classical style and was known for his multiple pirouettes and soaring leaps. He performed in Moscow and Petersburg from 1808 to 1812 along with the actress Mlle George.
Dürenstein: Now Dürnstein, a town in Austria where a battle was fought on 11 November 1805, midway between the battles of Ulm and Austerlitz, which pitted the French under General Mortier against the much larger forces of Kutuzov.
Duroc, Géraud Christophe Michel (1772–1813): Participated in Napoleon’s Italian and Egyptian campaigns, was made duke of Frioul and grand marshal of the palace under the empire. A major general in 1805, he fought in all the French campaigns until he was killed at Markersdorf in May 1813. He is buried in the Invalides with Napoleon.
Durosnel, Count Antoine Jean Auguste (1771–1849): French general,