12 Facts About Dmitry Milyutin

Dmitry Milyutin was the last Russian general field marshal.

Dmitry Milyutin was responsible for sweeping military reforms that changed the face of the Russian army in the 1860s and 1870s.

Unlike his brother Nikolai Milyutin, who chose to pursue a career in civil administration, Dmitry volunteered to take part in the Caucasian War.

Dmitry Milyutin emphasized the scientific value of military statistics and authored the first comprehensive study of the subject, which earned him the Demidov Prize for 1847.

Dmitry Milyutin regarded Suvorov as a model for military commanders and the Italian campaign of 1799 as the pinnacle of his career, elaborating these views in a detailed account of the campaign, published in five volumes in 1852 and 1853.

Dmitry Milyutin's ideas were approved by Alexander II, who appointed Milyutin to the post of Minister of War in 1861.

Several years earlier, Dmitry Milyutin took part in the capture of Imam Shamil, thus helping bring the prolonged Caucasian War to an end.

Dmitry Milyutin was the minister of War from 16 May 1861 to 21 May 1881.

Dmitry Milyutin's reforms are regarded as a milestone in the history of Russia.

Dmitry Milyutin promptly ordered the siege to be continued in a more orderly manner, which brought the war to a victorious end.

At the close of the war, Dmitry Milyutin set up a commission in order to investigate faulty supply of provisions and other problems that had surfaced during the siege.

Alexander II's assassination in 1881 rendered his position precarious and after Konstantin Pobedonostsev, intent on reversing the liberal innovations of the previous reign, emerged as the most powerful policy-maker, Dmitry Milyutin resigned his office.