Russian Army Grenadier in 1812

“Svyatogor” Hard stone carving studio
2012

Grenadiers served in Western European armies during the second half of the 17th century; these units were first introduced in Russia in the early 18th century, at the time of Peter the Great. Initially they formed a company in a regiment, marching ahead of other soldiers. Unlike other soldiers, grenadiers carried their guns behind their back, on a wide belt, which left their hands free for throwing grenades; they also wore special grenadier hats, which were invented because the gun barrel got “caught upon” a conventional hat. At that time, grenadiers were armed with short shotguns — fusées, which made it easier to carry them behind their backs. Grenadier regiments were introduced in the second half of the 18th century, and divisions were instituted in the early 19th century. The Russian army also had horse grenadier regiments.

A grenadier was the name of a soldier serving in elite infantry or cavalry units armed with hand grenades and firearms.

History

Grenadiers were the elite of the army. Soldiers who were selected for serving in such companies and regiments had to be tall and physically strong. For example, the Prussian King Frederick II the Great, who would be eager to make everyone serve in the army, demanded that giants at least 190 cm tall be recruited as grenadiers. Grenadier units existed in the Russian army until 1917 and then only sporadically. Thus, there was the 1st Grenadier Brigade during World War II.

The Stone

The laconic design helps meet the challenge of creating a generalised image of an officer of an elite units of the Russian army. The colours are reminiscent of the military uniform style and the era of the Napoleonic wars. The pure white marble pants contrast with the coal-black dolerite of the boots; the palette typical of the Empire style — saturated deep hues — is used in the uniform design: jade in dense greens reproduces the cloth of the uniform; the collar, the cuffs, the shoulder straps, and the coat-tails are carved from saturated red wax jasper. The girdle sparkling with all shades of gold made of tiger’s eye accentuates the shining plates of gilded silver. The image is completed with an agate plume carved out in such a way that one can clearly distinguish a lighter tip of this item.

Brief Essays from the History of the Finland Guard Regiment Composed by Apollon Maryin Who Served intheBattalion and the Regiment from 1808 to 1820.

In the battle of Leipzig, when the Finnish Regiment was pushing the French from the village of Gosse and the 3rd battalion of the Regiment skirted the village, the battalion Commander Colonel Gervais with his officers was the first to climb over the stone fence, and the rangers rushed behind them and attacked the French; but they were surrounded by the enemy’s forces, and firmly defended their village; and many officers were wounded. Then grenadier Leontiy Korennoy helped the battalion Commander Gervais and other wounded officers over the fence, gathered the brave, bold rangers and they stood firm, while the other rangers rescued the wounded officers from the battlefield.

Grenadier Leontiy Korennoy, with a handful of dashing shooters, defended the place of the battle, shouting: “Don’t give up, guys!” First, they were shooting back, but the enemy’s superior forces pushed our soldiers away, so that they fought back with bayonets. All of them fell in that battle, some dead and others wounded. And Leontiy Korennoy was the only one left. The French were surprised with the grenadier’s courage, admired him and shouted that he should surrender. But in response Korennoy held his gun by the barrel and fought back with the bayonet. Then he fell on the spot, wounded with the enemies’ bayonets. Oh, how we all mourned over the brave Uncle Leontiy Korennoy! (We all nicknamed him Uncle in the Regiment). A few days later, to the greatest joy of our Regiment, Uncle Korennoy came back from captivity all covered with wounds. But fortunately all his wounds were not too severe. This does honour to the Frenchmen who only inflicted light wounds, respecting his unparalleled bravery. The story of Leontiy’s act passed from mouth to mouth and is now known throughout the Regiment.