About the book: 2013 / The famous writer’s novel is dedicated to the hero of the Patriotic War of 1812, Major General Alexander Nikitich Seslavin (1780–1858). He fought side by side with Bagration at Austerlitz, and as an adjutant to Barclay de Tolly he took part in the battles of Smolensk and the Battle of Borodino. Afterwards he took command of a light detachment to conduct partisan operations. It was thanks to Seslavin that the withdrawal of the French from Moscow, who were trying to go to “winter quarters” along the Kaluga road, was discovered, and a barrier was placed at Maloyaroslavets. Alexander was wounded nine times in battle, heroically going through the entire War of 1812, distinguished himself during the liberation of Vyazma, Vilna, participated in the Foreign Campaign of the Russian Army of 1813–1814, showed unparalleled courage in the battle of Leipzig and was at the triumphal parade of Russian troops in Paris.