Mikhail Dragomirov

Mikhail Ivanovich Dragomirov (, ; – ) was a Russian Imperial general and military writer of Ukrainian origin. His grandfather Ivan Antonovych Dragomirecki-Mockewicz after being granted a noble title in 1786, changed his name from Dragomirecki to the Russified form of Dragomirov.

Army career Training and staff positions Dragomirov entered the Guard infantry in 1849, becoming second lieutenant in 1852 and lieutenant in 1854. In the latter year he was selected to study at the Nicholas Academy (a staff college), and here he distinguished himself so much that he received a gold medal, an honor which, it is stated, was awarded to a student of the academy only twice in the 19th century. In 1856, Dragomirov was promoted to staff-captain and in 1858 to full captain, being sent in the latter year to study the military methods in vogue in other countries. He visited France, England, and Belgium, and wrote voluminous reports on the instructional and manoeuvre camps of these countries at Châlons, Aldershot, and Beverloo. In 1859, he was attached to the headquarters of the King of Sardinia Victor Emmanuel II during the campaign of Magenta and Solferino, and immediately upon his return to Russia he was sent to the Nicholas Academy as professor of tactics.

Military service

In 1868, he was made a major general, and in the following year became chief of staff in the Kiev military circumscription. In 1873, Dragomirov was appointed to command the 14th division, and in this command he distinguished himself very greatly in the Russo-Turkish War, 1877–1878. The 14th division led the way at the crossing of the Danube at Zimnitza; Dragomirov being in charge of the delicate and difficult operation of crossing and landing under fire, and fulfilling his mission with complete success. Later, after the reverses before Plevna, he, with the cesarevich and Generals Eduard Totleben and Dmitry Milyutin, strenuously opposed the suggestion of the Grand Duke Nicholas that the Russian army should retreat into Romania, and the demoralization of the greater part of the army was not permitted to spread to Dragomirov's division, which retained its discipline unimpaired and gave a splendid example to the rest.

Family

He had two sons who entered the military: Lieutenant-General Vladimir Mikhailovich Dragomirov (1867–1928) General of Infantry Abraham Mikhailovich Dragomirov (1868–1955)

He also had a daughter, Sofia.