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'''General Michael Nicolaivitch Annenkoff''' (1838 in St. Pertersburg, Russia- January 22, 1899 in St. Petersburg, Russia) was a Russian nobleman, author, military officer, Governor-General of Trans-Caspia, and renowned engineer. His most enduring accomplishment was the completion of the [[Transcaspian railway]] and the planning of the [[Trans-Siberian railroad]], which was under construction at the time of his death.
General '''Mikhail Nikolayevich Annenkov''' ({{lang-ru|Михаил Николаевич Анненков}}; formerly also transcribed '''Michael Nicolaivitch Annenkoff''') (1835 in St. Petersburg, [[Russia]] – January 21, 1899 (New Style) in St. Petersburg, Russia) was a Russian nobleman, author, military officer, and engineer. An important figure in the history of the [[Russian conquest of Turkestan]] in the 19th century, he was Governor-General of the [[Transcaspian Region]] (today's [[Turkmenistan]]).


General Annenkov was the builder of the strategic [[Transcaspian Railway]] in its initial stages through what is now Turkmenistan, which made possible the [[Siege of Geoktepe|bloody defeat]] of the [[Turkmen people|Turkmen]] at [[Geok-Tepe]] in 1881. He was also involved in the planning of the [[Trans-Siberian railroad]], which was under construction at the time of his death.
== Education and Early Career ==
⚫
Born into the wealthy Annenkoff family, son of [[General Nicholas Annenkoff]], Governor of [[Odessa]] and the southwestern provinces and aide-de-camp to the Emperor, Michael studied at the Ecole des Pages and was appointed general adjutant to the general staff of the Imperial Army at [[St. Petersburg]]<ref>Colby, Frank and Peck, Harry Thurston. “The International Yearbook,” Dodd, Mead, & Co. 1900</ref>. From 1864-1866, during the Polish uprising, Michael earned a reputation as a competent commander and military tactician: by age 27 he had been made a Colonel of the Imperial Army and appointed Aide-de-Camp to Emperor [[Alexander III of Russia]]<ref>O’Brien, Augustin. Petersburg & Warsaw. Oxford, London: page 128. 1864.</ref>.


He also played a major role in the [[Pendjeh Crisis]] of 1885, when the UK and Russia nearly went to war.
⚫
In the 1870s, Michael served as Military Attaché to [[Germany]], during the [[Franco-Prussian War]], and then later to [[France]]. His writings on German military tactics during the war were widely read<ref>Annenkoff, M.N. Observations and Views of a Russian Officer. 1871.</ref>. By 1878 he had been appointed a Lieutenant-General of the Imperial Army. During the [[Russo-Turkish War]], 1877-1880, General Annenkoff was placed in charge of transportation, learning the valuable skills that would later make him one of the most prominent engineers of his era<ref>Appletons’ Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year. D. Appleton & Co., 1900.</ref>.


== The South Caucasus ==
== Education and early career ==
⚫
Born into the wealthy Annenkoff family, son of General [[Nicholas Annenkov]], Governor of [[Odessa]] and the southwestern provinces and aide-de-camp to the Emperor, Michael studied at the [[Corps des Pages]] and was appointed general adjutant to the general staff of the Imperial Army at [[St. Petersburg]].<ref>Colby, Frank and Peck, Harry Thurston. “The International Yearbook,” Dodd, Mead, & Co. 1900</ref> From 1864 to 1866, during the Polish uprising, Michael earned a reputation as a competent commander and military tactician: by age 27 he had been made a Colonel of the Imperial Army and appointed Aide-de-Camp to Emperor [[Alexander III of Russia]].<ref>O’Brien, Augustin. Petersburg & Warsaw. Oxford, London: page 128. 1864.</ref>
⚫
In the 1880s, General Annenkoff served on several campaigns in the south Caucasus, most notably against the Turkoman populations (serving under General [[Mikhail Skobelev]] in the Merv Campaign). In order to move troops and supplies, he completed laying more than 1,000 miles of track in less than three years (1885-1888), which brought him immediate engineering fame. He was honored by scientific bodies throughout [[Europe]], including being appointed a vice-president of the International Congress of Geography (1891)<ref>Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group, Feb. 28, 1895.</ref>. He later became a planner and chief promoter of the Trans-Siberian railroad.


⚫
In the 1870s, Michael served as Military Attaché to [[Germany]], during the [[Franco-Prussian War]], and then later to [[France]]. His writings on German military tactics during the war were widely read.<ref>Annenkoff, M.N. Observations and Views of a Russian Officer. 1871.</ref> By 1878 he had been appointed a Lieutenant-General of the Imperial Army. During the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)]] General Annenkoff was placed in charge of transportation, learning the valuable skills that would later make him one of the most prominent engineers of his era.<ref>Appletons’ Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year. D. Appleton & Co., 1900.</ref> He was awarded Serbian [[Order of the Cross of Takovo]].<ref>{{Cite book|last=Acović|first=Dragomir|title=Slava i čast: Odlikovanja među Srbima, Srbi među odlikovanjima|year=2012|location=Belgrade|publisher=Službeni Glasnik|pages=626}}</ref>
⚫
Of note, General Annenkoff was also involved in the annexation of [[Bokhara]] as a client state of the [[Czar]]<ref>White, Andrew Dickson. Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White: With Portraits. The Century Co., 1905.</ref>. Before his death, [[Emir Mozzaffur al-Din]] named his fourth son, [[Emir Abdul Ahad]], by a slave as his heir. The Russians allowed the young son to be educated in St. Petersburg and Moscow, hoping to instill pro-Russian sentiment. However, upon Emir Mozzafur’s death, the elder sons attempted to seize the emirate. General Annenkoff simply marched an army into Bokhara where he placed the younger son on the throne and left Russian troops, which in effect placed Bokhara under control of the Russian Emperor<ref>Curzon, George Nathaniel. Russia in Central Asia in 1889 and the Anglo-Russian Question. Longman, Green, & Company. 1889.</ref>.


== Central Asia ==
⚫
General Michael N. Annenkoff died in 1899, reportedly from suicide. There was suspicion that he had misappropriated funds from the Transcaspian line<ref>In Foreign Lands. New York Times, August 28, 1899: page 7.</ref>. At the time, he was a member of the Imperial Military Council in St. Petersburg.
⚫
In the 1880s, General Annenkoff served on several campaigns in Central Asia, most notably against the [[Turkmen people|Turkmen population]] (serving under General [[Mikhail Skobelev]] in the Merv campaign). In order to move troops and supplies, he supervised construction of the [[Trans-Caspian Railway]]. The original portion was opened in 1881 from Uzun-Ada on the Caspian Sea to Kyzyl Aryat (now [[Serdar (city)|Serdar]] in [[Turkmenistan]]). The line was opened to Ashkabad (now [[Ashgabat]]) in December 1885 and to Merv (modern [[Mary, Turkmenistan]]) in July 1886. The next section (which reached [[Bukhara]] by an 8-mile branch) was completed to [[Samarkand]] (in what is now [[Uzbekistan]]) in May 1888. He completed laying more than 1,000 miles of track in less than three years (1885–1888), which brought him immediate engineering fame. (The western terminus was later changed to [[Krasnovodsk]].) He was honored by scientific bodies throughout [[Europe]], including being appointed a vice-president of the International Congress of Geography (1891).<ref>Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group, Feb. 28, 1895.</ref> He later became a planner and chief promoter of the Trans-Siberian railroad.<ref>Obituary in ''The New York Times'', 23 January 1899</ref>

⚫
General Annenkoff was involved in the annexation of the [[Emirate of Bukhara]] as a client state of the [[Czar]].<ref>White, Andrew Dickson. Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White: With Portraits. The Century Co., 1905.</ref> Upon the death of Emir Mozaffar al-Din in 1885, General Annenkoff marched into Bukhara and put Emir's younger son on the throne. The Russian troops that were left behind placed the Emirate of Bukhara under control of the [[Russian Empire]].<ref>Curzon, George Nathaniel. Russia in Central Asia in 1889 and the Anglo-Russian Question. Longman, Green, & Company. 1889.</ref>

In 1892 Annenkoff was promoted to General of Infantry and given charge of the construction of the extension of the Trans-Caspian Railway, which in 1898 reached [[Tashkent]] with a branch to [[Andijan]]


== Family ==
== Family ==
Most prominent of General Annenkoff’s sisters were Madame Marie de Struve, wife of [[Charles de Struve]], Russian Ambassador to [[Japan]], [[the United States]], and [[The Netherlands]] respectively<ref>Epoch. Munsey’s Magazine, v. VII., 1892: pages 266-7.</ref>., and Anna, Vicomtess de Vogüé, wife of French critic and author, Vicomte Eugene [[Melchior de Vogüé]]. In 1878 the Vicomte de Vogüé and Miss Anna Karenine Annenkoff were married at the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg.
Most prominent of General Annenkoff's sisters were Madame Marie de Struve, wife of [[Karl de Struve]], Russian Ambassador to [[Japan]], [[the United States]], and [[the Netherlands]] respectively,<ref>Epoch. [[Munsey's Magazine]], v. VII., 1892: pages 266-7.</ref> Elizabeth, princess [[Galitzine]], and Alexandra, Vicomtesse de Vogüé, wife of French critic and author Vicomte [[Eugène-Melchior de Vogüé]]. In 1878 the Vicomte de Vogüé and Miss Alexandra N. Annenkova were married at the [[Winter Palace]], St. Petersburg. After his first marriage to Baroness Alexandra Zubova ended, in 1883 General Annenkov married Dagmar Elisabeth von Oesterreich (19 years old). The marriage was dissolved in 1889.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}

⚫
General Michael N. Annenkoff died in St. Petersburg on 9 (21 New Style) January 1899, reportedly by suicide. There was suspicion that he had misappropriated funds from the Trans-Caspian Railway.<ref>In Foreign Lands. New York Times, August 28, 1899: page 7.</ref> At the time, he was a member of the Imperial Military Council in St. Petersburg.{{Citation needed|date=November 2017}}


== Notes ==
== Notes ==
*Ген. М.A. Анненков "Ахал-Техинский Оазис и Пути к Индии" (The Akhal-Teki Oasis and the roads to India) (С.Пб.) 1881
*Ген-Лт.М.А.Терентьев "История Завоевания Средней Азии" (The History of the Conquest of Central Asia) (С.Пб.) 1906 3 Vols
{{reflist}}
{{reflist}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Annenkov, Mikhail}}
[[Category:1835 births]]
[[Category:1899 deaths]]
[[Category:Engineers from Saint Petersburg]]
[[Category:Nobility from the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Imperial Russian Army generals]]
[[Category:Military leaders of the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Civil engineers from the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Takovo|Recipients of the Order of the Cross of Takovo]]
[[Category:Annenkov family|Mikhail]]
[[Category:19th-century people from the Russian Empire]]
[[Category:Military personnel from Saint Petersburg]]

Latest revision as of 22:44, 24 January 2024

Mikhail Annenkov

General Mikhail Nikolayevich Annenkov (Russian: Михаил Николаевич Анненков; formerly also transcribed Michael Nicolaivitch Annenkoff) (1835 in St. Petersburg, Russia – January 21, 1899 (New Style) in St. Petersburg, Russia) was a Russian nobleman, author, military officer, and engineer. An important figure in the history of the Russian conquest of Turkestan in the 19th century, he was Governor-General of the Transcaspian Region (today's Turkmenistan).

General Annenkov was the builder of the strategic Transcaspian Railway in its initial stages through what is now Turkmenistan, which made possible the bloody defeat of the Turkmen at Geok-Tepe in 1881. He was also involved in the planning of the Trans-Siberian railroad, which was under construction at the time of his death.

He also played a major role in the Pendjeh Crisis of 1885, when the UK and Russia nearly went to war.

Education and early career[edit]

Born into the wealthy Annenkoff family, son of General Nicholas Annenkov, Governor of Odessa and the southwestern provinces and aide-de-camp to the Emperor, Michael studied at the Corps des Pages and was appointed general adjutant to the general staff of the Imperial Army at St. Petersburg.[1] From 1864 to 1866, during the Polish uprising, Michael earned a reputation as a competent commander and military tactician: by age 27 he had been made a Colonel of the Imperial Army and appointed Aide-de-Camp to Emperor Alexander III of Russia.[2]

In the 1870s, Michael served as Military Attaché to Germany, during the Franco-Prussian War, and then later to France. His writings on German military tactics during the war were widely read.[3] By 1878 he had been appointed a Lieutenant-General of the Imperial Army. During the Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878) General Annenkoff was placed in charge of transportation, learning the valuable skills that would later make him one of the most prominent engineers of his era.[4] He was awarded Serbian Order of the Cross of Takovo.[5]

Central Asia[edit]

In the 1880s, General Annenkoff served on several campaigns in Central Asia, most notably against the Turkmen population (serving under General Mikhail Skobelev in the Merv campaign). In order to move troops and supplies, he supervised construction of the Trans-Caspian Railway. The original portion was opened in 1881 from Uzun-Ada on the Caspian Sea to Kyzyl Aryat (now Serdar in Turkmenistan). The line was opened to Ashkabad (now Ashgabat) in December 1885 and to Merv (modern Mary, Turkmenistan) in July 1886. The next section (which reached Bukhara by an 8-mile branch) was completed to Samarkand (in what is now Uzbekistan) in May 1888. He completed laying more than 1,000 miles of track in less than three years (1885–1888), which brought him immediate engineering fame. (The western terminus was later changed to Krasnovodsk.) He was honored by scientific bodies throughout Europe, including being appointed a vice-president of the International Congress of Geography (1891).[6] He later became a planner and chief promoter of the Trans-Siberian railroad.[7]

General Annenkoff was involved in the annexation of the Emirate of Bukhara as a client state of the Czar.[8] Upon the death of Emir Mozaffar al-Din in 1885, General Annenkoff marched into Bukhara and put Emir's younger son on the throne. The Russian troops that were left behind placed the Emirate of Bukhara under control of the Russian Empire.[9]

In 1892 Annenkoff was promoted to General of Infantry and given charge of the construction of the extension of the Trans-Caspian Railway, which in 1898 reached Tashkent with a branch to Andijan

Family[edit]

Most prominent of General Annenkoff's sisters were Madame Marie de Struve, wife of Karl de Struve, Russian Ambassador to Japan, the United States, and the Netherlands respectively,[10] Elizabeth, princess Galitzine, and Alexandra, Vicomtesse de Vogüé, wife of French critic and author Vicomte Eugène-Melchior de Vogüé. In 1878 the Vicomte de Vogüé and Miss Alexandra N. Annenkova were married at the Winter Palace, St. Petersburg. After his first marriage to Baroness Alexandra Zubova ended, in 1883 General Annenkov married Dagmar Elisabeth von Oesterreich (19 years old). The marriage was dissolved in 1889.[citation needed]

General Michael N. Annenkoff died in St. Petersburg on 9 (21 New Style) January 1899, reportedly by suicide. There was suspicion that he had misappropriated funds from the Trans-Caspian Railway.[11] At the time, he was a member of the Imperial Military Council in St. Petersburg.[citation needed]

Notes[edit]

  • Ген. М.A. Анненков "Ахал-Техинский Оазис и Пути к Индии" (The Akhal-Teki Oasis and the roads to India) (С.Пб.) 1881
  • Ген-Лт.М.А.Терентьев "История Завоевания Средней Азии" (The History of the Conquest of Central Asia) (С.Пб.) 1906 3 Vols
  1. ^ Colby, Frank and Peck, Harry Thurston. “The International Yearbook,” Dodd, Mead, & Co. 1900
  2. ^ O’Brien, Augustin. Petersburg & Warsaw. Oxford, London: page 128. 1864.
  3. ^ Annenkoff, M.N. Observations and Views of a Russian Officer. 1871.
  4. ^ Appletons’ Annual Cyclopaedia and Register of Important Events of the Year. D. Appleton & Co., 1900.
  5. ^ Acović, Dragomir (2012). Slava i čast: Odlikovanja među Srbima, Srbi među odlikovanjima. Belgrade: Službeni Glasnik. p. 626.
  6. ^ Nature: International Weekly Journal of Science. Nature Publishing Group, Feb. 28, 1895.
  7. ^ Obituary in The New York Times, 23 January 1899
  8. ^ White, Andrew Dickson. Autobiography of Andrew Dickson White: With Portraits. The Century Co., 1905.
  9. ^ Curzon, George Nathaniel. Russia in Central Asia in 1889 and the Anglo-Russian Question. Longman, Green, & Company. 1889.
  10. ^ Epoch. Munsey's Magazine, v. VII., 1892: pages 266-7.
  11. ^ In Foreign Lands. New York Times, August 28, 1899: page 7.
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