Coming from the nobility of the province of
Moscow, Ilya Ivanovich Alexeyev began his military career at the
Preobrazhensky Regiment. In October 1789, he took part as
Sergeant in the
Russo-Swedish War (1788–90), during which he was wounded twice. After the war, he was transferred to a regiment of horse guards. During the
Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792, he participated in the
capture of Izmail (22 December 1790). After four years of service in the rank of
Captain, it was incorporated into the
Sumy Cavalry Regiment operating in
Poland and was raised in 1796 to grade
Major, cavalry inspector, and then aide of military governor of Moscow. On 9 August 1799 Ilya Alekseyev was elevated to the rank of
colonel and soon after, he served as head of the Moscow police. After the transformation of
Squadrons Moscow Police in the
Mitau Hussar Regiment, he was appointed the commander and took part in various
battles on Prussian soil. He showed great bravery in the battles of
Eylau,
Guttstadt, the
Heilsberg and
Friedland. As a reward for his courage in battle on 24 May 1809, he was promoted to
Major General. In the
Russo-Swedish War of 18081809, Major General ordered a
vanguard detachment and he was decorated in 1809 to his exploits on the battlefield. He received the
Order of St. Anna (1st class)with
Golden Weapon for Bravery, and the
Order of St. George (3rd class). During the
1812 Patriotic War, he took part in the first
Polotsk battle on 31 October 1812 and fought at the
Battle of Chashniki, and the
Battle of Smoliani. Major General Alexeyev was seriously wounded in the leg during the
German Campaign of 1813, the
Battle of Lutzen. After his recovery, in August 1814, he was appointed commander of the 3rd
division of
dragoon and 30 August 1815 he distinguished himself at the
siege of Metz, and was promoted to lieutenant-general, in recognition of the bravery he showed in battle. Ilya Ivanovich Alekseyev died on 3 October 1830 and was buried at the
Simonov Monastery in Moscow. == Notes ==