Cavalry Maiden – Nadezhda Durova

In the time recently freed from the routine of Facebook, I have been bouncing between working on two different papers as well as organizing my “academic submissions” for sharing here.

This one was for one of my earlier classes – off the top of my head, I cannot remember which – and oddly enough, it required very little editing from my earlier ham-fisted approach to proper citation techniques. The assignment was to provide an “analysis/personal reaction” to a history article of one’s choosing. In setting the tone for later assignments, I chose an obscure, yet fascinating individual who challenged the social and gender limitations of her time.

One of the aspects of human psychology which has provided inspiration for many of my assignments is the determination of an individual to challenge and overcome any contemporary limitations they are faced with, not because they were denied their place in history, but in spite of every effort to let their “one moment” pass them by. As I approach degree completion and consider the next step, I intend on using this venue as a means to keep myself relevant in finding the otherwise neglected stories and sharing them as best as possible.

Analysis:

The article “Nadezhda Durova: Russian Cavalry Maiden in the Napoleonic Wars” provided interesting reading into one of the many interesting personalities of Russian history. Throughout the article, one cavalry soldiers’ courage is described at times as “showing more nobility than judgment,” and despite orders, either “excitement, or simple ignorance of what was expected” led to repeated participation in assault after assault during battle. While this behavior is expected and typical of soldiers during battle or when duty calls, but what makes this noteworthy is the fact that this brave, yet at times almost foolhardy soldier was a woman fighting amongst men during vicious fighting of 19^th Century Russia. Nadezhda Durova (1783-1866) – the daughter of a Russian soldier – managed to hide her gender for the entire time she proudly served amongst her fellow cavalrymen. Rumors of an “Amazon cavalrywoman” eventually warranted an audience with Tsar Alexandr I, however, his patronage and permission allowed her to continue to uphold the Durov families crest of “Service to the Country.’ Never comfortable with the roles and servitude of the life of a woman, she continued to find comfort with her identity as a man and eventually her story became known and published by Aleksandr Pushkin.

Personal Reaction:

I found this article to be intriguing in the fact that it tied in very nicely with the recent recommendation from the wife to consider using Field Marshal Mikhail Kutuzov or Generalissimo Alexander Suvorov for possible research topics. Also, the troubled background of Nadezhda as well as the support and love shown by her father and his fellow cavalrymen strongly supports my firm beliefs that “nurture over nature” is a larger part of leader development.  While I would probably not encourage such formative exposure to firearms as playing with unloaded pistols, the fine example of loyalty provided during her formative years became the source for her courage.

Bibliography:

Kamenir, Victor. “Nadezhda Durova: Russian Cavalry Maiden in the Napoleonic Wars.” HistoryNet. May 12, 2006. Accessed October 19, 2015. http://www.historynet.com/nadezhda-durova-russian-cavalry-maiden-in-the-napoleonic-wars.htm.