Rubicon. Crossing the River by Denis Davydov Squadron. 1812 Painting

Napoleon in Burning Moscow, Rubicon and Execution of the Russian Patriot by the French all in fact convey one main idea: there should be no place for war, but if there is, victory should be gained by all means. Napoleon could not understand what was happening, when the partisan parties began to be formed all over Russia. On 2 August, 1812, under the order of M.B. Barclay-de-Tolly, the Major-General F.F. Winzengenrode formed the first such party as part of the Dragoon and Cossack regiments. A month later, on 3 September, under the order of M.I. Kutuzov, the renowned squadron of D.V. Davydov was formed Moscow’s surrender was a shock for the French – no key passing, no Alexander coming up, no formal agreements made. The fire of Moscow was still a greater surprise. It was beyond understanding: the Roman Rubicon, the dead line12. Bewilderment is written on the French emperor’s face in the picture Napoleon in Burning Moscow. This is bewilderment in front of bold decisions, consolidated actions due to which the drive of Napoleon’s forces became possible. It’s no coincidence that the picture Rubicon is dedicated to an episode from Denis Davydov’s memories of how the fleeing Bonaparte was close to be taken prisoner by partisans. The same line is continued in the picture Napoleon’s Escape. Confronting the French invasion, the Russian people identified itself as an independent and decisive force, and “since the outlanders came with a sword to trample down the Russian land, it rose for defense of the motherland and began a fair war of independence with the invaders”