In the liberated from the Turkish yoke of Bulgaria General Mikhail Skobelev was called the "white general". And not because he always wore a white uniform and rode a white horse. It’s just that the Bulgarians have white color symbolizing freedom. And the Bulgarian people considered him their liberator and national hero.
The famous Russian military commander, General Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev took part in many military campaigns, where he proved himself as a talented commander and experienced strategist. During his short life, and he lived for less than forty years, he managed to gain fame as a real hero.
The childhood and youth of the future general
Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev was born in 1843 in his family estate in the Ryazan province. He was brought up by his grandfather until the age of six, then a very short time as a German tutor. And finally, at the age of nine, he was sent to study in Paris. There he became friends with his young teacher, the Frenchman, Desiderio Gerard. Subsequently, Gerard followed the young Mikhail to Russia and lived in the Skobelev family as his mentor.
At first, the future illustrious general did not plan to connect his life with military service. He brilliantly passed the entrance exams at St. Petersburg University and was enrolled in the first year in mathematics. But his studies at the university did not last long. Due to student unrest, the institution was temporarily closed, and then Mikhail, at the insistence of his father, joined the cavalry guard regiment.
