Everyone knows about the uprising of the Decembrists on Senate Square, but without the historical episode of early January 1926, the picture of the uprising would be incomplete.
Among the executed Decembrists were S. Muravyov-Apostol and M. Bestuzhev-Ryumin. It was they who raised the uprising of the Chernigov regiment at the very end of December 1825. But few people know that a plaque with the names of three more participants in the rebellion was nailed to the gallows, which served as the place of execution. Among them is Anastasiy Kuzmin.
What is known about Kuzmin
The biography of Anastasia Dmitrievich is not reliably known, there is not even a date of birth. Whether he had a family, who is his wife, how the personal life of a brave officer developed - history has not preserved information. And he is known as the ideological inspirer of the soldiers of the Chernigov regiment, a fiery bearer of the ideas of goodness, justice and patriotism.
Kuzmin received his education, like most of the officers of that time, in the cadet corps, after which he was enlisted as an ensign in the regiment. Five years later, as it should be according to the Charter, he was promoted to the rank of lieutenant. At the time of historical action, he was the commander of the 5th Musketeer Company of the Chernigov Infantry Regiment.
The uprising of the Chernigov regiment
Being a supporter of active revolutionary actions, Kuzmin, even in the summer, before the start of the historic rebellion, made attempts to rouse his propagandized company to revolt. But he was discouraged.
The news of the failure of the December uprising on Senate Square reached the members of the Southern Society only by the end of the year. The regiment commander issued an order for the arrest of the most significant member of society - Sergei Muravyov-Apostol. Anastasiy Kuzmin, together with other officers, makes a successful attempt to free his commander. On the same evening, the soldiers were read "Orthodox Kakhetizis", compiled by Muravyov in collaboration with Matvey Bestuzhev-Ryumin. This revolutionary proclamation spoke of the imminent end in Russia of the autocratic regime and the readiness to voluntarily die for the ideas of goodness, justice and for the glory of a revived society.
The next day, December 29, Muravyov led the rebellious regiment first towards Zhitomir, then towards Belaya Tserkov, taking all precautions so as not to collide with the regular troops already sworn in to the new emperor. But the collision could not be avoided, and in the battle near Ustimovka the regiment was utterly defeated, the officers were arrested.
A worthy death
Under reinforced escort, the arrested were brought to the village of Trilesy and placed in a tavern in one large room. The mood of the people was depressed, only Kuzmin looked cheerful, joked and tried to raise the general spirit. When everyone rushed to raise the unconscious Muravyov, a shot rang out from behind. Anastasiy Kuzmin shot himself from a weapon hidden during a search. When they began to unbutton their clothes, they saw a huge wound right through, inflicted by buckshot. Not a groan or a complaint has been heard from this courageous man in the last hours.
Being ardent and decisive, Anastasiy Kuzmin never for a moment doubted the work of his whole life, which he had chosen once and for all. His motto was "Freedom or Death."
