Mikhail Vasilevich Alekseev
Mikhail Vasiliyevich Alekseeev (Алексеев, Михаил Васильевич in Russian) [11.3(15).1857 ? 9.25.1918), Russian military figure, Infantry General (1914), one of the leaders of counterrevolution in 1917-1918.
Alekseev graduated from the Moscow Infantry School (1876) and General Staff Academy (1890). He served in Headquarters and at the same time was a professor at the Academy's Department of Military History in 1898-1904. In October of 1904, Alekseev was appointed General Quartermaster of the 3rd Manchurian Army. He worked at the Head Office of the General Staff since 1906, then was appointed Chief of Staff of the Kiev military district. In 1912-1914, Alekseev was in charge of an army corps. As soon as the World War I began, he was appointed Chief of Staff of the Southwestern front. In March of 1915, Alekseev became a commander of the Northwestern front. From August, 1915 to March, 1917 he was appointed Chief of Staff of the General Headquarters and was in charge of all military operations.
During the February Revolution of 1917, Alekseev tried to save the monarchy and convinced Nicholas II of Russia to abdicate the throne. From March to May of 1917, Alekseev was the Commander-in-chief and later adviser to the Provisional Government. He spoke against the Soviets and democratization of the army and was one of the inspirers of the counterrevolutionary organizations.
On August, 30 (September,12) Alekseev became Chief of Staff under the Commander-in-Chief Alexander Kerensky. His aim was to save Kornilov (see Kornilov Affair) after his failed coup attempt. That same day, Alekseev arrived at the General Headquarters, arrested Kornilov and his men and sent them to prison in Bykhov (a town in Mogilev oblast in Belarus), from which they would "break away" with the help of General Nikolai Dukhonin.
After the October Revolution, Alekseev fled to Novocherkassk, where on November, 2(15) he began forming the so called Alekseev's Officer Organization, which would become the basis of the Volunteer Army. In December of 1917, Kornilov became the leader of Alekseev's organization. Alekseev himself dealt with its political and financial affairs.
In the spring of 1918, Alekseev was appointed head of the so called Special Council, which would function as a government under Anton Denikin.
Alekseev died of a heart condition in Ekaterinodar.
