Military Service

Abstract

The theme of military service is central to the political biography of any Decembrist: there were only a handful involved in the conspiracy and the uprisings in St Petersburg and Vasilkov who were not either serving or former army officers. After their arrest, the first of many forms and written statements they were required to complete was the formularnyi spisok or service record. This provides a military curriculum vitae, detailing regimental affiliation, promotions and awards obtained, campaigns and battles fought. Although not always free from error and imperfect recall, this particular document is a vitally important source of reference for historians of the Decembrist movement. Its importance is reflected in the fact that it always occupies first place in the files (dela) of individual Decembrists, whether in archives or as published in the series Vosstanie dekabristov. Dokumenty. (The Decembrist Uprising. Documents.)