Kozlov, S.V.: Remarks on Some Parts of the Essay by Lieutenant Bulatovich

Title

Zamechaniia na nekotorye chasti sochineniia poruchika Bulatovicha, Sankt-Peterburg 1897

Remarks on Some Parts of the Essay by Lieutenant Bulatovich

Keywords

Summary

The book contains a series of notes authored by Colonel Sergei Kozlov, devoted to correcting factual mistakes found in Aleksander Bulatovich’s From Entoto to the Baro River: An Account of the Journey in the South-Western Regions of the Ethiopian Empire in 1896-1897. It is structured into three sections: an introduction, a list of corrections, and a conclusion. In the introduction, Kozlov explains that the General Staff assigned him the task of reviewing Bulatovich’s work, focusing primarily on its historical content, which he identifies as the weakest aspect of the book. Kozlov points out that his motivation for this work stems from the lack of reliable information in Russia about Ethiopia, and he aims to prevent the spread of misinformation. Kozlov’s corrections highlight various historical inaccuracies, incorrect references to sources, mistakes in chronology, and the improper transcription of Ethiopian words and names. He supports his corrections by referencing scientific sources from European scholars. In the conclusions, Kozlov praises Bulatovich’s observation skills and his ability to gather interesting information during his stay in Ethiopia. However, he criticises the historical section of the book, pointing out that it contains numerous mistakes, which he attributes either to a lack of understanding of the subject or to the uncritical acceptance of mediocre sources. While he acknowledges that Bulatovich possesses a good literary style, Kozlov notes that the book seems disjointed, as if falling apart into two parts. He concludes by suggesting that had Bulatovich focused on personal observations without delving into scientific debates, the book would have gained significantly in terms of quality. Ultimately, Kozlov expresses optimism about Ethiopia’s potential for future scientific research, and highlights the need for new Russian expeditions to the territory to further clarify many aspects of Ethiopian history.

Bio

Sergei Kozlov was a Major General of the Russian army. He graduated from the Corps of Pages in 1872 and was commissioned as a cornet in the Life Guards Cavalry Regiment. In 1876, he was promoted to lieutenant. Kozlov participated in the Russo-Turkish War of 1877-1878 and later served in the Transcaspian region, where he became the chief of the Tedzhenskii district in 1893. The same year, he was promoted to colonel. He also served as a staff officer for special assignments under the Chief of the General Staff, and was at the disposal of the Emperor’s Viceroy in the Far East. In 1896, Kozlov was awarded the Abyssinian Order of the Seal of Solomon, 2^nd class. He participated in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. In 1906, Kozlov was shot dead in Peterhof’s Lower Garden in front of the public, having been mistaken for Major General D. F. Trepov, who bore a physical resemblance to him. The murderer, the revolutionary Vasiliev, was executed for this crime.

Sources

M. Rait, Russkie ekspeditsii v Efiopii v seredine XIX-nachale XX vv. i ikh etnograficheskie materialy, “Afrikanskii etnograficheskii sbornik”, 1956, 1, p. 220-281;

I. Bondarenko, D. Klimov, Zhertvy politicheskogo terrora v Rossii (1901-1912), “Istoricheskii vestnik”, 2012, 2, p. 190-215.

 M.E.