There is a wide-spread official opinion that the Russians themselves set the whole Moscow on fire shortly before leaving it so that the city would't get into the hands of coming French troops.
Source: _https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_of_Moscow_%281812%29
This version has never made any sense to me so here is what I found after quick research:
Source: _http://matthewpicton.com/moscow-1812/
Source: _http://redmercuri.com/blog/1268486_Napoleons_army_was_killed__from_radiation_sickness.html
Here is more detailed article for Russian readers: _http://kometa-vozmezdie.ru/372-kosmicheskie-tayny-sgorevshih-stolic.html
Is it possible that a comet devastated Moscow just 2 centuries ago?!
The 1812 Fire of Moscow broke out on September 14, 1812 in Moscow on the day when Russian troops and most residents abandoned the city and Napoleon's vanguard troops entered the city following the Battle of Borodino. The fire raged until September 18, destroying an estimated three-quarters of Moscow.
Before leaving Moscow Count Rostopchin gave orders to have the Kremlin and major public buildings (including churches and monasteries) either blown up or set on fire. But this was not the foremost cause of the conflagration that destroyed the city. As the bulk of the French army moved into the city, there were some fires. Their cause has never been determined and both neglect as well as Rostopchin's orders may be among possible reasons. Today, the majority of historians blames the initial fires on Russian sabotage.
Source: _https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fire_of_Moscow_%281812%29
This version has never made any sense to me so here is what I found after quick research:
“Almost in the center of this sky, above the Prichistensky boulevard, surrounded and convoyed on every side by stars but distinguished from them all by its nearness to the earth, its white light and it’s long uplifted tail, shone the huge brilliant comet of the year 1812 – the comet which was said to portend all manner of horrors and the end of the world” interior narrative of Pierre in Tolstoy’s “War and Peace” It is easy to imagine the fatalistic and superstitious thoughts in the minds of the Moscow populace as the French army drew close and the events of 1812 unfolded. Events which were to provide an experience to match the fatalistic fears.
The sculpture of Moscow is based upon the 1812 map depicting the damage caused by the burning of Moscow. The work incorporates that latter half of the aforementioned quote, this quote is carved into the form of the Moskva river and the line of the medieval walls that enclosed the interior of Moscow at the time. The work is constructed from segments of Tchaikovsky’s famous 1812 overture. The overture was written in 1880 to commemorate the defense of the Russian motherland and can be interpreted as a fairly literal depiction of the campaign.
Moscow had twice been burnt before, the fire of 1547 under Ivan the Terrible and the fire of 1626 under the reign of Mikhail 1 Romanoff. In both cases a tempest of extraordinary strength had arisen and multiplied the disaster. On the morning of September 16 1812 a hurricane was blowing over Moscow, many believed a curse was hanging over the city especially in conjunction with the sense of foreboding imparted by the great Comet.
The fire itself attained such a monstrous size as to seem almost supernatural. Montesquieu “It was pitch dark and the sight was terrifying and grandiose, almost sublime, so closely did it resemble the Apocalypse…one saw volcanoes whose immeasurable eruptions had no limits but the skies”. The heat was so intense that molten copper and lead ran in the streets. Napolean commented “The entire city looked like one vast whirlwind of fire that rose in a swirling spiral to the sky and coloured it brilliantly” later he is said to have uttered the words “This betokens great misfortunes for us” prophetic words indeed.. for most of his army were to perish in one of the coldest winters on record.
Source: _http://matthewpicton.com/moscow-1812/
The causes of the famous Moscow fire of 1812 discussed reluctantly. For Russian fact putting to shame the ancient capital of Napoleon's troops was extremely unpleasant and unnecessary reminder not welcomed.
For the French, a story of a huge fire was too shameful event inconsistent with the role of an advanced civilized nation, which they considered themselves. And witness the fire that can clearly and in detail tell about what happened - had a little, Muscovites, especially the educated classes, left the city, many of the invaders were killed during the infamous flight from Russia.
Prevail in three versions: Moscow deliberately burned the French, Moscow deliberately burned Russian patriots, Moscow caught fire from neglect and invaders, and remains very small population. In the novel "War and Peace" by Leo Tolstoy, in examining the possible versions, came to the conclusion that Moscow could not be burned because of the order in the absence of any solid, even a small fire threatens city-wide conflagration.
Recent discovery allows us to state a new, completely unexpected suggestion.
Several years ago, Moscow official launched acquired estate in southern France, near Toulon. After the entry into ownership, he started repairing the old mansion, and preparing for the restoration of furniture, one of the secret drawers of his desk discovered diary of a Charles Artois, a lieutenant in Napoleon's army. The diary described events in Moscow and the details of the return of the Army of Russia. Now the manuscript goes through a series of examinations, but excerpts from it, courtesy of the owner, managed to get acquainted.
"I was standing in the courtyard of the big Russian home. A low sun flooded Moscow with golden light. Suddenly caught fire a second sun, bright, white, dazzling. It was located twenty degrees above the first, true, and shone no more than five seconds, but it has managed to singe person Paul Berger, relaxing on the balcony.
The walls and roof of the house began to smoke. I ordered the soldiers to pour out on the roof of a few dozen buckets of water, and only because these measures could save the estate. In other estates that are closer to the latter-day luminary, the fire started. It is this mysterious celestial flash, and was the cause of the terrible fire that destroyed Moscow. "
Curious description of Napoleon's troops fled from Russia. As you know, the French retreat (actually the army of Napoleon was a multinational, in fact, the French there were a minority) had ravaged Smolensk on the road. -Lack of food and feed, no winter clothing turned the once mighty army into a crowd of desperate, dying people. But is the "general Claus" and "General Hunger" guilty of hanging over the army? "Around the ongoing fires. Manor where we quartered, survived, but, unfortunately, the new attack struck our ranks. Putrid water, intemperance in eating or some other reason, but our people are suffering from the most severe bloody diarrhea. Weakness in all his limbs, dizziness , nausea turning into uncontrollable vomiting, added misery. And we are not alone in this position - all the battalions of the regiment, all the shelves in Moscow. Healers suspected dysentery or cholera, and recommend to quickly leave the inhospitable city. just now came Pierre Duroy. His squad is in ten miles from the gates of Moscow, are all healthy and happy, however, troubled Russian partisans. Seeing our deplorable condition, he immediately turned back, afraid of catching an infection. "
A week later, the lieutenant says, "We started losing his hair. Sim I shared a sad discovery to Zhirdenom, but He has the same trouble. Fear, soon our entire squad - but that squad, the whole band - will become bald regiment."
"Many horses are sick, that is confusing to veterinarians. As healers bipedal, they argue that the whole reason in malignant miasma, dissolved in the Moscow air." "Finally, a decision made: we leave Moscow. Leave, did not know anything, afflicted, weak, feeble, impotent. One only hopes to see native France gives courage, or else we'd rather just lie down and die - before bad our state" .
Pages describing the French way back, heavy and sorrowful: detachment Artois losing people every day, but not in battle - to fight they were not able to - and from weakness and exhaustion, caused by a mysterious illness. Even the meager provisions, which could get, did not go for the future, they just could not stomach it. Soldiers were covered with ulcers and sores. Killed both people and horses. Russian fought back from the parts that were not in Moscow, but the numbers appear to be dwindling, while the Russian army would grow stronger.
Most of Napoleon's army perished in the vast Russia. Charles Artois disease made invalid. Immediately on his return to France he was dismissed, but lived long and died at the age of thirty-two years, without children.
Source: _http://redmercuri.com/blog/1268486_Napoleons_army_was_killed__from_radiation_sickness.html
Here is more detailed article for Russian readers: _http://kometa-vozmezdie.ru/372-kosmicheskie-tayny-sgorevshih-stolic.html
Is it possible that a comet devastated Moscow just 2 centuries ago?!