Charles de Grailly de Foix

Charles de Grailly de Foix (birth and death dates unknown) was a French officer.

During the Russo-Ottoman War (1768–1774), he was an adjutant to General Totleben. He entered Georgia with Totleben in September 1770. Later (1777–1783), he wrote a memoir-like report, which is kept in the archives of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It was first published (1954) by the English Kartvelologist, Professor D. Lang.

The report describes Georgia at that time, and provides information about the socio-political and economic history of Georgia. Charles de Grailly de Foix described the entry of Totleben's army into Georgia by military route, the meeting of King Erekle II and Totleben, Erekle II's palace in Tbilisi, Totleben's meeting with King Solomon I, etc. Charles de Grailly de Foix witnessed the battle of Georgian-Russian army with the Ottomans during the capture of the Atskuri Fortress.

He described the course of the military campaign in detail and, as an expert in military affairs, gave a correct assessment of the tactics and strategy of Erekle II. The report confirms that the political circles of Georgia were firmly headed towards the Russian policy. Charles de Grailly de Foix paid attention to the details of the life of Georgians and some other Caucasian peoples.

The report also reveals his sympathies towards Erekle II. Charles de Grailly de Foix was initially a trusted person of Totleben, but then he supported the officers' conspiracy against Totleben and remained in Tbilisi at the court of Erekle II.

On April 22, 1771, he was tried in Kazan along with other participants in the conspiracy, found not guilty.

 

Literary work: დე გრაი დე ფუას ცნობები საქართველოს შესახებ. ფრანგულიდან თარგმნა, შესავალი, შენიშვნები და საძიებლები დაურთო ჯ. ოდიშელმა, თბ., 1985.

J. Odisheli