In Russian history there are names of people who, during the bloody Caucasian War of the 19th century, were simultaneously surrounded by an aura of heroism and valor, and mystical horror and mystery. One of these personalities tightly connected with the history of the pacification of the Caucasus is Lieutenant General Yakov Petrovich Baklanov. Gloomy, two meters tall, endowed by nature with heroic strength, during his lifetime he became the hero of all kinds of rumors and legends. Baklanov was one of the most popular heroes of the era of the Caucasian War. Having received command of a regiment that was in desperately poor condition, he quickly brought it into exemplary condition with his energy and, from the timid defense of his predecessors, moved on to the most energetic offensive and soon became a threat to the mountaineers, who considered “Bokla” akin to the devil himself and called him “Dajjal.” (Satan). Baklanov knew about this and in every possible way supported the mountaineers in the belief that evil spirits were helping him. When in March 1850 he was wounded and the highlanders, having learned about this, decided to raid in a huge party, Baklanov, overcoming pain, at night personally led the Cossacks against the highlanders, who fled in panic fear of his invulnerability. While cutting a clearing through the Kachkalykovsky ridge , Baklanov, who knew that the famous mountain shooter Janem promised to kill him when he stood in his usual place on the hill, still climbed the hill at the usual time and, when the twice-missed Janem looked out from behind the mountain, he killed Janem in the forehead with a rifle on the spot. In Cossack songs dedicated to Baklanov, the “terrible Baklanov blow” is mentioned - Yakov Petrovich was known for cutting a rider in half with a saber from the shoulder to the pommel of the saddle. Having made his name formidable in the Caucasus, Baklanov during his activities in Lithuania, in contrast terrible rumor about himself, he showed himself to be a stern but fair boss. Contrary to regulations, he did not indiscriminately confiscate the estates of the rebels, but, whenever possible, established guardianship over the young children of the exiles and retained their property. Summoned on this occasion to Governor General M.N. To Muravyov, Baklanov said: “You can put me on trial or fire me without asking, but I will say one thing: I managed the department on your behalf, which I always honored and respected; my goal was to act in such a way that no stain would fall on this name, and my conscience tells me that I achieved success... I was and will be faithful to my Sovereign, Russia and you, my direct superior, but my thoughts were to weaken the rumors about Russian ferocity." This response aroused Muravyov’s gratitude.