In the ancient cemetery of the Don Monastery rests the outstanding Cossack general Ivan Kozymich Krasnov, founder of a renowned general dynasty and hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. He also distinguished himself in wars against the Poles and Turks, participated in the storming of Izmail, and became the first Ataman of the Bug Cossack Host.

Ivan Kozymich was born in 1752 in the village of Bukhanovskaya on the Don to a simple Cossack family. He began his service in 1773 as a private Cossack in Korshin's regiment. Due to his literacy and resourcefulness, he soon became the regimental clerk. For his bravery in the war against the Turks in 1781, he was promoted to sotnik, marking the beginning of his path to the rank of general.

In the next war against the Turks, serving in Panteleev's regiment, Lieutenant Krasnov particularly distinguished himself on October 1, 1787, in the Battle of Kinburn. As an aide to Suvorov, he received orders to attack with a battalion, in which all the officers were wounded or killed. Krasnov personally led the battalion into the attack, despite being wounded in the leg, and drove the Turks into the sea. For this, he was promoted to captain.

In 1788, Krasnov crossed the Dniester with a small detachment and unexpectedly attacked the Turks, destroying their outpost. On the Danube, he captured a Turkish vessel, attacking it with Cossacks on rafts.

In 1790, as a second major, Krasnov participated in the storming of Izmail and captured three cannons. In the battle at Machin, he took two flags and received a gold medal on the George ribbon with the portrait of the Empress.

In battles against the Poles, Krasnov also shone brilliantly. He defeated the Polish cavalry at Murafa, was wounded in the leg, and then routed Polish squadrons and infantry at Polontsy. For the capture of Warsaw, he was awarded the Order of Saint George 4th class.

In 1797, Krasnov became a colonel, and the following year, as the Field Ataman, he guarded the borders with Austria. He prevented a plague epidemic that could have entered Russia. In 1799, he was promoted to major general and awarded the Orders of Saint Anna 2nd class and Saint John of Jerusalem.

After the death of Paul I, Krasnov was reinstated and appointed Ataman of the Bug Cossack Host. In 1808, he retired.

With the onset of the 1812 war, Krasnov returned to the army and led 9 Don regiments. His Cossacks distinguished themselves in battles at Porechye, Romanov, and Smolensk. In the battle near Mir, he captured two staff officers and 218 soldiers.

The day before the Battle of Borodino, Krasnov's Cossacks were the first to take the brunt of the French attack, fighting valiantly at the Kolotsky Monastery. However, in this battle, Krasnov received a fatal wound. Fourteen hours after the amputation of his leg, he passed away, leaving his dying words to his comrade: "Repel the enemies, and I will die joyfully, hearing that the enemy is defeated."

The general's funeral took place the day after the Battle of Borodino in the necropolis of the Don Monastery. Ivan Kozymich became the only Cossack general to die in the Patriotic War of 1812. His name was given to the 15th Don Cossack Regiment. Krasnov's descendants left a significant mark in the history of Russia, including his grandson Nikolai Nikolaevich and great-grandson Pyotr Nikolaevich Krasnov, a prominent writer and general.