His father was a major in the Imperial Russian Army , which allowed him to gain entry into schools that led to his eventual commission to military service .
He entered the Russian Army in 1843 , and graduated from the Imperial Military School in St. Petersburg in 1852 .
His father was a major in the Russian Army     , which allowed him to gain entry into schools that led to his eventual commission to military service .
He entered the Russian Army in 1843 , and graduated from the Imperial Military School in St. Petersburg in 1852 .