[1] Coming from the nobility of the province of Moscow, Ilya Ivanovich Alexeyev began his military career at the Preobrazhensky regiment.

After four years of service in the rank of Captain, it was incorporated into the regiment Horseman s-Soumskoï operating in Poland and was raised in 1796 to grade Major, cavalry inspector then aide of governor military Moscow.

On 9 August 1799 Ilya Alekseyev was elevated to the rank of colonel and soon after, he served as head of the Moscow police.

After the transformation of Squadrons Moscow Police in Regiment Hussars Mitau, he was appointed the commander and took part in various battles on Prussian soil.

In the Russo-Swedish War of 1808 - 1809, Major General ordered a vanguard detachment and he was decorated in 1809 to his exploits on the battlefield.