Platov, Count Matvey Ivanovich. Platov, Matvey Ivanovich Platov short biography

Participated in all Russian wars of the late 18th - early 19th centuries. Since 1801 - Ataman of the Great Don Army.

Biography

“Of the elder children of the Don Army” - his father was a military foreman. By birth he belonged to the Old Believers-Priests, although due to his position he did not declare this.

Matvey Ivanovich entered service on the Don in the Military Chancellery in 1766, and on December 4, 1769 he received the rank of captain. In 1771 he distinguished himself during the attack and capture of the Perekop line and Kinburn. From 1772 he began to command a Cossack regiment.

During the 1st Russian-Turkish War, in the battle of the Kalalakh River in 1774, Platov, commanding a thousand Cossacks, defeated the twenty-five thousandth army of the Crimean Tatars. Matvey Ivanovich was then only 23 years old and held the rank of colonel. This victory of his is one of the most remarkable in the history of Russian weapons.

During the 2nd Turkish War he distinguished himself during the assault on Ochakov. Order of St. George, 4th class. No. 278 awarded on April 14, 1789

During the Persian War 1795-1796 he was a marching chieftain. Under Paul I in 1797 he was suspected of conspiracy, exiled to Kostroma, then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. But in January 1801 he was released and became a participant in Paul’s most adventurous undertaking - a trip to India. Only with the death of Paul in March 1801, Platov, who had already advanced to Orenburg at the head of 27 thousand Cossacks, was returned by Alexander I, promoted to lieutenant general and appointed military ataman of the Don Army.

He took part in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, then in the Turkish war. Awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and on November 22, 1807 - the Order of St. George, 2nd class. No. 36

Patriotic War of 1812

During the Patriotic War, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy near the towns of Mir and Romanovo. In the battle near the village of Semlevo, Platov’s army defeated the French and captured a colonel from the army of Marshal Murat. Part of the success belongs to Major General Baron Rosen, who was given complete freedom of action by Ataman Platov. During the retreat of the French army, Platov, pursuing it, inflicted defeats on it at Gorodnya, Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and when crossing the Vop River. For his merits he was elevated to the rank of count. In November, Platov captured Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna.

At the beginning of January 1813, he entered Prussia and besieged Danzig; in September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, captured about 15 thousand people. In 1814, he fought at the head of his regiments during the capture of Nemur, Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne, Villeneuve. Awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called. At the conclusion of peace, he accompanied Emperor Alexander to London, where he was greeted with loud applause.

Other facts

In 1805 he founded Novocherkassk, where he moved the capital of the Don Cossack Army. He was buried there in 1818.

The portrait of Platov, signed by Doe, however, is nothing more than a copy of an original unknown to us, perhaps executed in England in 1814. This is indicated by an oval portrait of the English Prince Regent in a frame studded with diamonds, placed next to the stars of the highest Russian orders - Andrei, George and Vladimir, presented to Platov during his stay in London. To the left we see a gold medal, stamped in memory of the battle on the Kalalakh River in 1774, with which the hero’s military glory began.

• Honorary Doctor of Laws from Oxford University (1814)

Family

M.I.Platov was married twice. From his first marriage to Nadezhda Stepanovna (nee Efremova), Matvey Ivanovich had a son, Ivan (I), born in 1777. After the death of N.S. Platova (1783) M.I. Platov married again (1785) to the widow of Colonel Pavel Fomich Kirsanov - Marfa Dmitrievna (nee Martynova). In his second marriage, Matvey Ivanovich had four daughters and two sons: Martha (1786); Anna (1788); Maria (1789); Alexandra (1791); Matvey (1793); Ivan (II, 1796). The youngest son also became a military man, participated in the Patriotic War of 1812 and rose to the rank of colonel.

Memory

• On August 26, 1904, the 4th Don Cossack Regiment began to bear the name of Platov (as the eternal chief).
• The Rostov-Moscow branded railway train is named after Matvey Platov.
• In Moscow in 1976, Platovskaya Street was named in honor of the chieftain. The name was transferred from the built-up Platovsky Proezd, which was so named back in 1912.
• The village of Budyonnovskaya (Proletarsky district of the Rostov region) was formerly called Platovskaya.
• In 1853, in Novocherkassk, using public money collected by subscription, a monument to Ataman Platov was erected (author P.K. Klodt, A. Ivanov, N. Tokarev). In 1923, the monument was removed and transferred to the Donskoy Museum; in 1925, a monument to Lenin was erected on the same pedestal. The monument was in the Don Museum, but in 1933 it was melted down for bearings. In 1993, Lenin was removed from the pedestal and a restored monument to Platov was erected again.
• Monument to Platov on horseback in Novocherkassk. Sculptor A. A. Sknarin, 2003. Erected for the 250th anniversary of the birth of Ataman Platov.
• September 1, 2008 in the Moscow Cossack Cadet Corps named after. Sholokhov" a bust of M. I. Platov was installed as part of the "Walk of Russian Glory" project.
• Until the first half of the 1920s, there was Platovskaya Street in Novocherkassk, renamed Podtyolkovsky Avenue. Now called Platovsky Prospekt.
• The square in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky, previously named after Shchadenko, has been named after Platov since September 2010, on whose instructions the architect De Volan completed the initial layout of the Kamenskaya village. On the square there is a memorial stele and a bronze bust of the ataman.

M. I. Platov at the Monument “1000th Anniversary of Russia” in Veliky Novgorod

Memorial stele on Platov Square in Kamensk-Shakhtinsky

Bust of Platov in Starocherkassk

In art

• In Veliky Novgorod, on the Monument “1000th Anniversary of Russia”, among the 129 figures of the most outstanding personalities in Russian history (as of 1862), there is the figure of M. I. Platov.
• Platov is one of the main characters of N. S. Leskov’s tale “Lefty”, based on which the full-length cartoon “Lefty” was shot in the USSR in 1964, and in 1986 the film “Lefty”, in which the role of Platov was played by Vladimir Gostyukhin.
• In the film “Kutuzov” (1943), the role of Platov was played by Sergei Blinnikov.
• Platov is one of the heroes of Gennady Seminikhin’s novel “Novocherkassk”.
• In 2003, a Cossack cadet corps was opened in Belaya Kalitva, which also bears his name.

On banknotes

Ataman Platov on 250 Don rubles 1918

and on 50 Don kopecks 1918

On postage stamps

Russian postage stamp, 2009:
Ermak, Dezhnev, Platov.

Matvey Ivanovich Platov is a famous Russian military leader, a participant in many campaigns, one of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.

He was born in 1751, in the village of Starocherkasskaya, in the family of a military foreman. Matvey Ivanovich received a regular primary education, and at the age of 13 he entered military service.

At the age of 19 he went to the first war in his life with Turkey. In battles with the Turks, he showed bravery and courage, for which he was promoted to captain of the Russian army, and became the commander of the Cossack hundred.

The war continued - new battles, new exploits, new successes. Platov became a military foreman and commanded a regiment. But he was still very young, he was just over 20 years old.

In 1774, Matvey Ivanovich gained fame in the Russian army. His soldiers were surrounded by the Crimean Khan, accompanied by transport convoys.

Platov set up a camp, erected fortifications, and managed to repel several dashing enemy attacks. Soon reinforcements arrived. After this event he was awarded a gold medal.

In subsequent years, Matvey Ivanovich took part in the defeat of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev, and successfully fought in the Caucasus with the mountain peoples. For successful military operations he was awarded the rank of colonel in the Russian army.

In 1782, he met Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, and subsequently they communicated quite a lot.

In 1787, another Russian-Turkish war broke out. Platov's Cossack regiment was part of the army led by Potemkin. The regiment performed best during the assault on the Ochakovo fortress, for which Matvey Ivanovich was awarded the Order of St. George, fourth degree.

For further successes in the new war with Turkey, Platov was promoted to marching atamans. December 1790 came, marked by a loud and famous victory of the Russian army - the Capture of the Izmail Fortress.

Matvey Ivanovich was one of the first to speak out in favor of storming the powerful fortress. During the assault on Izmail, he commanded one of the assault columns, and then the entire left flank of the Russian army. During the assault, the ataman led the soldiers into the attack, giving them a personal example of courage and heroism.

For his participation in the Capture of Izmail, Matvey Platov was awarded the Order of St. George, third degree.

In 1796, on behalf of Empress Catherine II, he took part in the Persian campaign of the Russian army. For his participation in this campaign, he was awarded the golden saber “For Bravery” and the Order of St. Vladimir, second degree.

In 1897, Platov fell out of favor with Emperor Paul I. On suspicion of conspiracy against the emperor, he was exiled to Kostroma. After Kostroma there was imprisonment in the Peter and Paul Fortress. In 1801, the court acquitted the ataman, and Paul I admitted the fallacy of his accusations, and granted Matvey Ivanovich the Order of Malta.

After Alexander I became the new Emperor of Russia, Platov was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Ataman of the Don Army. In his new position, he managed to do a lot.

The capital of the Don Army was moved from Starocherkassk to Novocherkassk. Here he was actively involved in the development of the Cossack troops, monitoring their weapons and combat training. Ataman Platov opened the first gymnasium on the Don.

Matvey Ivanovich took part in the Russian-French campaign of 1806-1807. For his successes in the war with France, he was awarded the Order of St. George, second degree, and the Order of St. Vladimir, second degree.

In Tilsit, where the Russian and French emperors signed the Tilsit Peace Treaty between the powers, Platov personally met Napoleon. Bonaparte gave him a commemorative snuff-box, and was going to bestow upon him the Order of the Legion of Honor - the general refused it: “I did not serve the French, and I cannot serve,” said Platov.

At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, Matvey Ivanovich led the Cossack corps, which was part of Barclay de Tolly’s army. It so happened that Platov’s Cossacks had to cover the retreat of Peter Bagration’s army.

On June 27, 1812, a battle took place near the town of Mir, where Platov’s Cossacks destroyed as many as nine French regiments. This victory became the first victory of the Russian army in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The Russian troops had a hard time; the endless retreats were not easy. It so happened that due to Platov’s mistake, the Russian rearguard allowed the French troops to advance.

Barclay removed Matvey Ivanovich from his position. He was already planning to return to the Don, but Mikhail Kutuzov, who led the Russian army, returned the experienced warrior to the location of the active army.

Platov took part in the Battle of Borodino, his regiments operated notably on the right flank, time after time, giving the French a worthy rebuff. At the most critical moment, Matvey Ivanovich’s Cossack troops carried out a lightning-fast counterattack, disrupting the enemy’s ranks.

After the Battle of Borodino there was a short lull in the war. During this period, Ataman Platov initiated the mobilization of the Cossacks on the Don. During the mobilization, 22 thousand Cossacks joined the ranks of the Russian army.

For his services during the Patriotic War of 1812, Platov was awarded the title of count. In subsequent years, Matvey Ivanovich, together with his Cossack troops, made a great contribution to the common cause of defeating Napoleon.

Matvey Platov died in January 1818. Under Nicholas I, on the occasion of Platov’s 100th birthday, a monument to him was erected in Novocherkassk.

Platov was born in the capital of the Don Cossacks, Cherkassk (now the village of Starocherkasskaya, Aksai district, Rostov region). “From the senior children of the Don Army”— his Cossack father was a military foreman. By birth he belonged to the Old Believers-Priests, although due to his position he did not advertise this. Mother - Platova Anna Larionovna, born in 1733. Married to Ivan Fedorovich, they had four sons - Matvey, Stefan, Andrei and Peter.

Matvey Ivanovich entered service on the Don in the Military Chancellery in 1766 with the rank of constable, and on December 4, 1769 he received the rank of captain.

In 1771 he distinguished himself during the attack and capture of the Perekop line and Kinburn. Since 1772 he commanded a Cossack regiment. In 1774 he fought against the highlanders in the Kuban. On April 3, he was surrounded by Tatars near the Kalala River, but managed to fight back and forced the enemy to retreat.

In 1775, at the head of his regiment, he took part in the defeat of the Pugachevites.

Yaik Cossacks on a campaign (watercolor of the late 18th century). Unknown artist

In 1782-1783 he fought with the Nogais in the Kuban. In 1784 he participated in the suppression of uprisings of Chechens and Lezgins.

In 1788 he distinguished himself during the assault on Ochakov. In 1789 - in the battle of Kaushany (September 13) during the capture of Akkerman (September 28) and Bender (November 3). During the assault on Izmail (December 11, 1790) he led the 5th column.

Ya. Sukhodolsky. "Storm of Ochakov"

Engraving by S. Shiflyar “The Assault of Izmail on December 11 (22), 1790” (colorized version). Made according to a watercolor drawing by the famous battle painter M. M. Ivanov. The drawing was based on full-scale sketches made by the artist during the battle.

Since 1790, ataman of the Ekaterinoslav and Chuguev Cossack troops. On January 1, 1793, he was promoted to major general.

In 1796 he took part in the Persian campaign. After the campaign was suddenly canceled by decree from St. Petersburg, having disobeyed the Highest command, he remained with his regiment to guard the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, Count Valerian Zubov, who was threatened with Persian captivity.

Valerian Alexandrovich Zubov

Artist I. M. Grassi, 1796

He was suspected by Emperor Paul I of conspiracy and in 1797 exiled to Kostroma, and then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. In January 1801, he was released and became a participant in Paul’s most adventurous enterprise—the Indian Campaign. Only with the death of Paul in March 1801, Platov, who had already advanced to Orenburg at the head of 27 thousand Cossacks, was returned by Alexander I.

Triple portrait: M.I. Platov, F.P. Denisov, V.P. Orlov

On September 15, 1801, he was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed military ataman of the Don Army. In 1805 he founded the new capital of the Don Cossacks - Novocherkassk. He did a lot to streamline army command and control.

Matvey Ivanovich Platov

Matvey Ivanovich Platov

In the campaign of 1807, he commanded all the Cossack regiments of the active army. After the battle of Preussisch-Eylau he earned all-Russian fame. He became famous for his dashing raids on the flanks of the French army, defeating several separate detachments. After the retreat from Heilsberg, Platov’s detachment acted in the rearguard, taking on constant blows from the French troops pursuing the Russian army.

Battle of Preussisch Eylau, Jean-Charles Langlois

Matvey Ivanovich Platov

Battle of Heilsberg

In Tilsit, where peace was concluded, Platov met Napoleon, who, in recognition of the ataman’s military successes, gave him a precious snuff box. The chieftain refused the French Order of the Legion of Honor, saying:

I did not serve Napoleon and cannot serve.

Patriotic War and Foreign Campaign

During the Patriotic War of 1812, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy near the towns of Mir and Romanovo. In the battle near the village of Semlevo, Platov’s army defeated the French and captured a colonel from the army of Marshal Murat. Part of the success belongs to Major General Baron Rosen, who was given complete freedom of action by Ataman Platov. After the battle of Saltanovka, he covered Bagration’s retreat to Smolensk. On July 27 (August 8) he attacked the cavalry of General Sebastiani near the village of Molevo Boloto, overthrew the enemy, took 310 prisoners and Sebastiani’s briefcase with important papers.

Platov, Count Matvey Ivanovich

Born on August 6, 1751 in the Staro-Cherkasskaya village, on the Don. Platov’s father is a military foreman, a very smart man, respected and strong in character, in the sense of scientific education he was not much different from other Don Cossacks, and therefore the initial education of young Platov was limited to just learning to read and write. Discovering a lively character and a love of warlike fun from childhood, P., having barely reached the age of 13, had already entered the royal service as a constable. The outbreak of the Russian-Turkish War of 1768 -1774, in which P. received his baptism of fire, gave him the opportunity to distinguish himself in affairs with the enemy. Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Prince. You. Mich. Dolgorukov immediately noticed the young Cossack and distinguished him: P. was promoted to officer and received a Cossack hundred on a mission.

Soon after, at the request of Prince. Dolgorukov, followed by the Highest permission to promote Platov to the rank of military foreman, in order to entrust him with command of the Don regiment.

In 1771, P. participated in the capture of the Perekop line, as well as near Kinburn. After the conclusion of peace at Kuchuk-Kainardzhi, P. was sent to Kuban.

The Crimean Khan Devlet-Girey, embittered by the failures in his clashes with Russian troops, decided to deal a decisive blow to the troops stationed in the Kuban. Platov’s feat at the heights of the Kalalakh River dates back to this time. Colonel Stremoukhov instructed Platov to deliver transport with provisions and ammunition to the army located in the Kuban. Devlet-Girey, having united with the mountain princes, decided to attack the Russian transport, taking advantage of the weakness of the cover, which consisted of two regiments with one gun and did not have the opportunity to provide strong resistance. The Cossacks, who did not expect an attack, showed, however, a desperate determination to defend themselves. Platov built a kind of field fortification from the convoy, because of which he and the Cossacks repelled seven attacks of the strongest enemy. At the same time, being surrounded on all sides, he found the opportunity through messengers to notify Colonel Bukhvostov of his hopeless situation, who arrived from the opposite bank of Kalalakh to the rescue of the convoy and its defenders. The Tatars were put to flight, the convoy was delivered safely, and Platov’s personality, his influence on the Cossacks, resourcefulness and courage aroused general respect.

From here P. with his regiment was sent to search for Pugachev, and later, when the impostor was caught, to the Voronezh and Kazan provinces to disperse Pugachev’s gangs. After a three-year persecution of the rebels, P. in 1782 and 1783, under the command of Suvorov, was again in the Kuban and on the Crimean Peninsula and in 1784 was sent against the Lezgins and Chechens. Before the second Turkish War of 1787-1791. P. was already a colonel. In the campaign of 1788, he was in the so-called Yekaterinoslav Army, led by Prince Potemkin, and took part in the most outstanding moments of this campaign.

During the siege and assault of Ochakov, P. acted with one thousand dismounted and two hundred mounted Cossacks. The attack on the Hassan-Pashinsky castle was left to the column of Major General Baron Palen, which, by the way, included the Cossacks of Colonel Platov. After the assault, the castle was occupied and the Don Cossacks, led by Platov, were entrusted with monitoring it. The latter's successful actions were awarded the Order of St. George 4th degree. On September 13th, the Cossacks approached Kaushany and made such a quick attack on the Turks that they forced them to flee. The result of the victory was the capture of three guns, two banners and 160 prisoners with Pasha Hassan. For this distinction, P. was promoted to brigadier and appointed marching ataman of the Don Army.

In the fall, Ackermann's occupation was undertaken. Platov was supposed to take control of Palanka, located on the Dniester, but then he was moved to Ackerman himself, who was occupied without shedding blood, thanks to successful demonstrations on the part of the Russians. In 1790, P. participated in the capture of Izmail; During the assault on the fortress, he led the 5,000 Cossacks of the fifth column, which had a particularly difficult task. After Major General Bezborodok received a wound, command of both columns, the fourth and fifth, of the left wing passed to Platov, and he, either contributing to the success of the other columns or acting separately with his part, rendered invaluable services. “Everything was overturned, beaten, everywhere, wherever P. appeared, victorious cheers thundered! He replaced the multitude, his fearlessness turned everyone into heroes and all his orders were crowned with success.” The assault on this fortress seemed inevitable to Platov, and he was the first to make this decision at the military council assembled by Suvorov.

For his participation in the capture of Ishmael, P. was awarded the Order of St. George 3rd Art. and promoted to major general.

The war between Russia and Persia, which began in 1796, awarded P., for the distinctions he had shown, the Order of St. Vladimir 3rd degree and a saber decorated with diamonds with the inscription “for bravery.”

From the time of Emperor Pavel Petrovich's accession to the throne, Platov's glory and fame were already so great that they created many envious people for him and were the reason that Platov, slandered before Emperor Paul for his disloyalty to the monarch and treacherous plans against Russia, was first exiled to Kostroma, and then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. However, false slander came to light: P. was released and awarded the Commander's Cross of the Order of St. John of Jerusalem. The Emperor personally appointed Platov as the main and immediate assistant to the military ataman of the Don Cossacks.

Paul I's attention and mercy to Platov increased; the emperor appointed Platov to the most prominent role in the planned campaign against India and ordered him to immediately go to the Don, where the Highest decree was already awaiting him: “gather the entire Don army to assembly places; so that all available chief officers and lower ranks will certainly march within 6 days about two horses and a month and a half of provisions." In January 1801, P. gathered about 27,000 Cossacks, with whom he went on a campaign, heading to Orenburg. There he received translators from the governor, a caravan of camels, with all the cargo necessary for the campaign, and then went deeper into the steppes. Difficult trials came for the Cossacks. Frosts struck, diseases appeared, many died from them or froze to death. The camels fell, and the survivors were secretly taken away by the fleeing Kyrgyz guides. The loss of spirit in the detachment was complete; muted murmurs turned into cases of open disobedience; the more submissive ones begged their chieftain to return back. The position of the ill-fated detachment was critical, and only the death of Emperor Paul I stopped this useless and painful campaign. In March, a messenger from St. Petersburg caught up with Platov and, informing him of the accession of a new sovereign to the throne, gave him the order to return back to the Don.

During the reign of Emperor Alexander I, after the death of the military ataman of the Don Army, cavalry general Orlov, P., promoted to lieutenant general in 1801, took his place. This appointment was greeted by the Don Army with delight: Platov’s name was then repeated with admiration everywhere - at court, in the army, among the people. And it would be difficult to find a person more suited to the new appointment and more worthy than P. With outstanding military talents, he was distinguished by the typical features of a purely Russian person and knew perfectly well the life and needs of the Cossack army, in which he passed through all the stages, from constable to military chieftain , having won the unchanging and enthusiastic love of all the Cossacks. Having been a military ataman since 1801, P. devoted all his energy and all his abilities to the military and economic organization of the army. Here his administrative abilities were revealed. Through Platov’s petition, the regional city of the Don Army, Starocherkassk, was moved to a new place, where residents could be safe from the annual destructive floods of the Don - to Novocherkassk. Through the efforts of Platov, the new city was brought into a flourishing state. The Cossack Military Chancellery owes its transformation to Platov. Accommodating the functions of all provincial government offices (Provincial Government, Treasury, Criminal and Civil Chambers, as well as the Military Administration), the Military Chancellery could not satisfactorily and quickly resolve incoming cases, which is why neglect and disorder occurred in office work. P., with the Highest permission, allocated part of the military command to the so-called Military Expedition, under the direct command of the Military Ataman. Other matters of civil administration of the lands of the Don Cossacks were concentrated in the Civil and Economic Expeditions. Matters in these two Expeditions were to be prepared by clerks and decided at general meetings by majority vote. All three parts of the Military Chancellery - Military Administration, Civil and Economic Expeditions constituted one inseparable whole, under the chairmanship of the Military Ataman.

Platov’s activities also affected changes in the combat units of the Don Army. Its reforms were mainly expressed in various measures regarding the recruitment of Don regiments (the number of headquarters and chief officers was calculated for 60 regiments), on the promotion of ranks ("only for vacancies, not exceeding the complement"), on resignations (resignation was not allowed previously 25-30 years of service) and maintenance.

Platov's administrative and organizational activities were interrupted by Russia's war with Napoleon, in which the Don Cossacks played a historical role. P. began his exploits from the second war between Russia and Napoleon, when Russia came to the defense of Prussia. Platov was entrusted with command of all Cossack regiments.

On the eve of the Preussisch-Eylaus battle, Platov arrived at the main apartment and “became a courageous leader, crowning his brow with unfading laurels and leading the Don army to repeated victories.” The battle took place on January 27, 1807. Platov with his Don troops pursued the overturned enemy columns and defeated them, capturing up to 500 people. Continuous clashes with the enemy (near Burbusdorf, Berchsdorf, against the village of Ludwigswald, etc.) were very successful, and the honor of these glorious actions rightfully belonged to the Don Cossacks.

The retreat of Napoleon's army after the Battle of Preussisch-Eylaus was directed to the left bank of the river. Passargi, along the Landsberg road. After the departure of the prince. Bagration to St. Petersburg, Platov took command of the vanguard and for several months successfully pursued the French troops. Skirmishes and affairs with the French, who occupied the entire space between Wartenburg and Ostroleka, occurred every day and usually ended with the capture by the Cossacks and the extermination of enemy squadrons, the recapture of guns and convoys, and in a very short time instilled in the French an alarming confidence in the complete impossibility of using what they needed to restore strength rest and peace. Napoleon himself, in impotent anger, called the Cossacks “a disgrace to the human race.” Numerous clashes with the enemy, despite their success, were, so to speak, “in the meantime,” since Platov’s more serious goal was to maintain contact between the army and the Essen corps, which required restoring communications between the scattered detachments that were part of the Essen corps. To counter the enemy, P. had, in accordance with the orders received, to attack him from Ortelsburg and Wilemburg, which he did with success and established himself in Passenheim. From here he continuously harassed Marshal Davout's corps. After a series of brilliant clashes with the enemy (the battle of Ortelsburg), in which the French cavalry units were completely destroyed, P. entered into constant contact with the Cossack regiments of Lieutenant General Essen, stationed near the town of Ostroleka. The enemy was thrown back to Wilemberg on one side and Allenstein on the other, and Platov moved his apartment to Bitovsburg. From here, Cossack detachments harassed the enemy in all directions. Among the countless clashes between the Russians and the French, the following cases should be noted: at the village of Kota, Veseloveno, at the village. Malga and Omuley-Ofene, Klaigenau, near the village of Reidikeinen, near Allenstein. P. reported to Empress Maria Feodorovna that “the pride, and more importantly the insolence of the French, was knocked out of their heads, they were brought to exhaustion, their cavalry, daring by the Don Cossacks, was all destroyed, and they lost a lot of infantry... They are now sitting, except for Danzig, against us, like mice in holes..."

In the month of May, the actions of the Don Cossacks were distinguished by their previous success. Their frequent and successful attacks on French detachments brought forward one after another brave warriors from the ranks of the Don Cossacks, whose names became known to everyone thanks to Platov, who, as a boss, strictly demanded that his subordinates fulfill their duty, but was fair and loved to distinguish the worthy with sincerity and openness. recognition of their merits.

By order of the commander-in-chief, instructions were given regarding further actions. Platov had to cross the river. Alle between Gutstadt and Allenstein and prevent the corps of Marshals Ney and Davout from connecting. Having settled in camp near old Wartenburg, P. gave orders to the detachments separated from him (Ilovaisky's detachment of the 5th - to cross the Alla River to the left; Denisov's detachment - to the right and, delaying the movement of the French from Allenstein, to attack in the rear from Gutstadt), and he himself with his part of the flying detachment he launched an attack on the enemy in the center. Major General Ilovaisky 5th crossed at dawn with three regiments by swimming, under heavy rifle fire from the enemy infantry, attacked them at all points and, putting the enemy to flight, pursued more than four miles and dispersed them through the forests. Major General Denisov 6th also arrived at dawn at the Alla River, but, having crossed the river, he discovered the enemy in large forces of cavalry and infantry with several guns. Having attacked the cavalry with three regiments of darts, he broke the stubborn resistance of the enemy.

At the same time, two regiments, having crossed by swimming, headed for an attack to the left of Major General Denisov on the 6th. Platov himself followed these two regiments with the rest of his forces.

The enemy, numbering more than a thousand people, was attacked on the march and partly destroyed, and partly captured. In addition, the Cossacks captured, along with the cover, a large convoy, which, by the way, contained the office of Marshal Ney. By evening P. with all his strength went to p. Alla repelled the attack of the enemy, who suffered significant damage.

On May 25, P. united with the army located near Geisigenthal and joined the vanguard of Prince Bagration, located on the right bank of the river. Passargi. On the 25th, 26th and 27th of May, the Don Cossack regiments performed many feats of courage and daring courage, and the name of the chieftain became a threat to the enemy.

One of the episodes of this time was the capture from the battle by Major Balabin of an artillery park standing on the river, among 46 decks loaded with firearms, which he immediately blew up without any harm to himself. In general, the actions of the Cossacks were so successful that they forced the enemy to stand for whole nights under arms.

The Battle of Heilsberg was a bloody clash between the Russians and the French. Even before the start of the battle, P. with his Cossacks, covering the army retreating to Heilsberg from Gutstadt, destroyed the bridge on the river. Alle, chopped up the pontoons and withstood a two-hour cannonade from the enemy, and then, when the Russian army occupied the Heilsberg position, P. very skillfully organized observations of the enemy’s movements, showing extraordinary dexterity and insight with his Cossacks. The battle of Heilsberg was one of the brilliant proofs Platov's cavalry talents. Not content with repelling the enemy with significant damage to him, P. took advantage of every convenient moment and attacked the enemy himself, suddenly and unexpectedly changing the direction of attacks, either to the flank or to the rear.

During the retreat of the army, the “flying corps” of Lieutenant General Platov took upon itself all the enemy’s blows, and although the rearguard, made up of only light troops, was too insignificant for the enemy army, the courage and stamina of the Cossacks and the inspired leadership of their ataman Platov did this that the Russian army retreated in order and without any particular losses when circumstances required it (as, for example, when the army retreated to Bertenstein, and from there to Schiepenbeil and when Russian troops moved to Friedland).

Forcing the enemy to linger at every step and waste time deploying his forces, not allowing him to get closer to the Russian army, burning bridges behind him, Lieutenant General P. acted with the same skill and luck during the retreat of Russian troops to Tilsit and for the Neman after the battle under Friedland. This retreat of the army is inextricably linked with the successful actions of Platov’s corps and owes its success entirely to it. Thus, due to the fact that, when leaving Velau, Platov’s rearguard struck a swift blow to the enemy columns on the left bank of the river. Hello, the Russian army was not detained on the way. The clash between Platov’s Cossack regiments and the French at the Pregel River and at the Toplaken Dam had the same significance. The French had to pay especially serious attention to the cover of the Russian army, behind which the latter felt completely safe. Numerous cavalry were advanced against Platov, followed by the French army. But despite the superiority of the enemy forces over the rearguard of the Russian army, despite even some particular failures (in the Kugelk forest, from where the Russian troops were driven out by the French), in general the result of the clashes was favorable for the Russians and created in them confidence in the safety of the march carried out under cover P.

Platov’s last exploits before the conclusion of the Peace of Tilsit were meeting the enemy at Yursaigen, moving (at night) to Taurogen, unnoticed by the French, and a shootout at Raukotinen, as well as crossing the Neman.

For his exploits in the war for the liberation of Prussia, P. was awarded the Order of St. George 2nd degree, Order of St. Vladimir 2nd step, and Alexander Nevsky. The Prussian king granted him the Order of the Red and Black Eagle. The Emperor granted Platov’s native Don Army a letter of commendation and “in fair respect for the excellent exploits of the famous Don Army” - a banner depicting its deeds.

The Peace of Tilsit, which temporarily suspended Russia's struggle with Napoleon, did not give the country complete calm and rest. The war with Turkey had been going on for two years. P. was called upon to take part in it and transfer his actions to the banks of the Danube, to the Moldavian army, then led by Field Marshal Prince Prozorovsky, and after the death of the latter by Prince Bagration.

In August, P. with his Don regiments occupied the Babadag fortress, where he found 12 cannons and large supplies. Having then crossed the Danube, the chieftain reached the so-called Troyan Wall, and on August 22, after a cannonade from 4 batteries he had set up, he occupied Girsovo. In the fortress, guns, military supplies, and weapons were found, and its occupation opened up a completely free path to the Black Sea and established communication between both banks of the Danube, as a result of which they began to build bridges.

In the battle of Rassevat, the Russians defeated a 15,000-strong Turkish detachment. The Don Cossacks distinguished themselves especially when pursuing the enemy who had fled from the camp and thus completed the defeat of the enemy, who opened the way to Silistria for the Russians.

On September 10, the bombardment of Silistria began. P. set out to meet the Rushchuk Turkish corps, which was coming to the aid of the besieged fortress. By the decisive actions of the Cossack regiments, the enemy was scattered, more than 1000 people of the Turkish corps died on the spot and up to 1500 were captured. Among the prisoners, by the way, was Pasha Mahmud. For this victory, Platov was awarded the rank of cavalry general and the Order of St. Vladimir 1st Art.

The next defeat to the enemy troops was inflicted by Platov at Tataritsa. Here the Turkish army of the Supreme Vizier Yusuf Pasha, who also intended to come to the aid of Silistria, was struck. The Russian trophies included 16 banners and 200 prisoners.

The affair at Tataritsa ended Platov’s exploits in the war of 1809, and he returned for a while to his Don to improve his severely weakened health.

The valor of Platov and the Don Army was most evident in the Patriotic War of 1812. Their deeds are surrounded by such glory that even the most accurate historical facts have the character of something fabulous, not to mention the countless mass of stories and memories that were the fruit of the amazement and delight of the people for the exploits of the Don Cossacks and their leader.

The ambitious plans of Napoleon I, which encouraged him to break Russia, which opposed him, on the one hand, and Russia’s dissatisfaction with the terms of the Treaty of Tilsit, on the other, were the cause of the War of 1812.

At the beginning of 1812, Napoleon's "Grand Army", consisting of more than 600 thousand people, moved from different parts of Europe to Prussia and the Duchy of Warsaw and occupied the left bank of the Vistula. At that time, Russia could only deploy about 200 thousand people on its Western border. 14 regiments of Ataman Platov's flying corps were part of the 1st Western Army. The remaining Cossack regiments, under the command of Major Generals Ilovaisky and Tormasov, were distributed between the 2nd and 3rd Western armies. The defensive lines for our army were the Neman, Berezina, Dnieper and Dvina rivers. Platov with seven thousand Cossacks stood in Grodno. He was ordered to strike the enemy's flank as soon as the latter crossed the Neman. Prince Bagration was supposed to provide the rear for Platov's corps. The enemy crossed the Neman at Kovno on June 12 and was met by a Cossack life patrol, which, therefore, was the first to greet the Great Army.

In accordance with the Highest command, Platov now had to “act in accordance with the circumstances and inflict all kinds of harm on the enemy.”

Platov sent his entire corps to Lida, taking supplies, government property, the main pharmacy, weapons, ammunition from Grodno and sending the sick inside the state. At this time, he learned that the King of Westphalia was approaching the Neman and, in order to slow down the enemy’s movement, damaged the bridge across the Neman. The next Highest command directed Platov to cover the march of Prince Bagration, who was marching to join the 1st Army.

Platov set out from Lida to Nikolaev and since he was entrusted with discovering the enemy and notifying the movements of his prince Bagration and the main apartment (located between Vidza and Dvina), he sent out detachments of Cossacks in different directions, who had very successful clashes with the enemy at Karelichi, Mira and Romanov. The actions of the Cossacks during these clashes with the enemy were distinguished not only by courage and fearlessness, but also by great skill. They set up ambushes for the enemy and in small detachments, pretending that they were ready to start business with him, they brought him to the place of the ambush and delivered a decisive blow.

P.'s orders in the battle of Mir on June 28 represented a harmonious combination of caution and determination. Trying, first of all, to lure the enemy into the trap set for him, he was able to instantly assess the situation, and when he was convinced that the enemy, taught by bitter experience, would not be deceived, he did not waste a minute and, taking advantage of his superior forces, resolutely attacked and beat him.

In the battle of Romanov on July 2, P., convinced of the weakness of the enemy, without hesitation, leaves behind a difficult barrier and quickly attacks the enemy, but then, having come into contact with significant forces, quickly retreats and puts this barrier between himself and the enemy.

This disastrous tactic so upset the corps of the King of Westphalia that a dissatisfied Napoleon relieved Hieronymus of Westphalia from command and ordered him to go to his kingdom.

After this, P. had to join the 1st Army. Having crossed the Dnieper, he turned from Bykhov to Chausy and Gorki and occupied with his Cossacks all the surroundings of Mogilev, thereby stopping the movements of Marshal Davout from Mogilev anywhere.

The Don army became indispensable, and the commanders-in-chief of the first and second armies, Barclay de Tolly and Bagration, each kept it with them, realizing the difficulty of acting against the advancing enemy without the help of Platov’s flying corps, which ensured the success of every movement of the Russian army. From Vitebsk at that time, the chief of staff of the 1st Army, Ermolov, directly wrote to the ataman: “We have been confronting a large enemy army for the third day. Today the main battle is inevitable. We are in such a position that it is impossible to retreat without terrible danger. If you come, Our affairs will not only improve, but will also take on a completely favorable form. Hurry up." But Platov was detained at Mogilev by Prince Bagration, where on the 11th there was, as Platov said, “a decent battle.” From here Platov marched to Dubrovna, crossed the Dnieper again and opened communications with the 1st Army. At this time, Prince Bagration was moving towards Smolensk, Barclay de Tolly also hurried here to warn Davout here, and on July 22 both armies, numbering 122 thousand people, united at Smolensk.

Thus, Napoleon's plans were frustrated; he could neither defeat our armies piecemeal, nor cut them off from Moscow, nor prevent their unification. The position of the Russian army after the connection near Smolensk changed significantly for the better - the duality of forces disappeared, reinforcements arrived, and the appointment of General Kutuzov as overall commander in chief finally strengthened its position and increased the chances of success.

Platov's Don Cossack regiments formed the vanguard of the Russian army when Barclay de Tolly, prompted by Emperor Alexander I and the general demands of the army and people, decided to go on the offensive and move forward to Rudna. The start of the movement was successful. P. opened two French hussar regiments at Molevoy Bolot, struck their flank and drove the enemy two miles, capturing 10 officers and more than 300 privates; he wrote that “the enemy did not ask for pardon, but the Russian troops, being enraged, stabbed and beat him.”

The advanced enemy posts retreated along the entire line, except for Porechye. This prompted Barclay de Tolly to move to the Porechensky road, but since the enemy was not here, Barclay de Tolly crossed back to the Rudny road.

Napoleon at this time concentrated all his forces on our left flank, crossed from Dubrovna and Rosasana to the left bank of the Dnieper and intended to occupy Smolensk in the rear of our army. This prompted Barclay de Tolly to rush there. P. covered the army from Rudnya and Porechye. In three days, from August 1 to 4, P. managed to make several successful attacks on enemy forward units, and the Cossacks captured 1,300 prisoners. On August 4, a battle broke out near Smolensk, forcing the Russian army to retreat into the interior of the country. P. formed the rearguard of the army, as always ready to repel an enemy attack.

After the battle at Valutina Mountain, Napoleon pursued our army weakly: he had not yet decided whether to stay in Smolensk for the winter or continue a further offensive. The Russian army, having lost Smolensk, considered a decisive battle inevitable. On August 10, Russian troops took a position near the village of Usvyat, and Platov was instructed to “hold the enemy as far as possible.” The Cossacks withstood stubborn battles at Mikhalev and on the banks of the river. Axis.

On August 17, both Russian armies arrived at Tsarevo-Zaimishch, but the new commander-in-chief, General Kutuzov, found this position uncomfortable and moved to Borodino, where it was decided to give battle.

On August 26, Napoleon attacked the main position of the Russian forces at Borodino and, after an inconclusive battle (in which both sides lost 40 thousand people), retreated to the position he had previously occupied.

The actions of the Cossacks in the Battle of Borodino had an extremely important influence on the fate of the battle. They were at the right end of our position when Kutuzov ordered Platov with the Cossacks and General Uvarov with the cavalry corps to cross Kolocha above Borodino and attack the left wing of the French. Having crossed the Voyna ford, the Cossacks appeared behind enemy lines and caused complete confusion in his convoys, putting the cover to flight. The attack of the Cossacks decisively changed the position of the opponents. Napoleon suspended his attacks, and success, which was leaning on his side, betrayed him.

Soon the Don militia, summoned to the active army by order of Platov, joined the Cossack regiments. The number of Cossack regiments, together with the new arrivals, increased to 45. All of them, both the old ones, already tested in battle, and the new ones, only carried away by the valiant desire to defend the Tsar and the Fatherland, formed one whole both in spirit and in general military techniques , used in battle, and by their unanimous reverence for their beloved chieftain.

The position of the French in Moscow, occupied by them since September 2, was difficult. Napoleon offered Emperor Alexander to make peace, but to no avail. By October 20, it was planned to complete the concentration of all Russian forces.

After the battle of Tarutino, in which, however, P. did not personally take part, Napoleon was forced to leave Moscow. When news was received about Napoleon's appearance from Moscow, everyone expected decisive action from Platov, who with all the Cossack regiments and a company of horse artillery was supposed to go to Maloyaroslavets and observe the road from Mozhaisk to Kaluga through Medyn; during the battle of Maloyaroslavets, he was entrusted with monitoring the road from Borovsk to Maloyaroslavets, as well as disturbing the enemy in the rear and right flank, in order to divert Napoleon’s attention from the main battle.

On the night of October 12th to 13th, an incident occurred near the river. Puddles. The Cossack regiments, having left the camp, moved along the high road with the aim of attacking enemy detachments that could move towards Maloyaroslavets. Here they met enemy artillery, which they captured among 50 guns. In the next three cavalry platoons met by the Cossacks, there was Napoleon himself, whom, however, the Cossacks did not recognize in the darkness and escaped from captivity, attracted by the spoils of the enemy carts. Taking advantage of the moment, the French even had the opportunity to begin pursuing the scattered Cossacks, but the latter, quickly uniting, repelled the enemy, taking away rich booty in money and 11 guns, and the fire of the Don artillery from the right bank of the Puddle stopped further attempts by the enemy.

On October 14, the general retreat of the Grand Army began. Platov was entrusted with monitoring the movement of the enemy, but he, not limiting himself to the exemplary performance of his task, did not miss a single opportunity during the entire movement of the enemy, so as not to cause the latter possible harm and defeat.

During the pursuit of the enemy along the road from Mozhaisk to the Kolotsky Monastery, the Cossacks took away many carts and horses from the French. Marshal Davout became a special target for the pursuit of Platov, and on the march to Vyazma along the Smolensk road, the Cossacks inflicted a heavy defeat on the French near the Kolotsky Monastery on October 19th. The Cossacks exterminated the remnants of the enemy army with great ferocity and instilled such fear in the enemy that until the end of the pursuit, the mere news of the appearance of the Cossacks forced the French to hastily withdraw from their bivouacs and continue their retreat.

The enemy tried to fight back and took up positions on the road to the city of Gzhatsk, but the skillful action of Cossack detachments and Cossack artillery made his efforts futile. Gzhatsk was occupied by the Cossacks, as well as Teplukhovo and Tsarevo-Zaimishche, where the mission echelons of Davout’s corps were completely scattered. Davout's corps, pressed by Platov, approached the troops of the Viceroy and Poniatowski. With their united forces they wanted to retain Vilna and stop the Russians.

On October 22, P., having learned that Miloradovich wanted to cut off Davout’s corps with his regular cavalry, attacked the French rearguard at dawn and drove it into the village. Fedorovskoe. Poniatowski and the Viceroy hastened to help Davout. A fierce battle ensued. Marshal Davout's corps was completely defeated, and the failure had a detrimental effect on the rest of the French army, which completely lost heart. “The enemies are fleeing in a way that no army could ever retreat,” reported P. Napoleon himself was now hurrying Davout to escape, thinking only about the least losses. The Cossacks acted more tirelessly than before and quickly destroyed the Grand Army with united attacks.

P. took 1,000 prisoners from Semlev, and on the banks of the Vopi inflicted a decisive defeat on the viceroy’s corps, forcing him to abandon his intention to get to Vitebsk. The trophies were 3,000 prisoners, 62 guns and supplies.

Prince Eugene headed towards Smolensk, where on October 31 all of Napoleon’s corps were concentrated.

On November 2, Napoleon set out from Smolensk to Krasnoye. P. did not cease to disturb Ney’s troops, who replaced Davout’s demoralized corps in the rearguard, prevented them from foraging, took away their weapons piece by piece and, finally, gradually driving them into the city, separated them from Napoleon’s army.

Napoleon's hasty flight from Krasny destroyed Marshal Ney's corps, which was left to its own forces. P. had already occupied the outskirts of the city and, gradually weakening the ill-fated corps, brought it to the point that Ney decided to set out from Smolensk. P. also left the city and moved through Katan to Dubrovna, with the intention of going to Orsha. Ney, leaving Smolensk and seeing the impossibility of getting through to Krasnoye, decided to cross the Dnieper at Syrokorenye. Having passed on to Gusiny with heavy losses, Ney was met by Platov’s Cossacks who were waiting for him. A “living resemblance to bestial persecution” began, ending with the complete destruction of the remnants of Ney’s corps.

After the battle of Krasnoye, Platov was tasked with discovering Napoleon's direction of movement - would he go to Borisov or to Senno?

Napoleon hurried to the Dnieper and, after spending the night in Dubrovna on November 7, went to Orsha on the 8th and crossed to the right bank. P. overtook the enemy after his departure from Orsha and, having driven out the remaining French rearguard from here, rushed after Napoleon.

For the French, who had already experienced so many disasters and were completely broken, the Cossacks were the most terrible enemies. The mere news of the approach of the Cossacks gave the French strength and drove them further, in the hope of finding salvation from the tireless and cruel riders. P., who possessed the special art of quickly opening and delivering decisive blows to the pursued enemy, was a real thunderstorm for them. And indeed, hardly any of the Russian heroes of the war of 1812 endured so much continuous labor, sleepless nights, all sorts of hardships and showed so much valiant readiness not to spare themselves for the sake of saving their homeland, as P. His brilliant exploits attracted the special attention of the emperor Alexander I, and P., in consideration of his merits, was elevated to the dignity of count of the Russian Empire.

From Orsha P. drove the French non-stop and could no longer settle accounts of the prisoners he had received. “Every day there were at least a thousand of them,” and in successful clashes with the enemy, the Cossacks took several thousand convoys and prisoners.

Counting on the fact that Napoleon intended to follow Borisov, the strong vanguard of Count Miloradovich from two corps and Count P. with 35 Cossack regiments and 12 infantry battalions were sent on his heels, “with the duty of bypassing the enemy’s right flank,” as well as the detachment of Adjutant General Golenishchev-Kutuzov, which was to be under the command of Count Wittgenstein.

On November 15, P. occupied Borisov, where the French left more than 5,000 people killed and 7,000 prisoners. Here the Main and Danube Army united with the corps of Count Wittgenstein. On the same day, the Cossack regiments gr. Platov were in the town of Krupki, waiting for Napoleon. But Napoleon, by a lucky chance for him, avoided almost inevitable captivity and, having crossed the Berezina the day after the battle of Stakhov and Studyanka, on November 17 he was already on the Vilna road.

P. headed here, taking prisoners and military supplies. His vanguard defeated the enemy at Zembin, and then P. ousted him, together with the vanguard of Admiral Chichagov, from Molodechny. Napoleon fled from Molodechny to France, leaving the army. The pursuit of the enemy was almost over .

Napoleon had to announce his complete defeat and considered the final blow to be made by the Cossacks. “All our columns,” Napoleon announced, are surrounded by Cossacks; like the Arabians in the deserts, they surrounded the carts...” What remained of the army, once called the Great, did not represent any strength and was destroyed piece by piece without any difficulty.

Napoleon hoped to gather some forces and, having established an army in Vilna, would more plausibly retreat from Russia. But still fresh Russian forces were approaching Vilna.

P. walked (November 28th) to Pogulyanka, along the road from Vilna to Kovna, intending to cut off the French retreat from Vilna. The bypassed French tried to resist, but it was immediately broken. Having made artillery preparation for the attack, P. quickly sent detachments of generals Ilovaisky 5th and Dekhterev to the enemy, who broke through the French infantry and inflicted a decisive defeat.

Further orders from the Russian commander-in-chief ordered Platov to finish off the remnants of the Great Army and oust the French marshals located within Russia. Blizzards, frosts, hunger, disease and persistent persecution turned the mixed and ultimately demoralized French corps into hungry crowds of unfortunates, with frostbitten limbs, ragged disabled people, who were only thinking about escaping from Russia.

Having stopped for a short time in Kovno, Ney’s rearguard strengthened himself on the retrenchments and fired cannon fire towards Count Platov, who was approaching the city; but threatened to be cut off by the Cossacks who were crossing to the left bank of the Neman, he left the city by nightfall, but then came under attack from Platov. The distraught French refused to carry out the orders of their generals and scattered in different directions.

On December 3, P. entered Kovno, where a thanksgiving service was served, and the enemy was considered completely driven out of our fatherland. During the three-day pursuit of the enemy from Vilno to Kovno, Platov’s Cossacks captured up to 5,000 people, 21 guns and a huge amount of military supplies. During the entire time of pursuit of the enemy from Maloyaroslavets to Kovno, the Cossacks, led personally by Platov, captured 50-70 thousand prisoners, more than 500 guns, 30 banners and all the silver and gold looted by the French in Moscow.

The name of Platov for everyone, not only in Russia, but also in Europe, became akin to the name of the Cossacks, and the rumor about his personal exploits inseparably merged with the news about the amazing actions of the Donets, who amazed the whole world with their selfless endurance and did not take advantage of a single literally day of rest in the past. all the while pursuing the enemy. Their behavior was all the more surprising since they did not receive food at all and had to get it themselves.

P. did not remain in Kovno for long; he crossed the Neman and moved through Neustadt, Pilkalen to Instenburg and, without stopping for a single day, continued to the cities of Weilau and Alenburg. Residents of Prussia greeted the Cossack regiments of Count Platov as their saviors.

At this time, Marshal MacDonald, hoping for reinforcements from Danzig, walked from Konigsberg to Mühlhausen. Count P. hurried through Friedland, Domnau and Preussisch-Eylau to Mühlhausen and warned the enemy, occupying the city on December 30th.

MacDonald hurried to Elbing, but P. pursued him in this direction and occupied Elbing from the battle. Without giving the enemy time to rest, P. drove him even further; fought after him through the Vistula to Dirschau, and further to Danzig. And on January 3, 1813, in order to suppress any communication, he surrounded the Danzig fortress with troops of his corps from all sides.

Soon, Emperor Alexander I recalled Platov to his main apartment, who, having handed over command to General Loviz, remained with the sovereign until the end of the Poishwitz truce.

Upon the resumption of hostilities, Platov was instructed, at the head of various united light detachments, to act on enemy messages concentrated near Dresden. P. set out from Bohemia, through Chemnitz, behind enemy lines and on the way, near Altenburg, attacked an 8,000-strong enemy detachment and, quickly knocking it down, pursued it in battle to the town of Meiselwitz and further to the city of Zeitz.

Having sent out his detachments to Lutzen, Merseburg, Halle, Wurzen and Weissenfeld, Count P. himself headed to Lutzen, from where his vanguard sent patrols to Leipzig itself, and also established surveillance of the movement of Marshal Augereau's corps.

In the famous battle of Leipzig, being on the right flank of our army on October 4, P. promptly noticed that the enemy had launched an attack on the corps of Count Klenau, intending to knock him out of position and thereby begin successful actions against our army. Gr. P., being somewhat to the right of Klenau, gave the order to attack the enemy cavalry and overthrew it with great damage.

On October 6, Count P. acted against the enemy from the village of Sommerfeld and, together with General Bennigsen, captured the Wirtemberg cavalry brigade and broke the resistance of 6 battalions of Saxon infantry with 28 guns.

Upon arrival on the right flank of the Russian army of the crown Swedish prince, P., on his personal orders, acted between the armies of the prince and General Bennigsen and in this space continuously harassed the enemy to the outskirts of Leipzig.

On October 7, Count P. was summoned to defend the city of Weimar, and the Emperor was pleased to personally confirm this order to him, awarding him the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called.

In Weimar, Count P. overthrew Lefebvre's detachment and very energetically pursued the retreating enemy, almost continuously striking the French and knocking them down all the way to Hanau. For the services rendered at this time, the emperor granted Platov a magnificent diamond feather to wear on his cap, with the monogram of the name of His Imperial Majesty and laurels.

Further pursuing the enemy from Hanau, on October 21, the Don Cossacks (with the vanguard of the Austro-Bavarian army under the command of General Bolkmann) arrived at Frankfurt, which they occupied without much difficulty. P. did not leave the enemy with his pursuit and drove him to Mainz; the next day, having crossed Nida, he pursued him to Gokhheim, between which and the village Wickert had heated clashes until the night.

From November 26th, Count Platov's light corps was located in apartments in Zwingenberg. From here his movement was directed towards the Swiss side, and then towards Epinal.

From the time the allied army entered France, Platov’s detachment was in front of the army, maintaining communications with Blucher, having almost continuous clashes with enemy parties and taking away from them everything that was supposed to go to the French troops. After the connection of the main and Silesian armies, P., at the head of a 3,000-strong Cossack detachment, was sent on a search to Nemours, Fontainebleau and Melun.

Having crossed Iona at the end of January, Count P. followed through Egerville, Malzerbes to Nemours. The occupation of this city could open up for our troops the entire space between Yona and Luengem, and therefore Napoleon ordered in advance to strengthen it and provide an appropriate garrison. The attack began on February 3 with the capture of the suburb, and with the onset of darkness Nemours was captured along with the entire garrison. The dismounted Cossacks broke down the gates broken by the Don artillery and, with pikes in their hands, burst into the city. From Nemours, Count Platov moved to Fontainebleau, with the goal of fulfilling the sovereign's command - to free the pope who was held captive there, but the pope was no longer in Fontainebleau, and the Cossack regiments headed from there to Petivier. P., having learned that the enemy intended to cut off his route of retreat, went on a forced march to Villeneuve-le-Roux. While crossing the river at Villeneuve-le-Roux, Count P. was met by the French vanguard. Despite the superiority of the enemy forces, Count P. carried out a successful attack and was able to continue unhindered through Saint-Florentin to Toner.

On February 19, Count Platov entered the city of Arsis-sur-Aube and captured the garrison with the commandant who was retreating from the city. After this, Count Platov, by the highest will, arrived at the main apartment and remained in it until the very end of the campaign, directly with the person of His Majesty, in whose retinue he took part in the ceremonial entry into Paris.

From the time of the Patriotic War until the conclusion of the Peace of Paris, the Cossacks took more than 800 enemy guns and 100 thousand prisoners, and the military exploits, unparalleled courage and selflessness of the Donets made their name known to the whole world.

From France, the Cossacks made their way back to their homeland, but their glorious ataman was not with them: at that time he accompanied Emperor Alexander I on his journey to England, which was a series of continuous celebrations in honor of the “Zarhine” ataman.

Hardly any other name of the heroes was as popular among the English people as the name of Platov. They tried in every possible way to prove to him their enthusiastic surprise at his exploits. Oxford University presented Platov with a doctoral diploma, and the city of London presented him with a precious saber in a gold artistic frame, decorated with the enamel coat of arms of Great Britain and Ireland and the monogram of the Russian hero. In the royal palace, the portrait of the ataman, painted at the request of the prince regent, took the most honorable place. P. did not know a moment of peace, since the desire of the public to see him forced the chieftain against his will to appear in public places, theaters and balls and receive delights that surpassed all probability. Even Platov's war horse was immortalized in an image painted by the best artist. Platov presented this horse to the prince regent in full Cossack attire. In parting, the Prince Regent presented Platov with his portrait, strewn with precious stones, “as a sign of reverence, respect and surprise for the immortal exploits raised for the benefit of his fatherland and for the salvation of Europe.”

Having remained in England for some more time after the departure of the sovereign, P. returned to the main apartment of Field Marshal Count Barclay de Tolly, in Warsaw, and from there he went to his “quiet Don”.

The Don people were looking forward to their hero. The ovation for the glorious Ataman began long before his entry into Novocherkassk. The deputation was sent to the border of the Cossack lands, to the Voronezh province, and crowds of Cossacks flocked here from all sides.

Arriving at Novocherkassk, Count P. made three prostrations, took a handful of earth and kissed it, greeting his homeland. In the city, Count P. was greeted by the authorities, the clergy, with the ringing of bells, cannon shots and banners - monuments to the glorious exploits of the Donets. After the prayer service, a manifesto was read, in which the highest gratitude and favor were expressed to the “famous, loyal” Don Army “before the whole world.”

Platov did not have time to take part in the campaign of 1815, since the Battle of Waterloo stopped any attempts by Napoleon to regain his power.

In his homeland, P. devoted himself entirely to concerns about the internal well-being of his native land and the Don army. Novocherkassk owes its entire external improvement to him. The cathedral church, the triumphal gate on the occasion of the arrival of the sovereign in Novocherkassk and other city buildings were the fruit of Platov’s care.

Giving all fair respect to the courage and other military virtues of the Cossacks, P. at the same time found it not superfluous to introduce training in military affairs and especially artillery shooting among the Cossack population, to which, based on combat experience, he attached great importance. The father of his Cossacks in war, Count P., was imbued with the same heartfelt feeling towards them in peacetime. His cherished desire was that not a single Cossack would have material disadvantages in his home life and could enjoy well-deserved contentment.

Knowing how many widows and orphans remained on the Don after the war of 1812-1815, P. took a close part in their fate and became a generous benefactor. Taking care of public education, he founded a gymnasium in Novocherkassk, which was under his constant supervision. Through his efforts, a printing house was founded in Novocherkassk in 1817.

Both in war and at home, P. enjoyed boundless respect and influence on those around him. He was distinguished not only by the greatest personal fearlessness, calmness, experience and outstanding abilities of a remarkable commander, but also by other qualities of his character - directness, great cordiality and condescension. Ease of use was its hallmark. He inspired courage and confidence in everyone who had to deal with him; He especially knew how to talk with simple Cossacks, considering them members of the same family that was dear to him. He often entered into their personal affairs and interests, “comprehending the properties of his people” and having one soul with them.

Platov’s amazing ability to merge his soul with every ordinary person was manifested wherever he lived, and in new places he completely sincerely performed rituals and customs that were previously alien to him. Platov's heart was always open to all requests, and his charity was endless, since he was generous to the point of excess. And only his relatives could never count in advance that P. would do more for them than for others. P. was a completely independent person and knew how to deftly get out of any difficult situation without sacrificing his dignity. His manners were distinguished in many ways by great oddities and originality. P. was a deeply religious man, and his devotion to his throne was boundless. He tried to instill these qualities in his children, whom he treated with tender care and at the same time very strictly. He was married twice, but had a small family. He lived very widely, more widely than his relatively modest means allowed him, partly out of the conviction that his position required a certain representativeness and splendor, partly due to his hospitality and cordiality.

By nature very active and lively, P. even in a peaceful environment could not stand idleness and silence, although secular pleasures tired him and were not to his liking. But hunting, fishing, visiting horse farms (Platov was a great connoisseur of horses, knew them and loved them to the point of passion) were his favorite pastimes. “We are not born to walk on parquet floors,” he used to say, “our job is to walk across the field, through swamps, sit in huts or, better yet, in the open air, so that the heat of the sun and any bad weather will not be a burden to us.”

Growing up on horseback, under a hail of bullets and in the fire of battle, Platov endured more labor, hardship and inconvenience than any other Russian hero. He considered it his duty to share with his subordinates all the hardships of war and in this respect came close to the image of the great soldier-commander Suvorov. In the same way, he did not separate his glory from his Cossacks, treating them not only with love, but also with gratitude.

As a glorious and famous warrior and general, Platov was one of a kind, but he could not be considered one of the great commanders, since the strategic side of the most important military operations and decisive battles, as well as the general creation of marches and maneuvers, did not depend on him. He was only an unusually talented and valiant executor of the plans and tasks that fell to his lot, however, often deciding the outcome of military operations with his participation. His literally “flying body” did wonders. Therefore, as a person who inspired the Cossack forces, led and helped them accomplish amazing feats that had ever befallen the light cavalry, P. left a bright and indelible mark on military history. It would be difficult to study his campaigns as one studies science: he is all in one movement, all his military wisdom and art are in his very extraordinary personality, in his personal valor, abilities and rare military experience.

Count Platov died in 1818, on January 3, at the age of 67, and was buried in his native Novocherkassk in the family crypt near the cathedral. Emperor Nicholas I immortalized the memory of the “Whirlwind-Ataman” with a beautiful monument (by Bar. Klodt), erected in Novocherkassk, on Alexander Square. P. is depicted at full height, in a general's uniform, with a burka on his shoulders and with a drawn saber.

Several medals were knocked out in honor of Platov: one, gold, to be worn around the neck, dates back to 1774, to the feat of the Don Army and its colonel at the heights of the river. Kalalah; the other - dates back to Platov’s stay in London in 1814 and the third - in honor of Platov’s same visit to England - tin. In addition, there are several tokens and medallions, embossed in Russia and abroad and decorated with the image of Count Platov, as well as many of his portraits.

N. F. Smirnaya. "The life and exploits of Count Matvey Ivanovich Platov." 1821 - Sun. Mamyshev. "Biographies of Russian military leaders", vol. I, no. 3, 1886 - G. Leer. "Encyclopedia of Military and Naval Sciences". - Lettov-Vorbeck, background. "History of the War of 1806-1807", vol. IV, translation by von Vocht, edited by A. Puzyrevsky, 1898 - A. Starchevsky. "Reference Encyclopedic Dictionary", vol. IX. 1854 - A.F. Petrushevsky. "Generalissimo Prince Suvorov." 1900 - Kharkevich. "Platov's actions in Bagration's rearguard in 1812." 1901 - A.I. Mikhailovsky-Danilevsky, “Description of the Patriotic War in 1812.” 1839 - M.I. Bogdanovich. "History of the Patriotic War of 1812" 1859 - "Reading for Soldiers", Book I, 1854 - "Count Platov, or the exploits of the Don Cossacks" 1813 - "Northern Archive" 1823 - E. Yu. Iversen . "Medals in honor of Russian statesmen and individuals", vol. 3. St. Petersburg. 1881, E.I. Tarasov "Don Ataman Platov. His life and exploits", St. Petersburg. 1902 (This essay contains a fairly detailed bibliography).

M. Kochergin.

(Polovtsov)

Platov, Count Matvey Ivanovich

(1751-1818) - famous ataman of the Don Cossacks, cavalry general; He entered the service at the age of 13 and during the 1st Turkish War under Catherine II he already commanded a regiment. During the 2nd Turkish War he distinguished himself during the assaults of Ochakov and Izmail. During the Persian War of 1795-96 he was a marching chieftain, and in 1801 he was appointed military chieftain of the Don army; participated in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, then in the Turkish war. During the Patriotic War, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy under revenge. Mir and Romanovo. During the retreat of the French army, P., relentlessly pursuing it, inflicted defeats on it at Gorodnya, Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and when crossing the river. Scream. For these deeds he was elevated to the dignity of count. In November, P. occupied Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813, he entered Prussia and besieged Danzig; in September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, captured about 15 thousand people. In 1814 he took Namur. At the conclusion of peace, he accompanied the emperor. Alexander to London, where he was greeted with loud applause. A monument to him was erected in Novocherkassk.

(Brockhaus)

Platov, Count Matvey Ivanovich

Cavalry general, military ataman of the Don Army, hero of the Fatherland. wars, kind. Aug 6 1751 in Art. Staro-Cherkasskaya and was the son of troops. foremen. Its original education did not go further element. diplomas; Having entered the service as a police officer early, he reached the rank of officer. ranks thanks to battles. differences in the tour. war of 1768-1774 Commander-in-Chief Prince V. M. Dolgorukov noticed the capable P. and contributed to his promotion. 20 year old as a young man P. was already a Cossack commander. shelf. According to the conclusion of Kuchuk-Kainardzhiysk. Mira P. was sent to Kuban and here he showed himself brilliantly. The parties are independent in quality. boss Accompanying the trans-t with his regiment, he was surrounded on April 3. 1774 huge. a crowd of Crimeans Tatars of Devlet-Girey near the river. Kalalah. P. built a square, the rear of which was covered by a swamp, on the sides. He covered his fronts with carts, and his front with sacks of flour, and behind this fence he turned out to be desperate. resistance to the Tatars, repelling up to seven attacks during the day; By nightfall the Tatars retreated. In memory of the battle, ashes were knocked out on Kalalakh. medal. In 1775, P. was sent with his command to destroy Pugachevsk. gangs in Voronezh. and Kazan. provinces In 1782-1783 P. again fought in the Kuban and Crimea under the command of Suvorov and for his distinction received the ranks in the army of major (1784), lieutenant colonel. (1786) and regiment. (1787). While with his regiment in Potemkin's army, P. took part in the 2nd war with the Turks (1787-1791). For the assault on Ochakov (1788) P. received the Order of St. George, 4th degree. The victory at Kaushan gave him the rank of brigade and the position of marcher. ataman to Ekaterinoslavsk. Potemkin's army. 11 December In 1790, during the assault on Izmail, P. commanded the 5th column, composed of dismounted troops. Cossacks, and after Major General Bezborodko was wounded - and the 4th column. Despite the inadequate weapons of the Cossacks, P. coped with the difficulty. the task of the escalade and repelling the Turkish foray, earning the Order of St. George 3rd degree and the rank of major general. For the Persians campaign of 1796 he received a saber with an alm. and with nadp. "For bravery" and the Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd degree. At the beginning of the reign of Imp. Paul P. became a victim of slander that questioned his presence to the throne; he was exiled to Kostroma, and then imprisoned in Petropavl. fortress. With the accession of the Emperor. Alexander I P. was promoted to the city of L. and upon the death of General Orlov, appointed. (1801) troops. Ataman Donsk. troops; He remained in this position until his death, leaving the Don only to participate in wars. The time from 1801 to 1806 was devoted to P. energetically. admin. activities in native army. He moved the troops. management in Novocherkassk, safe from destructive Don spills; reorganized the troops. management, gave rights. Donsk device artillery and carried out a number of measures to regulate the service of the Cossacks. In 1806, P. was called up to the active army to command all the Cossacks. p-kami at the theater of war with Napoleon. The fame of P. began with this campaign. The Don people of P. had their first significant success during the persecution of the French. army during its movement from the Preussisch-Eylau battlefield for the river. Passargu, but with particular importunity, P.’s Cossacks harassed the enemy during the winter. a break in the campaign, when P.'s mailboxes were intended to maintain contact between our main. the army and corps of Essen (at Ostroleka). The most skillful. P.'s enterprise was his actions in May on the river. Alle against the scattered parts of Ney's corps, and that means he was captured. unpleasant convoy When moving to Friedland and further beyond the river. Neman Cossack. P.'s corps, destroying crossings and producing surprises. raids on the French, ensured calm. withdrawal of the army. During the war of 1806-1807. P. received the Order of St. George and St. Vladimir, 2nd degree, and Alexander. a ribbon, and the Don Army was granted a banner. From Tilsit P. went to the army operating against the Turks. Aug 22 1807 P. occupied Girsovo, which made it possible to begin building bridges on the Danube. In 1809, P. took part in the battle of Rassevat and the siege of Silistria, defeating the Tur. squad. After the victorious Tataritsa's ataman, who was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st degree and the rank of general from cavalier, is upset. returned to the Don in good health. To the beginning Fatherland. war, in June 1812, the flying corps of P., with a force of up to 7 thousand horses, was part of the 1st Western. Barclay de Tolly's army and was located in Grodno. Swift By Napoleon's movement towards Vilna, the Cossacks were cut off from their army and, forced to join Bagration's army, reached the Dnieper with it. On this path, P., who was in the vanguard, defeated the enemy twice. Kav-rii: June 28 - near Mir and July 2 - under Romanov. Guided by their beloved and who knew their battles perfectly. skill as an ataman, the Cossacks showed their age-old ability to deceive the enemy with their lava and strike him from skillfully hidden ambushes. After the affair at Saltanovka, P. covered the flank with a thick curtain of his Cossacks. march of the army book Bagration to Smolensk, making a successful move. raid on one of Davout's detachments. When Russian The armies united near Smolensk and went on the offensive; its beginning was successful. case on July 27 at Malev Swamp, in which P. knocked over the goose. brigade from Sebastiani's division and took more than 300 people. captured After Smolensk. battles he commanded the vanguard united. armies and only for several. days before Borodin was replaced by Konovnitsyn. To Borodin. the battle of the Cossacks P. together with the cavalier. Uvarov's corps made a search to the rear of the lion. flank of the French army, which prompted Napoleon to delay the attack on Raevsky’s battery. But in the days close to Borodin. battle, an incomparably great service was rendered to P. as the initiator of the rise of the Cossacks. Don militia; in an order to his fellow countrymen, he demanded that they quickly and almost completely. exit to service, indicating and most quickly. the order of following newly formed regiments to the army. They, among 21, arrived in Tarutino, and the army formed 22 thousand. The mass of Cossacks, so necessary for what was brewing, will decide. turning point of the campaign. When after the battle. At Maloyaroslavets, the French retreat to Smolen was determined. road, Kutuzov entrusted P. with direct pursuit of them. Constantly following someone in the partisans. detachments, then in one mass under the leadership of the ataman, the Cossacks exterminated the decaying with each. French in the afternoon army, taking daily trophies in the form of prisoners, weapons and other booty. Franz. During the persecution, the army delivered only into the hands of the Cossacks, personally led by P., over 50 thousand prisoners, 500 op., several. banners and more the amount of gold and silver looted in Moscow. Oct 22 P. took part in the defeat of the French near Vyazma. From Dorogobuzh he followed the corps of the Viceroy of Italyansk. on Spirituality; Under the blows of the Cossacks, the Italians were forced to abandon up to 60 ord. and October 28, overtaken while crossing the river. Howl, they lost their carts. November 7 P. completed the destruction of Ney’s corps and continued with his tireless forces. riders follow Napoleon to the Berezina and beyond. On December 2, near Kovna, he pushed back Ney’s vanguard from the Russians. limits. For his services to the Fatherland. during the war P. was awarded the count. title. In December 1812 P. was one of the first to cross the border and pursued MacDonald's troops to Danzig, which on January 3. was overlaid with it. Soon the chieftain was recalled to the Imp. chapters apartment, where he remained during the campaigns of 1813-1814, receiving from time to time a separate command. squads. In the fall of 1813, he first went to bed. detachments acted on messages from the French. Near Leipzig 4 Oct. P. attacked the enemy's flank with creatures. , support for the Klenau corps, and 6 Oct. Together with Bennigsen he captured Württemberg. brigade. Awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, P. was sent to defend Weimar; Having overthrown Lefebvre's troops here, he pursued the French to Hanau and received a magnificent reward. diamond feather for a cap with a monogram. image of Vysoch. Name. Continuing the persecution of the retreating French within France and preceding the main. allied army, P. at the end of January. was sent from 3 thousand. Cossack a detachment to search for Fontainebleau; 3 Feb. The Cossacks, with the assistance of their artillery, took Nemours by storm, and returning from the search, on February 19. captured the garrison retreating from Arcy-sur-Aube. After the conclusion of Paris. Peace P. was accompanied by Imp. Alexandra to England. Here he was delighted with the subject. ovation from the English as one of the most popular. heroes Napoleon. wars. The Prince Regent presented him with his portrait, showered with jewels. stones; London brought him jewels. saber, Oxford University - Dr. diploma. From abroad, the ataman returned to Novocherkassk and here he continued to devote his concerns to the welfare of the region and the Cossacks, as well as to the improvement of fighting. training of Cossacks, not remaining indifferent to the fate of the orphans of those who died in the wars of 1812-1814. Under him, a gymnasium and troops were founded in Novocherkassk. printing house. P. died on January 3. 1818 Imp. Nicholas I immortalized the memory of the "Whirlwind-Ataman" with a monument to the work of the bar. Klodt, staged by Alexander. Novocherkassk square. P., who knew his fellow countrymen well, enjoyed great favor among them. authority and influence and had a special the ability to speak sincerely and merge the soul with the simple. person. Thanks to this, in the Fatherland. P.'s war, with its rare military. experience, the worthy appeared. the manager is a Cossack. forces that had the ability to inspire the Cossacks and maintain their energy among the heavy forces. campaign and combine their efforts to exterminate the enemy using techniques consistent with the natural properties of the Cossack. k-tsy. ( N Biographical Dictionary Big Encyclopedic Dictionary

Matvey Ivanovich Platov

PLATOV Matvey Ivanovich(6.08.1751-3.01.1818), hero Patriotic War of 1812 , military ataman of the Don Cossack army (from 1801), cavalry general (from 1809), count (from 1812). Participant in the Russian-Turkish wars of 1768-1774 and 1787-1791, associate A. V. Suvorova, participated in the capture of Ochakov (1788) and Izmail (1790). At Paul I was in disgrace, was exiled to Kostroma . In 1806-1807 he took part in the war with France, in 1807-1809 - with Turkey. In the battle of Borodino on August 26, 1812, he made a successful raid into the rear of the French army, thereby stopping the enemy’s attack on the center of defense of the Russian troops (Raevsky’s battery) for two hours. In the foreign campaigns of the Russian army of 1813-1814, Platov commanded the Cossack corps.

V. A. Fedorov

Matvey Ivanovich Platov (1751, Starocherkasskaya village - 1818, Novocherkassk) - hero of the Patriotic War of 1812. The son of a military foreman, Platov was taught only to read and write. 13 years old entered the military; service. Having distinguished himself in the Russian-Turkish War of 1768 - 1774, he was promoted to officer and commanded a Cossack regiment. In 1774 he took part in the defeat of the uprising of E.I. Pugacheva. In 1782-1783 he served in the Kuban and Crimea under the command A.V. Suvorov . During the Russian-Turkish War of 1787 - 1791, for military distinctions during the assault on Ochakov and Izmail, he was awarded the Order of St. George and the rank of major general. In 1796 for participation in the Persian campaign Russian. troops received a saber for bravery. In 1797 he was suspected of conspiracy and exiled Paul I to Kostroma, then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. In Jan. 1801 was released and put in charge of the Cossacks aimed at conquering India. In March 1801 he was returned by Alexander I, promoted to lieutenant general and appointed military ataman of the Don Army. In 1806-1807 he fought with Napoleon , commanding all the Cossack regiments. After conclusion Peace of Tilsit participated from 1807 to 1809 in the Russian-Turkish War of 1806 - 1812, rising to the rank of cavalry general. During the Patriotic War of 1812 he commanded Cossack regiments on the border, covering the retreat P.I. Bagration to Smolensk. In the Battle of Borodino he made a swift raid into the rear of the left flank of the French army. The assessment of this raid is mixed. M.I. Kutuzov reported to the emperor that the Cossacks “did not act.” He became famous for his courage and military skill during the pursuit of Napoleon's retreating army, for which he received the title of count. Platov also distinguished himself during the Russian campaign abroad. armies in Prussia and France . After the conclusion of peace he accompanied Alexandra I to England, where Platov was awarded many honors, and Oxford University presented him with a doctorate. A scientific biography of P. has not yet been created.

Book materials used: Shikman A.P. Figures of Russian history. Biographical reference book. Moscow, 1997

Count Platov - Cossack chieftain. London. 1815
Engraving by etching and chisel with watercolor coloring after Phillips' original. MGOMZ.

PLATOV Matvey Ivanovich, hero of the Fatherland, war of 1812, military ataman of the Don Cossack army (from 1801), cavalry general (1809). From the age of 13 to the military. service. During the Russian-Tour period. war of 1768-74 he was promoted to officer, commanded a hundred, from 1771 cavalry. regiment In 1775 he took part in the suppression of the Peasant War under the leadership of E. I. Pugachev. In 1782-1783 he served in the Kuban and Crimea under the command of A.V. Suvorov. During the Russian tour. war 1787-91 fought during the capture of Ochakov and Kaushany (1789). Since 1788, marching ataman of the Don Army. In 1790, during the storming of Izmail, he successfully commanded a column, and then the entire left wing, for which he was promoted to major general. In 1796 he took part in the Persian campaign of the Russians. troops. In 1797, he was suspected of conspiracy by Paul I, exiled to Kostroma, and then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. In Jan. 1801 released and appointed chief. pom. military ataman of the Don Army, and soon - military ataman. In 1806-07 he took part in the war with France, in 1807-09 with Turkey. Skillfully led the military operations of the Cossack troops near Preussisch-Eylau (1807) and at the Danube theater of war. actions. During the Fatherland War of 1812, he initially commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, at the head of the Cossack corps, he covered the retreat of P. I. Bagration’s 2nd Western Army to Smolensk, inflicting a number of defeats on enemy troops. In the Battle of Borodino he successfully commanded the department. Cossack corps. His troops fought for Smolensk, Vilna and Kovno. P. skillfully acted in the campaigns of 1813-14. The troops under his leadership, heading towards Paris, took Namur. Skillful leadership of Cossack units in the Fatherland, the War of 1812, and humane attitude towards the vanquished earned P. great authority among the Cossacks and popularity in Russia and the West. Europe. Platov accompanied Alexander I on a trip to Great Britain; was solemnly welcomed and received an honorary doctorate from Oxford University. He was buried in Novocherkassk, where a monument was erected to P.

Materials from the Soviet Military Encyclopedia in 8 volumes, volume 6 were used.

PLATOV Matvey Ivanovich (August 6, 1751, Pribylyanskaya village - January 3, 1818, Epanchitskaya settlement, near Taganrog), count (December 29, 1812), cavalry general (September 29, 1809). From a Cossack senior family. Son of a military sergeant. He began his service in 1766 as a constable in the Don Military Chancellery. On December 4, 1769 he was promoted to esaul. He distinguished himself in the capture of the Perekop line and in the battle of Kinburg (1771). Since 1772 he was the commander of a Cossack regiment named after him. In 1774 he fought against the highlanders, and in 1782-88 he fought in the Kuban. He proved himself to be a brilliant Cossack commander. 3.4.1774 was surrounded at the river. Kalalakh Tatars, but managed to fight back and force the enemy to retreat. In 1775, at the head of his regiment, he took part in the defeat of E.I. Pugacheva. In 1784 he took part in suppressing the uprisings of the Chechens and Lezgins. For distinctions during the assault on the Ochakov fortress (1788) he was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree. He distinguished himself in the battles of Bendery and Kaushany. On September 24, 1789, he was promoted to brigadier and appointed marching ataman of the Yekaterinoslav Army. During the assault on the fortress, Izmail (12/11/1790) led the 5th column. For his distinctions, in May 1791 he was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree.

Since 1790, ataman of the Ekaterinoslav and Chuguev Cossack troops. 1/1/1793 promoted to major general. During the reign of Paul I, he fell into disgrace, was dismissed and exiled to Kostroma, and then arrested and placed in the Peter and Paul Fortress. Soon, however, he was released and brought closer to himself by the emperor. P. was instructed to gather all the Don Cossacks in order to take part in the campaign to India. In Jan. 1801, at the head of 27 thousand Cossacks, P. advanced to Orenburg. The operation was canceled in March. On September 15, 1801, he was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed military ataman of the Don Army. He moved the capital to Novocherkassk and did a lot to streamline army command and control. During the campaign of 1806 he commanded all the Cossack regiments of the active army. After the battle at Preussisch-Eylau earned all-Russian fame. He became famous for his dashing raids on the flanks of the French. army, defeated several separate detachments. After the retreat from Heilsberg, P.'s detachment acted in the rearguard, taking on the constant blows of the French pursuing the Russian army. troops.

For the campaign of 1807 he was awarded the Order of St. George, 2nd degree, on November 22, 1807. In 1809 he fought against Turkish troops. With the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, he headed the Cossack corps, into which 14 Cossack regiments (about 7 thousand sabers) were united. The corps was part of the 1st Western Army and was located in Grodno. In the first days of the war, P., being cut off from his army, was forced to join the 2nd Western Army. During the retreat he was in the rearguard. The French were defeated. troops in the battles of Mir (June 28) and Romanov (July 2) - these were the first victories of the Russian army. After the battle of Saltanovka, Gen. covered the retreat. P.I. Bagration to Smolensk. On July 27 (Aug 8) he attacked the cavalry of Gen. near the village of Molevo Boloto. Sebastiani overthrew the enemy, took 310 prisoners and Sebastiani's briefcase with important papers. After leaving Smolensk, P. commanded the rearguard of the united Russian armies, and only a few days before the Battle of Borodino, the general was replaced. P. P. Konovnitsyn.

From 17(29) Aug. to Aug 25 (Sept. 6) fought daily battles with the French vanguard units. At the critical moment of the Battle of Borodino, together with F.P. Uvarov directed to bypass Napoleon's left flank. Near the village of Bezzubovo, the cavalry was stopped by the troops of General. F. Ornano and returned back. At the council in Fili 1(13) September. spoke out against leaving Moscow and for a new battle. Enjoying enormous authority and love from the Don, P. encouraged the Cossacks to join the militia, and already in Tarutino the Cossack contingent reached 22 thousand people. After the battle of Maloyaroslavets, P. was tasked with organizing the pursuit of the retreating Great Army. He took part in the battle of Vyazma, and then organized the pursuit of the corps of E. Beauharnais. Oct 27 (November 8) on the river. Vop between Dorogobuzh and Dukhovshchina cut off part of the Beauharnais corps and took 3.5 thousand prisoners (including the chief of staff of the corps, General N. Sanson) and 62 guns. Took part in the battles of the Kolotsky Monastery, Smelev, Smolensk, Krasny, November 15. P. was occupied by Borisov, and the enemy lost approx. 5 thousand killed and 7 thousand captured. For 3 days he pursued the retreating enemy army from Vilno to Kovno and, without giving him time to reorganize his forces, on December 3. entered Kovno.

During the campaign of 1812, the Cossacks under P.’s command took approx. 70 thousand prisoners, captured 548 guns and 30 banners, and also recaptured a huge amount of valuables looted in Moscow. Both in Russia and in European countries he became one of the most popular Russian generals. 2(14) Dec. one of the first to cross the Neman and pursued the troops of Marshal MacDonald to Danzig, which besieged January 3, 1813. In 1813-14 he was at the Main Apartment, and from time to time he was entrusted with the command of individual detachments operating on enemy communications. In the campaign of 1813 he distinguished himself in the battles of Altenburg and Leipzig. In 1814 he fought at Nemur, Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne, and Villeneuve. After the end of the war, he accompanied Alexander I to London, where he became an honorary doctor of the University of Oxford. Then he returned to the Don, where he held the post of chieftain until his death.

Book materials used: Zalessky K.A. Napoleonic Wars 1799-1815. Biographical Encyclopedic Dictionary, Moscow, 2003

Matvey Ivanovich Platov 1751 -1818 General of the cavalry. Ataman Platov, the hero of the Don, was born in Starocherkassk into the family of a military foreman, who gave him his initial education and taught him military affairs. At the age of 19, he rode his horse to participate in the war with Turkey of 1768 - 1774. He was noticed by commander V. Dolgorukov for his valor, promoted to esaul, and commanded a Cossack hundred. In June 1771 he took part in the assault and capture of Perekop, and showed himself bravely in the battle of Kinburn. He was promoted to military sergeant major and became a regiment commander, at which time he was a little over 20 years old. From 1773 he acted in the Kuban. In 1774, while escorting transport, he was surrounded near the Kalalakh River by the troops of the Crimean Khan Devlet-Girey, having built a fortified camp, repulsed eight enemy attacks and held out until reinforcements arrived. After this feat, he became famous in the Russian army and was awarded a special gold medal.

In 1775, Platov, at the head of a regiment, was sent to the Voronezh and Kazan provinces, where he pacified the last armed detachments of Pugachev’s supporters. From 1778 to 1784 he participated in numerous campaigns and battles in the Caucasus against the Chechens, Lezgins and other mountain peoples. Here in 1782 he met Suvorov, who commanded the Kuban Corps. For his distinction he received the ranks of major, lieutenant colonel and colonel.

With the beginning of the Russian-Turkish war of 1787 - 1791. Matvey Platov in the Ekaterinoslav army of G. Potemkin led a Cossack regiment, with which he courageously acted during the siege and capture of Ochakov (1788), and was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th degree. Soon he distinguished himself during the capture of Bendery, in the battle of Kaushany, was promoted to brigadier and marching atamans, and participated in the capture of Akkerman. In December 1790, at a military council with Suvorov, when deciding on the capture of Izmail, Platov was the first to speak out in favor of storming this powerful fortress, during the assault he commanded the column, then the entire left wing, set a personal example of courage, and was awarded the Order of St. George, 3rd degree, for heroism and promoted to major general.

In 1796, Catherine II instructed Platov and the Cossacks to participate in the Persian campaign under the command of V. Zubov. For his distinction in battles with the Persians and highlanders, he received a golden saber with diamonds and the inscription: “For bravery” and the Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd degree.

At the beginning of the reign of Paul 1, the valiant Cossack general became a victim of accusations of abuse and disrespect for the throne, was exiled to Kostroma, then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. After the Senate court acquitted him, Pavel awarded Platov the Order of Malta and assigned him to lead the vanguard of the Cossack army for the campaign against India (January 1801). Three months later, Alexander 1 ascended the throne and stopped this difficult and senseless campaign.

Upon returning to his homeland, Matvey Ivanovich was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed ataman of the Don Army (instead of the deceased ataman V. Orlov). Platov remained in this position until his death, leaving the Don only to participate in wars. In 1805, he moved the capital of the Army from Starocherkassk to Novocherkassk, which he founded. He was engaged in combat training of Cossack troops, the development of their weapons, and founded the first gymnasium on the Don.

During the Russian-Prussian-French war of 1806 - 1807. Platov commanded the Cossack corps. With this war, the international military fame of Platov and the Don Cossacks began. The corps took part in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau (January 1807); during the subsequent movement of Napoleon's army, Platov constantly disturbed it with unexpected raids, inflicting significant losses on the enemy in the battles of Landsberg, Gutstadt, Heilsberg; participated in the Battle of Friedland (June 1807). Napoleon called the Cossacks "the fiend of the human race." For his distinctions in the war, Matvey Ivanovich was awarded the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky and St. George, 2nd degree, and the Don Army was awarded a memorial banner.