Gordon, PATRICK

Gordon, PATRICK, soldier of fortune, was born at Easter Anchleuchries, on the coast of Aberdeenshire, 31st March 1635. Brought up by his mother as a Catholic, at sixteen he sailed from Aberdeen to Danzig, and entered the Jesuit college of Braunsberg. His restless temper could not long endure the stillness and austerity of that retreat, and, making his escape from it in 1653, he led for some time an unsettled life, until in 1655 he enlisted under the flag of Sweden, then at war with Poland. During the six years that he took part in the struggle between these two powers he was repeatedly made prisoner, and as often took service with his captors, until again retaken. He had risen to the rank of captain-lieutenant, when he resolved to try his fortune next with the czar, and in 1661 joined the Muscovite standard. Here his services in disciplining the Russian soldiers gained him rapid promotion—lieutenant-colonel in 1662, and colonel in 1665. Hearing that the death of his elder brother had made him 'goodman of Auchleuchries,' he wished to return to Scotland; but there was no escape from the Russian service. The czar, however, sent him on a mission to England in 1666. On his return he fell into disgrace; but during 1670-76 he was engaged in subduing the Cossacks in the Ukraine, in 1677 in defending Tschigirin against the Turks and the Tartars. His gallant performance of that duty procured him the rank of major-general. In 1683 he was made lieutenant-general; in 1685 obtained leave to visit England and Scotland. James II. wished him to enter the English service; but it was in vain that he petitioned for leave to quit Russia. In 1688 he was made general, and now began his intimacy with the Czar Peter, who, in the following year, owed to Gordon's zeal and courage his signal triumph over the conspirators against his throne and life. In 1698 he crushed the revolt of the Strelitzes during the czar's absence from Russia. On 29th November 1699 he died at Moscow. See Dr Joseph Robertson's edition of Passages from the Diary of General Patrick Gordon (Spalding Club, 1859).