Platoff

Platoff, MATVEI IVANOVICH, COUNT, was born at Azov, 17th August 1757. He served in the Turkish campaign of 1770-71, and in subsequent wars showed such capacity and courage that he was named by Alexander I. in 1801 Hetman of the Cossacks of the Don. As such he took part in the campaigns against the French, 1805-7, and, after the enemy had evacuated Moscow, hung upon their rear with pitiless pertinacity, wearing them out by incessant attacks, cutting off straggling parties, and capturing their convoys of provisions. He defeated Lefebvre at Altenburg, 28th May 1813. After the French disaster at Leipzig he harassed their retreat on French soil, gained a victory at Laon, and made his name memorable by the devastations of his hordes of semi-savages. He was enthusiastically welcomed, and presented with a sword of honour on the occasion of his visit to London in company with Blücher. The czar gave him the title of Count in 1812. After the war he retired to his own country, and died near Tcherkask, 15th January 1818.