Patrick Leopold Gordon of Okhlukhris, known in Russia as Peter Ivanovich Gordon, is a Scottish and Russian military leader, general and rear admiral of the Russian army.
Biography
The future commander was born on the last day of March 1635 in the Scottish town of Ohluhris. Patrick Leopold is a representative of one of Scotland's most influential families. His great-grandfather Edam Gordon personally met with the pope in 1320 and presented him with a manifesto on the independence of Scotland.
When Patrick was barely sixteen years old, he was forced to leave his native country. In the Prussian city of Braniewo, he entered the Jesuit gymnasium, but did not stay there for a long time. Having a chance to get into the equestrian army of the Duke of Saxe-Lauenburg, he dropped out without hesitation and signed up as an ordinary reytar.
Military career
Already in 1655, the twenty-year-old Patrick was at the front. Being in the service of Charles X, he took part in the Northern War on the side of Sweden. In the battle of Warsaw, he was captured by the Poles, and, having concluded an agreement with them, passed under their banners. On the side of the Commonwealth, he fought against the Tatar and Russian troops. He especially distinguished himself under the leadership of Prince Jerzy Lubomirski in the battle of Chudnov. Gordon’s talent and military ingenuity so impressed the Russian ambassador Vasily Leontiev that he made every effort to ensure that Patrick continued his service in Russia.
In September 1661, the Scot arrived in Russia, where he was assigned to the regiment to his fellow countryman Crawford. He began his service with the rank of major of the Russian army. For three years he rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel, and a year later he received the rank of colonel. During the Russian-Turkish war he participated in a campaign to the city of Chigirin. During the second campaign he demonstrated courage and determination, which was appreciated at the court. In April 1678, Patrick entered the city with his cavalry. During the siege, the commander of the garrison Ivan Rzhevsky was killed. Gordon took command over himself, destroyed the powder warehouse during the battle, and left one of the last upon retreat. For his actions, the Scot was elevated to the rank of major general.
During the ascension of Peter I to the throne, Gordon continued to serve in the Russian army. In February 1678, the young emperor conducted a review of the Butyr regiment and was pleased with the training of the soldiers. Under Peter, the Scottish governor, who became a faithful companion and teacher of the Russian Tsar, took an active part in suppressing riots and remained in service until his death. Gordon died in 1699 at the age of 64.
