Related
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 121 wee hyred fresh horses, haveins
1686] DIAEY OF PATRICK GORDON. 157 Vloizka,* where wee dined, and gott fresh horses
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 69 evening, wee sailed by it, and Bornholme
110 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 I gave up my petition
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 59 account, to banish the English
1667] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 97 storme, wee could not gett over to Embden
136 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Queens hand; whereat his Majestic smileing
126 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 religion* At night wee cast anchor
42 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1661 misfortune
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 6S Here wee gott horses and waggons
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1666] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 6S
Here wee gott horses and waggons, and came to the river Shitnia, juiy 9
fifteen verst, where wee rested, and refreshed our selves, bathins in the
river. 'J hen rideing through woods, havcing the said river Shitnia on our
rioht, a great way, wee came to a ruined village called Opochy, where wee
lodged, fyfteen verst.
Getting up early, wee came to the village Dombroona, twenty verst, July 10.
where, after breakfasting, I left my baggage, and with Captain Rae, a ser-
vant, and a yempshik, rode befor and came to Dubesna, fyfteen verst. Then
rideing ten verst further, wee refreshed our selves and horses. Then cross-
ing the river Kep, and it keeping us company a good way, wee came to the
river Pskova, being a stony river ; by which, on our right hand, rideing, wee
came to Plesko or Pskov/, as the Russes call it, thirty verst. 1 enquired
here for Colonell Odovern his quarters, and found him lodged without the
towne. So takeing up my quarters by him, it was late ere my baggage
came. I received letters from my wyfe and mother in law, dated Mosko,
the fourth of July.
I went to the Boyar, Kniaz Ivan Andreevits Chovansky, who was July 11.
governour here, and delivered him his Majesties letters, who, welcomeing
me, told me that he would take care that all should be ready according to
the order. Being invited, I dined by Collonell Gulits. T writt to my wyfe
and mother in law.
Havcing been by the Boyar, I went and br'eakfasted by Collonell Kruger, July 12.
and dined by Collonell Schein.
A sotnik,* with six Streltsees and podwods, being come, I went and July '•J-
tooke leave of the Boyar ; and, after breakfast, tooke jorney, going over the
river Velika Reka by a floating bridge, and takeing the Swedish house in
our way ; where, with hearty cups, the ffriends who convoyed me remembred
fFriends, and convoyed me out into the fields, tooke their leave. Only Ruit-
master Colin, Mr. Laughton, with some horsemen, went along with me.
At night, wee came to the monastery and towne Petshure, where I lodged,
being forty verst from Plesko.
I tooke jorney early, and came to the borders, being nine verst ; where July u.
the Ruitmaster being to take his leave, I caused make ready for breakfast,
and with heartly cups rcmembring our ffriends, whereby the trompets, which
* [An officer.]
Gordon was brought up and remained a lifelong Roman Catholic, at a time when the Church was being persecuted in Scotland. At age of fifteen, he entered the Jesuit college at Braunsberg, East Prussia, then part of Poland. In 1661, after many years experiences as a soldier of fortune, he joined the Russian army under Tsar Aleksei I, and in 1665 was sent on a special mission to England. After his return, he distinguished himself in several wars against the Turks and Tatars in southern Russia. In recognition of his service he was promoted to major-general in 1678, was appointed to the high command at Kiev in 1679, and in 1683 was made lieutenant-general. In 1687 and 1689 he took part in expeditions against the Tatars in the Crimea, being made a full general. Later in 1689, a revolution broke out in Moscow, and with the troops under his command, Gordon virtually decided events in favor of Peter the Great against the Regent, Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna. Consequently, he was for the remainder of his life in high favor with the Tsar, who confided to him the command of his capital during his absence from Russia. In 1696, Gordon's design of a "moveable rampart" played a key role in helping the Russians take Azov. One of Gordon's convinced the Tsars to establish the first Roman Catholic church and school in Muscovy, of which he remained the main benefactor and headed the Catholic community in Russia until his death. For his services his second son James, brigadier of the Russian army, was created Count of the Holy Roman Empire in 1701. At the end of his life the Tsar, who had visited Gordon frequently during his illness, was with him when he died, and with his own hands closed his eyes. General Gordon left behind him a uniquely detailed diary of his life and times, written in English. This is preserved in manuscript in the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow. Passages from the Diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (1635–1699) was printed, under the editorship of Joseph Robertson, for the Spalding Club, at Aberdeen, Scotland, 1859.