1698] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 189 ' I broke up in the morning, and pitched camp again on the Swidnja, a vcrst from Tuschina

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

1698] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 189

' I broke up in the morning, and pitched camp again on the Swidnja, a vcrst from Tuschina. June I6.
At midnight, the Boyar came, and brought the orders on all the points that wc had laid before
the council to have instruction and full authority upon.

' On Friday, at six o'clock, 1 marched with the infantry, and came to Tscliernewa, ten versts. June 17.
Here I found a nobleman's servant, who said that he had spent the previous night with the
Strelitzes, and that they were marching with all speed to reach the convent of Woskressensk
that night. This news made me hasten on to get there before them. After advancing five
versts farther, I rested a little, and sent a report to the Boyar, requesting him, at the same time,
to send me some cavalry. I then crossed the river, and, lest the mutineers should reach the
convent before me, I pushed on before with what horsemen I could muster. Two versts from
the convent, the scouts brought to me four Strelitzes, who said that they were sent, one man
from each regiment, to take a petition to the Boyar. Reading it, I found in it nothing but a
catalogue of their services, with exaggeration of their grievances, and a prayer for leave to come
to Moscow to visit their homes, wives, and children, as well as to petition for their necessities-
I sent them on to the Generalissimo ; and having learned from these deputies that the Strelitzes
were still fifteen versts off, and could not reach the convent that night, I gave orders to mark
off a camp near the convent, as the most convenient place. I arrived at the place fixed upon
about sunset, and immediately received information from my scouts that the Strelitzes had
reached the river, and were crossing at a shallow place. Hearing this, I hastened thither with
what horsemen I had with me. I spoke to them in a calm tone, and advised them to return
across the river, and encamp on the other side. Not heeding this, they turned into a line, and
remained stationed on a meadow beside the river, outside the village. I returned as quickly as
possible to bring up our infantry. I made the first two regiments march through the village,
and take post in the best position, while the other two were stationed on the fields by the Mos-
cow road. I then rode down to the Strelitzes, and had a conversation with them ; but I found
them very refractory in all that we required of them. However, I persuaded them to send two
other deputies to the Generalissimo, which they did. After a mutual promise that no movement
should take place that night, they returned to their camp, leaving a strong guard in the lane.
I made a battalion keep guard not far from them, and stationed another near for relief. I then
went to the other regiments, and ordered strong guards and detachments in various places in
.sight of their camp, to observe them. Having reconnoitred their camp at a little distance, and
found no stirring among them, and having also visited our own guards, I went back to the camp
at the time of reveille, which I did not allow to be beat, and rested an hour. After which I
went to the Generalissimo, and consulted with him what was to be done. After mature delibera-
tion, it was resolved that I should repair to their camp and intimate to them: 1, That they
should turn back and repair to the places assigned them; 2, That they should give up one
hundred and forty deserters who had run away from "Welikije Luki to Moscow, as well as the
ringleaders of the present insurrection, and disobedience to the commands of his Majesty; 3,
That in the appointed places his Majesty should give them the usual pay, and either bread or
money, according to the local prices ; 4, That the present fault should be forgiven them ; and.
•5, That even the others, who were more guilty, should not suffer severe punishment.