Who is Ataman Platov? Platov Matvey Ivanovich

Matvey Ivanovich Platov is a famous Russian military leader, a participant in many campaigns, one of the heroes of the Patriotic War of 1812.

He was born in 1751, in the village of Starocherkasskaya, in the family of a military foreman. Matvey Ivanovich received the usual elementary education, and at the age of 13 he entered military service.

At the age of 19 he went to the first war in his life with Turkey. In battles with the Turks, he showed bravery and courage, for which he was promoted to captain of the Russian army, and became the commander of the Cossack hundred.

The war continued - new battles, new exploits, new successes. Platov became a military foreman and commanded a regiment. But he was still very young, he was just over 20 years old.

In 1774, Matvey Ivanovich gained fame in the Russian army. His soldiers were surrounded by the Crimean Khan, accompanied by transport convoys.

Platov set up a camp, erected fortifications, and managed to repel several dashing enemy attacks. Soon reinforcements arrived. After this event he was awarded a gold medal.

In subsequent years, Matvey Ivanovich took part in the defeat of the uprising of Emelyan Pugachev, and successfully fought in the Caucasus with the mountain peoples. For successful fighting he was granted the rank of colonel in the Russian army.

In 1782, he met Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, and subsequently they communicated quite a lot.

In 1787, another Russian-Turkish war broke out. Platov's Cossack regiment was part of the army led by Potemkin. The regiment performed best during the assault on the Ochakovo fortress, for which Matvey Ivanovich was awarded the Order of St. George, fourth degree.

For further successes in the new war with Turkey, Platov was promoted to marching atamans. December 1790 came, marked by a loud and famous victory of the Russian army - the Capture of the Izmail Fortress.

Matvey Ivanovich was one of the first to speak out in favor of storming the powerful fortress. During the assault on Izmail, he commanded one of the assault columns, and then the entire left flank of the Russian army. During the assault, the ataman led the soldiers into the attack, giving them personal example courage and heroism.

For his participation in the Capture of Izmail, Matvey Platov was awarded the Order of St. George, third degree.

In 1796, on behalf of Empress Catherine II, he took part in the Persian campaign of the Russian army. For his participation in this campaign, he was awarded the golden saber “For Bravery” and the Order of St. Vladimir, second degree.

In 1897, Platov fell out of favor with Emperor Paul I. On suspicion of conspiracy against the emperor, he was exiled to Kostroma. After Kostroma there was imprisonment in the Peter and Paul Fortress. In 1801, the court acquitted the ataman, and Paul I admitted the fallacy of his accusations, and granted Matvey Ivanovich the Order of Malta.

After Alexander I became the new Emperor of Russia, Platov was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed Ataman of the Don Army. In his new position, he managed to do a lot.

The capital of the Don Army was moved from Starocherkassk to Novocherkassk. Here he was actively involved in the development Cossack troops, monitored their weapons and combat training. Ataman Platov opened the first gymnasium on the Don.

Matvey Ivanovich took part in the Russian-French campaign of 1806-1807. For his successes in the war with France, he was awarded the Order of St. George, second degree, and the Order of St. Vladimir, second degree.

In Tilsit, where the Russian and French emperors signed the Tilsit Peace Treaty between the powers, Platov personally met Napoleon. Bonaparte gave him a commemorative snuff-box, and was going to bestow upon him the Order of the Legion of Honor - the general refused it: “I did not serve the French, and I cannot serve,” said Platov.

At the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812, Matvey Ivanovich led the Cossack corps, which was part of Barclay de Tolly’s army. It so happened that Platov’s Cossacks had to cover the retreat of Peter Bagration’s army.

On June 27, 1812, a battle took place near the town of Mir, where Platov’s Cossacks destroyed as many as nine French regiments. This victory became the first victory of the Russian army in the Patriotic War of 1812.

The Russian troops had a hard time; the endless retreats were not easy. It so happened that due to Platov’s mistake, the Russian rearguard allowed the French troops to advance.

Barclay removed Matvey Ivanovich from his position. He was already planning to return to the Don, but Mikhail Kutuzov, who led the Russian army, returned the experienced warrior to the location of the active army.

Platov took part in the Battle of Borodino, his regiments operated notably on the right flank, time after time, giving the French a worthy rebuff. At the most critical moment, Matvey Ivanovich’s Cossack troops carried out a lightning-fast counterattack, disrupting the enemy’s ranks.

After the Battle of Borodino there was a short lull in the war. During this period, Ataman Platov initiated the mobilization of the Cossacks on the Don. During the mobilization, 22 thousand Cossacks joined the ranks of the Russian army.

For his services during the Patriotic War of 1812, Platov was awarded the title of count. In subsequent years, Matvey Ivanovich, together with his Cossack troops, made a great contribution to the common cause of defeating Napoleon.

Matvey Platov died in January 1818. Under Nicholas I, on the occasion of Platov’s 100th birthday, a monument to him was erected in Novocherkassk.

In the photo: “Portrait of Count M. I. Platov” (1814) by Thomas Lawrence.

Native of Cherkassk Matvey Ivanovich Platov- one of the most famous Don atamans. Having become the hero of Leskov’s “Lefty,” he even ended up in fiction, and such things always emphasize the significance of a historical figure.

Ataman Platov - a life spent in battles

Ataman Matvey Platov born in 1753 in Cherkassk in the family of a military foreman, was baptized in the Peter and Paul Church. He did not receive any systematic education, but he knew how to read and write from early childhood, preferring historical novels to any other reading. True, he hardly had much time left for reading, because the Cossack had been sitting on a horse almost from the cradle. At the age of 13 he was already a constable, at 20 he commanded a Cossack regiment.

Such ups just don’t happen - Platov was literally born for military life. Since 1788, he fought under the command of Suvorov, taking Ochakov and Izmail. The young Cossack general was favored by Empress Catherine II, which backfired on him when Paul ascended the throne and began persecuting his mother’s favorites. Detached from military service, Platov went into exile in Kostroma, and then was completely imprisoned Peter and Paul Fortress. He was released when Pavel needed an energetic leader for his planned trip to India. The Cossack troops prepared for this purpose were led by Ataman Matvey Platov. The news of the death of Paul I overtook Platov in Orenburg - Alexander I canceled the crazy campaign, and appointed Platov as military chieftain.

Matvey Ivanovich's first most important task in this post was the transfer of the Don capital to a new location and the construction of Novocherkassk. But he did not engage in peaceful affairs for long - in 1805 the war with Napoleon broke out. From then on until 1815, Ataman Platov fought almost without rest - his Cossacks rushed like a whirlwind across the European continent, calming down only, as one would expect, in Paris. All of Europe applauded them, and most of all - Ataman Platov, who, one must think, seemed to foreigners to be an expression of the mysterious Russian spirit.

On April 13, 1813, Emperor Alexander I signed a manifesto “expressing royal gratitude to the Don Army for its services in the Patriotic War”: “The courageous and tireless vigilance of the military ataman Platov,” it said, “as well as all the brave generals who fought with him.” , officers and all Don police officers and Cossacks in general, contributed greatly to overcoming the great enemy forces and to achieving complete and famous victories over them...”

Six months earlier, Platov was elevated to the rank of count. By 1816, he had amassed a collection of all the highest awards, including the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called, became a doctor at Oxford University, and even the ship Ataman Platov appeared in the British Navy. All that remained was to rest on our laurels, but Vikhor-Ataman did not know how to do this. Returning to the Don in 1816, Matvey Ivanovich did not live long - he died in January 1818. His grave is located in the Novocherkassk Ascension Military Cathedral.

Sasha Mitrakhovich 04.09.2017 20:04

Speaking about the Cossacks, our contemporaries will most likely describe them with a number of “clichés,” but among them there will certainly be the epithets “dashing” and “daring.” It is curious that they were characterized in approximately the same way by foreign generals and officers who had ever entered into battle with Cossack detachments. Thus, Napoleonic general de Braque, who took part in the “Russian campaign,” wrote in the book “Outposts of the Light Horse”: “Cossacks - best easy cavalry in Europe... They are characterized by the instincts of the wolf and the fox, they are accustomed to war and are distinguished by their strong body, and their horses are extremely hardy.”

The general knew what he was saying. During Patriotic War In 1812, one significant incident occurred. The famous Cossack ataman Matvey Platov vowed to marry his daughter to the one who would capture Napoleon. There were rumors that it was for this reason that the French emperor tried not to move away from his old guard.

Platov Matvey Ivanovich

P Lats (Count Matvey Ivanovich, 1751 - 1818) - famous chieftain Don Cossacks, cavalry general; He entered the service at the age of 13 and during the first Turkish war, under , he already commanded a regiment. During the Second Turkish War he distinguished himself during the assaults of Ochakov and Izmail. During the Persian War of 1795 - 1796 he was a marching chieftain, and in 1801 he was appointed military chieftain of the Don Army; participated in the battle of Preussisch-Eylau, then in the Turkish war. During the Patriotic War, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy under revenge. Mir and Romanovo. During the retreat of the French army, Platov, relentlessly pursuing it, inflicted defeats on it at Gorodnya, Kolotsky Monastery, Gzhatsk, Tsarevo-Zaimishch, near Dukhovshchina and when crossing the river. Scream. For these deeds he was elevated to the dignity of count. In November, Platov captured Smolensk from battle and defeated the troops of Marshal Ney near Dubrovna. At the beginning of January 1813, he entered Prussia and besieged Danzig; in September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig and, pursuing the enemy, captured about 15 thousand people. In 1814 he took Namur. At the conclusion of peace, he accompanied the emperor to London, where he was greeted with loud applause. A monument to him was erected in Novocherkassk.

Other interesting biographies.

Cossack military valor

Ataman M.I.Platov –
outstanding Russian commander

Praise, our whirlwind is the chieftain,
Leader of the unharmed, Platov!
Your enchanted lasso
A thunderstorm for adversaries.
You rustle through the clouds like an eagle,
You prowl the field like a wolf;
You fly with fear behind enemy lines,
You're pouring misfortune into their ears!
They only went to the forest - the forest came to life,
The trees are shooting arrows!
They only reached the bridge - the bridge disappeared!
Only to the villages - the villages are thriving!

V.A. Zhukovsky

He was born in 1753 on August 8 in the village of Pribylyanskaya in the town of Cherkassk (now the village of Starocherkasskaya) and spent his childhood here.

The town of Cherkassk at that time was the capital of the Don Army Region, and all life in it was imbued with a military spirit. All military orders came from here; serving Cossacks gathered here to go on campaigns. The environment, as well as the stories of old warriors about military exploits, had a great influence on young people, imitating the heroes, they spent time in games of a military nature. Horseback riding, catching animals and fish, and shooting exercises were her favorite pastimes. Among these youth, the future leader of the Don Cossack army, Matvey Ivanovich Platov, grew up, who already at that time stood out from the crowd with his sharp mind, agility and dexterity.

His father, Ivan Fedorovich Platov, was a well-known foreman in the Don, but was not distinguished by material wealth and therefore gave his son only the usual education among the Cossacks, teaching him to read and write.

At the age of thirteen, Matvey Ivanovich was assigned by his father to serve in the military chancellery, where he soon attracted attention and was promoted to the rank of non-commissioned officer.

During the Russian-Turkish War of 1768 - 1774. Platov was in the ranks of the active army under the command of Prince M.V. Dolgorukov, as commander of the Cossack hundred. For military merits during the capture of Perekop and near Kinburn, he was appointed commander of a regiment of Don Cossacks.

In 1774, even before the conclusion of peace with Turkey at Kuchuk-Kainardzhi, Platov was tasked with delivering a convoy of food and equipment to the army located in the Kuban. The regiments of Platov and Larionov, who came out with a convoy from the Yeisk fortification, were attacked on the way by the brother of the Crimean Khan Devlet-Girey. Under the green banner of the prophet there were up to 30 thousand Tatars, highlanders, and Nogais. The situation in which the convoy found itself was desperate.

Larionov handed over overall command of the detachment to Platov, not believing that it was possible to resist such a strong force. “Friends,” Platov told the Cossacks, “we face either a glorious death or victory. We will not be Russians and Donets if we are afraid of the enemy. With God's help, repel his evil plans!

By order of Platov, a fortification was quickly built from the convoy. Seven times the Tatars and their allies furiously rushed to attack the relatively weak forces of the Cossacks, and seven times the latter drove them back with great damage. At the same time, Platov found an opportunity to report the hopeless situation of the convoy to his troops, who were not slow to come to the rescue. The Tatars were put to flight, and the convoy was delivered safely to its destination. This incident brought Platov fame not only in the army, but also at court.

Platov further served under the command of Prince Potemkin-Tavrichesky and the great Russian commander A.V. Suvorov. Service under the leadership of Suvorov was the best school for Matvey Ivanovich.

During the second Turkish war in 1787-1791. Platov takes part in the battles during the siege and assault of Ochakov, during the attack and occupation of the Gassan-Pashinsky castle.

September 13, 1789 Platov with his Cossacks and rangers at Kaushany puts Turkish troops to flight and captures the “three-buncher pasha” Zainal-Gassan. For this feat, he was appointed marching ataman of the Cossack regiments.

In 1790, Platov was in Suvorov’s army near Izmail. On December 9, at the military council, he was one of the first to vote for an immediate assault on the fortress, and on December 11, during the assault itself, he led five thousand Cossacks, who honorably completed the task assigned to them by the great commander Suvorov. Suvorov wrote to Prince Potemkin about Platov and his regiments: “I cannot sufficiently praise the bravery and swift blow of the Don Army before your Lordship.” For his services in the capture of Izmail, Matvey Ivanovich was nominated by Suvorov for the award of the Order of St. George III degree, and at the end of the war he was promoted to the rank of major general.

IN last years During the reign of Catherine II, Platov took part in the Persian War. The affairs of Derbent, Baku, and Elizavetpol wove new laurels into Platov’s wreath. He was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir III degree, and Catherine II awarded him a saber in a velvet sheath and gold frame, with large diamonds and rare emeralds.

Don writer Dmitry Petrov (Biryuk) in the historical novel “Sons of the Don Steppes” writes that “Matvey Ivanovich Platov made a dizzying career in a short time. Without connections, without education, enlisted at the age of 13 to serve in the Cossack troops, Platov at the age of 19 was already commanding a regiment. He participated in all the wars and major campaigns of his time, always standing out, receiving awards, attracting the attention of major commanders and political figures of the royal court.”

Platov becomes one of the most popular people on the Don and a prominent figure in dignitary Petersburg.

Paul I, who ascended the throne after the death of Catherine II, recalled Zubov’s army, in which Platov served, from the borders of Persia. Platov is allowed to return to the Don. But then disaster struck. On the way, Matvey Ivanovich was overtaken by the tsar's courier and taken, by order of the tsar, to Kostroma, into exile. Then he was taken to St. Petersburg and imprisoned in the ravelin of the Peter and Paul Fortress. This was in 1797.

The reason for Platov's arrest was a false denunciation. It was suggested to Pavel that Platov’s enormous popularity had become dangerous. It must be said that Pavel was generally dissatisfied with the famous Cossack general for his closeness to Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, an opponent of the Prussian drill that Pavel instilled in the Russian army.

At the end of 1800, Paul I released Matvey Ivanovich from custody in order to subsequently use him in the implementation of his absurd and fantastic plan - the conquest of India. Platov understood that the campaign planned by Pavel would require many sacrifices and would not bring any benefit to Russia, but he did not dare refuse the Tsar’s offer.

In a short time, 41 cavalry regiments and two companies of horse artillery were prepared for the campaign, which amounted to 27,500 people and 55,000 horses.

At the beginning of February 1801, the detachment set off.

Heavy trials befell the Cossacks in this ill-fated campaign. And only the sudden death of Paul I stopped their torment. Alexander I, who ascended the throne, ordered the Cossacks to return home. Thus ended the campaign in India, about which only legends and sorrow were preserved on the Don.

In August 1801, in the first year of his reign, Alexander I sent a letter to the Don addressed to Matvey Ivanovich Platov. The letter stated that for long-term and impeccable service he was appointed military ataman of the Don Army. Being a military ataman, Platov also discovered his remarkable talents.

On May 18, 1805, on the initiative of Platov, the capital of the Don Army was moved from Cherkassk to a new location in Novocherkassk. In the same year, Napoleon attacked Austria, which was an ally of Russia. Platov, having formed twelve Cossack regiments and an artillery horse battery, set out on a campaign to the Austrian border. However, he did not have to participate in battles, since soon after Napoleon’s victory at Austerlitz peace was concluded over the allied forces. But the war did not end there. In 1806, Napoleon attacked Prussia. At Jena and Auerstadt he inflicted a severe defeat on the Prussian troops. In a few weeks, Prussia was finished, and Napoleon entered Berlin. The Prussian king fled to Konigsberg.

Platov and his Don regiments had to fight a lot in Prussia against Napoleonic troops. The name of the Don Ataman gained even greater fame not only in Russia, but also abroad.

But the war is over. On June 25 (July 7), 1807, a meeting was scheduled for three monarchs in Tilsit to sign peace: Alexander, Napoleon and the Prussian king Frederick William. Matvey Ivanovich Platov was in Alexander’s retinue at that time.

At this time a characteristic incident occurred. At Napoleon's request, horse riding was carried out. The Cossacks rode horseback while standing on the saddle, chopped down the canes, and shot from under the belly of a racing horse at the target. The riders took coins scattered on the grass from their saddles; galloping, they pierced the effigies with darts; some spun in the saddle at this gallop deftly and so quickly that it was impossible to tell where their hands were and where their legs were...

The Cossacks also did a lot of things that took the breath away of horse riding enthusiasts and experts. Napoleon was delighted and turning to Platov asked: “Do you, general, know how to shoot a bow?” Platov grabbed a bow and arrows from the nearest Bashkir and, accelerating his horse, fired several arrows as he galloped. They all hissed into the straw effigies.

When Platov returned to his place, Napoleon said to him:

Thank you, General. You are not only a wonderful military leader, but also an excellent rider and shooter. You brought me a lot of pleasure. I want you to have a good memory of me. And Napoleon handed Platov a golden snuffbox.

Taking the snuff-box and bowing, Platov said to the translator:

Please convey my Cossack thanks to His Majesty. We, the Don Cossacks, have an ancient custom: to give gifts... Sorry, Your Majesty, I don’t have anything with me that would attract your attention... but I don’t want to remain in debt and I want Your Majesty to she remembered me... Please accept this bow and arrows as a gift from me...

An original gift,” Napoleon smiled, examining the bow. “Okay, my general, your bow will remind me that it’s difficult for even a small bird to protect itself from the arrow of the Don Ataman.” The ataman's well-aimed arrow will overtake her everywhere.

When the translator translated this, Platov said:

Yes, I have a trained, keen eye, a steady hand. Not only small, but also large birds need to be wary of my arrow.

The hint was too obvious. By the big bird, Platov clearly meant Napoleon himself, and a big conflict would not have been avoided if not for the resourceful translator.

By 1812, almost all of Western and Central Europe was subject to Napoleon. He reshaped it as he wanted, created new states, and placed his relatives on the throne in the conquered countries. The Spanish people remained unconquered on the Iberian Peninsula; across the English Channel, England, stubbornly defending its claims to world domination; in eastern Europe – Russia.

Napoleon began to carefully prepare for the campaign against Russia. In June 1812, without declaring war, Napoleon with an army of 420 thousand people with a thousand guns crossed its borders. By August of the same year, another 155 thousand entered Russian territory. By the beginning of the war, Russia could field no more than 180 thousand people against Napoleon. The vast forces of the vast country had not yet been assembled. But the Russian army had a number of advantages. The fighting spirit of the Russian soldiers, selfless patriots of their great motherland... The Russian soldier was distinguished by unsurpassed courage and possessed keen intelligence. Among the regiments there were many participants in Suvorov’s campaigns, soldiers of the Suvorov school. Quite a few of Suvorov's students numbered among the brilliant ranks of Russian commanders. At the same time, Russia possessed abundant and strong military means - excellent artillery, strong cavalry, and well-armed infantry.

This was the balance of forces at the beginning of the Patriotic War of 1812.

From the first days, 14 Cossack regiments, united in a mounted flying corps, took part in the struggle of the Russian people against the Napoleonic hordes. This corps was commanded by Matvey Ivanovich Platov.

During the first period of the war, Platov was in the second army, commanded by Bagration. Bagration's army was heading to join the 1st Army, commanded by Barclay. Platov’s cavalry corps was entrusted with the difficult task of following in the rearguard of the army and in every possible way delaying the advance of enemy troops. As they retreated, the Cossacks constantly attacked the enemy's convoys in small groups, smashing them and instantly disappearing; destroyed enemy vanguards; carried out raids on the rear, leading him astray.

On the day of the Battle of Borodino, according to the plan of M.I. Kutuzov's corps of Platov and General Uvarov swam across the Kolocha River and headed deep into the enemy rear, to the location of his convoys, where they caused a big commotion.

Observing the actions of the corps of Platov and Uvarov, Kutuzov exclaimed with admiration: “Well done!.. Well done!.. How can this valiant service of our army be paid for?.. Glad, very glad!.. Bonaparte was misled by the operation of Platov and Uvarov. Apparently, he thought that a large force of ours had hit him in the rear. And we will take advantage of Bonaparte’s embarrassment.”

The operation of the cavalry corps of Platov and Uvarov forced Napoleon to suspend the offensive for two whole hours. During this time, the Russians managed to bring in reinforcements and deploy reserve artillery.

In the battle of Borodino, the will and art of Kutuzov defeated the will and art of Napoleon. As Napoleon himself put it, the Russians have acquired the right to be invincible.

On September 3, Platov’s Cossacks, exchanging fire with enemy lancers from Murat’s vanguard, were the last to leave Moscow.

Goodbye, Mother! We will be back! - said Platov leaving Moscow. In difficult days for Russia, when Napoleonic’s army was moving further into its territory, Platov appealed to the residents of the Don to defend their Motherland. Don fulfilled this call with honor. Twenty-four cavalry regiments people's militia Yes, six horse guns were sent to the active army. Fifteen thousand faithful sons of the quiet Don stood up to defend their Motherland... Not only men, but also women joined the ranks of the army.

When Platov came to Kutuzov to report on the arrival of the regiments from the Don, the latter said in a voice trembling with excitement: “Thank you! Thank you, ataman!.. This service will never be forgotten by the fatherland!.. Always, until the hour when God wants to call me to himself, gratitude to the Don Army will remain in my heart for its labors and courage in this difficult time.”

After entering Moscow, the position of the enemy army became increasingly difficult. Cossack regiments and partisan detachments Denis Davydov, Seslavin, Figner surrounded Moscow on all sides, preventing French foragers from getting food and feed for horses in the surrounding villages, or even getting what little could be found in the depopulated and devastated villages. Napoleon's troops were forced to eat horse meat and carrion. Diseases began. Enemy soldiers died by the thousands. The entire Russian people rose up for the Patriotic War. Napoleon was soon forced to leave the Russian capital. This event was a signal for the general offensive of Kutuzov’s army, which gave a special and honorable place in it to the actions of Platov’s corps.

Matvey Ivanovich Platov, at the head of his corps, pursued the enemy on his heels. “Now, brothers,” he said to the Cossacks, “our time of suffering has come... Just have time to sharpen your sabers and sharpen your darts... Now we’ll wipe off the snot of the braggart Bonaparte. Let’s make some noise, brothers, and let our little Russian know that her sons, the dashing Dons, are still alive...”

And indeed, starting from the Battle of Tarutino, the Cossacks began to make noise. Not a day passed without them distinguishing themselves in some way. Everywhere there was only talk about Cossack exploits. The news that the Cossacks near Maloyaroslavets almost captured Napoleon himself caused a lot of noise throughout the country.

On October 19, in the battle with Marshal Davout’s corps at the Kolotsky Monastery, Platov’s Cossacks again distinguished themselves. They defeated Davout's rearguard and captured huge trophies. A couple of days after this, the Cossacks encountered the corps of the Neapolitan king, defeated this corps, capturing up to three thousand prisoners and fifty cannons. And three days later, Platov with his regiments overtook the corps of the Italian Viceroy near Dukhovshchina and, after a two-day bloody battle, defeated it, again capturing up to three thousand prisoners and up to seventy guns.

These days, Kutuzov’s report to Emperor Alexander about the valor of the Platov Cossacks was published in the capital’s newspapers: “Great is God, most merciful sovereign! Falling at the feet of Your Imperial Majesty, I congratulate you on your new victory. The Cossacks are doing miracles, hitting both artillery and infantry columns!”

During the thousand-mile march from Maloyaroslavets to the borders of Prussia, the Cossacks captured from the French more than 500 guns, a huge number of convoys with things looted in Moscow, more than 50 thousand soldiers and officers prisoners, including 7 generals and 13 colonels.

By the end of December 1812, the last remnants of Napoleon's army were expelled from Russia.

The wonderful exploits of our ancestors in the Patriotic War of 1812 will forever remain in the memory of the people. The people have not and will not forget the glorious deeds of the Don Cossacks, whose services to the fatherland were clearly appreciated by the great Russian commander - M.I. Kutuzov: “My respect for the Don Army and gratitude for their exploits during the campaign of the enemy, who was soon deprived of all cavalry and artillery horses, and therefore guns... will remain in my heart. I bequeath this feeling to my descendants.”

But the war did not end with the expulsion of Napoleon’s army from Russia. On January 1, 1813, Russian troops crossed the Neman and moved west, liberating Europe enslaved by Napoleon. The campaign of 1813-1814 began, in which the Cossacks further increased the glory of Russian weapons.

In February, the Cossacks and hussars raided Berlin, which did not produce immediate military results, but made a huge impression on the Prussians. This accelerated the turn in Russian politics. Prussia broke off its relations with Napoleon and entered into a military alliance with Russia.

Platov's Cossacks, pursuing the enemy, occupied the cities of Elbing, Marienburg, Marienwerder and others.

“The fall of the glorious fortified cities of Elbing, Marienwerder and Dirschau,” Kutuzov wrote to Platov, “I completely attribute to the courage and determination of Your Excellency and the brave army led by you. A pursuit flight cannot be compared with any speed. Eternal glory to the undaunted Don people!”

The decisive battle of the campaign of 1813-1814. The largest battle took place near Leipzig, in which up to 500,000 people took part.

Fighting on the right flank of the Russian army, the Cossacks captured a cavalry brigade, 6 infantry battalions and 28 guns. The Don Cossacks fought through all of Europe.

War of 1812-1814 brought the Don Cossacks worldwide fame. Newspapers and magazines of that time were full of reports about the Donets and their military exploits. The name of the Don Ataman Platov was extremely popular.

After the conclusion of the Peace of Paris, Platov visited London, being part of the retinue of Alexander I. London newspapers devoted entire pages to Platov, listing his real and fictitious exploits and merits. Songs were written about him, his portraits were published. In London, Platov met with the famous English poet Byron and writer Walter Scott.

Later, when Platov returned to the Don, an English officer came to him and presented him with an honorary doctorate from Oxford University and a saber from the citizens of the city of London.

Participation in the War of 1812 did not bring military merits and patriotic exploits, but the working Cossacks, like all of working Russia, better life. A working Cossack could rightfully say about himself in the words of Russian soldiers: “We shed blood... We delivered our Motherland from a tyrant (Napoleon), and the gentlemen are tyrannizing us again.”

Platov devoted the rest of his days to administrative affairs, since the economy of the Don Army Region, neglected during the war years, required his attention.

Agarkov L.T.

Speech at a conference, 1955

Ataman of the Don Cossack Army (from 1801), cavalry general (1809), who took part in all wars Russian Empire late XVIII - early XIX century

Matvey Platov

short biography

Count (1812) Matvey Ivanovich Platov(1753-1818) - ataman of the Don Cossack Army (from 1801), cavalry general (1809), who took part in all the wars of the Russian Empire of the late 18th - early 19th centuries. In 1805 he founded Novocherkassk, where he moved the capital of the Don Cossack Army.

Platov was born in the capital of the Don Cossacks, Cherkassk (now the village of Starocherkasskaya, Aksay district, Rostov region) and was baptized in the Church of Peter and Paul, which has survived to this day.

“Of the elder children of the Don Army” - his Cossack father was a military foreman. By birth he belonged to the Old Believers-Priests, although due to his position he did not advertise this. Mother - Platova Anna Larionovna, born in 1733. Married to Ivan Fedorovich, they had four sons - Matvey, Stefan, Andrei and Peter.

Matvey Ivanovich entered service on the Don in the Military Chancellery in 1766 with the rank of constable, and on December 4, 1769 he received the rank of captain.

In 1771 he distinguished himself during the attack and capture of the Perekop line and Kinburn. Since 1772 he commanded a Cossack regiment. In 1774 he fought against the highlanders in the Kuban. On April 3, he was surrounded by Tatars near the Kalala River, but managed to fight back and forced the enemy to retreat.

In 1775, at the head of his regiment, he took part in the defeat of the Pugachevites.

in 1782-1783 he fought with the Nogais in the Kuban. In 1784 he participated in the suppression of uprisings of Chechens and Lezgins.

In 1788 he distinguished himself during the assault on Ochakov. In 1789 - in the battle of Kaushany (September 13) during the capture of Akkerman (September 28) and Bender (November 3). During the assault on Izmail (December 11, 1790) he led the 5th column.

Since 1790, ataman of the Ekaterinoslav and Chuguev Cossack troops. On January 1, 1793, he was promoted to major general.

In 1796 he took part in the Persian campaign. After the campaign was suddenly canceled by decree from St. Petersburg, having disobeyed the Highest command, he remained with his regiment to guard the headquarters of the commander-in-chief, Count Valerian Zubov, who was threatened with Persian captivity.

He was suspected by Emperor Paul I of conspiracy and in 1797 exiled to Kostroma, and then imprisoned in the Peter and Paul Fortress. In January 1801, he was released and became a participant in Paul's most adventurous enterprise - the Indian campaign. Only with the death of Paul in March 1801, Platov, who had already advanced to Orenburg at the head of 27 thousand Cossacks, was returned by Alexander I.

On September 15, 1801, he was promoted to lieutenant general and appointed military ataman of the Don Army. In 1805 he founded the new capital of the Don Cossacks - Novocherkassk. He did a lot to streamline army command and control.

In the campaign of 1807, he commanded all the Cossack regiments of the active army. After the battle of Preussisch-Eylau he earned all-Russian fame. He became famous for his dashing raids on the flanks of the French army, defeating several separate detachments. After the retreat from Heilsberg, Platov’s detachment acted in the rearguard, taking on constant blows from the French troops pursuing the Russian army.

In Tilsit, where peace was concluded, Platov met Napoleon, who, in recognition of the ataman’s military successes, gave him a precious snuff box. The chieftain refused the French Order of the Legion of Honor, saying:

I did not serve Napoleon and cannot serve.

Patriotic War and Foreign Campaign

During the Patriotic War of 1812, he first commanded all the Cossack regiments on the border, and then, covering the retreat of the army, had successful dealings with the enemy near the towns of Mir and Romanovo. In the battle near the village of Semlevo, Platov’s army defeated the French and captured a colonel from the army of Marshal Murat. Part of the success belongs to Major General Baron Rosen, who was given complete freedom of action by Ataman Platov. After the battle of Saltanovka, he covered Bagration’s retreat to Smolensk. On July 27 (August 8) he attacked the cavalry of General Sebastiani near the village of Molevo Boloto, overthrew the enemy, took 310 prisoners and Sebastiani’s briefcase with important papers.

Engraving by S. Cardelli “Matvey Ivanovich Platov”, late 18th century. - 1st quarter of the 19th century. 75x61

After the Battle of Smolensk, Platov commanded the rearguard of the united Russian armies. On August 17 (29) he was replaced by Konovnitsyn for “lack of management” and expelled from the active army. This was achieved by Barclay de Tolly, who reported to the king:

General Platov, as chief of the irregular troops, is placed in too high a position, not having sufficient nobility of character to correspond to his position. He is an egoist and has become a sybarite to the highest degree. His inactivity is such that I must send my adjutants to him, so that one of them will be with him, or at his outposts, in order to be sure that my orders will be carried out.

Denis Davydov clarifies the real reason for the expulsion:

Prince Bagration, who always had great influence on Platov, who loved to indulge in drunkenness, taught him in 1812 to some abstinence from mustard vodka - in the hope of soon receiving the dignity of a count. Ermolov for a long time managed to deceive Platov, but the ataman, having finally lost all hope of being a count, began to drink terribly; he was therefore expelled from the army to Moscow.

From August 17 (29) to August 25 (September 6) he fought daily with the French vanguard units. At the critical moment of the Battle of Borodino, together with Uvarov, he was sent to bypass Napoleon’s left flank. Near the village of Bezzubovo, the cavalry was stopped by the troops of General Ornano and returned.

He called on the Cossacks to join the militia, and already in Tarutino the Cossack contingent reached 22 thousand people.

After the battle of Maloyaroslavets, Platov was instructed to organize the pursuit of the retreating Great Army. He took part in the battle of Vyazma, and then organized the pursuit of the Beauharnais corps. On October 27 (November 8) on the Vop River between Dorogobuzh and Dukhovshchina, he cut off part of the Beauharnais corps and took 3.5 thousand prisoners, including the chief of staff of the corps, General Sanson, and 62 guns. He took part in the battles of the Kolotsky Monastery, Smelev, Smolensk, and Krasny.

For his merits, by a personal Highest decree of October 29 (November 10), 1812, the ataman of the Don Army, cavalry general Matvey Ivanovich Platov, with his descendants, was elevated to the dignity of count of the Russian Empire.

On November 15, Borisov was occupied, and the enemy lost about 5 thousand killed and 7 thousand captured. For three days he pursued the retreating enemy army from Vilno to Kovno and, without giving him time to reorganize his forces, entered Kovno on December 3.

During the campaign of 1812, the Cossacks under the command of Platov took about 70 thousand prisoners, captured 548 guns and 30 banners, and also recaptured a huge amount of valuables looted in Moscow.

On December 2 (14), he was one of the first to cross the Neman and pursued MacDonald's troops to Danzig, which he besieged on January 3, 1813.

During Foreign trip was at the Main Apartment, and from time to time he was entrusted with the command of individual detachments operating on enemy communications. In September he received command of a special corps, with which he participated in the battle of Leipzig. Pursuing the enemy, he captured about 15 thousand people. In February 1814, he fought at the head of his regiments during the capture of Nemours (February 4), Arcy-sur-Aube, Cezanne and Villeneuve.

In 1814, after the conclusion of the Paris Peace, he accompanied Emperor Alexander I to London, where he was greeted with loud applause. Together with three particularly distinguished commanders of the armies of the anti-Napoleonic coalition - Russian Field Marshal Barclay de Tolly, Prussian Field Marshal Blücher and Austrian Field Marshal Schwarzenberg, he received a special honorary saber made of jewelry as a reward from the City of London (located in Novocherkassk in the Museum of the History of the Don Cossacks). He became the first Russian to be awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Oxford University.

Death

Memorial plaque at the site of the original burial of M. I. Platov. Maly Mishkin farm.

Died on January 3 (January 15, new style) 1818. He was originally buried in Novocherkassk in the family crypt near the Ascension Cathedral in 1818. In 1875, he was reburied at the Bishop's dacha (Mishkin farm), and on October 4 (17), 1911, his ashes were transferred to the tomb of the Military Cathedral in Novocherkassk. After October 1917, Platov's grave was desecrated. A photograph from 1936 shows a broken monument by I. Martos with the chipped head of a military leader. The ashes were reburied in the same place in the military cathedral on May 15, 1993.

In service:

• 1766 - entered service on the Don in the Military Chancellery as a sergeant;
• December 4 (15), 1769 - esaul;
• January 1 (12), 1772 - Don Troops as colonel;
• November 24 (December 5), 1784 - prime major;
• September 20 (October 1), 1786 - lieutenant colonel;
• June 2 (13), 1787 - colonel;
• in 1788 - transferred to the Ekaterinoslav (later Chuguevsky) cavalry Cossack regiment;
• September 24 (October 5), 1789 - brigadier, remaining in the same Chuguevsky cavalry Cossack regiment;
• January 1 (12), 1793 - major general;
• During the reign of Emperor Paul I, he was expelled from service, exiled to Kostroma and arrested, but then pardoned and ordered to lead a campaign to Orenburg:
• September 15 (27), 1801 - lieutenant general;
• 1801 - assistant to the military chieftain and military chieftain of the entire Don army;
• September 29 (October 11), 1809 - general of the cavalry.

In campaigns and affairs against the enemy was:

• in 1771 - during the first Turkish war during the capture of the Perekop line and Kinburn;
• 1774 - in Kuban, where he distinguished himself under the river. Kalalakh, with weak forces, repelled seven attacks by Khan Devlet-Girey and the mountain princes;
• 1775 - during the search for Pugachev and the dispersal of his gangs;
• 1782-1783 - in Kuban;
• 1784 - against Lezgins and Chechens;
• 1788 - during the siege and assault of Ochakov, for which he was awarded the Order of St. George, 4th class, on April 14 (25), 1789;
• 1789 - in the battle of Kaushany, where he captured 3 guns, 2 banners and 160 prisoners, including Hassan Pasha, for which he was promoted to brigadier and appointed marching chieftain, during the capture of Akkerman and Bendery;
• 1790 - during the storming of Izmail, for which he received the Order of St. George, 3rd class, on March 25 (April 5), 1791, after which he was appointed ataman of the Ekaterinoslav and Chuguev Cossacks;
• 1796 - in the Persian campaign, for which he was awarded the Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd class. and a golden saber with diamonds and the inscription “for bravery”;
• 1801 - on a campaign to Orenburg;
• 1807 - in Prussia, commanding all the Cossack regiments, in cases against the French at Preussisch-Eylau, Ortelsburg, Allenstein, Heilsberg, retreat after Friedland, for which he was awarded the Order of St. George 2nd class, Vladimir 2nd class. and Alexander Nevsky and Prussian - Red and Black Eagle;
• 1809 - in cases against the Turks: under Babadag, Girsov, Rassevat, Silistria and Tataritsa, for which he was awarded the rank of cavalry general and the Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class;
• in 1812 - during the invasion of French troops into Russia, he retreated from Grodno to Lida and Nikolaev, from where he sent out detachments to discover the enemy, had clashes with him at Korelichi, Mir - on June 28 and Romanov - on July 2; went to Mogilev, where he dealt with the enemy on July 11; passing from there to Dubrovka, he opened communication with the 1st Army; forming the vanguard during the attack on Rudnya, defeated two hussar regiments at Molevoy Bolot, and then covered the army during the retreat to Smolensk; after the battle of Smolensk, he formed a rearguard and held the enemy at Mikhalev and on the banks of the river. Axis; On August 26, at Borodino, he attacked the enemy’s left wing from the rear and caused confusion in the convoys; from August 27, he followed to Moscow, in the rearguard of the army, and after Napoleon’s speech from Moscow he observed the road from Mozhaisk to Kaluga; during the battle of Maloyaroslavets, he observed the road from Borovsk to Maloyaroslavets, and also harassed the enemy in the rear and right flank; on the night of October 13, he dealt with the enemy at the river. Puddle; from October 14, he monitored the movements of the enemy and had business with him near the Kolotsky Monastery (October 19), near the village. Fedorovsky (October 22), Semlev, Gusin, Orsha (November 8), Borisov - 6 (November 15), Zenbina, Pogulyanka near Vilna (November 28) and Kovne; at the end of December, occupied Mühlhausen and Elbin; On October 29 (November 10), 1812, he was elevated to the hereditary dignity of count of the Russian Empire;
• 1813 - on January 3, he laid siege to Danzig, but was soon recalled to the main apartment; then he took part in the battles of Altenburg, Leipzig and Weimar, for which he received the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (for Leipzig) and a diamond feather with the sovereign’s monogram and laurels to wear on his hat; On October 21, he occupied Frankfurt and then pursued the enemy to Mainz, where he had a heated affair between Gochheim and the village of Wickert;
• in 1814 - within France, at first it formed the vanguard, maintaining communications with Blucher’s army, and after connecting it with the main army, it was sent in search of the enemy to Nemours, Fontainebleau and Melun; in February he took Nemours (February 4) and Arsis-sur-Aube and had a clash at the city of Villeneuve, and then was summoned to the main apartment, where he remained until the end of the campaign.

By the highest order on January 26 (February 7), 1818, he was excluded from the lists of the dead (died January 3 (15), 1818).

Family

Lifetime portrait of M. I. Platov, painted during his stay in London (1814)

The count family of the Platovs comes from M.I. Platov. He was married twice.

• In February 1777, he married Nadezhda Stepanovna, the daughter of the marching ataman Stepan Efremov and the granddaughter of Major General Daniil Efremov. From his first marriage, Matvey Ivanovich had a son, Ivan (I) (1777-1806). After the death of N. S. Platova (11/15/1783), M. I. Platov married a second time.
• In 1785, his second wife was Marfa Dmitrievna (b. ca. 1760 - 12/24/1812/1813), widow of Colonel Pavel Fomich Kirsanov (1740-1782), sister of the ataman Andrei Dmitrievich Martynov. She was awarded the Order of St. Catherine of the Small Cross on August 11, 1809. In his second marriage, Matvey Ivanovich had four daughters and two sons:
  • Marfa (1786-1821) - married to Colonel Stepan Dmitrievich Ilovaisky (1778-1816);
  • Anna (1788-?) - married to Kharitonov;
  • Maria (1789-1866) - wife of Major General Timofey Dmitrievich Grekov;
  • Alexandra (1791-?);
  • Matvey (1793-after 1814) - Major General, awarded the Order of St. George, 4th class. “for distinction in battles with the French” (1813);
  • Ivan (II, 1796-1874) - colonel, participant in the Patriotic War of 1812, holder of the Order of the Legion of Honor.

In addition, the Platov family brought up the children of Marfa Dmitrievna from her first marriage - Khrisanf Kirsanov, the future major general, and Ekaterina Pavlovna Kirsanova, later the wife of the ataman Nikolai Ilovaisky.

Having been widowed, Platov cohabited with an Englishwoman, Elizabeth, whom he met during a visit to London. After his death, she returned to her homeland.

Awards

• Order of the Holy Apostle Andrew the First-Called (08.10.1813)
• Order of St. George, 2nd class (11/22/1807) - “ For repeated participation in battles as head of forward posts during the war with the French in 1807»
• Order of St. George, 3rd class (03/25/1791) - “ In honor of the diligent service and excellent courage shown during the capture of the city and fortress of Izmail by storm with the extermination of the Turkish army that was there, commanding a column.»
• Order of St. George, 4th class (04/14/1789) - “ For excellent courage shown during the attack on the Ochakov fortress.»
• Order of St. Vladimir, 1st class (1809)
• Order of St. Vladimir, 2nd class (1807)
• Order of St. Vladimir, 3rd class (1796)
• Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (11/18/1806)
• Diamond signs for the Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (1807)
• Order of St. Anne, 1st class (1801)
• Order of St. John of Jerusalem, commander's cross (1801)
• Golden saber with diamonds and the inscription “For bravery” (1796)
• Silver medal "In memory of the Patriotic War of 1812"
• Diamond feather with the monogram of Emperor Alexander I and laurels on a shako (1813)
• Order of the Black Eagle (Prussia, 1807)
• Order of the Red Eagle (Prussia, 1807)
• Precious snuff box presented by the French Emperor Napoleon I (France, 1807)
• Military Order of Maria Theresa, 3rd class (Austria, 1813)
• Austrian Order of Leopold, 2nd class (Austria, 1813)
• Saber set with diamonds from the City of London (Great Britain, 1814);

Refused the Legion of Honor (1807)

Memory

Monument to M.I. Platov with the words: “To Ataman Count Platov for military exploits from 1770 to 1816 Grateful Donets.” Novocherkassk.

In 1853, in Novocherkassk, using public money collected by subscription, a monument to Platov was erected (authors P.K. Klodt, A. Ivanov, N. Tokarev). In 1923, the monument was removed and transferred to the Donskoy Museum, and in 1925 a monument to Lenin was erected on the same pedestal. In 1993, the monument to Lenin was dismantled, and the restored monument to Platov returned to the pedestal. In 2003, an equestrian monument to Platov was erected in the same city. Another 10 years later, an equestrian monument to the ataman was erected in Moscow. As the traditions of the Don Cossacks are restored, the name of one of the most famous atamans continues to be immortalized both in the Rostov region and beyond.

Some personal belongings of Ataman Platov, in particular the saddle and cup, are in the Museum of the Life Guards Cossack Regiment near Paris in France.

The role of Platov in the film “” was played by Yuri Domogarov.