PLATOFF, MATVEI IVANOVITC1I, Count, the hetman of the Cossacks of the Don, and a Russian cavalry gen., was b. on the banks of the Don. Aug. 6. 1757, and was descended from an ancient and noble family, which had emigrated from Greece. Having acquired a considerable reputation for wisdom and bravery, lie was appointed by the czar Alex ander 1. hetman of the Cossacks; and subsequently, as a lieut.gen. in the Russian army, and afterwards as commander of the Russian irregular cavalry, he took a prominent part in the wars both with France and Turkey. After the French had evacuated Mos cow, and retreated, Platoff hu g upon their rear with the utmost pertinacity, wearying them out by incessant attacks. cutting off straggling parties, capturing their convoys of provisions, and keeping them in a state of continual terror and apprehension. The French historians state that 1 maparte's army suffered more loss from the attacks of Platoff's Cossacks than from _p ivation and exhaustion. He defeated Lefebvre at Alten burg. After the rout of the French at Leipzig, he inflicted great loss upon them in their retreat, and subsequently gained a victory over them at Leon. The inhabitants of Seine
et-M•rne will long remember him by the devastations and pillage committed by his undisciplined bands. lie was enthusiastically welcomed by the Parisians (to their shame), and also by the English, who presented him with a sword of honor on the occa sion of his to London in company with marshal Nadler. The allied monarchs loaded him witu honors and decorations, and the czar gave him the title of count.. Eta retired to his own country, there to mourn the death of his only son, who had been killed in the campaign of 1812, and died near Tcherka,sk in 1818. No other Russian gen. ever exercised such an influence over the men under his command; and their awe of him was not greater than their affection; but this was doubtless owing to the inflexi ble and speedy justice which he administered to them, and to the freedom with which he left them to rob and pillage.