New Spalding Club > House of Gordon > Gordons under arms

414 HOUSE OF GORDON.
2ist of October, 1708, and about six at night the Swedes attempted to cross the river on floats
of trees . . . but were often beat back by General Gordon's detachment. The firing con-
tinued on both sides without intermission, till eleven o'cloclc, when the Russians' ammunition
was entirely spent. The General had sent several adjutants to the main army which lay at a
place called Verovich, about seven leagues distant, desiring a fresh supply ; but not a pound
was sent him. At last to his great mortification he received an order from Marshal Shereme-
toff to retreat and draw off the troops in the best manner he could. Notwithstanding the
darkness of the night and the close fire of the enemy, he carried off the artillery and wounded
men. In this action the Russians had about 800 killed and 900 wounded. The Swedes were
computed to have lost 2000. [This story is not told by Gordon himself in his text.]
1708, Dec. 26, commanding with General Goltz and Prince Golitzin
an army of 10,000 men, he marched against the Poles, Lithuanians, and
Swedes from Liledin. 1709, Feb., arrived at Kiev; the Russians defeated
the enemy at Podkamien ; ordered to command the infantry in Poland
{ibid., I. 290-1). 1709, Nov., ordered with 4000 foot and dragoons from Poland
to Ziepts, on the frontier of Hungary, to observe the King of Sweden's
motions at Bender, and to reduce Prince Lubomirski (ibid., 11. 8). 1710, Jan.
17, forced the pass of Ziepts without losing a man ; then captured the towns
of Cabowlia and Kysmark, Lubomirski retiring to Vienna {ibid., 11. 8) ; Feb.
10, ordered to arrest his old colleague Gen. Goltz, which he did in Lubowlia
{ibid., II. 10); Aug., ordered to march to " Royal- Prussia " and take further
orders there from King Augustus, his body being augmented with two regi-
ments of foot and two of dragoons {ibid., 11. 16) : —
He embarked with the foot artillery, ammunition and baggage on large flat-bottomed
boats on the Vistula and caused the dragoons march by land until they arrived at a small town
called Meive, within three leagues of Marienburgh, where King Augustus then kept his court,
and where he was commanded to continue till further orders. He was necessitated to bring
down the infantry by water to shun the plague {ibid., 11. 16).
He was afterwards sent into Transylvania to assist Prince Ragotsky against
the house of Austria, where his service was " so agreeable to that Prince that
he made him considerable presents ; amongst others several tons [tuns] of the
best Tokay wine, some hogsheads of which he brought to Scotland " {ibid., i.
xiv). 171 1, on his return to Poland he heard of his father's death, and re-
signed his commission in the Russian army, handing over his troop to Prince
Menzikoff, and arriving at Harwich in Sep. {ibid., 1. xv). 1715, joined the
Jacobites and commanded the clans at Sheriffmuir. 1717-27, lived in France.
1724, offered a Lt. Gen's com. in Spanish army, which he declined {ibid., i.
xvii).
Eldest son of Alexander (Lord Auchintoul), of Auchintoul, to which he
succeeded, 1710; b. 1669, Dec. 27, at Auchintoul {House of Gordo)!, i. (137)) ;
III. (i) 1698, Feb. 15, Katherine Elizabeth {d. 1739, Dec), dau. of Patrick,