Battle of Zielence
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Zieleńce was a battle in the Polish–Russian War of 1792, in defence of the Polish Constitution of 3 May 1791
. The battle took place on 18 June 1792, between the Polish army of Józef Poniatowski and a Russian army group under the command of General Morkov, which was a part of Krechetnikov forces.
. She decided that a good pretext for justifying the war would be to help the Polish nation in re-establishing Golden Liberty
and giving help to the confederation which would be established by magnates Franciszek Ksawery Branicki
, Szymon Kossakowski, Seweryn Rzewuski
, Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki and others.
After signing a peace treaty with Sweden and Turkey
, the Russian army began concentrating near the Russian Polish-Lithuanian border.
, and then to advance to Kamieniec Podolski, Chełm and Lublin and to encircle Warsaw
from the south. Under his command, Kakhovsky had 64,000 soldiers who were veterans from the Russian-Turkish wars. They were organised in four corps: 17,000 infantry and 6,600 cavalry under command of General Michaił Kutuzov, 13,000 infantry and 4,300 cavalry under command of General Dunin, 6,600 men under command of General Derfelden, and 8,300 infantry and 3,500 cavalry under General Levanidov.
The second group under command of General Mikhail Krechetnikov
was to go across Lithuania and encircle Warsaw from the north and join Kreczetnikow's forces.
Meanwhile, the magnates began agitating among the commanders of the Polish-Lithuanian forces, but without success.
s and one reserve corps
. The Ukrainian division under command of Tadeusz Kościuszko
consisted of 8,000 infantry and 9,000 cavalry. The Volynian and Podole division under command of Prince Michał Lubomirski consisted on paper of 8,000 soldiers, but in reality it only had 4,535. The reserve corps under command of General Józef Zajączek
had 5 battalions of infantry, a company of artillery and two brigades of cavalry. As stated above, this corps was undergoing reorganisation.
Formally under the command of Poniatowski was Major General
Józef Orłowski, the commander of the fortress of Kamieniec Podolski. He commanded 3,374 soldiers, but did not take active part in the war and surrendered to the Russians when ordered by the Polish King Stanisław Poniatowski.
The Polish forces were not prepared for war. Most of them were soldiers of the magnate militia. Only the formations which were under command of Kościuszko and Poniatowski were at least partially prepared for war.
The Lithuanian Army under command of Prince Ludwig von Württemberg
had about 15,000 soldiers. The soldiers of this army were not prepared for war either. They were placed in garrison towns. Their commander was a traitor who collaborated with the Russians.
, Kośnica, Bohopole and Wasylków. The Polish were expecting the Russians to enter from the Kijów and Brody side. After crossing the river below Mohylew, Kutuzov sent Cossack
s on reconnaissance. Some of these encountered and fought with Polish cavalry under Serby
without success. Dunin crossed river below Kośnica. Derfeld, Potocki and Branicki crossed the Dnieper River between Olwipol and Bohopole.
On 19 May, they proclaimed the confederacy in Targowica. They began to create their formations but without success. The problem was that the noblemen who lived near the border did not want to join either side of the conflict but were only interested in peace. Only 200 incursion noblemen who were conditional from Szczęsny Potocki arrived to Tulczyn. In the end, Szczęsny Potocki called for Russian help in collecting members of confederacy and he asked about military escort. With movement of the Russian army they had organised formations which they called regiments, brigades, and divisions. Truly these brigades did not have enough soldiers. The brigades were virtually worthless for actual fighting, and the Russian commanders never actually used them on the battlefield. The soldiers were instead tasked with looting wealth from followers of the constitution, and burning everything in their path.
On 22 May, after capturing a Polish border station, Lewanidov crossed the Polish border in Wasylków. After getting information about the border crossing by the Russian forces Prince Józef Poniatowski ordered his army to withdraw to Winnica. During the withdrawal, Polish forces fought with Cossacks and Kalmyk cavalry who used the help of the local Ukrainian population. In this situation, Prince Józef Poniatowski decided to withdraw to Volyn and join the forces of Michał Lubomirski. During withdrawal, Ulanów and Prince Józef joined formation under the command of General Kościuszko and General Wielhorski. After joining forces, the Polish commanders organised a meeting during which they planned their moves. Kościuszko proposed to attack with all forces on the Russian columns and destroying them on the trot. Because Polish forces were weaker than Russian forces and did not have their experience, Poniatowski could not count on his officers so he decided to withdraw. He too was afraid that soldiers could betray him and move to the Russian side.
On 1 June they reached Lubar and placed a camp where they waited for reinforcement.
After a weeks stay in Vinnitsa, the Russians decided to encircle Polish forces in Lubar. They divided their forces into two columns. The first column went across Chmielnik, the second across Cudnów. The Polish generals decided to send cavalry on patrol, but were defeated in clashes with Cossacks.
On 24 June, Levanidov arrived from the north from Miropol and another formation moved from the south from Ostropole. Polish forces were in danger of being cut from warehouses in Połonne, which was not prepared for defence.
Poniatowski decided to evacuate Połonne. He ordered Kościuszko with 5000 soldiers and artillery to observe and fight the Levanidov column for the purpose of delaying their moving. Another general, Stanisław Mokronowski, was sent south with brigade national cavalry in order to patrol enemy forces. Soon Poniatowski joined his forces with regiment of front watch of Józef Lubomirski
(pułk strazy przedniej Lubomirskiego). After getting information that they were in danger of encirclement, Poniatowski decided to withdraw to Połonne. Before that, he clashed with Russian forces under Dembków who were forced to withdraw to Kochovski and Kutuzov camps.
and a part of cavalry under command of Tormasov. These forces attacked and destroyed the rear of the Polish train. There were clashes between the Polish and Russian cavalry and fighting between Polish and Russian infantry and artillery. In all probability, the Polish cavalry successfully defended against the first attack of Russian cavalry then withdrew. Infantry and artillery began defence of train. The collapsing of bridge on the swamp river Derewiczka was in truth a trap. Polish infantry (1000 soldiers) and artillery successfully defended against the Russians who were able to receive reinforcements during fight. When the Polish did not get relief, they began withdrawal under enemy fire. The Polish division received heavy losses of soldiers, 7 cannons, and a train. The only positive result was the halting of the Russian rally for several hours.
was observed. This group was front watch of Kutuzov Corp. The order of this group was to attack the Polish army left wing and destroy the rest of train. With a force about 10,000 soldiers and 24 cannons (2 infantry regiments of about 6000 soldiers, three regiments of line cavalry of 2500 soldiers, and a Cossack brigade under command of Orlov
), the Russian formations took positions in a valley below a hill. Their order of battle was the same as Polish, except that one battalion was a reserve and the second to secure the train. Meanwhile, General Józef Zajączek
contacted Poniatowski for help. The battle began with artillery fire and cavalry clashes. About 7 a.m., Markow wanted to begin to attack but changed his orders when he saw that Polish formations under Poniatowski had moved onto the battle field. Poniatowski forces included two infantry battalions, a cavalry regiment of front guard from Prince Józef Lubomirski, Brigade National Cavalry under command of Stanisław Mokronowski, a division under command of General Wielhorski, and 12 cannons. Kościuszko with his division had to stay in the rear in order to prevent an attack from Levanidov and Dunin corps. Poniatowski sent the Mokronowski brigade on right wing. He backed the artillery. The battalion of infantry regiment of Potocki was in reserve. The division of Wielhorski took position within the forest as second throw.
Constitution of May 3, 1791
The Constitution of May 3, 1791 was adopted as a "Government Act" on that date by the Sejm of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. Historian Norman Davies calls it "the first constitution of its type in Europe"; other scholars also refer to it as the world's second oldest constitution...
. The battle took place on 18 June 1792, between the Polish army of Józef Poniatowski and a Russian army group under the command of General Morkov, which was a part of Krechetnikov forces.
Preparations for war
After the proclamation of the Constitution of 3 May, Catherine the Great decided to send her army to destroy the constitution and to re-establish Russian supremacy in the Polish-Lithuanian CommonwealthPolish-Lithuanian Commonwealth
The Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth was a dualistic state of Poland and Lithuania ruled by a common monarch. It was the largest and one of the most populous countries of 16th- and 17th‑century Europe with some and a multi-ethnic population of 11 million at its peak in the early 17th century...
. She decided that a good pretext for justifying the war would be to help the Polish nation in re-establishing Golden Liberty
Golden Liberty
Golden Liberty , sometimes referred to as Golden Freedoms, Nobles' Democracy or Nobles' Commonwealth refers to a unique aristocratic political system in the Kingdom of Poland and later, after the Union of Lublin , in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth...
and giving help to the confederation which would be established by magnates Franciszek Ksawery Branicki
Franciszek Ksawery Branicki
Count Franciszek Ksawery Branicki was a Polish nobleman of the Korczak coat of arms, magnate and one of the leaders of the Targowica Confederation....
, Szymon Kossakowski, Seweryn Rzewuski
Seweryn Rzewuski
Seweryn Rzewuski was a Polish-Lithuanian szlachcic.He was Field Hetman of the Crown from 1774 to 1795. Participant of the Radom Confederation in 1767 and one of the leaders of the Hetman Party and the...
, Stanisław Szczęsny Potocki and others.
After signing a peace treaty with Sweden and Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
, the Russian army began concentrating near the Russian Polish-Lithuanian border.
Russian forces
The Russian army was divided into two groups. One group under the command of General Kakhovsky was tasked with destroying the Crown Army, which was placed in the Polish part of the UkraineUkraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
, and then to advance to Kamieniec Podolski, Chełm and Lublin and to encircle Warsaw
Warsaw
Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River, roughly from the Baltic Sea and from the Carpathian Mountains. Its population in 2010 was estimated at 1,716,855 residents with a greater metropolitan area of 2,631,902 residents, making Warsaw the 10th most...
from the south. Under his command, Kakhovsky had 64,000 soldiers who were veterans from the Russian-Turkish wars. They were organised in four corps: 17,000 infantry and 6,600 cavalry under command of General Michaił Kutuzov, 13,000 infantry and 4,300 cavalry under command of General Dunin, 6,600 men under command of General Derfelden, and 8,300 infantry and 3,500 cavalry under General Levanidov.
The second group under command of General Mikhail Krechetnikov
Mikhail Krechetnikov
Michael N. Kretchetnikov was a Russian military commander and General of Infantry. He was the younger brother of Piotr Kretchetnikov.-Life:...
was to go across Lithuania and encircle Warsaw from the north and join Kreczetnikow's forces.
Meanwhile, the magnates began agitating among the commanders of the Polish-Lithuanian forces, but without success.
Polish-Lithuanian forces
The Crown Army under command of Prince Józef Poniatowski was positioned in the Ukraine, and was divided into two divisionDivision (military)
A division is a large military unit or formation usually consisting of between 10,000 and 20,000 soldiers. In most armies, a division is composed of several regiments or brigades, and in turn several divisions typically make up a corps...
s and one reserve corps
Corps
A corps is either a large formation, or an administrative grouping of troops within an armed force with a common function such as Artillery or Signals representing an arm of service...
. The Ukrainian division under command of Tadeusz Kościuszko
Tadeusz Kosciuszko
Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko was a Polish–Lithuanian and American general and military leader during the Kościuszko Uprising. He is a national hero of Poland, Lithuania, the United States and Belarus...
consisted of 8,000 infantry and 9,000 cavalry. The Volynian and Podole division under command of Prince Michał Lubomirski consisted on paper of 8,000 soldiers, but in reality it only had 4,535. The reserve corps under command of General Józef Zajączek
Józef Zajaczek
Prince Józef Zajączek , was a Polish general and politician.His first important military post was that of an aide-de-camp to hetman Franciszek Ksawery Branicki...
had 5 battalions of infantry, a company of artillery and two brigades of cavalry. As stated above, this corps was undergoing reorganisation.
Formally under the command of Poniatowski was Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Józef Orłowski, the commander of the fortress of Kamieniec Podolski. He commanded 3,374 soldiers, but did not take active part in the war and surrendered to the Russians when ordered by the Polish King Stanisław Poniatowski.
The Polish forces were not prepared for war. Most of them were soldiers of the magnate militia. Only the formations which were under command of Kościuszko and Poniatowski were at least partially prepared for war.
The Lithuanian Army under command of Prince Ludwig von Württemberg
Ludwig Eugen, Duke of Württemberg
Ludwig Eugen, Duke of Württemberg , was the third son of Duke Karl Alexander and Princess Maria Augusta of Thurn and Taxis - 1 February 1756).-Marriage:...
had about 15,000 soldiers. The soldiers of this army were not prepared for war either. They were placed in garrison towns. Their commander was a traitor who collaborated with the Russians.
Beginning of war
During night of 18 May 1792, the Russian army crossed the Dnieper River without difficulty below MogilevMogilev
Mogilev is a city in eastern Belarus, about 76 km from the border with Russia's Smolensk Oblast and 105 km from the border with Russia's Bryansk Oblast. It has more than 367,788 inhabitants...
, Kośnica, Bohopole and Wasylków. The Polish were expecting the Russians to enter from the Kijów and Brody side. After crossing the river below Mohylew, Kutuzov sent Cossack
Cossack
Cossacks are a group of predominantly East Slavic people who originally were members of democratic, semi-military communities in what is today Ukraine and Southern Russia inhabiting sparsely populated areas and islands in the lower Dnieper and Don basins and who played an important role in the...
s on reconnaissance. Some of these encountered and fought with Polish cavalry under Serby
Serby
Serby is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Głogów, within Głogów County, Lower Silesian Voivodeship, in south-western Poland. Prior to 1945 it was in Germany....
without success. Dunin crossed river below Kośnica. Derfeld, Potocki and Branicki crossed the Dnieper River between Olwipol and Bohopole.
On 19 May, they proclaimed the confederacy in Targowica. They began to create their formations but without success. The problem was that the noblemen who lived near the border did not want to join either side of the conflict but were only interested in peace. Only 200 incursion noblemen who were conditional from Szczęsny Potocki arrived to Tulczyn. In the end, Szczęsny Potocki called for Russian help in collecting members of confederacy and he asked about military escort. With movement of the Russian army they had organised formations which they called regiments, brigades, and divisions. Truly these brigades did not have enough soldiers. The brigades were virtually worthless for actual fighting, and the Russian commanders never actually used them on the battlefield. The soldiers were instead tasked with looting wealth from followers of the constitution, and burning everything in their path.
On 22 May, after capturing a Polish border station, Lewanidov crossed the Polish border in Wasylków. After getting information about the border crossing by the Russian forces Prince Józef Poniatowski ordered his army to withdraw to Winnica. During the withdrawal, Polish forces fought with Cossacks and Kalmyk cavalry who used the help of the local Ukrainian population. In this situation, Prince Józef Poniatowski decided to withdraw to Volyn and join the forces of Michał Lubomirski. During withdrawal, Ulanów and Prince Józef joined formation under the command of General Kościuszko and General Wielhorski. After joining forces, the Polish commanders organised a meeting during which they planned their moves. Kościuszko proposed to attack with all forces on the Russian columns and destroying them on the trot. Because Polish forces were weaker than Russian forces and did not have their experience, Poniatowski could not count on his officers so he decided to withdraw. He too was afraid that soldiers could betray him and move to the Russian side.
On 1 June they reached Lubar and placed a camp where they waited for reinforcement.
After a weeks stay in Vinnitsa, the Russians decided to encircle Polish forces in Lubar. They divided their forces into two columns. The first column went across Chmielnik, the second across Cudnów. The Polish generals decided to send cavalry on patrol, but were defeated in clashes with Cossacks.
On 24 June, Levanidov arrived from the north from Miropol and another formation moved from the south from Ostropole. Polish forces were in danger of being cut from warehouses in Połonne, which was not prepared for defence.
Poniatowski decided to evacuate Połonne. He ordered Kościuszko with 5000 soldiers and artillery to observe and fight the Levanidov column for the purpose of delaying their moving. Another general, Stanisław Mokronowski, was sent south with brigade national cavalry in order to patrol enemy forces. Soon Poniatowski joined his forces with regiment of front watch of Józef Lubomirski
Józef Lubomirski
Prince Józef Lubomirski was a Polish noble .He was voivode of Chernigov Voivodeship since 1726....
(pułk strazy przedniej Lubomirskiego). After getting information that they were in danger of encirclement, Poniatowski decided to withdraw to Połonne. Before that, he clashed with Russian forces under Dembków who were forced to withdraw to Kochovski and Kutuzov camps.
Battle of Boruszkowice
Main Polish forces under command of Poniatowski withdrew to Połonne across Czantoria; they were secured from the south by a division under command of Kościuszko. A Polish army train, secured by a division of Wielhorski, moved the shortest way across Boruszkowice. Wielhorski had under his command 6500 soldiers and 12 cannons. The route which he moved was sodden and an area in which were forests allowing Russian formations cover making it difficult for Polish defence. After getting information about Polish withdrawal, Kachovski rallied two Cossacks regiments under command of OrlovOrlov
Orlov is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, diplomatists and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the person of four Orlov brothers, of whom the senior was Catherine the Great's paramour, and the two junior were notable military...
and a part of cavalry under command of Tormasov. These forces attacked and destroyed the rear of the Polish train. There were clashes between the Polish and Russian cavalry and fighting between Polish and Russian infantry and artillery. In all probability, the Polish cavalry successfully defended against the first attack of Russian cavalry then withdrew. Infantry and artillery began defence of train. The collapsing of bridge on the swamp river Derewiczka was in truth a trap. Polish infantry (1000 soldiers) and artillery successfully defended against the Russians who were able to receive reinforcements during fight. When the Polish did not get relief, they began withdrawal under enemy fire. The Polish division received heavy losses of soldiers, 7 cannons, and a train. The only positive result was the halting of the Russian rally for several hours.
Battle of Zieleńce
On 15 June, the joined Polish forces reached Połonne. After a meeting, the Polish commanders decided to withdraw because they did not have the possibility of defending a town that did not have fortifications. On 17 June Poniatowski received information in Szepietówka that the Lubomirski division was now camped in Zasław. He ordered the Lubomirski division to join his forces near Zielenice. Lubomirski had about 2000 infantry (Gorzeński’s regiment, Fizilierów’s regiment, Potockich’s regiment, and regiment buławy wielkie koronne) and 1000 cavalry (regiment front watch buławy wielkiej koronnej). His formation secured a hill situated on the north on the road from Połonne to Zasław which dominated the area. Infantry taking position in centre wings were secured by cavalry. In the early morning of 18 June, a Russian group under command of General MorkovMorkov
Mořkov is a village in Moravian-Silesian Region of the Czech Republic.Basic infoPopulation: ca 2380 Area: 1073 haCoordinates: 49° 32' N, 18° 04' EHighest place: Hustyn Hill - altitude 749 m above sea-External links:*...
was observed. This group was front watch of Kutuzov Corp. The order of this group was to attack the Polish army left wing and destroy the rest of train. With a force about 10,000 soldiers and 24 cannons (2 infantry regiments of about 6000 soldiers, three regiments of line cavalry of 2500 soldiers, and a Cossack brigade under command of Orlov
Orlov
Orlov is the name of a Russian noble family which produced several distinguished statesmen, diplomatists and soldiers. The family first gained distinction in the person of four Orlov brothers, of whom the senior was Catherine the Great's paramour, and the two junior were notable military...
), the Russian formations took positions in a valley below a hill. Their order of battle was the same as Polish, except that one battalion was a reserve and the second to secure the train. Meanwhile, General Józef Zajączek
Józef Zajaczek
Prince Józef Zajączek , was a Polish general and politician.His first important military post was that of an aide-de-camp to hetman Franciszek Ksawery Branicki...
contacted Poniatowski for help. The battle began with artillery fire and cavalry clashes. About 7 a.m., Markow wanted to begin to attack but changed his orders when he saw that Polish formations under Poniatowski had moved onto the battle field. Poniatowski forces included two infantry battalions, a cavalry regiment of front guard from Prince Józef Lubomirski, Brigade National Cavalry under command of Stanisław Mokronowski, a division under command of General Wielhorski, and 12 cannons. Kościuszko with his division had to stay in the rear in order to prevent an attack from Levanidov and Dunin corps. Poniatowski sent the Mokronowski brigade on right wing. He backed the artillery. The battalion of infantry regiment of Potocki was in reserve. The division of Wielhorski took position within the forest as second throw.