History of the Late Polish Revolution and the Events of the CampaignHordynski, Joseph
History
History of the Late Polish Revolution and the Events of the Campaign
Hordynski, Joseph
Poland -- History -- Revolution, 1830-1832
[Footnote 67: The reader will allow me to give some details of this
charge of cavalry, which was, indeed, of an extraordinary character.
At the moment that the Russian centre began to waver;--with the view
to continue and augment the disorder of the enemy, and to break their
front, order was given to the cavalry to push their attacks, without
intermission, on the sides of the great road. With this force was the
1st squadron of the lancers of Poznan, of between 80 and 100 men. This
squadron threw themselves upon the Russian columns, and, simultaneously
with them, entered the town, which was full of the enemy's infantry.
Far from being discouraged by this overwhelming force, the brave
Poznanians penetrated the different streets, and continued their
attack on the enemy on every side. But the Russian infantry protected
themselves within the houses, and behind the walls, and commenced
a fire of musquetry, which fell like hail upon this brave handful
of lancers, so that it would have been thought that not a man would
have escaped. It was impossible for our lancers either to advance or
retire, for the streets before them were commanded by artillery, and
the enemy's columns of infantry had closed in behind them; there was
only one outlet for them, which was by a small street, issuing out of
the town to the left, and that was also occupied by the enemy. There
was no alternative but to force their way through it. Our Hulans then,
forming a phalanx of lances, opened a passage through the enemy, and
quitted the town. It was here that the brave Mycielski fell. The
brave Poznanians, leaving the town, by the side of the lake, whither
the Russian right wing had retreated and were about entering the
city, presented to the Russians the impression that the city was in
possession of our troops, and supposing themselves between two fires,
they no longer hesitated to lay down their arms to the pursuing force.]
[Footnote 68: Gielgudyszki was the paternal estate of the Polish
general.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account