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
Four hours had thus passed, when the arrival of a Prussian officer
upon the frontier was announced, who requested an interview with our
general. General Rohland, accompanied with a party of officers, went to
receive him. The Prussian officer was an aid-de-camp of the commandant
general of the forces on this part of the frontier, (general Kraft, we
believe). The officer, after some complimentary language, presented a
letter from his commander, which was filled with expressions of respect
and good will, and in which it was proposed that, in consideration of
our position, surrounded as we were by a force so much superior to our
own, and in a state of destitution in respect to arms and ammunition,
we should accept the offer which the Prussian government had authorised
him to make, in order to save the useless effusion of the blood of
so many brave men, and throw ourselves upon the protection of its
territory, where we would be convinced of the cordial disposition of
that government towards us,--adding, that our sojourn there would be
short, and that we should soon be allowed to return to our firesides,
as was the case with the Russian soldiers who had sought the same
protection. We have already mentioned that several detachments of
Russian soldiers, who had before sought the protection of Prussia, had
been allowed to return with their arms and ammunition. Our generals,
on being thus apprised of the liberal intentions of the Prussian
government, which were confirmed by the personal representations of the
officer who brought the letter,--reflecting on the deplorable state
of our soldiers, fatigued and weakened by so many forced marches; the
greater part of the infantry being without covering to their feet,
which were lacerated with wounds; the greater part of the cavalry,
almost without horses, (for their animals were so broken down, and
chafed by unremitted use, as to be unfit for service;) both artillery
and infantry nearly destitute of ammunition, a great quantity of which
had been thrown into the river by the orders of generals Gielgud and
Chlapowski, on passing the frontier;--considering also the assurance
which had been made that we could return to our country, and hoping
therefore to be able to renew their services to that country at some
more favorable period,--presented these circumstances to the whole
corps, and solicited the opinion of the soldiers upon the question of
acceding to the propositions of the Prussian government. The soldiers,
manifesting their entire confidence in the judgment and the honor
of their officers, signified their assent to the acceptance of the
propositions, influenced strongly by the assurance of being allowed
to return to their country. In consequence of this assent, a protocol
was prepared that night, and signed by our generals, and by several
Prussian officers on the other part, who came over for that object.
On the morning of the next day, we passed the frontier and marched
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