Battle of Szczekociny
| Battle of Szczekociny | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of the Kościuszko Uprising | |||||||
 Battle of Szczekociny, 1794, by Michał Stachowicz | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Poland |
 Prussia Russia | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
|
Tadeusz Kościuszko |
Francis Favrat Fyodor Denisov | ||||||
| Strength | |||||||
|
15,000[1]: 194 24 guns[2]: 168 |
26,500 (17,500 Prussians and 9,000 Russians)[1]: 194 124 guns[1]: 168 | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 1,200+[1]: 195 | 687+[1]: 195 | ||||||
The Battle of Szczekociny was fought on the 6 June 1794 near the town of Szczekociny, Lesser Poland, between Poland and the combined forces of the Russian Empire and Kingdom of Prussia. Polish forces were led by Tadeusz Kościuszko, and the Russians and Prussians by Alexander Tormasov, future eminent general of the Napoleonic Wars. Tormasov was aided by Prussian General Francis Favrat,[1]: 194 who emphasized the use of artillery, which put Russian-Prussian forces in the advantage.
Background
Following the Russian defeat at the Battle of Raclawice, the Prussians entered Poland to help confront the Polish revolt.[1]: 194 Prussia and Russia were threatened by the sanctuary Poland offered serfs and Prussia was additionally threatened by their burghers lured to Poland's promise of democracy and free-market economy.[1]: 156
On the morning of the 6 June, General Wodzicki noted, "It is impossible that Denisov could have amassed such an army. My eyes must be wrong, but I can see Prussians."[1]: 194 Kosciuszko had received assurances the Prussians would remain neutral.[1]: 194 Russian forces were placed on the left wing, while Prussian army was located on the right wing.
Battle
The combined Russo-Prussian forces of 26,500 were victorious, defeating Kosciuszko's army of 15,000 with cannon fire.[1]: 194 Polish peasant hero, Wojciech Bartosz Głowacki, died of the wounds he sustained during this battle.[1]: 194 Other Polish military commanders who took part in the battle were General Adam Poninski, General Antoni Madalinski, General Jan Grochowski and Duke Eustachy Sanguszko. Apart from Glowacki, two other Polish generals also died in the battle: Jozef Wodzicki[1]: 194 and Jan Grochowski.[2]: 168
Found on the battlefield by General Sanguszko, the wounded Kosciuszko stated, "I want to die here", as he was ridden to safety.[1]: 195
Aftermath
Kosciuszko's rebels retreated to Warsaw while the combined Russian and Prussian force captured Kraków on the 15 June.[1]: 195 Austria then invaded Poland from the south.[1]: 195 The Polish revolt was reduced to defending Warsaw.[1]: 195