Battle of Grochowiska
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Grochowiska took place on March 18, 1863 at the village of Grochowiska
near Pińczów
, Poland
during the Polish January Uprising
against the Russian Empire
. It involved a 3000 strong unit of Polish insurgents under the command of Marian Langiewicz
which had been cornered by Russian forces numbering around 3500 soldiers and six artillery pieces. It was one of the most bloody, as well as one of the largest battles of the Uprising.
Langiewicz's force was composed of two infantry regiments with three battalions of 350 soldiers each (so, 2100 infantry), two units (pułk) of cavalry, 400-strong each, 100 military engineers, 150 in the command units (incl. its security detachment) and about 450 non-combatant support personnel.
, as well as by the troops in their front. Despite the initially unfavorable situation for the Polish forces, which were trying to avoid contact with the opponent, a charge by the Zouaves of Death
, under the command of Francois Rochebrune
, captured the Russian artillery and eventually forced the Russians to withdraw. The kosynierzy
(peasant troops armed with scythes), under the command of Col. Dąbrowski also contributed to the overall outcome of the engagement when they successfully attacked and routed two regiments of Smolensk
infantry. Another Polish unit under Dionizy Czachowski
covered the rear of the insurrectionist forces, and after heavy fighting moved towards Stopnica
.
During the battle, Langiewicz lost control over his troops who initially panicked. It was Rochebrune, who with the help of his Zouaves, managed to restore discipline and lead a successful attack on Russian positions. He did so by personally grabbing panicked soldiers, throwing them back into the line, pointing his gun at them and cursing in broken Polish ("Psiakehv! Ktoha godzina?" - "Goddammit! Would you tell me the time?" - which according to contemporary sources was the only Polish he knew). As a consequence after the battle, Rochebrune was promoted to the rank of general and considered for the role of the overall leader of the uprising (ultimately rejected for political reasons).
and had trouble reorganizing afterward. As a result, shortly after the battle, Langiewicz crossed into Austria
with a portion of his troops, where he was interned a week later. This ended Langiewicz's short career as the dictator (leader) of the uprising (he was chosen around 10 March). Hence, while the Polish forces managed to repel the attack and avoid destruction or capture, their high losses and eventual retreat across the border led some commentators to describe the battle as a Pyrrhic victory
for the Poles.
The future painter Bronisław Abramowicz served as adjutant
to Langiewicz during the battle and was wounded.
of the battle is also held in the area between Pinczow and Grochowiska annually.
Grochowiska, Swietokrzyskie Voivodeship
Grochowiska is a village in the administrative district of Gmina Pińczów, within Pińczów County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in south-central Poland. It lies approximately south-east of Pińczów and south of the regional capital Kielce.-References:...
near Pińczów
Pinczów
Pińczów is a town in Poland, in Świętokrzyskie Voivodship, about 40 km south of Kielce. It is the capital of Pińczów County. Population is 12,304 .-History:...
, Poland
Poland
Poland , officially the Republic of Poland , is a country in Central Europe bordered by Germany to the west; the Czech Republic and Slovakia to the south; Ukraine, Belarus and Lithuania to the east; and the Baltic Sea and Kaliningrad Oblast, a Russian exclave, to the north...
during the Polish January Uprising
January Uprising
The January Uprising was an uprising in the former Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth against the Russian Empire...
against the Russian Empire
Russian Empire
The Russian Empire was a state that existed from 1721 until the Russian Revolution of 1917. It was the successor to the Tsardom of Russia and the predecessor of the Soviet Union...
. It involved a 3000 strong unit of Polish insurgents under the command of Marian Langiewicz
Marian Langiewicz
Marian Langiewicz, full name Marian Antoni Melchior Langiewicz , was a Polish patriot notable as a military leader of the January Uprising in 1863.-Biography:He was born in the province of Posen, his father being the local doctor...
which had been cornered by Russian forces numbering around 3500 soldiers and six artillery pieces. It was one of the most bloody, as well as one of the largest battles of the Uprising.
Setting
In the aftermath of the Battle of Chrobrze, Polish insurgents under Marian Langiewicz were intercepted in a forest by a stronger Russian force. The battle took place in a very unfavorable circumstances, since the Polish forces were caught by the Russians while trying to withdraw through inhospitable forests and swamp land; neither side was prepared to fight in this terrain.Langiewicz's force was composed of two infantry regiments with three battalions of 350 soldiers each (so, 2100 infantry), two units (pułk) of cavalry, 400-strong each, 100 military engineers, 150 in the command units (incl. its security detachment) and about 450 non-combatant support personnel.
Battle
The insurgents were attacked on the flank by a column of troops moving from StopnicaStopnica
Stopnica is a village in Busko County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in south-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Stopnica. It lies approximately east of Busko-Zdrój and south-east of the regional capital Kielce...
, as well as by the troops in their front. Despite the initially unfavorable situation for the Polish forces, which were trying to avoid contact with the opponent, a charge by the Zouaves of Death
Zouaves of Death
Zouaves of Death were a Polish military unit during the January Uprising, formed in February 1863 from volunteers in Ojców, Poland, by the French officer François Rochebrune...
, under the command of Francois Rochebrune
François Rochebrune
François Rochebrune was a French army officer and Polish general. He participated in the January Uprising against Tsarist Russia, in which he organized and led the Zouaves of Death.-Biography:Rochebrune was born in Vienne in Isère, France, to an impoverished family...
, captured the Russian artillery and eventually forced the Russians to withdraw. The kosynierzy
War scythe
A war scythe is a kind of improvised pole weapon, similar to a fauchard, usually created from standard scythes. The blade of the scythe is transformed so as to extend upright from the pole, thus forming an infantry weapon practical both in offensive actions against infantry and as a defensive...
(peasant troops armed with scythes), under the command of Col. Dąbrowski also contributed to the overall outcome of the engagement when they successfully attacked and routed two regiments of Smolensk
Smolensk
Smolensk is a city and the administrative center of Smolensk Oblast, Russia, located on the Dnieper River. Situated west-southwest of Moscow, this walled city was destroyed several times throughout its long history since it was on the invasion routes of both Napoleon and Hitler. Today, Smolensk...
infantry. Another Polish unit under Dionizy Czachowski
Dionizy Czachowski
Dionizy Feliks Czachowski was a Polish general and commander of the Sandomierz Voivodeship during the January Uprising in Congress Poland....
covered the rear of the insurrectionist forces, and after heavy fighting moved towards Stopnica
Stopnica
Stopnica is a village in Busko County, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, in south-central Poland. It is the seat of the gmina called Gmina Stopnica. It lies approximately east of Busko-Zdrój and south-east of the regional capital Kielce...
.
During the battle, Langiewicz lost control over his troops who initially panicked. It was Rochebrune, who with the help of his Zouaves, managed to restore discipline and lead a successful attack on Russian positions. He did so by personally grabbing panicked soldiers, throwing them back into the line, pointing his gun at them and cursing in broken Polish ("Psiakehv! Ktoha godzina?" - "Goddammit! Would you tell me the time?" - which according to contemporary sources was the only Polish he knew). As a consequence after the battle, Rochebrune was promoted to the rank of general and considered for the role of the overall leader of the uprising (ultimately rejected for political reasons).
Aftermath
Despite the fact that Polish forces successfully escaped annihilation, they found themselves dispersed, were forced to retreat towards PińczówPinczów
Pińczów is a town in Poland, in Świętokrzyskie Voivodship, about 40 km south of Kielce. It is the capital of Pińczów County. Population is 12,304 .-History:...
and had trouble reorganizing afterward. As a result, shortly after the battle, Langiewicz crossed into Austria
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
with a portion of his troops, where he was interned a week later. This ended Langiewicz's short career as the dictator (leader) of the uprising (he was chosen around 10 March). Hence, while the Polish forces managed to repel the attack and avoid destruction or capture, their high losses and eventual retreat across the border led some commentators to describe the battle as a Pyrrhic victory
Pyrrhic victory
A Pyrrhic victory is a victory with such a devastating cost to the victor that it carries the implication that another such victory will ultimately cause defeat.-Origin:...
for the Poles.
Notable participants
Albert Chmielowski, who was later to become known as "Saint Albert" of the Catholic Church after he had founded the Albertines, took part in the battle on the Polish side, as a 17 year old recruit. Priest Agrypin Konarski also participated in the battle.The future painter Bronisław Abramowicz served as adjutant
Adjutant
Adjutant is a military rank or appointment. In some armies, including most English-speaking ones, it is an officer who assists a more senior officer, while in other armies, especially Francophone ones, it is an NCO , normally corresponding roughly to a Staff Sergeant or Warrant Officer.An Adjutant...
to Langiewicz during the battle and was wounded.
Commemoration
Several tombstones and memorials commemorate the battle near the village of Grochowiska. A historical reenactmentHistorical reenactment
Historical reenactment is an educational activity in which participants attempt torecreate some aspects of a historical event or period. This may be as narrow as a specific moment from a battle, such as the reenactment of Pickett's Charge at the Great Reunion of 1913, or as broad as an entire...
of the battle is also held in the area between Pinczow and Grochowiska annually.