Battle of Temesvár
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Temesvár (now Timişoara
, in Romania
) was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848
, fought on 9 August 1849 between the Austrian Empire
and Hungarian
Revolutionary Army supplemented by Polish
volunteers. The Austrians were led by Julius Jacob von Haynau
, while the Hungarians were led by Józef Bem
who arrived at the eleventh hour from Transylvania
. The Austrians were victorious.
The Hungarians had only their southern division here, and although they had slightly more men than the Austrians, they lacked experience and good equipment. Henryk Dembiński
, the leader of this Hungarian division, retreated from Szeged
just before the arrival of the army of Julius Jacob von Haynau
, where the Hungarians had prepared defence lines. Dembiński was relieved of his command, and Lajos Kossuth
asked József Bem to step in.
The Hungarians were stationed at the stronghold of Temesvár (now Timişoara
, Romania) when they were attacked from Temesvár Castle too. The Hungarians did well for a while, but when Bem fell from his horse they could not hold the Austrian cavalry
.
, the originator of the idea to join forces at Szeged
, became the supreme commander of the southern Hungarian army, even though Antal Vetter had a chance of getting this post. Dembiński commanded little respect because he retreated in 1831 and it seemed that he couldn't change. He essentially retreated from Szeged and left a legion with only four cannon at Újszeged. He was supreme commander of the Hungarian army at the Battle of Kápolna
and the Battle of Szőreg
, and lost both.
The Hungarian army left their positions, because they could push the Austrian army, which was crossing Újszeged, towards the River Tisza
Vilmos Lázár
was begging Dembiński to make this move., but it didn't happen. Even though the Hungarians were defending their positions, Haynau crossed the Tisza to Újszeged without resistance. Dembiński stationed his army between Maros and Szőreg
and Haynau started to move towards the Hungarian army.
There was a small chance the Hungarian army could win if the Austrian army sent its cavalry against the Hungarian artillery or if Dembiński attacked the Austrian foot. But Dembiński was inactive even though the Hungarian cavalry defeated the Austrian cavalry's attacks and the Hungarian artillery defended their positions too. After the Hungarian army lost the Battle of Szőreg
, Prime Minister Bertalan Szemere gave orders to Dembiński to retreat towards Arad
(now in Romania) because they wanted him to fight there. That position had many advantages:
Dembiński retreated to Temesvár while the Italian
legion, under the command of Monti Alessandro, helped the Hungarian army's retreat. The Hungarians were tired and had low morale when they arrived at Temesvár on 9 August. József Bem was at Temesvár when they arrived, and he became the new supreme commander of the Hungarian army.
, Romania) there were some cavalry and 4 cannon against the Austrian army. Kmety’s legion’s became the left flank at Szakálháza, on the northern east was Colonel László Gál’s 10th legion, Major-general Richard Guyon with his 4th legion was in the centrum and Major-general Arisztid Dessewffy
’s 9th legion was the left flank. Most of the centrum and left flank were stationed in the Csóka and Vadász forests. Vécsey’s 5 th legion surrounded Temesvár. From this legion most of the foot joined in Guyon’s legion because of Bem’s order.
The Hungarian army couldn’t retreat towards Temesvár because the Austrian army was defending the way to the city.
Haynau didn’t expect any fight on this day and wanted to move his legion to Kisbecskerek. Franz Schlik
and his first legion had to advance to Vinga (now in Romania) to block the Arad-Temesvár route.
Franz Liechtenstein
and his legion had to occupy Hodony and Mercyfalva (now Sânandrei
, Romania). Georg Heinrich Ramberg and his 3rd legion had to occupy Kisbecskerek and Szakállháza. Ludwig von Wallmoden-Gimborn
and his cavalry had to advance towards Temesvár and Fjodor Szergejevics Panutyin's 9th Russian legion had to occupy Kisbecskerek too.
. After a short while the 3rd legion arrived to Kisbecskerek. Haynau with the Russian legion and artillery also arrived Kisbecskerek and ordered his legions to advance towards the Hungarians and attack them.
After that Haynau saw the Hungarians army was advancing towards his legion, he gave the order to attack the Hungarians: he sent 12 cannon. Bem ordered six cavalry troops and one cannon to attack Haynau. It was successful and the Austrians had to retreat. Furthermore Haynau’s legion mixed up the advancing Russian army. Haynau attacked back with fourteen cavalry troops and sent an order to Liechtenstein that he had to advance to Szentandrás
(now Sânandrei
, in Romania) and attack the right Hungarian flank.
Bem’s artillery was too enthusiastic and used up their munitions quickly. When he sent for more munitions, Bem did not know that Dembiński moved the spare munitions to Lugos
(now Lugoj, Romania), so Bem gave the order to Kmety to move forward on the left flank. Kmety sent his cavalry against the Austrians but they defended themselves. Another Hungarian troop surrounded the Austrians and made them to retreat.
At this time there were 120 Hungarian cannon and 108 Austrian canon. The great cannon fight stopped immediately after a while because the Hungarians didn’t have more munitions. Haynau realized this and ordered the Austrians to move forward in the hope that Liechtenstein’s reinforcement would arrive soon. This happened around 5 pm but it was not the same how Haynau had imagined because Liechtenstein’s army was divided and arrived from two directions. Liechtenstein’s army started attack the Hungarians from the front and the side. The Hungarian army had to retreat in the direction of the River Nyárád. General Mór Perczel
tried to help to the Hungarians and sent his 9th legion to Újbesenyő (now Dudeştii Noi
, Romania). But because no one wanted to command this legion they also retreated to Nyárád.
Dessewffy tried to stop Liechtenstein with his troops and 3 cannon, but the Austrian army was stronger and the 4th and 9th legions started to retreat. Dessewffy had to retreat too, to avoid the Austrian army cutting him off. The Austrian army pursued the Hungarians.
The battle was the last major one in the Hungarian Revolution. During the retreat the Hungarian army broke up and just only half of it arrived at Lugos. Haynau left Temesvár. After the battle it was impossible to continue the revolution and the Hungarians formally declared their surrender at Világos
(now Şiria
, Romania).
Timisoara
Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, in western Romania. One of the largest Romanian cities, with an estimated population of 311,586 inhabitants , and considered the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat, Timișoara is the main social, economic and cultural center in the...
, in Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
) was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848
Hungarian Revolution of 1848
The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was one of many of the European Revolutions of 1848 and closely linked to other revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas...
, fought on 9 August 1849 between the Austrian Empire
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...
and Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
Revolutionary Army supplemented by Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
volunteers. The Austrians were led by Julius Jacob von Haynau
Julius Jacob von Haynau
Julius Jacob von Haynau was an Austrian general.The illegitimate son of the landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, William I and Rebecca Richter, a Jewish woman, he entered the Austrian army as an infantry officer in 1801 and saw much service in the Napoleonic wars...
, while the Hungarians were led by Józef Bem
Józef Bem
Józef Zachariasz Bem was a Polish general, an Ottoman Pasha and a national hero of Poland and Hungary, and a figure intertwined with other European nationalisms...
who arrived at the eleventh hour from Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
. The Austrians were victorious.
The Hungarians had only their southern division here, and although they had slightly more men than the Austrians, they lacked experience and good equipment. Henryk Dembiński
Henryk Dembinski
Henryk Dembiński was a Polish engineer, traveler and general.Dembiński was born in Strzałków, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. In 1809 he entered the Polish army of the Duchy of Warsaw and took part in most of the Napoleonic campaigns in the East. Among others, he took part in the Battle of Leipzig in...
, the leader of this Hungarian division, retreated from Szeged
Szeged
' is the third largest city of Hungary, the largest city and regional centre of the Southern Great Plain and the county town of Csongrád county. The University of Szeged is one of the most distinguished universities in Hungary....
just before the arrival of the army of Julius Jacob von Haynau
Julius Jacob von Haynau
Julius Jacob von Haynau was an Austrian general.The illegitimate son of the landgrave of Hesse-Kassel, William I and Rebecca Richter, a Jewish woman, he entered the Austrian army as an infantry officer in 1801 and saw much service in the Napoleonic wars...
, where the Hungarians had prepared defence lines. Dembiński was relieved of his command, and Lajos Kossuth
Lajos Kossuth
Lajos Kossuth de Udvard et Kossuthfalva was a Hungarian lawyer, journalist, politician and Regent-President of Hungary in 1849. He was widely honored during his lifetime, including in the United Kingdom and the United States, as a freedom fighter and bellwether of democracy in Europe.-Family:Lajos...
asked József Bem to step in.
The Hungarians were stationed at the stronghold of Temesvár (now Timişoara
Timisoara
Timișoara is the capital city of Timiș County, in western Romania. One of the largest Romanian cities, with an estimated population of 311,586 inhabitants , and considered the informal capital city of the historical region of Banat, Timișoara is the main social, economic and cultural center in the...
, Romania) when they were attacked from Temesvár Castle too. The Hungarians did well for a while, but when Bem fell from his horse they could not hold the Austrian cavalry
Cavalry
Cavalry or horsemen were soldiers or warriors who fought mounted on horseback. Cavalry were historically the third oldest and the most mobile of the combat arms...
.
Pretext
Henryk DembińskiHenryk Dembinski
Henryk Dembiński was a Polish engineer, traveler and general.Dembiński was born in Strzałków, Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship. In 1809 he entered the Polish army of the Duchy of Warsaw and took part in most of the Napoleonic campaigns in the East. Among others, he took part in the Battle of Leipzig in...
, the originator of the idea to join forces at Szeged
Szeged
' is the third largest city of Hungary, the largest city and regional centre of the Southern Great Plain and the county town of Csongrád county. The University of Szeged is one of the most distinguished universities in Hungary....
, became the supreme commander of the southern Hungarian army, even though Antal Vetter had a chance of getting this post. Dembiński commanded little respect because he retreated in 1831 and it seemed that he couldn't change. He essentially retreated from Szeged and left a legion with only four cannon at Újszeged. He was supreme commander of the Hungarian army at the Battle of Kápolna
Battle of Kápolna
The Battle of Kápolna was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, fought on 26 and 27 February 1849. The battle ended with Austrian victory and influenced the politics of central Europe: Franz Joseph I announced the Constitution of Omnütz on 4 March 1849.- Dembiński, the Polish supreme...
and the Battle of Szőreg
Battle of Szőreg
The Battle of Szőreg was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, fought on 5 August 1849 at Szőreg, Hungary. The Hungarian troops, led by Henryk Dembiński, lost the battle against the Emperor’s troops, led by Haynau...
, and lost both.
The Hungarian army left their positions, because they could push the Austrian army, which was crossing Újszeged, towards the River Tisza
Tisza
The Tisza or Tisa is one of the main rivers of Central Europe. It rises in Ukraine, and is formed near Rakhiv by the junction of headwaters White Tisa, whose source is in the Chornohora mountains and Black Tisa, which springs in the Gorgany range...
Vilmos Lázár
Vilmos Lázár
Vilmos Lázár was a honvéd colonel in the Hungarian Army. He was executed for his part in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, and is considered one of the 13 Martyrs of Arad. Vilmos Lázár was, according to historian Gabor Bona, from a family of Hungarian nobility of Armenian descent.-Reference:...
was begging Dembiński to make this move., but it didn't happen. Even though the Hungarians were defending their positions, Haynau crossed the Tisza to Újszeged without resistance. Dembiński stationed his army between Maros and Szőreg
Szoreg
Szőreg is a settlement which forms a part of Szeged in Csongrád County, , Hungary.There are some Serbs living there besides Hungarians. Szőreg has two churches: a Roman Catholic and a Serbian Orthodox church. The village has a long history...
and Haynau started to move towards the Hungarian army.
Battle of Szőreg
The Battle of Szőreg was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, fought on 5 August 1849 at Szőreg, Hungary. The Hungarian troops, led by Henryk Dembiński, lost the battle against the Emperor’s troops, led by Haynau...
, Prime Minister Bertalan Szemere gave orders to Dembiński to retreat towards Arad
Arad, Romania
Arad is the capital city of Arad County, in western Romania, in the Crişana region, on the river Mureş.An important industrial center and transportation hub, Arad is also the seat of a Romanian Orthodox archbishop and features two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, a training...
(now in Romania) because they wanted him to fight there. That position had many advantages:
- The River MarosMarosMaros is a town in the South Sulawesi province of Indonesia; it is the capital of the Maros Regency. Nearby is a prehistoric cave that has been submitted to the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative list.- References :...
formed a natural defense line - The castle of AradArad, RomaniaArad is the capital city of Arad County, in western Romania, in the Crişana region, on the river Mureş.An important industrial center and transportation hub, Arad is also the seat of a Romanian Orthodox archbishop and features two universities, a Romanian Orthodox theological seminary, a training...
was controlled by the Hungarian revolutionary army - Other Hungarian legions close bymainly Görgei's Upper-Danube legion and other legions too, except Károly VécseyKároly VécseyKároly Vécsey was a honvéd general in the Hungarian Army. He was executed for his part in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, and is considered one of the 13 Martyrs of Arad.-Reference:...
's 5th legion and György KmetyGyörgy KmetyGyörgy Kmety was a general in the Hungarian army, and in the Ottoman army under the name Isma'il pasha.- Career :...
's legion. Because the 5th legion was attacking Temesvár, they couldn't move forces from there to help. - The Hungarian population was in majority in that area
Dembiński retreated to Temesvár while the Italian
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
legion, under the command of Monti Alessandro, helped the Hungarian army's retreat. The Hungarians were tired and had low morale when they arrived at Temesvár on 9 August. József Bem was at Temesvár when they arrived, and he became the new supreme commander of the Hungarian army.
Fight for better position
Hungarian plan
The Hungarian army’s position was not fortunate. At Kisbecskerek (now Becicherecu MicBecicherecu Mic
Becicherecu Mic is a commune in Romania, in Timiş County, Banat, near the city of Timişoara. It is composed of a single village, Becicherecu Mic...
, Romania) there were some cavalry and 4 cannon against the Austrian army. Kmety’s legion’s became the left flank at Szakálháza, on the northern east was Colonel László Gál’s 10th legion, Major-general Richard Guyon with his 4th legion was in the centrum and Major-general Arisztid Dessewffy
Arisztid Dessewffy
Arisztid Dessewffy was a honvéd general in the Hungarian Army. He was executed for his part in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848, and is considered one of the 13 Martyrs of Arad.-Reference:...
’s 9th legion was the left flank. Most of the centrum and left flank were stationed in the Csóka and Vadász forests. Vécsey’s 5 th legion surrounded Temesvár. From this legion most of the foot joined in Guyon’s legion because of Bem’s order.
The Hungarian army couldn’t retreat towards Temesvár because the Austrian army was defending the way to the city.
Austrian plan
Franz Schlik
Franz Joseph von Shlik of Bassano and Weisskirchen was an Earl and general in the Austrian Empire's army. He was one of the most successful Austrian generals during the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.In 1808 he enrolled in the Emperor's army. He was engaged in the Napoleonic Wars...
and his first legion had to advance to Vinga (now in Romania) to block the Arad-Temesvár route.
Franz Liechtenstein
Prince Franz de Paula of Liechtenstein
Prince Franz de Paula of Liechtenstein was a son of Johann I Joseph, Prince of Liechtenstein and wife Landgravine Josepha of Fürstenberg-Weitra, nephew of Aloys I, brother of Aloys II and uncle of Johann II and Franz I.-Marriage and issue:On 3 June 1841, in Vienna, he married Ewa Jozefina...
and his legion had to occupy Hodony and Mercyfalva (now Sânandrei
Sânandrei
Sânandrei is a commune in Timiş County, Banat, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Carani, Covaci and Sânandrei.In 1930, Sânandrei was 79.6% German. By 2002, it was over 92% Romanian.-Geography:...
, Romania). Georg Heinrich Ramberg and his 3rd legion had to occupy Kisbecskerek and Szakállháza. Ludwig von Wallmoden-Gimborn
Ludwig von Wallmoden-Gimborn
Ludwig Georg Thedel, Graf von Wallmoden was an Austrian "General of the Cavalry", best known for his training of light infantry and the refinement of the Tirailleur system.-Life:...
and his cavalry had to advance towards Temesvár and Fjodor Szergejevics Panutyin's 9th Russian legion had to occupy Kisbecskerek too.
The fight
The Wallmoden legion bumped into the Hungarian rearguard around 8.30 am. After a short cannon fight the Hungarians had to retreat in the direction of River NyárádNyárád
- External links :*...
. After a short while the 3rd legion arrived to Kisbecskerek. Haynau with the Russian legion and artillery also arrived Kisbecskerek and ordered his legions to advance towards the Hungarians and attack them.
After that Haynau saw the Hungarians army was advancing towards his legion, he gave the order to attack the Hungarians: he sent 12 cannon. Bem ordered six cavalry troops and one cannon to attack Haynau. It was successful and the Austrians had to retreat. Furthermore Haynau’s legion mixed up the advancing Russian army. Haynau attacked back with fourteen cavalry troops and sent an order to Liechtenstein that he had to advance to Szentandrás
Szentandrás
Szentandrás is the Hungarian name for two places in Romania:* Sântandrei village, Simeria Town, Hunedoara County* Sânandrei Commune, Timiş County...
(now Sânandrei
Sânandrei
Sânandrei is a commune in Timiş County, Banat, Romania. It is composed of three villages: Carani, Covaci and Sânandrei.In 1930, Sânandrei was 79.6% German. By 2002, it was over 92% Romanian.-Geography:...
, in Romania) and attack the right Hungarian flank.
Bem’s artillery was too enthusiastic and used up their munitions quickly. When he sent for more munitions, Bem did not know that Dembiński moved the spare munitions to Lugos
Lugos
Lugos is a commune in the Gironde department in Aquitaine in southwestern France.-Population:-See also:*Communes of the Gironde department*Parc naturel régional des Landes de Gascogne-References:*...
(now Lugoj, Romania), so Bem gave the order to Kmety to move forward on the left flank. Kmety sent his cavalry against the Austrians but they defended themselves. Another Hungarian troop surrounded the Austrians and made them to retreat.
At this time there were 120 Hungarian cannon and 108 Austrian canon. The great cannon fight stopped immediately after a while because the Hungarians didn’t have more munitions. Haynau realized this and ordered the Austrians to move forward in the hope that Liechtenstein’s reinforcement would arrive soon. This happened around 5 pm but it was not the same how Haynau had imagined because Liechtenstein’s army was divided and arrived from two directions. Liechtenstein’s army started attack the Hungarians from the front and the side. The Hungarian army had to retreat in the direction of the River Nyárád. General Mór Perczel
Mór Perczel
Sir Mór Perczel de Bonyhád , was a Hungarian landholder, general, and one of the leaders of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848.- Life before 1848 :...
tried to help to the Hungarians and sent his 9th legion to Újbesenyő (now Dudeştii Noi
Dudestii Noi
Dudeştii Noi is a commune in Timiş County, Banat, Romania. It is composed of a single village, Dudeştii Noi, part of Becicherecu Mic Commune until 2004, when it was split off.-Geography:...
, Romania). But because no one wanted to command this legion they also retreated to Nyárád.
Unfavourable turn
Bem ordered Kmety to advance while he went to the right flank. But he fell off his horse and got injured and it meant that there were no one who could conduct the whole Hungarian army.Dessewffy tried to stop Liechtenstein with his troops and 3 cannon, but the Austrian army was stronger and the 4th and 9th legions started to retreat. Dessewffy had to retreat too, to avoid the Austrian army cutting him off. The Austrian army pursued the Hungarians.
Retreat
Perczel then arrived at the Hungarian rearguard to attack the pursuing Austrian army. They started to fire at the Austrian army, who returned fire more strongly, and the Hungarians started to panic. There were about 30,000 men who said they would desert after the first gunshot. The 9th Hungarian legion shrank from 16,000 men to 7,000. Haynau captured about 6,000 to 7,000 men, the largest number of captives since the Winter Campaign.Aftermath
There was no longer any chance the Hungarians could win the revolution, and after the defeat it became obvious that the Hungarians could gain no advantage from their capitulation. Every other Hungarian attempt to win a battle was unsuccessful.The battle was the last major one in the Hungarian Revolution. During the retreat the Hungarian army broke up and just only half of it arrived at Lugos. Haynau left Temesvár. After the battle it was impossible to continue the revolution and the Hungarians formally declared their surrender at Világos
Surrender at Világos
The Surrender at Világos took place on 13 August 1849 at Világos, and formally ended the Hungarian Revolution of 1848. After it, Julius Jacob von Haynau became the regent of Hungary and took bloody reprisals against Hungary...
(now Şiria
Siria
Şiria is a commune in Arad County, Romania. According to the 2002 census it had 8,140 inhabitants.The administrative territory of the commune is and it lies in the contact zone of the Arad Plateau and Zărandului Mountains...
, Romania).