Anniversary of the triumph of Polish insurgents over Moscow forces.
Today in our calendar we will look at the circumstances that led to the defeat of Moscow.
The conflict of Panasówka is inextricably connected with the Polish commander who participated in it – Marcin Borelowski. In February 1863 Borelowski left for Podlasie. There he became chief of staff at the Walenty Lewandowski Branch. He then organized his own party, with about 400 insurgents. He shared with them the difficulties of insurgent life: he slept in the camp, ate from a common boiler, did not spare himself during the action. He gained specified an attitude of appreciation for his subordinates.
On 7 March, the “Lelewel” branch was attacked by Russians in the vicinity of Włodawa. The party's a mess. Then Borelowski entered Zamość. He recreated a squad that had already burned down military magazines in Hrubieszów on March 22. 2 days later, the organization appeared close Krasnobrod. That's where the Russians got her. In the vicinity of today's nature reserve, Saint Roch fought. 42 insurgents died, including 7 officers. The squad was decimated again, but managed to withdraw.
Borelowski started a fresh recruit. He had no problem with it due to the fact that volunteers were pulling to his ward, among others, from Galicia. shortly his organization had over 250 insurgents.
In mid-April, the branch was located in forests close Borowiec in the municipality of Łukowa. The Russians found out about it. A squad led by Major Ivan Sternberg departed from Janów Lubelski. It consisted of 2 and a half infantry teams and a group of badasses. Russian soldiers were about a 1000 in total. It was a serious force for the conditions of the January Uprising.
The conflict took place on 16 April 1863 in a forest between Hamernia, Maziarz and Borowiec. It started around 5 p.m. First, there was close to an hr of common fire and then respective clashes. Among others, bayonets were fought. In the evening, “Lelewel” ordered retreat. The insurgents suffered losses again, but stopped the enemy. They were buried in the cemetery in Łukowa. The clash under the Borov Mills is considered to be inconclusive, although the possessors did not scope their goal, and it was a organization crash. However, the Russians considered themselves winners.
After the battle, any guerrillas entered Austrian territory, and “Lelewel” himself went to Lviv. Then, twice, at the head of the successive troops, he broke from Galicia to Zamość. On 20 May, he and a group of 120 people crossed the “cordon” in Zamch. He led the insurgents to a winning skirmish under Khrushlina and then under the Corridor, under Kałuszyn and close Stoczka. He then went to Galicia again.
The last ward gathered by “Lelewel” was besides the largest – it consisted of over 700 people. It was joined by a group of about 400 people, led by Kajetan Czybkowski Ćwiek. On September 3, 1863, the insurgents clashed in the area of Panasówka in the municipality of Tereszpol with more than 3,000 soldiers in the Tsarski ward. Educated by erstwhile defeats of Borelowski, this time he was better prepared to fight. The shooters were set at the edge of the forest, and the cavalry and the mowers were hidden from the eyes of the opponent.
After the artillery shelling, the enemy's infantry was launched into insurgent positions. The Russians were stopped by gunmen and then attacked from the side by the Polish cavalry supported by cossiniers. The enemy mixed his ranks, but he did not yield and began regrouping. It was only the second time that Poles broke through enemy lines, and the fellows damaged Russian guns, in a charge akin to that known from the conflict of Racławice.
During the battle, 35 insurgents were killed, including the leading Hungarian aristocrat Edward Nyary. Over 100 wounded. Losses of Russians are estimated at over 360 killed and wounded.
After the fight, insurgent troops divided up: “Ćagek" moved west, and “Lelewel” headed for Batorz. There, on Sovea Mountain, his troops attacked the Russians again. The organization was yet broken and Borelowski was killed. It was September 6, 1863.
At the place where Borelowski was clashed and killed, a mound was laid down in 1933 and an obelisk was erected. The board says, "Come on, tell your country that we have fallen for loving her here."
Memorial plaque on Owlá GóraPrevious entry from our calendar is available Here.
