Historical calendar – anniversary of the winning conflict fought by the hetman Stanisław Koniecpolski with the Tatars led by Tuhaj-Bej.
Today in our calendar we will look at 1 of the most crucial victories of the old Polish martial art.
During their plundering expeditions to the lands of the Republic of Tartars, they usually crossed our borders without much hindrance to smoke, rape, and rob. They then returned to Crimea, rushing thousands of unfortunates to the slave trade fair. The minute of retreat was the most dangerous for the Tartars. Burdened and slowed by taken spoils and slaves, they had to be very careful about their Poles.
Late in the fall of 1643, Tartar Chief Tuhai-Bej He began to gather strength for a new, large expedition against the Republic. erstwhile he started in January the following year at the head of about 18,000 ordees, 1 of the most capable chiefs of the Republic of the Republic of Both Nations – the large crown captain Stanislaw Koniecpolski stood on his way.
The Polish leader, thanks to an extended network of spies, learned in advance about Tuhaj-Bej's plans and did not intend to sit with his hands on. He began mobilizing the quartz troops and private brigands.
Numbers best reflect the scale of preparation. Koniecpolski himself exhibited 2,200 private soldiers, Stanisław Lubomirski 1200, Marcin Kalinowski 1800, Duke of Władysław Dominik Zasławski-Ostrogski 1200, and Jeremi Wiśniowiecki as much as 3000 rides. In addition to the above, under the command of the hetman there were about 4,000 Zaporoski and registered Cossacks. As a result, Koniecpolski had a full of about 19,000 people and 24 departments. This made him have a tiny advantage of his opponent for the first time in his career.
As Tuhaj-Beja's troops crossed Dnieper on 23 January 1644, everything was prepared to welcome uninvited guests. The court proceeding took place on 30 January at Ochmatow.
In the first phase of the battle, the struggles were leveled, but erstwhile Jeremy Wiśniowiecki's ride was involved, the balance of triumph shifted to the Poles' side. With no chance of winning, the opponent threw himself into a panic escape. In his diary, Stanisław Oświęcim presented what happened later:
“The enemy that was pursued from the army for a fewer miles, he left many of his dead body, and gave much into captivity. Their strength left everything, and the horses even ran, and walked into the woods. The last night was very dark. And that the horses could see themselves, as they had already fainted, and the prisoners themselves claim that 45 days in the way of a burning field, walking in the dense frosts of their horses so that the sun (longer) would last, the leg would not escape them.
The following day, the Tuhaj-Bej army was pursued.
They were driven after the Tatars all the way to the Sienna Waters, within 80 km. Right by the river, Poles got to the basket. Hundreds of Tartars fleeing fell on a thin ice cover (because there was a thaw) Under the force of men and horses, the ice broke and quite a few Ordites drowned in cold water.
The Tartars suffered a terrible defeat. During the conflict and the escape, about 4,000 of them were killed. Polish losses were minimal.
This was the last specified large triumph of the Polish troops, before the Chmielnicki Revolution and the Swedish Flood.
Previous entry from our calendar is available Here.
