Note from the Editor.
We are very proud to present here this new series of articles on the ARTILLERY OF THE DUCHY OF WARSHAW by Jon Harrison. Many articles on the Polish troops and Army have been already published in this magazine. We are only sorry to be unable to publish in color the very fine illustrations made by Jon. For instance the cover has a blue ribbon holding the yellow and black cross. The coat of arms of the Kingdom of Poland-Lithuania is red black and yellow with the silver Eagle. The flags in the background are light yellow and red. All that beauty is only reproduced in black and white.... This series of articles is something to be proud of. Once more congratulation Jon for this dedicated piece of work.--JL
Poland, at the reign of Boleslaw the Brave occupied only one-sixth of the continent of Europe but during the period by the Jagiellonian dynasty became the largest nation on the continent.
Jules Michelet, the French historian, wrote "For attempting to reform in and of herself, Poland was punished by her neighbors and quartered alive." Russia claimed 62% of Poland while 20% went to Prussia and the remaining 18% was annexed by Austria.
Seventeen hundred ninety-five. Poland was not only conquered, she had been beaten, divided and, for all and present map-makers, eliminated from the map of Europe. Thousands of veteran Polish troops made their way westward to France where many joined the many legions formed of displaced foreign troops. Here, over the next ten years, they earned a reputation second to none, and many Poles began to dream of using their new training and experience against their former enemies. However, that dream would renain largely unfulfilled. For the time being, they were to serve the French, mainly in Southern Germany and Northern Italy in a variety of units.
The scope of this article is narrowed upon the artillery units, which provided a continuum from the old to the new.
Serving with the "First Polish Legion," which was organized in 1800 to serve in Northern Italy against the Austrians,was an artillery battalion comprised of five companies, while in the "Second Polish Legion," also known as the "Legion of the Danube," in southern Germany, there existed one company of Horse Artillery. It was present at the Battle of Hohenlinden on December 3, 1800.
Later, these Legions were disbanded, the men being incorporated into the reorganized Demi-Brigade system, which maintained the cavalry and infantry, but assimilated the artillerymen as infantry.
Poles, therefore, saw in France their only hope of regaining freedom. Thus in 1807, they were able to field for the Emperor 31,713 infantry and 6,035 cavalry troops. To support these troops were the 95 cannons of the Foot and Horse Artillery.
In December of 1806, eight months before the creation of the Duchy of Warsaw, the Polish Corps of Artillery was born in the city of Poznan which had previously been the reluctant host to a Prussian artillery park.. The corps began with one company of Foot Artillery comprised of six cannons and while yet other companies were being formed, in January of the following year, the first company was incorporated into the division under the command of General Dombrowski.
At 3:00 a.m. on the morning of June 14, 1807, French cannons opened fire, the battle of Friedland had begun. By 8:00 p.m., the French armies had carried the field after a great number of guns had been brought forward. General Dombrowski and his division of Poles were present along with their company of Foot Artillery. So began a glorious career and the first fruits of victory. Six cannons captured frog the Russians were presented to the Poles along with seven French guns which were awarded to Prince Poniatoski for his role in the battle.
After the Treaty of Tilsit, between France, Prussia, and Russia, the 9th of July in 1807, the Polish artillery companies were increased in numbers and organized into three battalions with one battalion being attached to each of the three infantry divisions. In September, General Axamitowsi, who had previously led the Italian Legion, became the Chief of Artillery and Lieutenant Colonel Anthony Redel commanded the first battalion, Colonel Anthony Gorski, the second battalion, and third battalion was commanded by Colonel Joseph Hurtig.
Each of the three battalions was composed of three companies of foot artillery (six cannons in each company), one company of sappers, and one transport (train) company.
It was soon found that the battalions were suffering from a shortage of officers experienced in artillery; therefore, three French officers were assigned as advisors and instructors to the Polish officers. These Frenchmen were: Pelletier. Mallet, and Bontemps. It was not until July of 1808 that the three battalions of foot artillery were completely organized. Also in July, when the Peninsular Campaign began, one company of foot artillery from the third battalion, under the command of Captain Kaminski was chosen to accompany the fourth, seventh, and ninth Infantry, Regiments to Spain. This company received French guns as their compliment. Later in December of the same year, Marshal Devout named Colonel Pelletier to the post of Inspector General of Artillery and Engineers in the Army of the Duchy of Warsaw.
While the foot artillery was being reorganized and its strength increased, Count Wladimir Potocki, at his own personal expense, organized a company of horse artillery which by 1810 had been increased to a full regiment. Maneuvers of Horse Artillery by General Thadeleus Koscivszko, written in 1830, and published in France during the early years of the nineteenth century, was, in all probability, the training manual used.
In January of 1809, the Corps of Artillery was organized as follows:
| 1st DIVISION - 1st BATTALION | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| LOCATION | ARTILLERY COMPANIES | ENGINEER COMPANIES | TRAIN COMPANIES |
| WARSAW | 3 | 1/2 | 1 |
| 2nd DIVISION - 2nd BATTALION | |||
| PRAGUE | 1 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| SEROCK | 1 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| WOOLIN | 1 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| 3rd DIVISION - 3rd BATTALION | |||
| CZESTOCHOWA | 1 | 1/2 | 0 |
| GDANSK | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| SPAIN | 1 | 1 | 1/2 |
| Total: | 1,000 men | 450 men | 500 men |
A total of 1,950 men and 860 horses.
In addition, the one company of Horse Artillery was stationed in Warsaw. It was comprised of fifty men and seventy-five horses. One transport company of forty men and one hundred horses, and one pontoon company of fifty-eight men were also stationed with the Warsaw garrison bringing the total strength of the Corps of Artillery of the Duchy to 2,098 men and 1,035 horses.
The cannons were dispersed as follows:
- WARSAW 39
PRAGUE 50
CZESTOCHOWA 28
SEROCK 37
MODLIN 37
THORN 52
243 cannons (93 of these guns were taken on campaign)
At the beginning of the campaign in 1809, the artillery sent to the line four companies of Foot Artillery, each having six cannons, and two companies of Horse Artillery of four cannons each. These thirty-two cannons took part in all the operations of the Polish army and by the end of the campaign they had been strengthened with the addition of sixty-eight cannons captured from the enemies of the empire.
During the final days of 1809 the artillery was again reorganized, this time into a regiment under the command of Colonel Gorsk. The three battalions of the regiment were commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Uszynski, Lieutenant Colonel Krysinski and Major Gugenmus. Additionally, there were two battalions of Horse Artillery under the command of Chief of Squadron Wladimir Potocki. The total strength of the Polish Artillery was now 2,620 men.
In early 1810, the Emperor sent from Stettin fifty additional cannons of various calibre, and on the 30th of March, the Corps of Artillery was once again reorganized, It now consisted of one regiment of foot, one regiment of horse, one battalion of engineers, and one labor company.
The General Staff of the Corps of Artillery consisted of seventy-four men. They were.,
- Inspector General
Captains, to serve as adjutants 1
Colonel, to serve as Director, Powder, Saltpeter And Foundries 1
Captains, to serve as adjutants 2
Lieutenants, to serge as adjutants 2
Colonel, to serve as Director, Engineers 1
Captains, to serve as adjutants 2
Lieutenants, to serve as adjutants 2
Lieutenant Colonel, to serve as Chief, Topographic Service 1
Captains, to serve as adjutants 1
Lieutenants, to serve as adjutants 1
Lieutenant Colonel, to serve as Assistant Director 3
Captains, to serve as Assistant Director 7
ENGINEERS:
- Captains 4
Lieutenants 12
Sub.-Lieutenants 12
Guards 20
Chief Artificer 1
The regiment of Foot Artillery was composed of twelve field companies with four static companies in the Artillery Park. In addition to these sixteen companies, is the detachment which was sent to Spain with the three Infantry Regiments.
The General Staff of the Regiment of Foot Artillery was composed of twenty men. They were:
- Colonel 1
Major 1
Chief of Battalion 3
Paymaster 1
Adjutant-Major 2
Physician - 1st Class 1
Physician - 2nd Class 1
Physician - 3rd Class 1
Noncommissioned Officers, to serve as adjutants 2
Regimental Drummer 1
Battalion Armorer 1
Veterinarian 1
Master Saddler 1
Master Cobbler 1
Each field company was composed of:
- Captain 1
1st Class Lieutentants - (Lieutenant) - 2
2nd Class Lieutenant (Sub-Lieutenant) 1
Sergeant Major 1
Sergeants 8
Fourrier 1
Corporals 8
Artificer 4
Blacksmiths 2
Saddlers 2
Drummers 2
1st Class Gunners 40
2nd Class Gunners 100
A total of 172 men in each field company.
*Adjutant-Major is a Staff Officer usually holding the rank of Major.
Each static company in the artillery park was composed of 123 men as follows:
- Captains 1
1st Class Lieutenants (Lieutenants) 2
2nd Class Lieutenant (Sub-Lieutenant) 1
Sergeant Major 1
Sergeants 4
Fourrier 1
Corporals 8
Artificer 1
Veterinarian 1
Saddler 1
Drummers 2
1st Class Gunners 24
2nd Class Gunners 76
The regiment of Horse Artillery was divided into two squadrons, each having two companies. The various organizational components were similar to those of the Foot Artillery with only slight modifications of personnel.
In the Battalion of Engineers there were six companies, of which one was a pontoon company.
The regiment of Foot Artillery consisted of 2,685 men with 1,803 horses while the Horse Artillery mustered 691 men with 382 saddle horses and 520 draft horses. The Labor Company consisted of 123 men and in the Battalion of Engineers there were 765 men with 180 horses.
The army of the Duchy was divided into three divisions, attached to each was one company of Foot Artillery with four six-pound cannons and two six-inch howitzers. Additionally, in each of the three divisions there was one company of Horse Artillery comprised of four six-pound cannons and two six-inch howitzers. In addition to these eight cannons and four howitzers, each infantry regiment was equipped with two three-pound regimental guns.
An auxillary battalion of Foot Artillery was created in 1811 and consisted of 978 men with 1,774 horses.
Troops of the Duchy, under the command of Prince Joseph Poniatowski, comprised the V Corps of the Grand Army in 1812 with the artillery being distributed among the divisions as follows:
XVI DIVISION OF GENERAL ZAJONCZEK
Twelve six-pound cannons under Chief of Battalion Suminski plus six three-pound regimental cannons for a total of eighteen cannons.
XVII DIVISION OF GENERAL DOMBROWSKI
Twelve six-pound cannons under Major Gugenmus and eight three-pound cannons of the regiments for a total of twenty cannons.
XVIII DIVISION OF GENERAL KNIAZIEWICZ
Twelve six-pound cannons under Chief of Battalion Uszynski with an additional six three-pound regimental guns for a total of eighteen cannons.
Six cannons were also assigned to the division of General Kaminski and twelve in the artillery park under the command of Colonel Jorski.
Twelve cannons of the Horse Artillery were assigned to the Fourth Light Horse of General Rozniecki in the Fourth Cavalry Corps of General Latour Maubourg (Reserve).
Six cannons were assigned to General Gerard, Twenty-eighth Infantry Regiment, in the Ninth Corps under Marshal Victor and an additional twelve cannons were also assigned to the Seventh Infantry Regiment of General Grandjean in Marshal Macdonald's Tenth Corps.
This represents a total of eighty-four cannons plus an additional twenty regimental cannons served by 1,500 men while yet six cannons of foot and four of horse remain in Gdansk. Thus, at the height of their power, the Polish Artillery was comprised of sixteen foot batteries, one regiment of Horse Artillery and regimental artillery.
Although no documentation is available for support, it seems that the thirty-two, six-inch howitzers served by the foot and the eight six-inch howitzers served by the horse had been replaced by cannons at the beginning of the 1812 campaign. Therefore, the artillery of the Duchy during the 1812 campaign consisted solely of six and three-pound cannons.
In spite of the hardships, the Poles were able to bring back from Russia forty cannon from the VII Corps, plus those of General Dombrowski's 17th Division. The units first fell back upon Warsaw to conform to Austrian Prince Schwarzenburg's retrograde movements, he being the overall commander on that flank of the Grande Armee. Thus Poniatowski and his troops accompanied Schwarzenburg to Gallicia, retiring first upon Cracow. Schwarzenburg then concluded an armistice with the Russians that effectively would keep General Poniatowski's forces, including the artillery, trains and support troops, out of the Spring and early Summer actions in Central Germany. They were interned in camps in Gallicia. This did not however apply to General Dombrowski's detached Polish units, which by early Spring numbered between three and four thousand men.
During the Summer Armistice, Poniatowski and his troops were allowed to march back through Austria to rejoin the Emperor in Saxony. There the units were reorganized and renumbered VIII Corps. The reorganization of the Corps proceeded smoothly. Twelve line battalions, six squadrons of cavalry and six and one half batteries, comprising thirty guns were present for the cavalry battle at Liebertwolkwitz on October 14th, 1813. (Additionally, one horse artillery battery was attached to the Fourth Cavalry Corps while one horse battery and one company of Sappers were assigned elsewhere.) The artillery was posted on the heights between the towns of Connewitz, Lossning, Dolitz and Markkleeburd, though not engaged.
Polish artillery was very active during the tremendous Battle of Leipzig, and though a defeat for the Emperor, they managed to withdraw twenty-seven of the thirty guns safely to Mainz then into France proper.
Although Poland was now fully occupied by the Russians, a fate that was to happen again in the twentieth century, many of the Polish units served on. Reorganising at their newly established depots at Sedan, France, the much depleted Poles were still ready to take the field against their hated enemies Russia, Prussia and Austria.
By the decree of December 18th, 1813, the Polish forces were no longer referred to as Duchy of Warsaw Troops, but the "Polish Army Corps".
Since the death of Prince Poniatowski at Leipzig, they were now commanded by General Jan Henryk Dombrowski who had been among the first Polish generals, back in the 1790's to begin forming the Polish Legions. The again reconstructed artillery troops now consisted of one battery of horse Artillery, four companies of Foot Artillery, and one company of Sappers, These were soon sent to Versailles, Compiegne and other locations near Paris to recruit, rebuild and prepare. (6)
Into 1814 and almost to the minute that the Emperor abdicated, Polish batteries were in action. Then, in accordance with Article 19 of the Treaty of Paris, their service terminated.
"Polish troops of all arms are at Liberty to return to their homelands having terminated their honourable service. Officers, N.C.0's and men may retain the decorations which they have been awarded and will continue to receive the pensions attached to these decorations." (7)
Upon their return to Poland, still occupied by the Russians, all of the old units of the Duchy of Warsaw Army were disbanded and new units created. The new army, under Russian control until 1917, would include 3,228 artillerymen plus the attached engineers, train and Gendarmes. These would play a significant role in the Polish Revolution of 1830-1831, adding yet another chapter to their spendid military history.
Footnotes.
6. Petre, F. Loraine, Napoleon's Last Campaign in Germany-1813 Hippocrene Books, Inc. New York, New York, 1974.
Available records and order of battle do not mention any six-inch howitzers. The French Artillery system, upon which the structure of the Polish Batteries was based, under went a change in the howitzer batteries at this time for the Russian Campaign.
To be continued next issue.
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© Copyright 1978 by Jean Lochet
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