Principles of the Revolution.--THE FIRST NIGHT.--Attack on the
Barracks of the Russian Cavalry.--Their Dispersion.--Attempt to secure
the person of the Grand Duke.--Capture of Russian general officers
and spies.--Actions with detached bodies of Russian cavalry.--Two
companies of Polish light-infantry join the patriots.--Death
of Potocki and Trembicki.--The Russian infantry attacked and
dispersed.--Armament and assembling of the people.--Detachments sent
to Praga.
It is undeniable that the history of our nation abounds in heroic
acts and glorious passages. Need we instance the times of Boleslaw,
Casimir, Jagelo, Augustus of Warna, and Sobieski; or the deeds of
our renowned generals Czarnecki, Chodkiewicz, Tarnowski, Sapieha,
Kosciusko, and Poniatowski? Yet, in our whole history, nothing
transcends this last revolution; and indeed few more memorable events
have ever occurred. Its plan was based on the purest motives, and this
constitutes its peculiar character. Those true sons of Poland, Wysocki
and Schlegel, had no other design than to regenerate public morals and
the national character, which had already begun to deteriorate under
Russian influence; though, perhaps, there may have mingled with these
another impulse--that of vengeance for the ignominy to which we were
subjected. These feelings were shared by the whole nation--certainly a
rare instance in history. Inspired by the example of the brave, even
the wavering joined in upholding the good cause to support which the
sword was drawn. It was this unanimity which emboldened us, small as
our numbers were, to meet that colossal power dreaded by all Europe.
We were not animated to this unequal struggle by any vain desire of
conquest, but by a resolution to shake off a yoke so disgraceful,
and by the wish to preserve our civilization, and to extend it even
to Russia. In drawing the sword, every Pole had in view not only
the freedom of his own country, but that of his Sarmatian brethren
also. The Poles believed that Russia still remembered those martyrs
of liberty, Pestel, Bestuzew, Morawiew, Kachowski, and Releiew, who
suffered an ignominious death, and more than five hundred others who
were sent in chains to Siberia. We believed they would bear in mind,
that, in 1824, they themselves summoned us to fight, side by side, with
them against despotism. Their words were still in our memory--'Poles,
help us in our holy cause! Unite your hearts with ours! Are we not
brethren?' Unworthy nation--soothed by the momentary blandishments of
the autocrat, who scattered his decorations with a lavish hand, they
forgot their own past sufferings and the future that awaits them. They
suffered themselves to be led against those who were in arms for the
liberty of both nations. At the very time when the funeral rites of
those who had died in battle, Russians as well as Poles, were being
celebrated in Warsaw and all the provinces, they burned our villages,
and murdered our fathers and brothers. Russians! You have covered
yourselves with eternal shame, in the eyes of the whole world. Even the
nations you consider your friends and allies contemn you!
THE FIRST NIGHT.
The patriots assembled early in the morning of the 29th of November, to
renew their oaths and ask the blessing of the Almighty on their great
undertaking. The moment approached. Seven in the evening was the hour
appointed for the commencement of the revolution. The signal agreed
upon was, that a wooden house should be set on fire in Szulec street,
near the Vistula. The patriots were scattered over the city, ready to
stir up the people on the appearance of the signal. Most of them were
young men and students. Some hundred and twenty students, who were to
make the beginning, were assembled in the southern part of Warsaw. All
was ready. At the stroke of seven, as soon as the flame of the house
was seen reflected on the sky, many brave students, and some officers,
rode through the streets of that part of the city called The Old Town,
shouting, 'Poles! brethren! the hour of vengeance has struck! The time
to revenge the tortures and cruelties of fifteen years is come! Down
with the tyrants! To arms, brethren; to arms! Our country forever!'
The excitement spread through this part of the city with incredible
rapidity. The citizens flocked together from all quarters, shouting
'Down with the tyrants! Poland forever!' At the same time a hundred and
twenty students left their barrack (which is called the Hotel of the
Cadets, and is situated in the royal gardens of Lazienki) under their
gallant leaders, Wysocki and Schlegel, and marched to the quarters of
the Russian cavalry, cuirasseurs, hulans and hussars. It was resolved
to take immediate possession of all the chief gates. The issuing out
of the Russian troops was thereby rendered very difficult and bloody,
as the barracks were surrounded by a wide and deep moat, over which
there were few bridges. On their arrival, the cadets found the soldiers
in the utmost confusion. Some were saddling their horses, some were
leading them out, and others were occupied in securing the magazines,
&c. In short, panic and disorder pervaded officers and men; each sought
his own safety only. Our young heroes took advantage of this confusion,
and after firing a few rounds, rushed with the _hurrah_ through the
gates. This charge sufficed: a hundred and twenty of these young
Poles, after having killed forty or fifty men with ball and bayonet,
dispersed some eighteen hundred Russian cavalry. Cuirasseurs, hulans
and hussars mingled together, joined in the cry of terror, and began to
seek concealment in garrets, stables, cellars, &c. A great number were
drowned in attempting to cross the canal in order to escape into the
adjoining gardens. As the barracks were closely connected with wooden
buildings filled with hay, straw, and other combustible articles, not a
man would have escaped had they been fired. The young Poles refrained
from this, in mercy. The Russians might all have been made prisoners;
for so great was their panic that they were not ashamed to beg for
quarter on their knees. But these advantages were, for the time,
neglected. The cadets abandoned the attack, and hastened into the city,
where their presence was more necessary.
While their comrades were attacking the barracks, some ten or twelve
students traversed the gardens towards the palace of the Grand Duke
(called the Belvidere) in order to secure his person.[8] Some of
them guarded the passages on the side of the gardens, while others
penetrated to the tyrant's apartment. But he had escaped through a
secret door.
On the failure of the party of cadets sent to secure the person of the
Grand Duke, they left his apartments without in the least disturbing
the repose of his lady. As they reached the foot of the stairs, they
met Lubowicki, the vice-president of the city, coming to the Grand Duke
for instructions. As soon as he saw them, he began to cry for aid,
but the next moment fell on his knees and begged for his life. They
took him with them, intending to extract from him all the information
he was able to give. In the court-yard they met the Russian general,
Gendre,[9] aid-de-camp of the Grand Duke, with some ten or twelve armed
men. They resolutely attacked him. Gendre fell under their bayonets,
and his followers fled. The party meeting with no farther obstacles,
returned to their friends, whom they found at the bridge of Sobieski.
The company of cadets, after having finished their attack upon the
barracks of the Russian cavalry, marched along the high road which
traverses the Park, over the bridge of Sobieski, towards the main
avenue between the terraces of the hospital Ujasdow on one side, and
those of the Botanical Garden on the other. After having arrived at
this bridge, they heard the noise of horses in front, as of cavalry
advancing. It was in fact a company of Russian cuirasseurs, who were
on guard in this part of the park, and who were now hastening to
save the barracks. Immediately a plan was formed to receive them. The
cadets, forming in a line, concealed themselves in the Park near the
street. The cuirasseurs came up; they were permitted to advance, and
were then received with a brisk fire. The heavy cavalry, who could not
turn in this narrow road, suffered severely. Sixty bodies were found
on the spot. The rest fled in the greatest disorder. From this bridge,
that handful of brave young men passed the street of Wieyska, and,
after arriving at the barracks of Radziwil, they met a squadron of
Russian hussars returning from a patrol. At the same time they heard
the Russian cavalry in pursuit, who had gained time to mount at their
barracks. This was a critical moment, but it was met with resolution.
One half threw themselves into the ditch in order to receive the
hussars; and the others formed a platoon, and with hurrahs and the
shout of 'Poland forever!' discharged their pieces and attacked the
cuirasseurs in their rear, at the point of the bayonet. The Russians
were thrown into disorder, and fled with the greatest precipitaion,
leaving many dead behind them.
The cadets, not having lost a single man in all these skirmishes,
arrived at the part of the city called the Nowy-Swiat, (or the New
World,) and the Trzy Zlote Krzyze, (the Three Golden Crosses.) Here
they found two companies of Polish light infantry, and with them the
two Polish generals, Stanislaus Potocki and Trembicki, who were giving
commands for restoring order by force, and for arresting the assembled
inhabitants. The company of cadets arrived, and hailed the light
infantry with the following words:--'Brothers! Are you here to shed
the blood of your brethren? Have you forgotten the Russian tyranny?
Come to our embrace, and hand to hand let us attack the tyrants. Poland
forever!' This address was enough. They disobeyed the commands of their
unworthy generals, and joined the cadets and the populace. When the
two generals had the madness to reproach the soldiers, some of the
cadets went to them and told them in a few words the state of affairs,
and on their knees and with tears intreated them not to forsake the
cause of their country. To Stanislaus Potocki the command of the army
was offered. At the same time they were both warned of the fatal
consequences of their refusal. It was of no avail. These infatuated
men could not see the justice of the cause, and began to insult the
students. Upon this the cadets left them, and they fell victims to
the indignation of the populace.[10] In this place some gens d'armes
who undertook to disperse the citizens, were killed. After the union
with the two companies of light infantry, it was decided they should
both march to the street of Szulec, on the left bank of the Vistula,
endeavor there to assemble the citizens, and establish a degree of
order, and after that to take possession of the bridge, for the purpose
of maintaining the necessary communications between Praga and Warsaw
during the night, and to defend it to the last against any attack of
the enemy.
The cadets marched directly into the city through the Nowy-Swiat,
singing patriotic songs and shouting 'Poland forever!' Every where the
citizens answered their shouts with the greatest enthusiasm, and joined
the ranks of those brave youths. Both old and young men, and even
women, left their dwellings in order to increase the numbers of the
liberators of their country. In their passage through that street this
company made prisoners of many Russian generals, officers, &c, who were
on their flight. After advancing as far as the palace of the Viceroy
they met the Polish general Hauke, and colonel Mieciszewski. These
worthless men, accompanied by some gens d'armes, were on their way to
the Grand Duke in the Belvidere. Some cadets stepped in their way,
and exhorted them to dismount and surrender themselves. Instead of
answering, general Hauke drew a pistol and wounded one of them, which
act cost him and his companion their lives.[11]
In the same manner general Siemiontkowski, with some gens d'armes and
soldiers, endeavored to disperse and arrest the citizens assembled in
the Saxon-platz. He likewise was a Russian instrument, and was hated by
the nation.
Whilst this company of cadets was engaged in the south part of the
city, the 4th regiment, a battalion of which had mounted guard, were
active in another quarter. This regiment, as soon as the signals were
given, revolted. The battalion on guard beat the alarm-drum at every
guard-house, and the two other battalions formed for the attack of the
Russian infantry in their barracks called the barracks of Sapieha. The
shouts of the soldiers and citizens advancing to the attack mingled
with the noise of the drums on every side. A great number of Russian
general officers and spies were taken in their flight, in the street of
the Little Theatre, and the street of Napoleon.
As soon as the numbers assembled would admit of it, divisions were
detached to liberate the prisoners, especially those in the Franciscan
and Carmelite prisons. These prisons, always guarded by Russian troops,
were stormed. The Russian soldiers were driven in, and a massacre
commenced in the corridors, where a great number of them fell by
the bayonet, together with many police officers and turnkeys. The
doors were broken down--and an indescribable scene took place, when
the victims, already sentenced, perhaps, to death, or reserved for
tortures, were set at liberty. With tears in their eyes, they fell into
the arms of their deliverers. Here, a father found a son--there, a
son a father. Many of the emaciated captives could only creep to meet
the embraces of their brethren. But what was most shocking, was the
appearance of four ladies who had been incarcerated for having resisted
the brutal advances of certain Russian generals. They were reduced to
mere skeletons. There was not one of the spectators who did not shudder
and weep at the sight, and swear to avenge them. A hundred and seventy
students, and from forty to fifty older persons, Polish soldiers and
citizens, all innocent victims of the system of espionage, were rescued
from these two prisons.
The above mentioned battalions of the 4th and the battalion of sappers
marched to attack the Russian infantry in the barracks of Alexander and
Stanislaus. On their arrival there, they found some companies under
arms, and summoned them to surrender. Instead of complying, they began
to fire, and our soldiers fell instantly upon them, with the 'hurrah.'
They were dispersed in a moment, and many officers and soldiers were
made prisoners. So panic struck were many of the officers of the
Russian guard that they did not hesitate to creep head-foremost into
the cellars, whence they were dragged out by the legs. The Russians
fled from the barracks and the city in the utmost disorder, and took
refuge beyond the Powonzki barrier.
After all these successes, the northern, eastern, and western parts of
the city were occupied, at about noon, by divisions of patriot soldiers
and citizens.
A small part of the south side of the city only was now in possession
of the enemy's cavalry, who had at last left their barracks. A few
houses opposite the Lottery Buildings were set on fire, as a signal for
assembling. Strong patrols were sent to the western part of the city,
and by them all the public treasures and the bank were secured. One of
these parties, composed of sappers, met the Russian colonel, Sass,[12]
in his flight. As he did not stop at their challenge, he was shot.
When the city had been nearly freed of the Russians, great multitudes
hastened to the arsenal for arms and ammunition. Here they found the
Polish general Blummer, who was rash enough to resist. He ordered his
soldiers to fire on the people, but they refused to obey, and joined
their brethren. This general was slain,--a just punishment for his
murderous intentions. All the apartments were immediately opened, and
more than 80,000 muskets, pistols, sabres, and carbines were obtained.
They were distributed with admirable good order.
The people, being now armed, were arrayed in divisions, under different
commanders, and sent to various parts of the city. Parties were
appointed to patrol the streets and arrest all spies[13] and Russian
officers who might attempt to fly. They arrested upwards of three
hundred. One of these patrols went to the office of the secretary
of spies, Macrot, to seize his person and papers. This man had hid
himself in the cellar, with some of his satellites, and fired upon the
patrol. The consequence was that Macrot and his people were massacred.
Toward two in the morning, the quiet of the city was restored. Most
of the patriots assembled in the Ulica Dluga, (or Long Street,) to
consult on the measures to be adopted on the following day, and the
manner in which the nation should be addressed by the patriotic
party. They called to memory the cruelties of the Russian government,
and urged the necessity of a revolution to prevent the decay of all
moral and national feeling. They implored the people to aid in this
holy cause, yet at the same time besought them never to violate the
dictates of humanity. 'Dear brethren,' they said, 'let no one have a
right to accuse us of cruelty. May the sanctity of our cause never be
polluted by barbarious passions. Having a single end in view, national
freedom, and justice, may we prove lions in battle, mild and indulgent
to defenceless foes, and repentant apostates. Brethren, let unity,
love and friendship be ours! Let us forget private rancor and selfish
interest; Children of one mother, our dear Poland--let us save her from
ruin!'
These addresses were received by the people with the most fervent
enthusiasm, and with cries of 'Poland forever!' They swore to fight for
her while a drop flowed in their hearts, and never to forsake the field
of valor or the path of virtue. The assembled multitude then knelt
down before the Almighty, to thank him for a deliverance accomplished
with so little bloodshed, and to implore a continuation of his mercies.
It was a scene which no description can equal. In the depth of the
night the immense crowds of people kneeling, their figures illuminated
by the glare of the fires lighted in the streets, praying to God their
deliverer, presented a sight to have touched even tyrants, could they
have witnessed it.
When prayers were over, plans were adopted for the defence of the
city. Some of the barriers were barricaded, and fortified with cannon.
Officers were sent to Praga with detachments to reinforce the garrison
at the bridge. Wagons were also sent to Praga for ammunition.
As the detachments approached the bridge, they perceived that their
way was obstructed by a body of Russian cavalry. This cavalry were not
aware of the presence of the two companies of light infantry who had
been sent thither by the patriots. As the cavalry advanced upon the
bridge the light infantry gave them a volley and charged. At the same
time the detachments fell on from the Border Street, and compelled them
to retire with severe loss. Some companies formed by the populace,
had already taken possession of Praga, and all was quiet. Many wagon
loads of cartridges, balls, and barrels of powder, were taken from the
magazine to Warsaw before morning.
These are the details of the first night of our revolution. The
order which prevailed in all these tumults and during the fight, was
truly admirable. The foreigners then in Warsaw declared that they
could not enough praise the behavior of the troops and populace in
the very height of a revolution. The utmost forbearance was evinced
toward persons and property. No individual was slain or abused without
provocation, nor was any house or store entered without the consent of
the owner. From the open windows of many houses even ladies witnessed
our deeds, and waved their handkerchiefs, without fear of danger or
insult. They were quiet and delighted spectators of the crowds, who,
after expelling the Russians, moved through the streets in perfect
order, shouting songs of joy. These were moments in which the heart of
every good patriot rejoiced, and traitors alone hid their heads.
FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 8: The enemies of our country have endeavored to persuade
the world that this party was sent to take the Grand Duke's life. It
is an infamous calumny. The order to seize the Grand Duke, was given
with the noblest intention;--to secure him from the dangers attendant
on a revolution, and to prevent farther bloodshed by his captivity.
The Poles magnanimously intended to requite his long continued cruelty
with the kindest treatment. He would have been placed in safety,
and supplied with all the comforts of life in the palace of Bruhl,
which was expressly named for the place of his abode. The persons
sent to seize him were selected for their habitual moderation and
self-restraint. By his flight, Constantine accused himself. The just
man fears nothing; the guilty conscience anticipates danger. The Grand
Duke injured himself as well as our cause by his flight. His melancholy
end is well known.]
[Footnote 9: Gendre was one of the Russian generals, who was among
the chief spies. He was dismissed by the deceased emperor, Alexander,
on account of impositions and even accusations of theft, nor was
he allowed to show himself in Petersburgh during the life-time of
Alexander. He arrived, in 1829, in Warsaw, when it was the pleasure
of Constantine to associate and surround himself with the outcasts of
society; and he made him his master of horse, and afterwards general
and aid-de-camp. The swindling of this general and his wife, in Warsaw,
surpassed all imagination. They cheated and robbed the noblemen, the
merchants, the Jews, and their own master, the Grand Duke. According to
the accounts found during the revolution, their debts, in gaming and
otherwise, amounted to more than a million of Polish gilders.]
[Footnote 10: Every Pole lamented the melancholy fate of Stanislaus
Potocki. He was one of the most honest of men, and beloved by the
army and the whole nation. He always kept aloof from all familiar
intercourse with the Russians, and his house was a true Polish
dwelling. He had always scorned Russian protection; and, to every
patriot, the end of this man, who had become gray in the service of his
country, is a sad recollection. Yet every one must confess his death
was just, and cannot be a reproach to his countrymen, since he listened
neither to the advice nor the intreaties of his brethren, and thus
publicly avowed his adherence to the cause of despotism.--As to General
Trembizki, he had always been a creature of the Russians, and a proud
and mischievous man.]
[Footnote 11: The early part of the career of general Hauke was not
without merit, but it was tarnished by his later conduct. He was born
in Germany, and came to Poland, under the reign of Stanislaus, as a
poor mechanic. After leaving his trade he was enrolled in the army, and
advanced rapidly in the revolutionary war under Kosciusko, in which he
distinguished himself by military skill. In the wars under Napoleon
he defended the fortress of Zamosc with great valor. But, from the
beginning of the Russian sway and the arrival of the Grand Duke at
Warsaw, this man became one of his chief minions, and by fawning and
intrigue obtained the post of Minister of War. In the same year he was
raised to the nobility, and was made count, senator, and wayewode.
In the whole history of Poland the rapidity of this advancement
is unexampled. Hauke received these dignities as a reward for his
oppression of his inferiors, and for acts of injustice of every kind.
As for Mieciszewski, he had always been a villain.]
[Footnote 12: This bad man was one of the principal instruments of our
oppressors. He was one of the chiefs of the spies, and his particular
business was to observe all foreigners coming to Warsaw. He invited
them to his house to ascertain their characters, and was assisted at
his soirees in his base designs, by the female spies. Under the show
of the utmost cordiality, by presents, and by means of love affairs,
he was wont to endeavor to draw them to the Russian interest, in order
to use them as spies in their own countries. He often succeeded, and
several foreigners might be named, who came to Warsaw on the most
innocent business or to gratify their curiosity, but who, after having
frequented the parties of Sass, and handled Russian gold, returned to
their own country to betray it. Such are the means by which Russia
steals deeper and deeper into the heart of Europe.]
[Footnote 13: The chief of spies, general Rozniecki, escaped. He was
one of the most vicious characters imaginable: his crimes surpass
expression. He was the oldest general in the Polish army, in which he
had served forty years. He entered the service under king Stanislaus.
Under Napoleon he commanded a brigade, and subsequently a division
of cavalry. Of his character, while in the service of Napoleon, not
much is known. Under the government of Russia, this man, already sixty
years old, degraded himself irredeemably by becoming one of the most
atrocious and detestable tools of tyranny. A volume might be filled
with the history of his intrigues, swindlings, and other crimes. As
chief of the secret police, he had under him many agents whom he sent
throughout the land to extort money for him on unjust pretences. Wo to
the unhappy man who refused compliance with any of his demands! He was
sure to find his fate in a prison. In the army, those who bribed him
were promoted. Rozniecki was the intimate friend of the Grand Duke.
The following anecdote may serve to give the reader some idea of his
consummate art in fraud.
It was a part of Rozniecki's business to pay the spies, and they
received their salaries at his house. He divided the delators into
several classes, and rewarded them according to the quickness and
importance of their information. By his arrangement of this business
he cheated the very spies! In the room where he received their
denunciations he had a chest of drawers placed, behind which a clerk
was concealed. This clerk wrote down their reports as he heard them,
taking care to date them somewhat earlier. When the spy had ended his
story and applied for his reward, Rozniecki would declare that he
recollected having heard the whole affair the day before. He would then
leave the room and return with the forged record. Thus would he defraud
the spy of his shameful earnings. Accounts of immense sums received by
him were found in his house during the revolution. He was more than
once accused of murder by poison, and other enormous crimes, but the
proceedings against him were suppressed. On the first evening of the
revolution this man happened to be in an assembly of spies in the City
Hall. He was there to give his instructions. On hearing the tumult, his
conscience smote him, and he stole away without saying a word. Finding
a coach at hand, he offered the coachman money to permit him to drive
himself whither he pleased. He made his escape in the coachman's cloak.
His effigy was exhibited on the gallows seven days, decorated with a
dozen Russian orders.]