October 11, 1658

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Martin Antonenko

A Fixture
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Jul 11, 2008
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The Battle of Verka


On October 11, 1658 (according to our calendar!) the Battle of Verka (today: Verkiai, Lithuania, near Vilnius) takes place during the Polish/Lithuanian-Russian/Ukrainian War from 1654 to 1667.




The reason for the war is the request for help from the Ukrainian hetman Bogdan Khmelnitsky...





... to protect the newly founded Ukrainian "Hetmanate", the predecessor state of today's Ukraine...:





Fighting begins in the summer of 1654.

At Verka, 12,000 men (two-thirds infantry...



...the rest cavalry and Zaporozhian Cossacks)...



... commanded by Prince Jurij Dolgorukij...





...and the 9,000 strong forces (mostly cavalry) of the Polish Hetman Gosiewski...:



Early in the battle, the Poles/Lithuanians gain a major advantage when the Polish Winged Hussars break through the Russians' center..:



But Prince Dolgorukij can master the situation when he personally brings in two Russian Strelitzen regiments, which can first bring the opponents to a standstill and then put them to flight...:















Prince Dolgoruky...



... reports on the battle:

"We captured the tent, horse and flag of the Polish hetman and the banners of the hussars and dragoons, arrested the colonels and lieutenant colonels, and the captains and officers, as well as the royal servants and other many people.

We beat the Hetman Hetman Gonsevskago (Russian for Godiewski, M. A.) and his warriors on the head and chased them 15 versts.”

However, Prince Dolgoruky cannot take advantage of the complete victory because the land around him is devastated by the two armies and there is neither food for his soldiers nor for the horses. He has to retreat.

Nevertheless, Poland-Lithuania is now significantly weakened - the Russians, allied with the Ukrainians, will win the war...
 
Hi Martín

Very interesting background on this event , great pictures as well

Good video to watch from grasshopper as well

Cheers

Nap
Was just the latest in his course..from the beginning it’s a full credit university course…There is another I’ve followed by prof. Blight on USCivil war and reconstruction that’s equally stunning
 
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