The defeat of the Polish army near Zborovo
Preparing for the continuation of the war
The Russian national liberation war shocked the Commonwealth. After heavy defeats of 1648, the Poles went to a truce. Bogdan Khmelnitsky also needed a respite to decide on further actions. In winter and spring of 1649, negotiations were ongoing, with both sides preparing for the continuation of hostilities. The Polish elite was not going to yield to their slaves (slaves). The partisan war continued at that time.
Hetman Khmelnitsky used the truce to establish a new administrative order in Little Russia. A central authority was established - the hetman administration. Eastern Little Russia was divided into 16 regiments, led by the colonels, and the regimental chancellery also included regimental judges, carts, clerks, and Yesauls. Khmelnitsky himself became Colonel Chigirin. The shelves were divided into several hundred, each covering several places. Hundreds were headed by centurions and a hundred administration. In conditions of an unfinished war, this was a justified step: regiments with hundreds were simultaneously administrative-territorial and military units, ready to immediately rise to war. In addition, the old authorities — magistrates, etc. — operated in cities and towns, but they were completely subordinate to the Cossack authorities.
The hetman administration paid much attention to strengthening the army. The production of guns, firearms and cold was established. weaponsammunition. In Chigirin there was a military treasury, which was in charge of the receipt of existing taxes into the treasury, and they also opened their own mint. Chigirin became the capital of Khmelnitsky, here he received ambassadors, all letters went here. The most important centers and strongholds of the rebels, besides Chigirin, were also Pereyaslav, Bila Tserkva and Kiev. Pereyaslavsky regiment was considered one of the largest in Little Russia. The main artillery center was located here, large workshops operated, where guns, other weapons and ammunition were produced and repaired.
Negotiations with Moscow and Warsaw
At the beginning of February 1649, the envoy of the Russian tsar Vasily Mikhailov arrived in Pereyaslav. He brought a letter and royal gifts. The letter did not bring serious progress in the reunification of Little Russia with the Russian kingdom. The government of Aleksei Mikhailovich wanted peace with the Poles, and the solution of the main issue - reunification - was postponed. Starshinskaya Rada again asked for Russian citizenship.
At the same time, negotiations were ongoing with the Poles. The Polish king Jan Casimir sent an embassy led by the Bratslav governor Adam Kisel. Khmelnitsky brought a royal letter to hetman. The Polish ambassadors promised the forgiveness of all previous deeds and actions, freedom of the Orthodox faith, an increase in the registered army, restoration of the former rights and freedoms of the Zaporizhzhya army. Kisel persuaded Khmelnitsky to "abandon the mob," increase the roster of troops to 12 -15 thousand people and fight against the "infidels." The Polish government planned with certain promises to bribe the hetman and his foreman, tear them away from the people and use the Cossacks to restore "peace" in Little Russia. The king needed military power to strengthen his power both in Poland and in Little Russia. So that the hetman Khmelnytsky would break and subjugate the royal power of the magnates. In fact, Jan Casimir continued the political line of his predecessor.
However, now the situation has changed a lot. At the beginning of the uprising, Khmelnitsky could agree with such a policy of Warsaw. Now, Small and White Russia has embraced the national liberation war of the Russian people against the Polish occupation. The hetman could no longer agree with the king, not betraying the interests of the general population. The hetman was also not ready to completely break off relations with Warsaw. He has not yet received the full support of Moscow. Therefore, Khmelnytsky in negotiations with the Poles took an evasive position. Getman handed the Polish embassy his terms of peace: to liquidate the Union of Brest, to grant the Orthodox Metropolitan a place in the Senate, to expel the Jesuit order from Little Russia, to limit the possession of Polish lords, to determine the borders of Cossack land, etc.
There were two positions in Warsaw regarding unsuccessful negotiations. The tycoons demanded an immediate resumption of the war. The king and Chancellor Ossolinsky with their supporters believed that the time for war had not yet come. They decided to agree for the species with all the demands of the rebels, and at this time continue to prepare for war. The nobleman Smyarovsky was sent to Khmelnitsky to continue negotiations. He had to persuade the foreman to disband the army, Poland supposedly was ready to dissolve his army. The king promised to suppress the unrest "mob" if she refuses to lay down her arms. Smyarovsky arrived at the Cossacks in mid-April 1649. His mission failed. Khmelnitsky met Smyarovsky coldly, then he was executed, suspecting the organization of a conspiracy against the hetman.
In mid-April of 1649, another embassy from Moscow headed by Grigory Unkovsky arrived to Khmelnitsky. The Russian government was ready to provide all kinds of financial assistance to Khmelnitsky and to offer him to try to achieve the election of the Russian tsar as king of Poland, which could stop the war. Hetman again raised the question of the reunification of Great and Lesser Russia. He reasonably noted that the appearance of the Russian army in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (it consisted of Russian lands at 80%) would immediately lead to Lithuania asking for the citizenship of the Russian tsar. German also said that now Moscow has nothing to fear from the Commonwealth, since Warsaw does not have the same strength without the Zaporizhzhya army. And with the reunification of Little Russia and White Russia (Lithuania) with the Russian Empire, Moscow will receive a vast territory with an entire army.
Following the talks, Khmelnitsky sent a letter to Moscow, in which he again asked for military assistance against Poland. The first official embassy headed by Chigirinsky Colonel Vishnyak was also sent to Moscow. He was welcomed in the Russian capital. Soon, Moscow refused to comply with the terms of the Polyanov agreement of 1634 of the year. The Russian government stopped stopping the Don Cossacks from participating in the war of liberation in Little Russia. Many Don Cossacks came to the hetman's army. Also, the Russian government began to provide assistance with weapons and ammunition.
Negotiations with Porta and Crimea
Khmelnitsky managed to conclude a profitable agreement with Porta. In February 1649, the Turkish envoy Osman-aga arrived in Pereyaslav. Turkey at that time was experiencing an internal crisis, there in the summer of 1648 there was a palace coup, the sultan Ibrahim was killed, the young Mehmed IV was put on the throne. The time of infancy of the new Sultan is a period of intrigue and rebellion. The position of the state was complicated by the war with Venice. In Istanbul, they were afraid that during this troubled time, the Polish king, allied to Venice, would not leave the Cossacks to Turkey.
Therefore, the Ottomans tried to cajole Khmelnitsky, sent expensive gifts and were very polite. The Turks were especially delighted when the negotiations of the hetman with the Poles failed. Porta promised the Cossacks freedom of sailing in the Black Sea, the right to free trade in Turkish possessions. A hetman envoy was supposed to be in Constantinople. The Turks asked one that the hetman prevented the attacks of the Don and Zaporozhye Cossacks on the possessions of the Sultan.
The benevolent position of Porta immediately affected relations with the Crimean Khanate. When Khmelnitsky turned for help to Khan Islam-Girey, he immediately moved his horde to Little Russia to help the Cossacks. Hetman and Khan troops were supposed to go to Poland. This was a necessary step, the movement of the Crimean Tatar troops in Little Russia led to the ruin of the Russian lands, the withdrawal of thousands of people. Otherwise, the Crimean khan could come to an agreement with Poland and strike at Khmelnytsky’s army at the time of his decisive battle with the Poles.
The resumption of hostilities. Siege of the Barrage
In May 1649, a huge army gathered under the leadership of Khmelnitsky: the army of the Cossacks, the Crimean horde with the khan himself. All southern and western Russia rose. Some Cossack regiments numbered 20 thousand people, and hundreds - a thousand people. The Tatars of the Budzhak horde (it was located in the south of Bessarabia, between the Danube and the Dniester), the Nogais, Moldavians, Crimean highlanders, Pyatigorsk Circassians, Don Cossacks, etc. even Turkey sent several thousand Rumelians to the Khmelnitsky army.
At the same time, the Poles were preparing for the offensive. The Thirty Years War ended in Europe, many soldiers were left without “work”. This allowed Poland to strengthen its army. In May 1649, Polish troops, reinforced by German and Hungarian mercenaries, crossed the Goryn River and fortified in two camps. The first, under the leadership of Adam Firlei, was located near the town of Zaslav, the second, headed by Stanislav Lyantskoronsky, was in the upper reaches of the Southern Bug. Then they were reinforced by the detachment of Nikolai Ostrog. The High Command was taken over by the Polish King Jan Casimir. The king did not retain the post of commander-in-chief for Prince Vishnevetsky, and the offended powerful nobleman with his hussars and knights went into his possessions in Chervonnaya Rus. In addition, Prince Janusz Radziwill received orders to advance from Lithuania. Polish troops attacked the agreed line Sluch - Southern Bug, and crowded the Cossack detachments along it. The Poles won several separate skirmishes and captured and burned several castles. The troops of the Lithuanian hetman Radziwill advanced along the Pripyat line.
Khmelnitsky knew about all the movements of the enemy from numerous informants from the people. He had previously set up several regiments and detachments on the borderlands, reinforced by numerous peasant rebels. The hetman tried to exhaust the enemy with numerous skirmishes with small detachments, and only then appeared with the main forces. The regiments of Nebaba and Golota were supposed to fight the powerful Lithuanian tycoon Radziwill. Khmelnitsky himself with the main forces and the Tatar horde went to Starokonstantinov, to meet the Polish army. As soon as the news came to the Poles that Khmelnitsky was approaching with a huge 200 thousand Cossack army and that Khan Islam-Girey himself came with him with 100 thousand hordes of Tatars of the Crimean, Nogai, Perekop and Budzhatsky. These figures, at least, were three times exaggerated. The Polish lords joined forces and retreated to Zbarazh Castle. They were joined by Prince Vishnevetsky, who was persuaded to forget previous grievances. The total number of Poles in Zbarazh was about 15 -20 thousand soldiers.
The Poles camped at Zbarazh and dug in. At the end of June 1649, Cossacks and Tatars (120 - 130 thousand people) besieged Zbarazh. The Poles repelled the first attacks. Then the siege began. The soul of the defense of Zbarazh was the frantic Vishnevetsky. When the fortifications were too extensive for defense, he repeatedly reduced them and forced them to enclose the camp with even higher ramparts. Khmelnitsky surrounded the enemy with his earthen fortifications, smashed the enemy with cores and buckshot of several dozen guns, not counting the rifle and Tatar arrows. The Poles hid from shelling in dug burrow-shelters, and only in the event of an assault they poured upstairs. For about two months there was a desperate struggle. The Polish garrison repelled all the assaults. During fierce battles, Colonels Burlyai were wounded and the first saber of the Cossacks - Bogun, Morozenko died.
However, the victory was near. A Polish eyewitness wrote: “We were desperate. The enemy overwhelmed us so that even the bird could not fly to us, not fly out. " Hunger began in the Polish camp, and Vishnevetsky had no chance to break the blockade on his own. The Poles ate dogs, cats, mice, all carrion, drank water poisoned by corpses. They weakened from hunger and mass diseases. Half of the garrison died or was ill and could not fight.
Zborovsky battle
At this time, King Jan II Casimir was slowly moving from Warsaw to Lublin and Zamosc, trying to gather more troops and waiting for good news from Radziwill. The royal army stopped at Toropov, not knowing the true state of affairs in Zbarazh, when a messenger arrived who could get through the siege ring. Having received news of the extreme situation of the Zbarazh garrison, the king with 30 thousand troops decided to go to the rescue. Khmelnitsky intelligence immediately reported this. Leaving to continue the siege part of the army led by Charnota, Khmelnytsky with other regiments and Tatars marched towards the enemy. His army numbered about 70 thousand people. The main forces of the Cossack and Polish troops met near Zborovo, five miles from Zbarazh. The battle took place on 5 (15) August - 6 (16) August 1649 years.
Summer was rainy, the Streep River spilled. Its marshy shores have turned into a sea of mud. Khmelnitsky hid his troops in the thickets by the river, in ravines and began to wait for the enemy. Moreover, with the help of local residents, the hetman transferred part of the troops to the rear of the Poles. A rapidly spilling river tore bridges, and the Polish king ordered a crossing. The fact that Khmelnytsky with superior forces was already waiting for them on the other side, the Polish camp did not know. The attack of the troops of Khmelnitsky was unexpected for the Poles. In addition, from the rear attacked the Nechai regiment that had been transported earlier across the river. The defeat at Pilyavtsy was hardly repeated. Being shelled by numerous Cossack artillery, surrounded on all sides by Cossacks and Tatars, the royal army panicked. Ian Casimir personally admonished the soldiers with a sword. The Poles came to their senses, rebuffed and began to build fortifications. The coming night stopped the battle. However, the situation of the Polish army was critical. The Poles could not withstand the long siege in their camp, they did not have supplies for this. At the military council, the Polish commanders decided to continue the defense and at the same time enter into negotiations with the khan. A letter was sent to Islam Girey in which the Polish king recalled the service he had rendered in the past by Vladislav IV to the khan (leave from captivity); marveled at his unjust attack and offered to renew friendly relations.
In the morning, the battle resumed. Cossacks almost broke through the enemy’s defenses, the situation was corrected only by the counterattack of the German mercenaries. As a result, the khan decided to end the battle. The brave defense of the Poles could drag out the matter, as it was under Zbarazh. This was not liked by the Tatars, who preferred quick raids, capturing prey and leaving for their dream home. Long sieges, stubborn battles and more losses led to a rapid decline in the morale of the steppes. In addition, the Crimean Khan was not interested in the complete victory of the Cossacks. Crimea arranged a long conflict, the code could profit at the expense of both parties. Islam Giray started negotiations with the Poles, took a deposit in 30 thousand thalers. Khan demanded to stop the fight, otherwise he threatened to oppose the hetman. Khmelnitsky was forced to yield and start negotiations with the Poles. Thus, the Polish army escaped complete destruction.
Zborovsky world
Already 8 (18) August 1649 was signed a double agreement with the Crimean horde and Cossacks. Poland pledged to pay a ransom for withdrawing the horde to Crimea and for lifting the siege from Zbarazh, to begin paying tribute to the Khanate. The king granted the khan the right to rob the cities and lands of Little Russia during his return to the Crimea, to lead people to full.
At the suggestion of the khan, peace was also concluded with the Cossacks, on the basis of the program that Adam Kisel had previously transferred to Khmelnitsky. Zaporizhzhya army received all the previous rights and privileges. All rebels received a full amnesty. The size of the registry was determined in 40 thousand people, those people who remained outside the registry had to return to their owners. Chigirinsky headman was personally subordinate to the hetman. All posts and ranks in the Kiev, Bratslav and Chernihiv voivodships the Polish king could give only to local Orthodox nobles. On the territory of the Cossack army there should not have been a royal army. Jews and Jesuits lost their right to reside on the territory of Cossack regiments. Regarding the union, church rights and property, the question should have been raised at the next parliament in accordance with previous privileges and interests of the Kiev clergy. The Kiev Metropolitan was given a seat in the Senate.
This world was not lasting. The Poles were delighted with the deliverance from the death of two troops near Zborov and Zbarazh. However, as soon as the lords and gentry escaped death and captivity, their arrogance and ambition immediately returned. They were not going to fulfill the conditions of the world. Chancellor Ossolinsky was severely criticized and even accused of treason. Even the king was accused of cowardice and haste agreement. The pans who survived thanks to the Zborovsk treaty, who were in Zbarazh, declared that the world was concluded at their expense (they had possessions in Little Russia). Prince Vishnevetsky openly declared that the king had given them to the Cherkasy (as the Cossacks were then called) and the Tatars. Poland was still strong and could continue the war. So, Radziwill defeated the rebels in the battle of Zvyagil. Died Colonel Golota. Then Radziwill defeated the Cossack army near Loyev (31 July). One of the leaders of the Cossacks Krichevsky died. In these battles, the Cossacks suffered serious losses. But Radziwill could not continue the offensive. Peasants and citizens of White Russia continued to rebel in its rear.
On the other hand, although Khmelnytsky was returning with victory and peace, the agreement with the enemies caused irritation among the people. The people were annoyed by the alliance with the Crimean horde, its atrocities. The agreement basically ensured the rights and privileges of Cossack foreman, Little Russian nobility and clergy. People did not want to return to the citizenship of the Commonwealth. About 40 thousand Cossacks fell into the lists of 15 - 16 regiments, but 100 thousand or even more remained outside the register, and returned to the state of serfs, Polish slaves. There were even more peasants who were supposed to return under the rule of Polish gentry and gentry. It was difficult to restore the former serfdom. Attempts by the lords and the hetman himself to “restore order”, punitive expeditions caused new uprisings and the flight of peasants into the Russian kingdom. The conditions of union and generally religious affairs were uncertain, which promised new problems in the future.
Thus, the attempt of the hetman and part of the foreman to create Cossack autonomy, where the registered Cossacks will become the new privileged estate (becoming the new gentry), and most of the people will be serfs, including again under the rule of the Poles, failed. The mass of the Russian people such a division into the "chosen" and "claps" was hated. The Polish lords also did not want to recognize the Cossacks as an equal estate. Despite all the efforts of the Polish king, the Zbor agreement was not approved, the gentry decided to continue the war.
- Alexander Samsonov
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The destruction of the Polish army near Pilyavtsy
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