6 Polish generals who gave their lives for Russia (PICS)

On November 29, 1830, the Congress Kingdom of Poland, an autonomous part of the Russian Empire, rebelled. The Poles wanted to achieve complete independence or at least an expansion of their political rights and freedoms.

However, not all citizens of the Kingdom joined the uprising. Some of the officers and soldiers of the Polish army remained loyal to the oath to the Russian Emperor. For this, some of them paid with their lives.

1. Ignacy Blumer

Ignacy Blumer fought against Russia for more than 20 years. He took part in the Russo-Polish War of 1792 and the Tadeusz Kosciuszko Uprising of 1794. Later, he also fought in the Polish Legions for Napoleon in Europe and even in Haiti, while also taking part in the French invasion of Russia in 1812.

After the establishment of the Congress Kingdom of Poland, Blumer returned to his homeland and started everything from scratch. In the Russian service, he rose to the rank of major general, became a member of the Supreme Military Court and enjoyed the unlimited trust of Viceroy Grand Duke Konstantin Pavlovich.

The military leader was killed on the first night of the uprising from November 29 to 30, 1830, in Warsaw near the arsenal, when he tried to convince soldiers of the 5th Line Infantry Regiment not to join the rebellion.

2. Maurycy Gauke

Maurycy Gauke had a similar military path to Blumer, but he did not participate in the invasion of Napoleon's ‘Grande Armée’ into Russia, since he was serving as the head of the Zamość garrison. In the Congress Kingdom of Poland, Gauke became a count and senator.

On November 29, 1830, he, his wife and children were trying to leave the city when they came across a group of rebels. They invited him to join the uprising, but he categorically refused. The general called them fools and demanded that they return to the barracks, after which he was shot right in front of his family.

3. Stanislav Potocki

A former comrade-in-arms of Tadeusz Kościuszko, Stanislav Potocki commanded the 1st Infantry Division of the Congress Kingdom of Poland in 1829. On the night of the uprising, he went to Belvedere Palace, where the governor’s residence was located.

The general was surrounded by a crowd of rebels on a Warsaw street. Potocki was offered to become one of the leaders of the uprising, but he refused, saying: “Children, calm down!” The military leader was then mortally wounded and died a few hours later.

4. Józef Nowicki

Józef Nowicki, another participant in the Kościuszko Uprising and Napoleon's invasion of Russia, rose to the rank of brigadier general in the Congress Kingdom of Poland and held the post of Secretary General of the Government Military Commission.

Nowicki remained true to his oath and died in Warsaw on November 29, 1830, at the age of 74.

5. Tomasz Jan Sementkowski

As an officer in Napoleon's ‘Grande Armée’, Jan Sementkowski distinguished himself in the battles of Smolensk and Leipzig. He fought for the emperor almost until his abdication.

In the army of the Congress Kingdom of Poland, meanwhile, Sementkowski commanded the Guards Horse Riflemen and then became the head of the General Staff. In 1830, after 20 years of impeccable service, he was awarded an honorary badge.

On the night of the uprising, the general carried out the order of the governor, defending Saxon Palace. During the negotiations, however, things got heated. Sementkovsky subsequently was seriously wounded and died the following day.

6. Stanislav Trembitsky

The youngest of the six generals was 38 years old at the time of his death. Nevertheless, Stanislav Trembitsky managed to take part in the Russian campaign of 1812.

After the establishment of Russian power, he went on to have a good career: He served as a field adjutant to the governor Konstantin Pavlovich and, in 1828, was awarded the rank of brigadier general.

On the night of the uprising, Trembitsky came across a detachment of rebels, who took him into custody and twice offered him to go over to their side. The general refused, calling them murderers, after which he was shot.

In memory

In 1841, by order and design of Nicholas I, a monument to six generals and Colonel Filip Meciszewski, who “died for their loyalty to their monarch”, was unveiled in Warsaw.

When the city was occupied by the German army during World War I, local residents tried to dismantle it. However, the occupation authorities would not allow it.

Only after the abdication of Nicholas II in March 1917 did the Germans give the go-ahead and the monument was torn down.