BKD
General Marian Langiewicz, born August 5, 1827, in Krotoszyn, North of Wroclaw, youngest of 3 children, mother’s maiden name: Eleonora Klucewska, father: Wojciech Langiewicz, doctor of medicine. Who fell in Warsaw during the uprising against the Russians.
One of the tri-partitioning powers, in 1831 (that uprising was a heroic one, though the Poles were defeated, because as usual, no help was received from other countries who paid only lip-service in support of a free Poland). Marian’s mother raised her children alone, barely supporting them by renting out the greater part of their house.
Krotoszyn was under the German Prussian occupation and everything Polish, including education was suppressed. Marian was talented in Mathematics and Physics and as youngster already dreamed of a military career. His special interest was artillery, having in mind to effectively contribute eventually and help Poland gain independence.
He went to a college in Trzemeszuo (which was under Austrian occupation), supporting himself and studying hard, lack of proper nutrition caused him to become sickly and almost blind. He managed to continue some studies in Wreclaw and Prag, Czechosl (languages) then in Berkin (mathematics), then officers’ school.
After graduation his genial talent was recognized by the Germans and after being conscripted into the German Army, he was quickly promoted to Major, his opportunity to shed the German uniform came when the Austro-Italian war broke out in 1859. He claimed blindness to be released from the German Army, and joined the Polish Legion under General Lekwel on the side of the famous Italian General Garibaldi, where he participated heroically in victorious battles in Sicily and Catalafini, wounded he received highest decorations and promotions in the Italian Army. Italy became free. Victor Emanuel II became King but the hopes of the Polish Legion to march with the help of the Italians into Poland to free her from foreign domination was dashed.
Italy was important from Russian and German pressure to help the Poles. Officially the Polish Legion was disbanded but Garibaldi’s influence caused the formation of an officer’s school in Genoa, financed mainly from private sources. “General Langiewicz” became the head of the college. (General Wysodi during this period is credited with composing a song: (Jeszcze Polska nie zginet…) Poland is not yet lost, so long as we live- we shall march from Italy to Polish soil- and free her from foreign occupation-with our swords. This became then and still is today the Polish National Anthem!
Further pressure by the Russians and Germans caused the college to be closed, the Polish Legionaries were dispersed throughout Europe, many went to France. Langiewicz was an active member of the Polish conspirators, attempting to gain support from the western governments, spying, attempting to obtain, purchase weapons. Sadly, too little support was given. These patriots never gave up and worked and dreamed of another chance for an uprising in occupied Poland.
Langiewicz returned to Poland, constantly threatened with arrest by either the Germans or the Russians, he and many others worked towards preparations for another uprising; also always hoping that eventually help would come from the West. Though Langiewicz and many other experts felt it was too early, the secret army command and underground Polish government decided to go ahead with another uprising, which started at midnight, January 22-23, 1863, with immediate strongest activities in the German and Russian sectors. Langiewicz was assigned to the Russian sector at Sandomierz, between Warsaw and Krakov, he started with a small battalion, and was highly successful with hit-and-run tactics, controlling 14,000 square kilometers, captured enormous Russian war material, outfitted with that several divisions, infantry, cavalry and artillery.
He knew the value of moral and propaganda, had printed news releases, which found their way to the West. He was quickly recognized as a true hero in France, Italy, Switzerland and even Bavaria-Germany. But as usual help was not forthcoming. Meantime, he met his future wife. Songs were written about him, like:
Let out by Chief Langiewicz
We shall beat our foe
As god is with us
We shall free all of Poland….
National Anthem of Poland Online (download and listen)
France gave some weak signals of support, some French volunteers under Major Rochebrun and even a Russian battalion, fed up with the Czar’s dictatorship, joined General Langiewicz.
Now, from the South the Austrians were also attacking with great force and though Langiewicz was declared chief of all insurrectionist enemies, and ably led his forces (2 horses were shot from under him and he was wounded in the leg), they ran slowly out of ammunition. During one of the last battles, this time against the Austrians, he was taken prisoner on March 19, 1863.
Two years he spent in Austrian prison. Several attempted escape were foiled. Both, the Russians and the Germans demanded Langiewicz be turned over to them.
He was popular in Switzerland and the Swiss offered him citizenship. General Langiewicz had to swear that he would not return to the tri-partitioned Poland and on February 28, 1865 was released to the Swiss. There he married.
Meantime in spite of all heroic efforts, the insurrection was defeated. The world again denied Poland to exist. (Poland was wiped off the map until 1918).
The émigré Poles continued, in attempts to work on the political arena of the world, for the independence of Poland.
On the 1st of May, 1866, he moved for a while to London, unwillingly, he was drawn into the émigré politics of the Poles. In December of 1866, upon the invitation of the Turkish government, archenemies of Austria and Russia. But, any hopes the insurrectionist had of getting military support there was dashed also. A change of the Turkish government caused most of the Poles to leave Turkey. General Langiewicz was one of the few Poles who remained there. He engaged himself into raising and selling pure Arabian horses. He died suddenly of pneumonia in Constantinople (May 12, 1887, today Istanbul) was buried there in the English cemetery in Haidar Pasha.
The synopsis translated from Polish by Wladek Marcinkowski
Torrance, California September
1982.
© 2006 Graphics by Jean
U. Assell