Kazimierz Małachowski

Kazimierz Małachowski ( born February 27, 1765 in Wisnowo / Lithuania; † January 5, 1845 in Chantilly ) was a Polish general.

Life

He did not come from the noble family of the same name. He first entered the military academy in Warsaw, but this had probably left because of the poverty of his family and joined in 1786 as a simple gunner in the Polish army. In 1790 he was promoted to lieutenant. Because of his bravery during the Kościuszko Uprising, he was appointed Major. After the final partition of Poland, he fled abroad. In 1797 he joined the Polish Legion standing in the French service. He was captured after a battle by the Austrians and interned. After his release, he became commander of the 114th Regiment line. With this he made the expedition to Santo Domingo. After the capitulation of the French army, the English have him imprisoned in Jamaica.

After he returned to France, he became a colonel in the newly formed Polish army. During the Russian campaign he covered with his units during the retreat with heavy losses to the crossing of the Berezina. But Napoleon appointed him a general. In the Battle of Leipzig he was captured by the Russians, but released on parole again. After the end of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw in 1815, he briefly governor of the fortress of Modlin, gave this post but soon again. He retired after the back of his possessions.

After starting the November Uprising of 1831 he re-entered the Polish army and initially was given command of a division with which he fought in various battles. A first request to take over the command of the Polish Armed Forces, he refused. During the siege of Warsaw, he accepted the office, put it after the surrender a few days later back down. After the failure of the uprising, he fled first to Prussia and then to France.