LIVES OF THE POLISH HEROES. 393 



subsequent period, sent as military governor into the palatinate of Kra- 

 cow and Sandomir, with positive orders to defend the Vistula from the 

 mouth of the Pilica to Sandomir, Sierawski, on his arrival, found 

 scarcely 2,000 recruits in a state of organization. Still he fulfilled his 

 mission with success, until the arrival of General Dwernecki, in con- 

 junction with whom he fought the splendid action of Swiezyny. On 

 the departure of General Dwernecki for Wolhynia, Sierawski received 

 orders to defend the banks of the Vistula from the mouth of the Ka- 

 miona to Zawechost. Although he had but three thousand men under 

 his command, to defend such an extent of ground, he nevertheless 

 accomplished his object. All the works for constructing bridges, com- 

 menced by the enemy, were destroyed, and every detachment that 

 attempted to effect the passage, was repulsed. 



The enemy having been defeated at Igania, the army of Sierawski 

 was reinforced by two regiments of scythe-bearers ; and at the same 

 moment, in virtue of his orders, he passed the Vistula near Josefow, 

 took Kamien, and defeated the Russian infantry, with the brigade of 

 Mloksoiewiez. From thence, hoping to be supported by General Pac, 

 he crossed the Vistula at three points ; but in the mean time, Pac had 

 received another destination. 



Profiting by this respite, the Russian General Kreutz concentrated 

 his forces in the environs of Belzyee, and waited for the Poles. At the 

 sight of such a superior force, Sierawski fell back in the night, and 

 took up a position at Wronow, where he received despatches from head- 

 quarters, instructing him, with his corps alone, to attack the Russian 

 forces that were retiring after their defeat at Igania, to throw provisions 

 into Zamosck, and to second the operations of Dwernecki in Wolhynia. 

 The Russian army had, however, pushed forward some strong columns 

 of troops, with a powerful artillery, in front of Woronow. Sierawski 

 had no longer the alternative he must either give or accept a battle. 

 While Colonel Lagowski was combatting with advantage near Belzyee, 

 the general maintained his position until near four in the afternoon. 

 During the night, having destroyed the bridges at Opola, he retired in 

 good order into the mountains of Kazeemierz, and maintained this 



r'tion during the whole of the next day. Hotly pursued by the enemy, 

 effected his passage near Janowiec and Golembic, without losing 

 either arms or baggage ; his most sensible loss was in men. 



In the various councils of war of which he was a member, Sierawski 

 exclaimed against the inertness that appeared to preside over the military 

 movements, the conduct of the government towards Lithuania, and their 

 negligence in profiting by the most brilliant victories. 



Sierawski, at present in France, carries with him into exile the con- 

 solation of having always done his duty, throughout the course of a 

 long career. The first of the Polish generals to rally round the banner 

 of independence, he remained faithful to her to the last. As modest as 

 brave, he never seeks to lead ; he only asks to serve his country, care- 

 less in what capacity or grade. The rival of the generous youth of 

 Poland, who have done such glorious things, he shows himself, with his 



fray hairs, as ardent and intrepid as they. Even now, proscribed as 

 e is, this gallant old man does not despair of that cause which he has 

 so long and so gloriously defended. Let but the star of independence 

 again burst on the horizon of eastern Europe, and the sword of Sie- 

 rawski will not slumber in its scabbard. 



