Vilnius Division
| Vilnius Division | |
|---|---|
| Vilniaus divizija | |
| Active | April–November 1794 |
| Allegiance | Grand Duchy of Lithuania |
The Vilnius Division (Lithuanian: Vilniaus divizija) was the largest and most important insurgent division of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania during the Kościuszko Uprising in 1794.[1]
Composition
The division was formed in Vilnius in April–May 1794 from units of the regular Grand Ducal Lithuanian Army and the militia of Ašmena, Trakai, Vilnius counties and general levy (pospolite ruszenie) units.[1]
Commander
The division's commanders were:[1]
- Jakub Jasiński (until June 1794),
- Michał Wielhorski (until August 1794),
- Antoni Chlewiński (until September 1794),
- Jerzy Franciszek Grabowski
History
The division fought against the imperial Russian army in the:
- Battle of Nemenčinė (April 27),
- the Battle of Palionys (May 7),
- the Battle of Lipniszki (May 25).[1]
The division spent the second half of June to the east of Ašmena.[1] On June 25, the Battle of Salos, took place near Smarhon; after losing it, the Vilnius Division retreated towards Vilnius, which it defended from July 19.[1]
On August 11, it was defeated, retreated to Jonava, from there to Užnemunė. Due to the disarray in the uprising's and army's leadership, the division became ineffective.[1]
In October 1794, together with the entire army, the division retreated to Poland.[1] On November 4, it fought in the defense of Warsaw in the Battle of Praga.[1]
References
Sources
- Jasas, Rimantas (2021). "Vilniaus divizija". Vle.lt (in Lithuanian). Archived from the original on 31 July 2025.