Warka on the Pilica River 1656-2026

Salvete Omnes, 

On April 7, 1656 near town of Warka on the Pilica River Polish Crown forces consisting of cavalry and dragoons defeated the invading Swedish forces during the so called Deluge or Polish-Swedish war 1655-60 AD.

Polish Crown forces that crossed the flooded Pilica River consisted of some 6,500 men and horses (Crown cavalry banners) whereas  some 5 to 6,000 men and horses stayed on the other side of the river,

The Crown army divided into several pulk commands, the main ones being two:

 1. The Crown marshal Sebastian Lubomirski - crica 1,500 horses and men including 1 banner of his own winged hussars and 2 other winged hussar banners, pulk of  kozak pancerni banners, pulk of   light cavalry, and 2 companies of dragoons . His forces attacked the Swedish main army

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2. voivode of Kijow Stefan Czarniecki - perhaps 3,000 plus division -  who had under his command 1 winged hussar banner and many companies of dragoons, light cavalry, kozak pancerni etc.
Also, about 1000 strong voivodeship of Sandomierz noble militia.

Swedish forces were commanded by Frederic VI, Margrave of Baden-Durlach with 'colonel' (Oberstleutnant)  Ritter consisted of cavalry and dragoons - circa 2,500-3,000 men and  horses, plus huge wagon train - some sources say 2,000 wagons and carriages. 

Magrave's forces were also cavalry and dragoons - the  Reiter Cavalry Regiments of Ahlefeld, Waldeck, Siegel, 3 companies from Adolf Johann reiter regiment, and companies  & freicompanies of dragoons. Ritter (who died in action), commander of Radom, led circa 1000 strong dragoon force protecting the huge wagon train, and in the battle he commanded the rearguard. Poles attacked this rearguard as the prelude to the main engagement of two main armies.

Upon destroying of the Ritter's rearguard, Crown Marshal Lubomirski personally led 3 winged hussars banners (500 strong?)  assault on the Swedish cavalry and dragoons. The charge did not break the Swedish companies, but gave time for the other Polish cavalry banners to provide support to the winged hussars and then Czarniecki  sent the Zamoyski winged hussar banner aided by the Wasowicz dragoon regiment to charge the Swedes. Next the winged hussar banners withdrew and upon reforming their ranks and file charged as one lance hedgehog-like 4 banner strong unit. They broke Swedish regiment and companies.. 

Within two hours from the beginning of the battle it was over, our Polish Crown cavalry secured a tactical victory of the Swedish army.  Margrave with many high ranking officers and under the escort of a Finnish company escaped to the Czersk Castle (well, the ruins of it), where they were able to have survived 'till the following morning and only after the Polish Crown cavalry withdrew to the main body of the Crown army, the Swedish commander adnd his stragglers made it to Swedes-held Warsaw. 

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