Battle of Segesvár
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Segesvár (Transylvania
, now Sighişoara
, Romania
) was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848
, fought on 31 July 1849 between the Hungarian
revolutionary army supplemented by Polish
volunteers under the command of General Józef Bem
and the Russia
n V Corps under General Alexander von Lüders
in ally with the Austrian
army led by General Eduard Clam-Gallas
. The battle was won by the Russian-Austrian army and it is presumed that the Hungarian poet and national hero Sándor Petőfi
died in the battlefield, though his body was never found.
after a sally to Moldavia
against Russian forces under the command of General Ustrugov. He prepared an offensive against the Russian army group under General Grotenhjelm. He had to cancel this offensive because he got information that the Lüders, having captured the Vöröstorony pass (now Turnu Roşu
Pass, Romania) and the city of Nagyszeben (now Sibiu
, Romania), was advancing towards him. Bem knew that a battle against Lüders would be decisive for the campaign in Transylvania
so he decided to concentrate his forces. He sent orders to Colonel Kemény, commander of the Kolozsvár
(now Cluj-Napoca
) Division, that it was to go to Segesvár (now Sighisoara
, Romania) and support the main Hungarian forces in the fight against the Russian V corps.
The remnants of four Nagyszeben divisions and parts of the Brassó
(now Brasov
, Romania) and Háromszék
(now Trei Scaune, Romania) divisions were to concentrate in Székelykeresztúr
(now Cristuru Secuiesc
, Romania), which Bem occupied. Colonel Dobay's group had to move from Felsőrákos (now Racosul de Sus, Romania) across Kőhalom
(now Rupea
, Romania) to Székelykeresztúr in order to support the army group. All of these forces under Bem's command added about 10 to 12,000 infantry and cavalry soldiers and more than 30 cannon. However, in the event Bem only had 6,000 soldiers and 12 cannon on the field.
The right wing of the Hungarian army consisted of a battalion
of infantry with two supporting cannons placed near the road from Udvarhely
(now part of Harghita, Romania) to Fehéregyháza (now Albesti
, in Romania). The Hungarian center included 8 cannons along with cavalry and 4 infantry formations. Two infantry battalions were positioned on the left wing, above the adduction of a stream crossing the road from Segesvár to Fehéregyháza. Reserves were placed about 1000 metre from the front.
, 16 cannon, 5 sapper
battalions, 4 squadrons from Prince de Nassau ulan regiment, one division of horse and a Cossack
squadron. He placed a rifle infantry regiment from Lublin
on the route to Udvarhely
, with 5 rifle battalions, 12 cannon, another 4 squadrons of cavalry and 3 squadrons of Cossacks, placing General Engelhardt
in command of the group. He positioned a Cossack reconnaissance
squadron on the route to Fogaras
(now Făgăraş
, Romania). The artillery battalion was placed on the route to Medgyes (now Mediaş
, Romania).
In addition to these forces, Lüders had the support of Austrian allies under General Clam-Gallas. His group, consisting of six infantry battalion, some Cossacks units, and 6 or 8 cannon, was ordered to join forces with V Corps. After getting intelligence at 8 am that Hungarian forces had been seen from the road to Udvarhely, the commander of V Corps ordered his chief of staff (General Skariatin) to prepare to fight the column of General Essaułov. Skariatin moved his column to the ford
across the Segesvár – Fehéregyháza road. He placed 6 cannon, defended by an infantry battalion, on the right side of road. Two more cannon were positioned on the road along with the second battalion. A third battalion established position to the right of the road at the edge of a forest covering Mount Waldenberg. Parts of the fifth battalion were stationed on the peak of that mountain. A left wing, slightly behind the center, was composed of cavalry, cossacks, and a few cannons. Lüders kept 2 infantry battalions and some artillery in reserve.
After observing the Hungarians establish their positions, Lüders was certain that the main attack would come from Marosvásárhely.
the Hungarian right wing. After breaking the Hussars, the Russian cavalry moved around the rear of the Hungarians. The Hungarians begin to retreat to Fehéregyháza as their front collapsed, with the Russians in pursuit. Meanwhile, the column of Colonel Dobanay was defeated by General Clam-Gallas's troops.
, the Hungarian revolutionary and poet, disappeared in the battle, and is supposed to have died in it.
(now Sibiu
). There, Bem won his last victory against Russian General Hasford's group.
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
, now Sighişoara
Sighisoara
Sighişoara is a city and municipality on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş County, Romania. Located in the historic region Transylvania, Sighişoara has a population of 27,706 ....
, Romania
Romania
Romania is a country located at the crossroads of Central and Southeastern Europe, on the Lower Danube, within and outside the Carpathian arch, bordering on the Black Sea...
) was a battle in the Hungarian Revolution of 1848
Hungarian Revolution of 1848
The Hungarian Revolution of 1848 was one of many of the European Revolutions of 1848 and closely linked to other revolutions of 1848 in the Habsburg areas...
, fought on 31 July 1849 between the Hungarian
Hungary
Hungary , officially the Republic of Hungary , is a landlocked country in Central Europe. It is situated in the Carpathian Basin and is bordered by Slovakia to the north, Ukraine and Romania to the east, Serbia and Croatia to the south, Slovenia to the southwest and Austria to the west. The...
revolutionary army supplemented by Polish
Poles
thumb|right|180px|The state flag of [[Poland]] as used by Polish government and diplomatic authoritiesThe Polish people, or Poles , are a nation indigenous to Poland. They are united by the Polish language, which belongs to the historical Lechitic subgroup of West Slavic languages of Central Europe...
volunteers under the command of General Józef Bem
Józef Bem
Józef Zachariasz Bem was a Polish general, an Ottoman Pasha and a national hero of Poland and Hungary, and a figure intertwined with other European nationalisms...
and the Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n V Corps under General Alexander von Lüders
Alexander von Lüders
Count Alexander Nikolajewitsch von Lüders was a Russian general and Namestnik of the Kingdom of Poland.Lüders was born to a German noble family that moved to Russia in the middle of the 18th century...
in ally with the Austrian
Austrian Empire
The Austrian Empire was a modern era successor empire, which was centered on what is today's Austria and which officially lasted from 1804 to 1867. It was followed by the Empire of Austria-Hungary, whose proclamation was a diplomatic move that elevated Hungary's status within the Austrian Empire...
army led by General Eduard Clam-Gallas
Eduard Clam-Gallas
Count Eduard Clam-Gallas was an Austrian General. He was the eldest son of Count Christian Christoph Clam-Gallas , patron of Beethoven, and Countess Josephine Clary-Aldringen .- Career :...
. The battle was won by the Russian-Austrian army and it is presumed that the Hungarian poet and national hero Sándor Petőfi
Sándor Petofi
Sándor Petőfi , was a Hungarian poet and liberal revolutionary. He is considered as Hungary's national poet and he was one of the key figures of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848...
died in the battlefield, though his body was never found.
Hungarian order of battle
Bem had returned to TransylvaniaTransylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
after a sally to Moldavia
Moldavia
Moldavia is a geographic and historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester river...
against Russian forces under the command of General Ustrugov. He prepared an offensive against the Russian army group under General Grotenhjelm. He had to cancel this offensive because he got information that the Lüders, having captured the Vöröstorony pass (now Turnu Roşu
Turnu Rosu
Turnu Roşu is a commune located in Sibiu County, Romania. It is composed of two villages, Sebeşu de Jos and Turnu Roşu....
Pass, Romania) and the city of Nagyszeben (now Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
, Romania), was advancing towards him. Bem knew that a battle against Lüders would be decisive for the campaign in Transylvania
Transylvania
Transylvania is a historical region in the central part of Romania. Bounded on the east and south by the Carpathian mountain range, historical Transylvania extended in the west to the Apuseni Mountains; however, the term sometimes encompasses not only Transylvania proper, but also the historical...
so he decided to concentrate his forces. He sent orders to Colonel Kemény, commander of the Kolozsvár
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade...
(now Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca
Cluj-Napoca , commonly known as Cluj, is the fourth most populous city in Romania and the seat of Cluj County in the northwestern part of the country. Geographically, it is roughly equidistant from Bucharest , Budapest and Belgrade...
) Division, that it was to go to Segesvár (now Sighisoara
Sighisoara
Sighişoara is a city and municipality on the Târnava Mare River in Mureş County, Romania. Located in the historic region Transylvania, Sighişoara has a population of 27,706 ....
, Romania) and support the main Hungarian forces in the fight against the Russian V corps.
The remnants of four Nagyszeben divisions and parts of the Brassó
Brasov
Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania....
(now Brasov
Brasov
Brașov is a city in Romania and the capital of Brașov County.According to the last Romanian census, from 2002, there were 284,596 people living within the city of Brașov, making it the 8th most populated city in Romania....
, Romania) and Háromszék
Háromszék
Háromszék is the name of a historic administrative county of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in central Romania...
(now Trei Scaune, Romania) divisions were to concentrate in Székelykeresztúr
Cristuru Secuiesc
Cristuru Secuiesc is a town in Harghita County, Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania.The town administers two villages:*Beteşti / Betfalva, part of Mugeni until 2004*Filiaş / Fiatfalva- History :...
(now Cristuru Secuiesc
Cristuru Secuiesc
Cristuru Secuiesc is a town in Harghita County, Romania. It lies in the Székely Land, an ethno-cultural region in eastern Transylvania.The town administers two villages:*Beteşti / Betfalva, part of Mugeni until 2004*Filiaş / Fiatfalva- History :...
, Romania), which Bem occupied. Colonel Dobay's group had to move from Felsőrákos (now Racosul de Sus, Romania) across Kőhalom
Rupea
Rupea is a town in Braşov County in Transylvania, Romania. It administers one village, Fișer, which has a fortified church. Older Romanian names for the settlement include Cohalm and Holuma....
(now Rupea
Rupea
Rupea is a town in Braşov County in Transylvania, Romania. It administers one village, Fișer, which has a fortified church. Older Romanian names for the settlement include Cohalm and Holuma....
, Romania) to Székelykeresztúr in order to support the army group. All of these forces under Bem's command added about 10 to 12,000 infantry and cavalry soldiers and more than 30 cannon. However, in the event Bem only had 6,000 soldiers and 12 cannon on the field.
The right wing of the Hungarian army consisted of a battalion
Battalion
A battalion is a military unit of around 300–1,200 soldiers usually consisting of between two and seven companies and typically commanded by either a Lieutenant Colonel or a Colonel...
of infantry with two supporting cannons placed near the road from Udvarhely
Udvarhely
Udvarhely was the name of an administrative county of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in central Romania . The capital of the county was Székelyudvarhely .-Geography:...
(now part of Harghita, Romania) to Fehéregyháza (now Albesti
Albesti, Mures
Albeşti is a commune in Mureş County, Romania. It is composed of nine villages: Albeşti, Bârlibăşoaia, Boiu, Jacu, Şapartoc , Ţopa, Valea Albeştiului, Valea Dăii and Valea Şapartocului....
, in Romania). The Hungarian center included 8 cannons along with cavalry and 4 infantry formations. Two infantry battalions were positioned on the left wing, above the adduction of a stream crossing the road from Segesvár to Fehéregyháza. Reserves were placed about 1000 metre from the front.
Russian order of battle
Lüders had under his command about 12,000 soldiers and 30 cannon. He was worried that an attack by the Hungarian reinforcements would come from a side road to Marosvásárhely (now Târgu Mureş, in Romania), so he defended it with three rifle regiments from ZamośćZamosc
Zamość ukr. Замостя is a town in southeastern Poland with 66,633 inhabitants , situated in the south-western part of Lublin Voivodeship , about from Lublin, from Warsaw and from the border with Ukraine...
, 16 cannon, 5 sapper
Sapper
A sapper, pioneer or combat engineer is a combatant soldier who performs a wide variety of combat engineering duties, typically including, but not limited to, bridge-building, laying or clearing minefields, demolitions, field defences, general construction and building, as well as road and airfield...
battalions, 4 squadrons from Prince de Nassau ulan regiment, one division of horse and a Cossack
Cossack
Cossacks are a group of predominantly East Slavic people who originally were members of democratic, semi-military communities in what is today Ukraine and Southern Russia inhabiting sparsely populated areas and islands in the lower Dnieper and Don basins and who played an important role in the...
squadron. He placed a rifle infantry regiment from Lublin
Lublin
Lublin is the ninth largest city in Poland. It is the capital of Lublin Voivodeship with a population of 350,392 . Lublin is also the largest Polish city east of the Vistula river...
on the route to Udvarhely
Udvarhely
Udvarhely was the name of an administrative county of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in central Romania . The capital of the county was Székelyudvarhely .-Geography:...
, with 5 rifle battalions, 12 cannon, another 4 squadrons of cavalry and 3 squadrons of Cossacks, placing General Engelhardt
Engelhardt
Engelhardt may refer to:*4217 Engelhardt, asteroid, named after geologist Wolf von Engelhardt*Engel'gardt, moon crater, named after astronomer Vasily Engelhardt*Engelhardt Ice Ridge, Antarctic feature, named after geophysicist Hermann Engelhardt...
in command of the group. He positioned a Cossack reconnaissance
Reconnaissance
Reconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
squadron on the route to Fogaras
Fogaras
Fogaras is the name of a historic administrative county of the Kingdom of Hungary. Its territory is presently in central Romania . The capital of the county was Făgăraş .-Geography:...
(now Făgăraş
Fagaras
Făgăraș is a city in central Romania, located in Braşov County . Another source of the name is alleged to derive from the Hungarian language word for "partridge" . A more plausible explanation is that the name is given by Fogaras river coming from the Pecheneg "Fagar šu", which means ash water...
, Romania). The artillery battalion was placed on the route to Medgyes (now Mediaş
Medias
Mediaș is the second largest city in Sibiu County, Transylvania, Romania.-Geographic location:Mediaș is located in the middle basin of Târnava Mare River, at 39 km from Sighișoara and 41 km from Blaj. The health resort Bazna, officially recognized for the first time in 1302, is...
, Romania).
In addition to these forces, Lüders had the support of Austrian allies under General Clam-Gallas. His group, consisting of six infantry battalion, some Cossacks units, and 6 or 8 cannon, was ordered to join forces with V Corps. After getting intelligence at 8 am that Hungarian forces had been seen from the road to Udvarhely, the commander of V Corps ordered his chief of staff (General Skariatin) to prepare to fight the column of General Essaułov. Skariatin moved his column to the ford
Ford (crossing)
A ford is a shallow place with good footing where a river or stream may be crossed by wading or in a vehicle. A ford is mostly a natural phenomenon, in contrast to a low water crossing, which is an artificial bridge that allows crossing a river or stream when water is low.The names of many towns...
across the Segesvár – Fehéregyháza road. He placed 6 cannon, defended by an infantry battalion, on the right side of road. Two more cannon were positioned on the road along with the second battalion. A third battalion established position to the right of the road at the edge of a forest covering Mount Waldenberg. Parts of the fifth battalion were stationed on the peak of that mountain. A left wing, slightly behind the center, was composed of cavalry, cossacks, and a few cannons. Lüders kept 2 infantry battalions and some artillery in reserve.
After observing the Hungarians establish their positions, Lüders was certain that the main attack would come from Marosvásárhely.
Battle
After 10 a.m. Bem began strong artillery fire on the main group of the Russian army and began to advance his left wing. During the fighting, a bullet mortally wounded Skariatin. Command passed to General Iwin. The fighting was fierce for about three hours. At about 2 p.m., Russian resistance on the right wing began to weaken. Iwin sent two companies of the first battalion to reinforce their position. The commander of V Corps ordered the reserve artillery and cavalry to attack the Hungarian right wing, on the other side of the field. Lüders, after getting information that Hungarian reinforcements from Marosvásárhely had not appeared, sent formations to secure that road. After the arrival of the artillery battery and some cavalry units, General Iwin's cavalry begin to encircleEncirclement
Encirclement is a military term for the situation when a force or target is isolated and surrounded by enemy forces. The German term for this is Kesselschlacht ; a comparable English term might be "in the bag"....
the Hungarian right wing. After breaking the Hussars, the Russian cavalry moved around the rear of the Hungarians. The Hungarians begin to retreat to Fehéregyháza as their front collapsed, with the Russians in pursuit. Meanwhile, the column of Colonel Dobanay was defeated by General Clam-Gallas's troops.
Casualties
The Hungarian army took lost about 1,200 men dead, 500 captured, and 8 cannon. Losses to the Russians are not known. Sándor PetőfiSándor Petofi
Sándor Petőfi , was a Hungarian poet and liberal revolutionary. He is considered as Hungary's national poet and he was one of the key figures of the Hungarian Revolution of 1848...
, the Hungarian revolutionary and poet, disappeared in the battle, and is supposed to have died in it.
Aftermath
Hungarian forces withdrew to Marosvásárhely (now Târgu Mureş) where they joined the "Kolozsvár" division, after which they continued to NagyszebenSibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
(now Sibiu
Sibiu
Sibiu is a city in Transylvania, Romania with a population of 154,548. Located some 282 km north-west of Bucharest, the city straddles the Cibin River, a tributary of the river Olt...
). There, Bem won his last victory against Russian General Hasford's group.