Campaigns of the Zaporozhian Cossacks
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Campaigns of the Zaporozhian Cossacks — was campaigns of the Zaporozhian Cossacks on land routes, mainly against the Poles, but also sometimes against the Turks and Tatars.
The Zaporozhian Cossacks, as a social class, were a powerful opposition force capable of fighting not only against the current system, but also against Polish rule and Turkish-Tatar raids.
Causes[edit]
In the late 16th century, Ukrainian lands were in a difficult situation. The expansion of Poland led to the loss of the remnants of Ukrainian statehood. The constant threat of attacks from Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate encouraged the struggle. It was at this time that the Cossacks emerged as a leading stratum of Ukrainian society. The Cossacks' military skills increased, which facilitated military campaigns.
Organisation of campaigns[edit]
The campaigns were organised mainly in the spring. This was due to the appearance of green vegetation, which provided a natural camouflage effect. It was in the spring that the number of Cossacks increased, using newcomers and fugitives from all over Ukraine. The organisation of the campaign began with the saluting of the cannons located in the Sich. Further actions included sending envoys to all parts of the Zaporozhian liberties.
By their nature, the campaigns can be classified as defensive and offensive. In the case of the former, the Cossacks gathered very quickly to repel an attack and seize the spoils. In the case of the offensive campaign, which was planned as a large-scale military campaign, the Zaporozhian Cossacks used the help of Cossacks from Ukraine. The Zaporozhian officers sent envoys to Ukrainian cities to recruit as many people as possible to participate in the campaign. Recruiters did this mainly at bazaars and fairs. They would climb onto carts and shout loudly:
"Whoever wants to be put on a stake, whoever wants to be quartered, drawn and quartered, whoever is ready to suffer all kinds of torment for the Holy Cross, whoever is not afraid of death - join us![1]. This campaigning work yielded positive results. Subsequently, organisational actions were transferred to the Zaporozhian Sich, where the foreman convened a Cossack council that determined the specifics of planning the campaign itself. After that, the Cossacks dispersed to kurens, slobodas, and winter quarters to provide weapons, food, and prepare carts and horses. If all the organisational aspects were completed, the Cossacks would proceed to the campaign.
Preparation[edit]
The Cossack army was divided into infantry, cavalry and artillery. The Cossack infantry was known for its skill in Europe. This type of army was lined up in three ranks. The first one fired, the second one served,[clarification needed] and the third one loaded the guns. Infantry was more numerous than cavalry. During campaigns, the cavalry formed a semicircle, the so-called "lava", which allowed them to attack the enemy not only along the front line but also from the flanks. The Cossacks' weapons were sabers, spears, muskets, pistols, rifles, war hammers, anchors, and hornets. When loading firearms, the Cossacks were covered by archers. The bow shot much faster than the rifle of the time.
All the firearms and cold steel used by the Cossacks were partly their own and partly made by others. Cold weapons were most often made in the Sich... The Cossacks also had a lot of mobile guns.[citation needed]
Every Cossack had an axe, a shovel, a scythe, and ropes. This equipment was used during the construction of fortifications. They transported this equipment, as well as food, ammunition, forage, and the wounded on carts. Guns were carried on separate carts. Blacksmiths, cooks, locksmiths, i.e. all those who had to provide for the needs of the army, were preparing for the campaign. For orientation on the terrain, they used the Nuremberg square, which was a substitute for a compass.
Tactics[edit]
The Cossack army had its own marching order, which met all the norms of the military system of the time. A Standard-bearer with a Cossack flag was in the lead. Behind him was the kish otaman. In the Sich, the otaman remained in charge during the campaign. The Cossack reconnaissance detachment moved first. The cavalry followed. The main forces followed the advanced detachment at a distance of 11-15 kilometres. Watch patrols were sent in all directions from the camp. The tactical reconnaissance was to meet or overtake the enemy, using the way of reconnaissance by combat, to stop him or delay him until the main forces arrived. Such tactical reconnaissance was used by Bohdan Khmelnytsky in the battles of Zhovti Vody and near Korsun (1648). During the campaign, the Cossacks tried to remain unnoticed as long as possible. It was forbidden for the Cossacks to light fires or smoke pipes. They were allowed to speak in a half-whisper. Horses' muzzles were wrapped with belts, ropes, and scarves. The cavalry was in the centre of the battle formation, lined up in three or four lines. Infantry was placed on the flanks. Light guns were placed between individual infantry units.
As for the way of warfare on land, the Cossacks are better infantrymen than cavalrymen; they are hardy and tireless, obey their leaders with extraordinary skill in earthworks and fortifications, not only with the help of shanties but also with carts on the march. They are so strong behind these mobile fortifications, which are essential in the desolate steppes where the Tatars come up every now and then, that a thousand Cossacks, protected in this way, resist thousands of infidels who do not dismount at all and are delayed by any ditch or slightest obstacle...[2]
The Cossacks often used the camp tactic during their overland campaigns. It was used both for the advancement of troops and for offensive or defensive purposes. It was shaped like a rectangle. The camp was made up of several rows of carts fastened with iron chains wheel to wheel. The spikes were raised upwards. Inside, a fortified space was formed between the carts, which looked like an impregnable fortress. Cannons were placed in the corners, so the infantry was fully fortified. Sometimes the Cossacks made ditches, ramparts, and wolf pits around the camp. It was thanks to the well-regulated tactics that the Cossacks' campaigns ended in victory.
References[edit]
Literature[edit]
- Mytsyk Y. A. et al. How the Cossacks fought: Historical stories about the Ukrainian Cossacks. - Dnipropetrovs'k, 1990. - P.111
- Yavornytskyi D.I. History of Zaporizhzhia Cossacks. Lviv, 1990.
- Kosenko L. O. Cossacks: Knightly Order of Ukraine: Facts. Myths. Коментарі.-Х,2007.-С.305-308
- History of Ukraine: Textbook for the 8th grade of secondary school.
- Chevalier P. History of the Cossacks' war against Poland.
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