battle of cecora

Battle of Cecora (also known as Battle of Tutora) was battle between Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth and Ottoman's forces (Turks and Tatars) from 17 September 1620 to 7 October in Moldova near Prut river.

Prelude to battle

Following the failure of Commonwealth diplomatic mission to Istanbul, and violations of the Treaty of Busza by both sides (as Cossacks and Tatars continued their raids across the borders), relations between the the Ottomans and the Commonwealth plummeted in early 1620. Both sides begin preparing for war. Neither side was ready for a war in 1620. Ottomans planned a war in 1621, and Commonwealth Sejm denied most funds the hetmans asked for the coming war. Senate's (upper chamber of Sejm) secret council finally decided (convinced by Habsburg's representative), to send the Commonwealth forces in 1620, even though many members of the Sejm thought that Polish forces were not sufficient and ready. Hetman Stanisław Żlkiewski, who was then over 70 years old (Commonwealth policy didn't allow for a possibility of forced retirement from government offices like hetman), foreseeing the coming confrontation with Ottoman Empire decided to meet their troops on somebody's else soil and Moldavia was chosen as the battlegroubnd¹. Hetmana Zlkiewski and Stanisław Koniecpolski lead the army to Cecora to fight against the horde of Kantymir. The army numbered over 10,000 (2,000 infantry and almost no Cossaks cavalry) and many regiments were made up of the private forces of magnates Koreccy, Zasławscy, Kazanowscy, Kalinowscy and Potoccy's. The army entered Moldavia in September. Moldavian ruler, hospodar Gaspar Grazziani,nominally vassal of the Ottoman Empire, decided to support the Commonwealth against the Ottomans. Gabor killed janissaries soldiers in Jassy, put Ottoman envoys into prison (sultan Osman II requested his arrival to Istanbul) and wanted to flee, but forced by Żłkiewski arrived at his camp. However many of Moldavian nobles dispersed to defend their own estates against pillaging of undisciplined Commonwealth magnates' troops, other decided to wait and join the winning aside and only a few hundred (600-1000) of Moldavian supporters appeared in the Commonwealth camp. Złkiewksi ordered the army to proceed to the fortified camp (remaining from previous wars) at Cecora (at river Prut).

The battle

On the 17th September, near Cecora, the Commonwealth army encountered the Tatar and Ottoman forces (13000-22000), which were send by Ottoman sultan to help Gabor in his struggle against Habsburg. The Tatar force surprised Commonwealth defenders and took many prsoners. During the first day of fight (18th), most of Moldavians decided to change sides and attacked Polish flank. Mercenaries and private troops (and their leaders magnates) were not disciplined and had low morale from beginning, their morale soon started to plummet down. Stanisław Koniecpolski commanded the right flank of the Commonwealth forces during the battle. On 19th September it was apparent that the Polish forces were defeated, but were able to hold out. Koniecpolski stopped the army from desintegrating on 20/21st September. On 29th of September Commonwealth forces has broken through Ottoman ranks with tabor wagon train and started retreat. However, after Grazziani bribed some magnates, units of private troops begun to flee and some mercenary cavalry panicked and run away. This was a prelude on things to come. Consecutive attacks during retreat were repelled (e.g. big one on 3rd of October) but while approaching the river and the Polish border the remains of discipline melted. During another big assault on the 6th of October most of magnates and nobles started to flee leaving infantry and camp (Commonwealth border was near, however on the other bank of Dniest river). Thus, they sealed fate of the whole expedition: most of Polish troops were killed or captured. In the ensuing battle Żlkiewski was killed and Koniecpolski and many others (Samuel Korecki, Mikolaj Struś, Mikołaj Potocki, Jan Żłkiewski, Łukasz Żołkiewski), Stanisław "Rewera" Potocki and Bohdan Khmelntisky) were taken captive. Żłkiewski's head on a pike was sent to the sultan, duke Korecki, often meddling in Moldavia, was soon murdered in the Istanbul prison. Seeing such a great victory, with strong support of grand vizier Ali pasha and Bethlen Gabor, Osman II decided that he could crash giaurs and extend his rule to Baltic (or at least take the whole Ukraine from Poland). Sultan nominated another ruler of Moldavia, as Grazziani died during his flight on 29th of September.

Notes

There are several accounts that Żłkiewski was sent to relieve Habsburgs from the beginning and Iskander pasha during his talks with Żłkiewski at Cecora confirmed that was sent to support Gabor, not to fight with Commonwealth.

Battle Of Cecora

Prelude to battle

The battle

Notes

See also