Siege of Bar (1648)

Siege of Bar
Part of the Khmelnytsky Uprising
Date4 August 1648
Location
Bar, Bracław Voivodeship, Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Result Cossack victory
Belligerents
Zaporozhian Cossacks Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Commanders and leaders
Maksym Kryvonis Andrzej Potocki Surrendered
Strength
10,000[1]
Unspecified number of siege towers and cannons		 14,000+[1]
200 dragoons[2]
c. 17 cannons[3]
Casualties and losses
Light Entire garrison surrendered

The Siege of Bar took place on 4 August 1648 between the Zaporozhian Cossacks and the Polish–Lithuanian garrison of the Bar fortress, during which Cossack colonel Maksym Kryvonis laid a siege on the fortress, capturing the fortress with its garrison.[2]

Prelude

Bar fortress became an important defense point during the Uprising.[4][5] In February 1648, Crown army initially performed well against the Cossack rebels in Podolia, with Bar serving as the main stronghold of Andrzej Potocki in this region. However, Crown army eventually begun to suffer setbacks.[6] Bohdan Khmelnytsky sent Cossack colonel Maksym Kryvonis with the goal of capturing it. Even before the siege took place, city residents already had a visible dissatisfaction with Polish authorities of the city.[5]

Siege

Kryvonis with his 10,000 Cossacks contacted the city residents, which he planned to collaborate with in order to capture the city.[1] Broniewski was a commander of the Bar garrison, but he deserted and Polish hetman Andrzej Potocki had to take over his place.[5] Potocki was amused at the level of desertion among Crown army, who abandoned heavily fortified places like Bar due to the fear of Cossacks.[7] Kryvonis had 50 cannons at his disposal which he used to shell the fortress.[1] Another reason for such high level of desertion would be the disloyalty of Ruthenian population, who were also recorded to have defected to Cossacks.[8] Kryvonis was preparing to carry out his plan to break into the fortress.[5] Cossacks built siege towers for besieging the fortress, which were described as: "float shots from demolished houses and manors, as well as vataygorods."[9]


After damaging the fortress with cannon fire and Kryvonis successfully executing his plan, with assistance of the city residents, Cossacks managed to break into the fortress.[5][1] Bar garrison suffered heavy losses and eventually surrendered to Cossacks.[4] Cossacks captured 14,000 troops during this siege, among which were many high-ranking commanders and Polish hetmans.[1] Andrzej Potocki himself was captured. Cossacks didn't keep their promise of mercy made during the surrender agreement, executing some Polish prisoners.[4][2] Capture of the city was also accompanied by massacres of Polish, Jewish and Ruthenian civilians suspected of sympathizing with Poland-Lithuania.[10]

Aftermath

Cossacks captured Bar fortress. This was a major defeat for Crown army that severely undermined their morale and gave Cossacks a greater control over Podolia. This was especially visible in Kamieniec fortress, whose garrison experienced low morale.[8] A year later, another siege of Bar fortress took place, undertaken by Piotr Potocki against Cossack garrison.[4]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f "Пам'ятки історії та культури". www.bar-library.com. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  2. ^ a b c Artur Goszczyński (2021). Ucieczki ludności cywilnej z południowo, p. 291.
  3. ^ Wojciech Kucharski (2015). Rozważania nad artylerią kozacką w latach 1648-1649, p. 10.
  4. ^ a b c d Maciej Dębski (4 August 2022). "Bar wzięty!". cai24.pl. Retrieved 1 January 2025.
  5. ^ a b c d e "Три цікаві історичні події Бара в ілюстраціях Сергія Мірчука". barnews.city. 20 June 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2024.
  6. ^ Wojciech Kucharski (2015). Rozbicie armii koronnej w działaniach wojennych 1648 r., p. 62.
  7. ^ Artur Goszczyński (2021). Ucieczki ludności cywilnej z południowo, p. 288.
  8. ^ a b Śliwińska-Słomska, Izabela (2021). Sytuacja wewnętrzna w Kamieńcu Podolskim w lecie 1648, p. 81.
  9. ^ Jacek Komuda (14 June 2023). "Sztuka oblężnicza Kozaków". wielkahistoria.pl. Retrieved 2 January 2025.
  10. ^ Wawrzyniec Jan Rudawsk (2010). Historja Polska Od Śmierci Władysława IV Aż Do Pokoju Oliwskiego, Volume 1. Nabu Press. p. 38. ISBN 978-1142612269.