# Moldavian campaign (1691)

In 1691, the Polish king, Jan III, launched his final campaign against Moldavia. The Polish campaign initially achieved success, capturing some Moldavian fortresses. The Polish failed to assimilate the Moldavians, and the campaign ultimately failed. The campaign of 1691 marked the end of the military career of Jan III.

## Background

Following a little participation from Poland in the war for some years, the Polish king, Jan III, decided to turn to Austria again. Austria demanded that Poland focus on capturing Kamenets, as the Danube would belong to the Habsburgs; however, in November 1690, the Habsburgs changed their mind and allowed the Poles to occupy Moldavia but granted Wallachia to Austria. In April 1691, the Senate granted the king ratification for another campaign in Moldavia. The Poles assembled an army of 28,000 to 30,000 men.

## Campaign

In late August, the king undertook his campaign. The king initially achieved success, he managed to capture Soroca and Suceava and routed a detachment of Ottoman-Crimean forces on September 13 near Pererîta. The Polish king issued a manifesto stating:
   For the second time, we are not going to this land for another, but only to give our hand and salvation to these countries, which belong to faith, unity, and Christian community and have fallen under the domination of the filthy against their will.
However, the Moldavian prince, Constantin Cantemir, refused to ally with the Poles. Constantin called the Moldavians to resist the Polish king, remained loyal to the Ottomans, and called for help. The Polish army was poorly supplied and lacked food. The Poles marched to Neamț and captured it on October 14. The Poles expected the Austrians, who had promised them help and reinforcements; however, no help arrived. The Ottoman and Crimean armies avoided open battles but exhausted the Polish army with constant attacks. Moldavians also joined the Ottomans in their attacks. Seeing no help coming, the shortage of supplies, and the constant attacks by the enemy prompted the king to retreat to his homeland. The Polish army crossed the borders in late October.

## Aftermath

The king's plans were ultimately unsuccessful in another Moldavian campaign. Even though Soroca and Neamt had been taken, the 1691 campaign could not be considered a great success. It was Jan III Sobieski's final military campaign as a leader. The ailing monarch never again mounted a horse or put on armor. In his final years, he failed to lead the Republic forces to great victories, which he did not accomplish either.
In the meantime, the nation's disapproval of the continuing conflict grew steadily more widespread. The gentry's desire for peace prevented many people from accepting John III's plans for Moldavia and Wallachia; instead, they were viewed as Sobieski's dynastic interests rather than those of the state. All that remained agreed upon were measures that would help restore the lands lost to Poland in 1672. The nation's perception of the king gradually started to shift as the losses grew.
The old and sick king was losing more and more energy, and Queen Marie Casimire Sobieska took the helm of government from his weakening hands. Poland's military and diplomatic activity fell sharply, while others collected the fruits of the Viennese victory.