Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-07-01
Affairs Of prussian Poland.

recent sanguinary battles in Prussan Poland,
from the London correspondence of the n.
Y. Herald, brought over by the Hibernia.
These Poles fight like very tigers. There
IS probably no more courageous race IN
all Europe. But subsequent news (hy the
United States) would indicate that they have
been compelled to yield, tor Posen Is now
incorporated in Germany:
The first battle took place at Xionz, on
the 29th of April. A body of 1000 Poles
under Dombrowski, fortified themselves
within the Town, and bid defiance TO the
summons of the Prussian General 10 lay
down their arms. A sanguinary conflict
ensue,, in which 900 Poles were slain, and
ZOO made prisoners. The number killed on
the PruSsian side was equally great. The
town was DESTROYED hv fire. Gen. Hlumeu,
! who commanded the Prussians then advan-
ced upon Milosluu, where Meroslawski
had enfrenched himself with u considerable
party of cavalry aud infantry. Attera fierce
contest, the PrusSans, though infinitely SUI
perior in numbers, were driven hack with
considerable loss; so of them went over to
the Poles. &
4 The following extracts viii give faith
full account of the scenes of bloodshed that
/ have since ensued. AtNionz, the Poles were
about 700 in number. On Saturday, the
29.h ult., this handful of men were attacked
/ hy COCO Prussans The struggle was ter
rible. 1t lasted four hours. Three times
the PruSsiau huSsars and cuirassers were
repelIed with great loss. At length the
Prussians unma>ked their srtillery, and a
fearful carnage ensued Three hundred
Poles remained ON the fell, the remainder
retrcated towards Move Miasto. The town
of Xionz changed into heap of ashes
Major DomhrowSki, who commanded the
camp, had his jaw shattered by shot, an-
other ball deprived him of an eye, and yet
he continued still TO fight, until third shot
struck him in the chest. The engagement
I'M MiIoSlau was attended with still greater
loss of life, and was marked by deeds of des-
perate bravery and heroism beyond all par
allel. even IN the annals Of Polish history.
The prnSsians had 10000 men, with IL
pieces of artillery; Mieroslawski only 200
men, mostly armed with scythes. During
the fight, the Polish ranks Were strengthen
ed by detachmentS which arrived from
pleshen. Three times the town was taken
by the PruSsianS, and three times they were
driven from it. .9fler eight hours Of muir
derous fighting, tie Poles remained masters
of The field, and the Prussiaa cavalry fed
Nth such precipitation, that IL broke the
ranks ofthe tnfanirY. The Prussians have
Iretreaied towards Schroda. Gen. Colnnb
has concentrated $4,000, aud is on the point
of renewing the attack on the small band oil
Mierosawski Large numbers have de-
serted from the Prussian ranks to the Poles.
There is no doubt Of the Poles being de-
Itermined either to fall, or TO Obtain a faith
fu observance of the treaty They are all
unanimous. Even the Archbishop of Posen,
who has been reported as having blamed
the clergy for their interference, has now,
on the contrary, issued a manifesto, in which
he insists upon their duty TO guard their
flocks against the insidions practices of the
PrusSians. The Poles deny that any bar
bartties had been committed By the peasants.
On the contrary, they praise their forbear-
lance and good behavior whilst they retort
the charge Of the murders and excesses per-
petrated, on The soldiefy. The other day a
prussan sergeant accompanied by ten hus-
Isars. entered the house Of Count Sadowslsi,
who. at the great trial nj Berlin, had been
lcondemed to death, and after being after
wards liberated, lived quietly on bis estate.
Are YOU Sadowski who was condemned
TO denthi" asked the sergeant, aud, on re-
lceiving answer in the affirmative, he fred
n pistol at his head. aud laid him dead at
his feet. Such conduct on the part Of the
military, would explain, if it could not ex-
cusc. the atrocities which the Germans at
tribute to the peasants.
Since the fall of Xionz, the prussians
have een beat in every skirnish. The
tactics Of Mierosawski are peculiar, and
puzzle the Prussian leaders al the sgme
/ time that they strike terror into the soldiery,
who are awed by the daring courage of the
Poles and the wild advances of the scythe-
men. The latter advance whetting their
scythes. until they are close on the enemy,
with an energy that sends sparks from the
steel. and singing chorus the well known
national air, Noch isl Pollen nicM UetoreH. ,
They keep step To the air, and Oh the first
voIIey of the PrusSiau troops. they fall on
one knee, and then suddenly rising, rush
irnpetuuuSly on the foe. This struggle for
the liberty which they had hoped from Ger
many. will be war of determination. -
Thiriy-<ix pieces Of heavy artillery and nu-
merous field batteries are on the road, ac-
companied by grenades and rockets TO ear
~ un the slaughter. On the evening of the
9th, heavy firing was heard 10 the neighl'or-
hood Of Wimario, which fort, as well as
Fort Willa, fired guns at intervals. At
eleven O'Clock the rappet was beaten IN the
streets Of Po-cn a. IL was reported that the
scyihemen were advancing on the town.
The call to arms issued by Miero>lawski,
says The Colongne Gazette, has been uni
versally responded to. The towns and VII
lagos are deserted by all capable Of hearing
arms, and left TO the care Of old men, wo-
men and children. The Poles have 80 head
quarters, bot keep constantly moving. In
the last encounter with Gen. Hirscbfield,
they fought with disregard Of death that
was wonderful. Although they WERE expo
sed to a raking fire from a battery Of four
gun. loaded with grape, and finally 10 the
terrihle cnrnnge Of .hrapnelI shells and gren-