Polacy pod Gettysburgiem

Abstract

The article attempted to present the Polish participation in one of the most important battles in the United States history, namely a three-day combat at Gettysburg (July 1st to 3rd, 1863). The military actions of the XI Corps of the Potomac Army constitute the core of the presentation. The corps consisted of the biggest number of emigrants from the Vistula and Warta region in Poland. The Polish Legion, formed by Włodzimierz Bonawentura Krzyżanowski, Fryderyk Chopin’s cousin, in 1861 was one of the regiments of this federal unit. The dignified attitude of Krzyżanowskie veterans at two vital stages of the battle, namely July 1st, during the retreat of the federal army towards the hills to the south of the town, and during the lights at the Cemetery Hill in the evening of the next day, is noteworthy because of the widespread although unjust accusations of cowardice addressed to “Germans” (“Dutchmen”) from the XI Corps. Poles ćoułd also be found among Confederates although their number was smaljer there. Two Louisiana regiments (14 and 15), which constituted part of General E. Johnson’s Confederate division taking part in the Gettysburg battle was also known as the Polish Brigade.