"Your majesty! If yours Emperors majesty thinks, that my regiment do not know very well how to put on and take off the bayonets, than surely it know hot to form it in attack!"
from diary of col. J. Szymanowski, commander of 2nd reg. of inf. between 1812 and 1814

HISTORY

2nd regiment of infantry is one of the best regiments of napoleonic époque. It was formed in spring 1807 and several months later it took part in siege of Grudziądz and fights in Mazurian region. During the 1809 the regiment was defending Raszyn against the Austrians, fought at Jedlińsk and Wrzawy, but the highest fame it gained conquering in night storm the Zamość. This merits were appreciated by the Prince Józef Poniatowski, who decided to give to it the role of his guard regiment. In campaign of 1812 the regiment stormed Smoleńsk, was fighting at Możajsk and gained Moscow. Than at Berezyna battle it covered the retreat of napoleonic troops. Despite the big lost it did not loose its flag and returned from Russia as compacted unit. Then the regiment was reconstructed and fought in 1813 at Lipsk, Hannau and other places. Then with the Great Army it retreated to France, where it was joined into Vistula Regiment and Regiment of Lanciers of Imperial Guard fighting in their lines up to the abdication of the Napoleon.
2nd regiment of infantry was for the Prince Józef Poniatowski favorite one. It was formed in Warsaw. On the 15th of march 1807 it was organized battalion of 900 men and under command of Franciszek Żymirski, former legionnaire set out from Warsaw towards to Grudziądz. Second battalion set out from the Capital to Serock on 8th of may 1807. 2nd battalion of 2nd regiment lost in the siege of Grudziądz up to the 30th of June 14 soldiers and 50 wounded.
On the 3rd may of 1807 in the garden of the Palace of Polish Republic (nowadays Palace of Krasińscy family) in Warsaw 1st battalion of the 2nd regiment received "regimental eagle" for the whole regiment. On the new flag the soldiers gfave the military promises, that was finished by words: "... till there will be some health among us we will never lose our flags".
In the day-order of 13th of may Prince Józef Poniatowski gave to the 2nd regiment of infantry such a praises: "I fulfill the most pleasant my duty to proclaim my enjoy and public appreciation to noble Stanisław Potocki, colonel of 2nd regiment of 1st legion ... and to all his subordinates for the given proofs of the bravery and consciousness ... and devotion to the motherland proofed from the times of crossing Narew river, and especially in today defense against the more numerous enemy".
On the 3rd of august 1807 2nd regiment returned to Warsaw and set its camp on Marymont. Then it was moved to Modlin in purpose of digging the moats and strewing the ramparts. Then regiment returned to Warsaw, where on the 6th of February 1808 it received from hands of Prince Józef Poniatowski several crosses of military merit. On 8th of march the regiment moved to Płock.Up to the 20th of may 1809 two first battalions were distinguished themselves at the conquering of Zamość - especially captain Daine, who on the front of the campaign was first inside the stronghold and captured austrian colonel Pulszky. Beside that in the day-order there were distinguished also colonel Stanisław Potocki, chef of battalion Hilary Krasiński, captains Daine and Junga. After the conquering the stronghold one of the battalions stayed there as garrison.
In the beginning of the june third battalion of around 700 men was under the orders of general Zajączek in Warsaw. On the 8th of June there were also joined battalion formed in Trześnia, that was composed by the Galician recruits from Lublin. Several times troops of 2nd regiment took part on 11th in fights at Jankowice and Jedlińsk, on 11th of june in battle at Wrzawy, where Prince Józef Poniatowski himself stood on the front of one of the battalions of 2nd regiment. In this battle there was awarded colonel Stanisław Potocki.
In the end of the 1809 2nd regiment was ordered to stay for winter in Warsaw, where it arrived by the triumphant arch on 19th of December. On the 9th of april the regiment left Warsaw with the 8th and 6th regiments. At this set off the regiments received from the prefect of Departament of Warsaw opinion of the significant behavior: "...Memory of brave deeds ... understood together with quiet behavior and relations full of brotherhood created to all of them public respect and love, that I find as unusual duty to proclaim my gratitude to officers of those regiments and whole corps of dignified officers for their praiseworthy efforts in purpose to keep military discipline and good behavior of subordinate to them soldiers".
In campaign 1812 2nd regiment distinguished itself especially at conquering Smoleńsk in 17th of august. In the front of company of grenadiers there died general Grabowski, who first reached the bridge banks. Died were also colonel Gaward, captains: Dębiński, Faleński, Kosiński, Dekiert, Zawadzki. Among many others there was wounded also the chef of the regiment colonel Kurkowiecki. Then the regiment fought with bravery on 5th and 7th of September at Możajsk, on 29th at Czerykow, on 18th at Woronow. At that last battle the regiment was commanded by the chef of battalion Hoffman.
On the December of 1812 the regiment reorganized itself in Kalisz (Calisia in Great-Poland region) with other remainings of other regiments. On the 13th of February 1813 colonel Szymanowski with some soldiers of 2nd regiment was defending Tyniec nearby to Kalisz. Fighting against the much more numerous enemy it gave the time to evacuate from Kalisz all that could have been robbed by Russians.
In April there was new reorganization of regiment in Wetzlar. Regiment had at that time two battalions of 450 people and belonged to the corps od general Dąbrowski. It took part in the battles at Reichenbach, Wittenberg. One battalion that was sent under the command of marchal Ney fought on 6th of September at Dennewitz. Regiment distinguished itself at conquering the Koswig and bridges in Roslau. In battle of Lipsk it fought defending with bravery the "Halle gate".
The state of the regiment of 14th of November 1814 was as follows: 1 colonel, 1 major, 3 lieutnant-collonels, 23 captains, 23 lieutenants, 97 lower officers and 561 soldiers. In total it was 74 officers and 658 lower officers and soldiers.

(It was prepared on the base of work of Bronisław Gembarzewski: "Polish Army, Duchy of Warsaw 1807-1814").

CONTEMPORARY ACTIVITY

Warsaw
2ND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY OF DUCHY OF WARSAW - 1ST BATTALION
Reaching the napoleonic tradition on the spring of 1998 the group of the amateurs created the historiacal troop basing on the history of Army of Duchy of Warsaw. By now there are companies: of riflemen, fusiliers and grenadiers, and beside that also a group of vivanders and markietans recruiting from our friends. We had in our disposal replics of uniforms, equipment, and weapons. Our regiment has also in its disposal camp equipment with tents among it.
Our troop would like to continue the traditions of the regiment of infantry, elite unit, one of the most valiant in our history and at the same time formed in our family town - Warsaw. We realize that by the taking part in displaying of the historical battles and fights, taking part in the meeting which popularize napoleonic époque and cooperation with similar association in Poland and abroad. Our regiment is a part of the "7th Division of X Corps of Grand Army". We are present in Warsaw and Gdańsk.
From the 2002 thanks to the kind help of the National Archeological Museum in Warsaw our seat in Arsenal of Warsaw. WE INVITE TO COOPERATION. OUR MEETINGS ARE HELD EVERY 4 SUNDAYS IN ARSENAL, DŁUGA 52 STREET, GATE ENTRANCE FROM BANKOWY PLACE.

by Przemek Decewicz

Gdańsk
2ND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY OF DUCHY OF WARSAW, 2ND BATTALION, 4TH COMPANY OF FUSSILIERS

Group of the historical display from Gdańsk cultivate the honourable military traditions of the 2nd Regiment of Infantry, that was beloved one of the Prince Józef Poniatowski. Our regiment march past the Pruss, Duchy of Warsaw, Austria, Russia, Germany and France as the soldiers of infantry of that time. In every twoo weeks the members of the company meet each either in Stronghold of Wisłoujście nearby Westerplatte or in Fort Grodzisko of Gdańsk. On our meetings we discuss the organizing problems, we learn the drill and usage of the weapon on the base of the regulations from that époque. We also discuss the plans of the taking part in the reenacting events, we share the knowledge from the napoleonic époque and military art of that time. Thanks to the historical sources and by the cooperation with the professions such as: tailor, saddler or shoemaker we also let know the production of the uniforms, equipment, endowment and elements of weapons of the soldier of that époque. Thanks to this skills we supply other groups from Poland and from abroad. Thanks to this the recruits of the Gdańsk had much more simple way of access, as all the secrets of the uniform and equipment are known for us.
Around thirty times per year our troop took part in the historical display of the battles in historical places in the area of the Poland, Germany, Russia, Byalorussia, Lithuania, Czech and France, that are mostly preceded by the bivouacs. We live in the tents, we sleep on the strawmat covered by overcoat, we eat from the kettle, in which we cook ourselves. Camp life is much more colorful thanks to the markieetans, that take care about us or perform the trading. During our expeditions on historical display events we meet other reenacting groups. We share our experiences, we go along the rhythm of drums to battle and then sitting by the fire we sing military songs of that time. During the expeditions there are set new relationships and friendships between the soldiers, that works further.
As the effect of several years of activity we are also recognized abroad. Moreover it could be said that we deserved for the stable renown. Thanks to this we receive year by year more and more invitations for the historical display events of napoleonic époque. There is also in Poland organized more and more events, that memorize bravery of soldiers of Duchy of Warsaw. Up to now the 4th company of 2nd battalion of 2nd regiment glorified the name at Pułtusk and Prussian Iława, at the dams of Raszyn and fields at Lipsk, at the banks of Berezyna and at Boulogne in France, in defense of stronghold Modlin and siege of stronghold Gdańsk, and many other fights. By the participation of regimental service our members realize their interests in history and military art. They also gather to the regiment so that to spent pleasant time among the people, who receive similar waves.

by Piotr Zawada

OUR BATTLES ROUTE

Our troops took part in the following events:

1. 1999 - display of the battle at Katzbach (Kaczawa)
2. 2000 - Marengo - historical display of the battle 14.VI.1800.
3. 2000 - Gdańsk - historical display of the siege of stronghold 1807
4. 2001 - Lutzen - historical display of the battle 2.V.1813
5. 2001 - Ostrołęka - historical display of the battle 26.V.1831
6. 2001 - Kłajpeda - napoleonic bivouac
7. 2001 - Ciechanów - napoleonic bivouac, historical display of the battle
8. 2001 - Lipsk - historical display of the battle 16-19.X.1813
9. 2001 - Pułtusk - historical display of the battle 26.XII.1806
10. 2002 - Raszyn - fest of anniversary and historical display of the battle 19.IV.1809
11. 2002 - Kowno
12. 2002 - Lipsk - historical display of the battle 16-19.X.1813
13. 2002 - Berezyna - historical display of the battle
14. 2002 - Pułtusk - historical display of the battle 26.XII.1806
15. 2003 - Raszyn - fest of anniversary and historical display of the battle 19.IV.1809
16. 2003 - Grossgorschen - bivouac, historical display of the battle 2.V.1813
17. 2003 - Ostrołęka - historical display of the battle 26.V.1831
18. 2003 - Finckelstein - Kamieniec Suski - Camp of the Great Army 1807
19. 2003 - Ciechanów - napoleonic bivouac, historical display of the battle
20. 2003 - Dennewitz - bivouac and historical display of the battle 6.X.1813
21. 2003 - Pułtusk - historical display of the battle 26.XII.1806
22. 2004 - Grossgorschen - bivouac, historical display of the battle 2.V.1813
23. 2004 - Warsaw - fest of Constitution of Polish Kingdom of 3rd may
24. 2004 - Ostrołęka - historical display of the battle 26.V.1831
25. 2004 - Finckelstein - Kamieniec Suski - Camp of the Great Army 1807
26. 2004 - Modlin - siege of the stronghold 1813 - historical display of the battle
27. 2004 - Sobótka - 10th anniversary of foundation of the 1st regiment of the cheval riflemen - napoleonic bivouac
28. 2004 - Boulogne - Camp of the Great Army, historical display of the battle,
29. 2004 - Krąg - napoleonic bivouac, historical display of the battle
30. 2004 - La Coruna - napoleonic bivouac, historical display of the battle 1809
31. 2004 - Ciechanów - napoleonic bivouac, historical display of the battle
32. 2004 - Warsaw - historical display of the November Uprise of 1830
33. 2005 - Pułtusk - historical display of the battle 26.XII.1806
34. 2005 - Warsaw - historical display at the Olszynka Grochowska 25.II.1831
35. 2005 - Gdańsk - napoleonic bivouac, siege of the stronghold 1807.
36. 2005 - Gdańsk and Warsaw - fest of the fest of Constitution of Polish Kingdom of 3rd may
37. 2005 - Raszyn - historical display of the battle 19.IV.1809

by Przemek Decewicz, Piotr Zawada
Translation: Scout

More: www.poniatowski.org.pl