Text that is published below is the part of work "Honorable code of officers of Army of Duchy of Warsaw", that was written by Unclean to reach diploma of master of science. As an intention of author the elements of scientific exploration methods as questions of sources, information mentioned in post scripted notes will be on request published in forum. All the questions about Uniwersity, promoting person and criticizing person please put directly to unclean0@poczta.onet.pl. I invite to discuss essential problems in our forum. I am thankful both to the persons that created forum and to the participants of forum in realization of work.

Unclean          

  Reasons of behavior of officers of Army of Duchy of Warsaw were various. It was result either of variety tasks that were given them to fulfill or situation in real life that officers were faced with or finally individual human`s features differences, individual character features and upbringing. Nevertheless it is possible to systematize all these factors. Sociological and psychological researches that were lead during the Iind world war in USA Army indicates the list of following reasons of behavior:

• sense of duty,
  
• individual proud and self estimation,
  
• ideological reasons,
  
• sense of solidarity in group (friendship, giving example),
  
• will of survival,
  
• revenge, anger,
  

However we can not surely confirm if leading such a research might have brought related solutions we can put risky statement. For such social group as consisted with soldiers solutions of such a research may be related. In this point it is necessary to give a question. Is it possible to link the reasons of behavior with the sense of honor? Can we recognize the honor as next feature, that have an influence on the behavior of soldier? In my opinion at the same time it can be and it can not be recognized. Honor treated as an independent value and inspiration of behavior it can exist as independent feature that defines the following types of behavior: sense of duty, individual proud and self-estimation, solidarity in the group, patriotism. In a meaning of this work it can not be examined in sense neither of personal nor national honor.
Above described motives were created by more other factors such as: will of survival, revenge, usual human fear and various human feelings, that were obviously important integral part of soldier’s behaviors. It is necessary to point out, that in this place honorable code both solved dilemmas and decided about the choice of proper behavior. Both honor in our meaning and honorable code participated in creation of consciousness of officers of Duchy of Warsaw. It was not an empty word. It was the point that determined whole life of these people. It is necessary to check how far it directed their lifes and finally if Napoleon was right with his words: Honor it does not exclude to compromise with it.

Patriotism and honor

Nevertheless it was theirs (officers) desire as well as desire of all truthful Poles - it was not and it could not be resignation of their homes, leaving the chains of blood and friendship, that connected them with their co-citizens. Their desire was neither amicable agreement of driving out nor abandoning for service to motherland, nor service in their own interest to other nation, nor desire of dying without any purpose or any joy on earth in strange place. Their desire was not to allow memory about their names disappear neither without any tear nor without any compassion, nor without any help from a side of helpful hands, that might have sweet their last breaths and honored their tombs. Their the most deepest desire would have always been possibility finding again the dearest motherland.
Karol Moeller`s words, that were addressed to marshal of empire Louis Berthier, may be recognized as the common meaning of officers and soldiers in legions. These soldiers, which were actually far from heir homes, they mostly sensed lack of it. They not only had not free motherland, but also were in various places far from their occupied country. The whole idea of organizing Legions was set on the desire of restorations independent motherland. On the other hand lots of people standing aside found Poles not only as rowdies, but mostly as hirelings that would fought at the side of France for private profits. Nevertheless officers they knew what is the main purpose of their behavior. It was not clearly possible to see to serve to France and by this way gain independent political live of motherland but polish soldiers they were rather encouraged to fight against those who were responsible for dividing motherland than live peacefully on occupied land.
Humiliation for them may have come from a point, that they did not give enough efforts to rescue motherland from lose. In this way their officers honor was blamed. On the other hand the most important was not exactly self consciousness of their private lose, but sense that was telling about the blame, which touched the whole Polish Nation. Honor of all Poles required to crush this blame with possible methods. Many times the officers were faced with difficult questions Lots Poles was embarrassed by the address of Spanish people to fighting against them polish soldiers. Spanish were calling in the sense of honor of Poles, who were experienced by the lack of freedom and come to give occupation - what was expressed in the address. The only thing was to keep silence, because many of them were close to express yearning for far country of their homes, where there is plenty of mountains, beautiful views and even if they were not the most beautiful they were the most closer - firstly they were private. In this point officers were faced with internal moral conflict. What to do - leave the lines of army and leave flags banners to whom they promised to be faithful in purpose to give understanding of honor to brave Spanish? Is it correct to continue fighting and drive independent nation into occupation?
Motherland was always standing in the eyesight and honor can not allow to abandon lines. Thay may only keep silence while French grenadier after the attack on Santa Engracja cloister during the siege of Saragossa was demanding an answer: How it could happened that Polish Kingdom was conquered? He had not seen before such proofs of bravery and sacrifice. Officers were fighting not only for the best name of soldiers but first of all of name of motherland. Honor it did not allow to wear foreign uniforms. As the consequence of this fact it was very common effort to preserve and strengthen national polish character of army. Even in 1799 when there was considered releasing companies of polish Legion`s artillery and soldiers with equipment divide into companies Cis-Alpinum Republic officers were given the choice: either come into officer stuff of cis-alpinian arilery or into fulled of staff companies of legion`s infantry - as reports Vincent Aksamitowski - anyone did not want to take first choice. It was exactly the problem of national honor, because "additionals" they could not count on any financial gratifications. They chose poverty than not sure perspective and accusing of being hirelings.
Józef Dąbrowski was conscious about the fact that soldiers and officers, that are far from motherland they can quickly come into routine and sincere ideas can be changed with cold calculation. He quickly designed general Rymkiewicz as the chief of legion correspondence and required practicing of it. The main point was to stay with contact with motherland so that all the soldiers thoughts were close to the home lands and kept by this method moral level of soldiers and officers at the most possible high level. As the thoughts were close to motherland all of them were sensitive with accusation of being hireling. When on 17th of October 1797 Napoleon signed act of peace with Austrian Empire despair came into the hearts and appeared discouragement. Generals lost their minds; blood was let off on request of Wielhorski, Dąbrowski was ill, Kniaziewicz lost a half of his natural energy. Nevertheless lots of them came back into the lines of army. General Józef Dąbrowski wrote: only thouth about motherland makes me fix sable at my side, and in time of peace it is necessary to arm myself with patience, give proofs of entity, gain friendship of people, so that after years it may be possible to say that Legions salved Poland.
Nevertheless not every man had so strong belief in Napoleon`s intentions. When on 9th of 1801 there was signed the following act of peace lots of them did not see any possibilities to fulfill their own ideas and honor decides to leave lines of army so that to avoid accusation of being hireling. As a consequence of this fact there was nothing that made Poles stay at the side of France. Therefore I was sure, that Legia would had not fought for motherland and I decided in purpose to rescue national honor, that Pole he did not know to be hireling. I decided to ask about possibility of being dismissed and lots of officers did so along my example. Nevertheless lots of officers was present on the battlefields of Europe: either as soldiers of Army of Duchy of Warsaw on salary of France or among Poles fighting above the Country. there is always very well visible national honor of Poles, which is understood as: love to motherland, fear before the disgracing the name of Poland and desire to glorify it in the whole world. While the attack on Spanish enforced positions in the battle at Ocana there was dangered lines of 4th regiment of infantry of division of Army of Duchy of Warsaw prince Sułkowski kept the regimental banner flag and with a shout: Who is Pole along me! he stopped retreating and finally reached the positions of enemy. Fear about the very well name of Poland was natural state of many officers.
There was great effort to lead in the best possible way relationships with civil people, so that not to blame opinion. However along opinion of Załuski in each nation and moreover in every regiment there are people, that was brought up not in equally the same methods and many times there happened to be ashamed about behavior of fellow countryman. When on 22nd of November 1806 both land general and organizer of Army in Calisian district Paweł Skórzewski was calling the citizens to be join the Army he also connected love to motherland with honor, giving example of defending of honor … I was telling to you, not only radical necessity of having Motherland but also yours honor calls you. It is calling on you so that all of you having time and best possibility might gave proofs of your brave... Lots of people answered for this address. It is necessary to point out, that not only the duty and honor made them to join to lines of the Army.
Beautiful uniforms and best will to present themselves were one of important reasons. It is necessary to point out, that among colleagues, principals, old soldiers and veterans they quickly learned both military art and conscious patriotism. Nevertheless sacrificing and bravery of Poles was not enough to stop the lost of Duchy of Warsaw but behavior of Poles in Napoleonic wars surly saved honor of Poland and her soldiers.
The death of Prince Marshal Józef Poniatowski in the waves of Elstera at Lipsk become a symbol: He quickly regain consciousness and with a help of adjutant he climbed up the horse, but he was shaking in the saddle. From many sides people were asking him so to let people treat his wounds and by leaving the command to other general rescued himself for motherland. Bravery of prince was fighting with danger. - No, no! – he shouted – God gave me honor of Poles. I gave back it only to God. It is possible to discuss about the reality of this scene ant rational motives of this behavior of Prince Józef Poniatowski. He was obviously more necessary as main chief of polish army, surely he was necessary rather alive than dead. Was not it bravery that went out of the reasonable boundaries? Could not we say that honor stood against the need of motherland? It is difficult to say without any doubt. Prince Józef Poniatowski was extraordinary person. Sense of honor was for him feelings of the highest recommendation and he could let people treat his wounds and he could let to be taken in the safe place.
Here we find next moral problem. What to do – either fight to the end, to "till the last drop of blood" or survive even for the highest price and in good moment start the fight again? This question must have started in the heart of many officers. Nevertheless Prince Poniatowski he did not have such a dilemma. If the point was about the honor of Poles and at the same time that mant about honor of Poland he had chosen death. We can treat that at the moment of such a decision Prince Poniatowski was enough strong in his consciousness, strong enough to make a good estimation of situation and taking the best decision (in this case for his conscience, because it is difficult to find better choice for Prince as the regular person)/. This presumption it might not be truthful because of the fact that even if he said mentioned words it happened at the moment when he was already wounded four times (fifth time he was wounded in the river) and with visible difficulties he kept himself in the saddle. On the other hand we can not decide that such an event have not took place because of the fact that Prince Poniatowski many times gave proofs that honor of nation is great value for him.
While after the failure of campaign towards to Moscow there was done extraordinary efforts so that to reconstruct the regiments Prince Poniatowski wrote to soldiers: In the address, that I am giving today to yours knowledge I am bringing to you the most prideful, the only one which is worthy of polish knights, truthfully worthy reward which is the voice of grateful motherland for the glory of names of Poles that is brought by the blood that had been given. In the close future new troops of soldiers would be placed among yours lines. With the eager to go along yours traces they would be also giving proofs that not beauty of uniforms but saint love to motherland that is given by our fathers, which made polish soldier equal with unconquered troops of first army in the world. You would be able to appreciate the eager of yours brothers and co citizens, so that to strengthen their first steps in fields of battles with yours eager on the fields of glory and finally once again you would show to the world that Poles had been borne for the Motherland and for her had been ready to die. It sounds as nearly impossible epitaph on the tomb of Klemens Liberadzki, who had been died 16 years before at the battle of Verona: Liberadzki, who had been the officer of the polish troop and who had died in the fight at Verona he reminded to fellow countryman before the death that low of motherland indicated to die or conquer. Can not we say that honor of motherland was standing at the guard of this law? I think that it stood and not only in this two cases bat in many various examples.

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