Battle of Polyany

After the battle near Nemenchin, Russian units under the command of Colonel Kireev (150 Don Cossacks) and Lieutenant Colonel Levice (four companies of Narva and two companies of the Pskov Regiments, 1,170 people), consisting of the remains of the Russian garrison in Vilnius , retreated to Mikhalishki . They connected with the infantry regiment of Colonel M. I. Deev , who had come out from Riga , and the battalion of the Estland Jäger Corps of Lieutenant Colonel Schilling, who had arrived from Postavy .

Colonel Mikhail Deev assumed command of the combined detachment (about 3,300 men) and marched on Oshmyany . Vilensky commandant Colonel Yakub Yasinsky , wanting to eliminate the threat to Vilnius from the Russian forces, on May 5 made two thick columns from Vilna against the detachment of Deyev. The rebel army consisted of the 1st, 3rd, 4th and 7th Infantry Regiments, 1st and 3rd Horse Brigades, 1st Tatar Guards Regiment Kirkor under the command of Colonel Baranovsky and 5 thousand Confederates.

On April 26 ( May 7), 1794, at 11 a.m., a battle took place near Polyany (7 km north of Oshmyan ). The rebels split into six columns and advanced into the attack. When approaching a cannon shot, the rebels lined up in two lines and began shelling. However, Colonel M. I. Deev was able to repel enemy attacks and launched a bayonet counterattack (5 companies of the Tambov regiment, Estland battalion, 3 companies of the Narva regiment and 2 companies of the Pskov regiment). Russian troops advanced more than ten versts, but could not overturn the confederate battle order. With the onset of dusk, Colonel Jakub Jasinsky retreated towards Vilnius . Colonel Deev did not pursue the enemy.

Colonel M. Deev captured 3 large and 3 small guns from the rebels. In the battle, the rebels lost about 500 soldiers, 34 Confederates were captured, including one officer. Russian losses amounted to 173 soldiers and 1 Orthodox priest.

On May 2 (15), 1794, M. Deev sent a report to L. Bennigsen about the battle of Polyany. According to M. Deyev: "... the soldiers were so annoyed that they did not give me pardon" (they did not take prisoner).

During the Second Polish Republic , a granite monument was erected in Polyany, which was later destroyed by order of the local collective farm chairman.

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• Kukiel M. Zarys historii wojskowości w Polsce. London: Puls, 1993. ISBN 0-907587-99-2 .
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