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| At the end of ] ] started a new war for the "Russian" (]n) lands of modern-day ] and ] that were a part of the ], not controlled by Moscow. ] was then the Eastern outpost of the Grand Duchy. In July 1514 Muscovy's army of 80,000 men and 300 cannon guns besieged and finally occupied it. | At the end of ] ] started a new war for the "Russian" (]n) lands of modern-day ] and ] that were a part of the ], not controlled by Moscow. ] was then the Eastern outpost of the Grand Duchy. In July 1514 Muscovy's army of 80,000 men and 300 cannon guns besieged and finally occupied it. | ||
| Inspired by the initial success Moscow prince ] directed his troops further into Belarus, |
Inspired by the initial success Moscow prince ] directed his troops further into Belarus, occupying the cities ], ], and ]. | ||
| Meanwhile the Grand Duke ] managed to gather only 30,000 warriors. It consisted of the 16,000 horsemen of the Grand Duchy, 14,000 Polish soldiers, 3,000 infantry mercenaries, and 2500 volunteer soldiers. | Meanwhile, the Grand Duke ] managed to gather only 30,000 warriors. It consisted of the 16,000 horsemen of the Grand Duchy, 14,000 Polish soldiers, 3,000 infantry mercenaries, and 2500 volunteer soldiers. | ||
| Zygimont Stary with his 4,000-strong army stayed at ], while the main force led by ] moved to face the enemy. At the end of August several smaller battles took place at the rivers ], ], and ]. | |||
| After several small losses Russian army stationed itself between ] and ] on the river ]. That's where the decisive battle took place. The army of the Grand Duchy crossed ] without losses via a pontoon. At night on ] the army started preparing for the battle with the Russians. Hetman ] put 16,000 of Lithuanian (Litvin) horsemen in the center, and Poles were placed at the sides. The infantry was up front. | After several small losses Russian army stationed itself between ] and ] on the river ]. That's where the decisive battle took place. The army of the Grand Duchy crossed ] without losses via a pontoon. At night on ] the army started preparing for the battle with the Russians. Hetman ] put 16,000 of Lithuanian (Litvin) horsemen in the center, and Poles were placed at the sides. The infantry was up front. | ||
| In the morning on ], ] led by ] and ] Russians started the first attack, but it failed. The leaders seemed not to be upset by the initial failure because they had almost three-times bigger army. But lack of coordination eventually cost them the victory. | In the morning on ], ], led by ] and ], the Russians started the first attack, but it failed. The leaders seemed not to be upset by the initial failure because they had almost three-times bigger army. But lack of coordination eventually cost them the victory. | ||
| At the most crucial moment the horsemen of the Grand Duchy seemed to waver, stopped the assault and retreated. Russians charged forward. After retreating back for several minutes, being chased by the Russian army, suddenly the horsemen turned to the sides. And there the Russian horsemen ended up in front of the cannon guns that were hidden in the forest. | At the most crucial moment the horsemen of the Grand Duchy seemed to waver, stopped the assault and retreated. Russians charged forward. After retreating back for several minutes, being chased by the Russian army, suddenly the horsemen turned to the sides. And there the Russian horsemen ended up in front of the cannon guns that were hidden in the forest. | ||
Revision as of 00:19, 7 September 2004
The Battle of Orsha took place on September 8, 1514, between the Belarusians (Litvins) of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania on one side (estimated 30,000 troops) and the Russian (Muscovite) army (about 80,000 troops). The much smaller army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania led by hetman Kanstancin Astrozhski (Konstantin Ostrozhsky) crushed the mighty army of the Muscovites.
At the end of 1512 Muscovy started a new war for the "Russian" (Ruthenian) lands of modern-day Belarus and Ukraine that were a part of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, not controlled by Moscow. Smolensk was then the Eastern outpost of the Grand Duchy. In July 1514 Muscovy's army of 80,000 men and 300 cannon guns besieged and finally occupied it.
Inspired by the initial success Moscow prince Vasily III directed his troops further into Belarus, occupying the cities Krychau, Mscislau, and Dubrouna.
Meanwhile, the Grand Duke Zygimont Stary managed to gather only 30,000 warriors. It consisted of the 16,000 horsemen of the Grand Duchy, 14,000 Polish soldiers, 3,000 infantry mercenaries, and 2500 volunteer soldiers.
Zygimont Stary with his 4,000-strong army stayed at Barysau, while the main force led by Kanstancin Astrozhski moved to face the enemy. At the end of August several smaller battles took place at the rivers Berezina, Bobr, and Druts.
After several small losses Russian army stationed itself between Orsha and Dubrouna on the river Krapiuna. That's where the decisive battle took place. The army of the Grand Duchy crossed Dnepr without losses via a pontoon. At night on September 7 the army started preparing for the battle with the Russians. Hetman Kanstancin Astrozhski put 16,000 of Lithuanian (Litvin) horsemen in the center, and Poles were placed at the sides. The infantry was up front.
In the morning on September 8, 1514, led by Chelyadin and Bulgakov-Golitsa, the Russians started the first attack, but it failed. The leaders seemed not to be upset by the initial failure because they had almost three-times bigger army. But lack of coordination eventually cost them the victory.
At the most crucial moment the horsemen of the Grand Duchy seemed to waver, stopped the assault and retreated. Russians charged forward. After retreating back for several minutes, being chased by the Russian army, suddenly the horsemen turned to the sides. And there the Russian horsemen ended up in front of the cannon guns that were hidden in the forest.
The deadly fire stopped the attackers. The Muscovites ran. The army of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania chased them for five kilometers.
According to the annals 40,000 Russians were killed in the Battle of Orsha. 3,000 were taken prisoners, including 8 commanders. Upset by the news of such defeat Russian prince Vasily III said that "prisoners are as good as dead" and did not negotiate their return.
The Battle of Orsha was one of the biggest battles in Europe in the 16th century.
In December 1514 Kanstancin Astrozhski triumphantly entered Vilnia (Vilnius). To honor the victory (and using the resources gained in this victory) the Litvins built two Orthodox churches: Church of the Saint Trinity and church of the Saint Nicholaus, which are preserved to the modern day.