Jan Kozietulski

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Jan Kozietulski

Baron Jan Leon Hipolit Kozietulski (1781-1821) was a Polish noble, military commander and an officer of the armed forces of the Duchy of Warsaw during the Napoleonic Wars. He is best remembered as a heroic commander of the Polish cavalry charge during the battle of Somosierra.

Jan Leon Hipolit Kozietulski was born July 4, 1781 in Skierniewice in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. A friend of Wincenty Krasiński, Kozietulski joined the Warsaw Honour Guard, with which he took part in the battle of Pułtusk and battle of Preussisch Eylau. A distinguished cavalryman, in April of 1807 he became the commanding officer of the 3rd Squadron of the Polish 1st Light Cavalry Regiment of the Imperial Guard, commanded by Krasiński. In March of 1808 Kozietulski with his unit has reached Spain, where he took part in the Peninsular War.

During the battle of Somosierra, Kozietulski was the commander who lead the Polish cavalry against the Spanish artillery and infantry. Although not the only commander present during the charge, he was credited with the victory after the battle and in Poland remains the best-known veteran of that campaign. He was also one of 18 Poles to be awarded with the French Legion of Honour after the battle. Following the Peninsular War Kozietulski remained in the military and distinguished himself in the battle of Wagram, where he led the Polish cavalry unit against... other Polish cavalry units fighting alongside the Austrians. For his merits, in 1811 he became a baron of the empire.

During Napoleon's invasion of Russia, Kozietulski again distinguished himself as a skilled commander during the battle of Maloyaroslavets of October 25, 1812, where he saved the life of Napoleon himself, by charging between Bonaparte and the assaulting Cossacks. His uniform, pierced with a lance and stained with blood, is preserved to this day in the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw. After he recovered from his wounds he returned to active service and took part in all major battles of Napoleonic 1813 campaign in Saxony. He also took part in the Battle of Nations. In 1814 he was made the commander of the French 3rd Scout Regiment of the Imperial Guard (French: 3e régiment des éclaireurs de la Garde impériale).

After Napoleon's defeat, Kozietulski returned to the Russian-held Polish Kingdom, where he became the commander of the Polish 4th Uhlan Regiment. He died February 3, 1821 in Warsaw.