Ogniem i Mieczem - By Fire and Sword

For the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth the period between 1648 and 1676 was the time of almost endless war. Zaporozhian Cossacks’ uprising started in 1648 and for the first time in history the Polish-Lithuanian armies were heavily defeated by the Cossacks – at Żółte Wody (Yellow Water), Korsuń, Piławce and, most importantly, at Batoh in 1652. Furthermore, Tsardom of Russia attacked Lithuania in 1654, which started a so called Thirteen Years War (1654-1667). Moreover, the summer of 1655 brought one of the biggest treats for Commonwealth during the whole the 17th century – a so called ‘Deluge’ - when the Swedish armies of Charles X Gustav invaded both Poland and Lithuania. Finally, the Ottoman Turks invaded from the south in 1672 and the war with them lasted until 1676.
It was a long and bloody time that seriously weakened the Commonwealth – both in terms of its economy and military. The second half of the 17th century, despite great victories like Beresteczko in 1651 (against Cossacks), Połonka in 1660 (against Muscovites) or Chocim in 1673 (against Turks), revealed a growing crisis of Polish and Lithuanian armies
The Commonwealth’s armies at that time were a mix of great cavalry (led by small number of famous winged hussars – husaria) and infantry (especially ‘Western’ type regiments, as well as dragoons) supported by a small number of artillery pieces. A unique enlistment system (that will be described on this website in more depth) allowed to fight against different types of opponents – from Swedes with their firepower to Tatars using ‘hit-and-run’ tactics.
It is also the time of famous commanders, great leaders who could fight against all odds and emerged as victorious, but also poor ones who would lead their soldiers to infamous defeats.