Polish Army of Duchy of Warsaw was organized from the beginning in horrible rush and in some provisional way. In its short history it had several waves of recruits and volunteers, which meant enormous enlarging both officer's corps and mass of soldiers. In years 1806-1807 the wave was various. Additionally to the legionnaries "coming back from the Italian land to the polish land" there were attending officers and soldiers of former Polish Army of Polish Kingdom, who were called by the Prince Józef Poniatowski - cousin of the last Polish King. There were also gathering to Polish Army of Duchy of Warsaw officers of the Prussian Army, that were fighting against the French Army at Frydland. There was gathering also the youth of noble families, which were both full of patriotic eager and willingness of adventure and were joining to the staff, regiments of chivalry and regiments of artillery...
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1st Reginemt of Cheval Legers - Lanciers. This regiment was formed on the base of Emperor`s decree that was issued on 9th of April 1807 in Kamieniec Suski. It was composed with 4 squadrons each of 2 companies and was numbering 60 officers and 976 soldiers. Commanding person was col. Wincenty Krasiński. Grosmajors were Charles Delaitre of Guard of Mameluks and Piere Datancourt of Gendarmerie. Chef of squadrons were: Tomasz Łubieński, Jan Kozietulski, Ferdynand Stokowski and Henryk Kamieński. Cheval Legers were armed with sables (from the beginning in prussian type and then in french type) and rifles, and pistols.
Military debut was the war in Spain, where they were sent in several portions on spring 1808. Training of the regiment was directed by the legendary commander of the hussars general Lasalle. Cheval Legers were at the anti-french upraise in Madrid and then distinguished themselves oin battle at Medina de Rio Seco...
Polish Army of Duchy of Warsaw
