Battle of Filipów

The Battle of Filipów was fought on October 22, 1656 between forces of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth commanded by Field Lithuanian Hetman Wincenty Korwin Gosiewski on one side, and on the other allied Swedish and Brandenburg-Prussia forces commanded by Gustaf Otto Stenbock and Prince Georg Friedrich of Waldeck. The battle ended with victory for the Swedish-Brandenburg-Prussian troops.

Battle of Filipów
Part of Second Northern War / The Deluge

Battle of Filipów by Erik Dahlberg
DateOctober 22, 1656
Location
Filipów
Result Swedish-Brandenburger victory
Belligerents
Sweden
Brandenburg		 Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Commanders and leaders
Field marshal Gustaf Otto Stenbock
Prince Georg Friedrich of Waldeck		 Field Lithuanian Hetman Wincenty Korwin Gosiewski
Strength
6,000 men[1] 5,000 men[2]
Casualties and losses
light 500 killed,
200 captured[3]

After their victory in the Battle of Prostki, the Lithuanian - Tatar forces began widespread looting of the Duchy of Prussia. Soon afterwards, Crimean Tatar units, allied to Poland–Lithuania headed back to their homeland, and the Commonwealth army shrank to some 8,500.

In the second half of October, a Swedish - Brandenburg - Prussian army of some 9,000 rushed towards the Lithuanians, who camped in the town of Filipów. The Lithuanians were commanded by Hetman Wincenty Korwin Gosiewski, while Swedish-Prussian forces were led by Gustaf Otto Stenbock and Prince Georg Friedrich of Waldeck.

While main Lithuanian forces rested in Filipów, Swedish-Prussian army carried out a surprise attack on their rear units, which were stationed in Mieruniszki. As time went by, additional units on both sides entered the battle. From the very beginning, Gustaf Otto Stenbock and Georg Friedrich of Waldeck enjoyed a tactical advantage. The Lithuanians were threatened with encirclement, so Gosiewski ordered a retreat northwards. Due to this decision, Lithuanian losses were negligent, with one exception of Prince Bogusław Radziwiłł, who had been captured in Prostki, and who was released in Filipów.

After the battle, the Lithuanians retreated from the Duchy of Prussia, while Stenbock with his army headed southwards, to the Vistula river.

References
  1. Sławomir Augusiewicz, Prostki 1656, Warszawa 2001, Dom Wydawniczy Bellona. p 184. ISBN 83-11-09323-7
  2. Sławomir Augusiewicz, Prostki 1656, Warszawa 2001, Dom Wydawniczy Bellona. p 185. ISBN 83-11-09323-7
  3. John Thurloe. A Collection of the State Papers of John Thurloe, May 1656 to January 1657. F. Gyles, 1742. p. 506.

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