GEN. JAN HENRYK DABROWSKI

Descendant of Prussians, presumably of Pomezania, derives from an old, wealthy family Dabrowski with military traditions, settled in Western Pomerania. Until today there is a Dabrowski chapel at Radzyn and their coffin boards presenting portraits are in the parish church of Radzyn.
Jan Henryk Dabrowski is a descendant of an impoverished part of the family settled in Lublin region, with coat of arms "Virgo", as his ancestors at Chelmno.
Per wikipedia: Jan Henryk Dabrowski, coat of arms Dabrowski (born August 2, 1755, in the Raba Pierzchowcu died in Małopolska. June 6, 1818, in Winna Gora in Wielkopolska) - Polish general, freemason, initiated into Freemasonry in Italy, the son of Colonel John Michael Dabrowski and Sophia Maria von Lettow. His mother was from a family of German-Scottish origin, but quite Polonised and was kalwin, father adopted service in the Saxon army.

Jan Henryk Dabrowski left Poland in 1766. Service began in 1770 as cadet in the army of Saxony. From 1780 he served as lieutenant in the guard elector in Dresden.

In 1792 he moved to the Polish army, to the extent vice brygadier, misinformed in the relationship, took the oath of allegiance to the Confederation of Targowica.

During the Kosciuszko Insurrection he became famous for defending Warsaw, took a trip to Wielkopolska, where he was promoted to the rank of general - lieutenant. November 18, 1794 he was taken prisoner by the Russians at Radoszyce.

After the collapse of the insurrection did not accept the proposal of service in the Prussian and Russian armies, but in search of Poland reconstruction, first visited the Court of Berlin, then went to Paris in 1796, to the Directorate of the French, by hosting in general Napoleon Bonaparte, and obtained permission from the French Government organization of the Polish Legions in Italy.

Appeal to the Poles. Gen. Dabrowski - Polish lieutenant authorized for the formation of Polish Legions in Italy to his countrymen. Faithful to the homeland until the last moment, I fought for her freedom under immortal Kosciuszko. Although it fell, but the memory is comforting to us that we spilled our blood for the country of our ancestors, and that we have seen our triumphant banners of Dubienka, Raclawice, Warsaw and Vilnius. Poles! hope unites us. France would triumph, she fights for the cause of nations. Let us join to weaken its enemies, it provides us shelter, let us expect better destiny for our country, should come under its banners, they are banners of honor and victory.
Formed Polish Legions in Italy, the land was once the temple of liberty. Already officers and soldiers of your work colleagues and your bravery, are with me, already organized in battalions. Come to me comrades! throw a weapon that you were forced to wear. Let us fight for the common cause of nations, as a matter of freedom of the mighty Bonaparte, the winner of Italy. Trophies of the French Republic are our only hope, her only and her allies, we will regain our dearest land, which we left with tears. The headquarters in Milan on l-st V year Pluviôse Polish general of the French Republic - Lieutenant (-) John Dabrowski .
1797 in Milan, has signed a treaty with the government appointing legions of Lombard. Money which has created legions were those obtained from the sale of land Pierzchów (Municipality Gdow), which previously belonged to his father. And at the head of the First Legion fought in many places, among others. July 3, 1797 at the battle of Reggio, took part in the capture of Rome, May 3, 1798, in the battle over Trebbia (17-19 June 1799), where he fought against Italian opponents of Bonaparte, between others with Suvorov, looked helplessly at the annihilation of the Legions. In the Apennines was wounded. After the Battle of Marengo on the command of Bonaparte created the two new legions. After the Peace of Amiens went to the service of the Cisalpine Republic as Major-General.
Since 1802 remained in the service on Italian soil. There he joined the Freemasons, and was adept 29 degree Scottish Rite.

November 3, 1806, after winning the battle of Jena and the invasion of French troops on the Polish territories, issued together with Wybicki in Poznan, a proclamation calling for the organization of uprising in Greater Poland (editor in chief was Wybicki because Dabrowski poorly ruled the Polish language [1]). During the new campaign fought at Grudziądz, Gdansk, Tczew and Friedland, where he was wounded during the assault. March 6, 1808 he was awarded the Commander‘s Cross of the Order of Virtuti Military.

He participated in the 1809 campaign, giving the command strategy of the Polish troops, trips to Galicia, fought victoriously with Austrians at Radzymin and Leczyca. In 1812 he commanded one of three Polish divisions of the fifth corps, where he distinguished himself in Mogilev, Borisov. 26 November in the battle of Berezina was seriously injured - during the defense of one of two bridges on Berezynie. In 1813 he fought under Teltawem, Großbeeren, Juterbogk and the Battle of Leipzig. After the death of Prince Jozef Poniatowski became commander of the army of the Warsaw Duchy, which, in practice, was more than five thousand Polish soldiers remaining at the side of Napoleon.

After the fall of Napoleon, he returned to Warsaw and became the head of the Organizing Committee of the Military, whose aim was to organize the army of the newly created Polish Kingdom, became a general of cavalery. He was a senator and provincial governor. For health reasons, withdrew from public affairs and settled in his estate in Winna Góra in the Grand Duchy of Poznan where he died on June 6, 1818 year. He was buried in the local church, and from the 1863 year lies in a sarcophagus in a side chapel. Urn with his heart, was initially kept in the palace at Winna Gora, Krakow and later at the Poznan City Hall, and since 1997 in the crypt in the basement of Eminent Wielkopolska church of st. Adalbert in Poznan.

General Dabrowski was generally underestimated by his contemporaries, known as "German", "condottieri", “Bernard Weimar”, but in recent historiography lived to see a fair assessment as a steadfast, full of energy and dedication of a patriot, and reviver of the Polish military, general who has a great enormous talent as a leader and organizer.

For the Dabrawski Legions Wybicki, soldier and poet, in 1797 wrote The Song of the Polish Legions in Italy, which from the beginning was adopted with applause by the army of their general, was called Mazurka Dabrowski. After Poland regained its independence, became the national anthem. Left a manuscript released later as diaries and the Greater Journey to Greater Poland, in 1794.

Had two sons, John Michael and Bronislaw.

MAIL: PRUS@PRUSOWIE.PL

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