Skrzynecki, Jan Zygmunt

▪ Polish general

born Feb. 8, 1787, Zebrak, Bohemia, Austrian Empire

died Jan. 12, 1860, Kraków, Pol.

      Polish general who organized the Polish army in the revolution of 1830.

      After completing his education at the University of Lemberg, Skrzynecki entered the Polish Legion formed in the Grand Duchy of Warsaw and distinguished himself at the Battle of Leipzig (1813). At Arcis-sur-Aube, in 1814, he saved Napoleon (Napoleon I) from the sudden onslaught of the enemy by sheltering him in the midst of his battalion.

      On the formation of the Kingdom of Poland in 1815 Skrzynecki was put in command of five infantry regiments and, on joining the insurrection of 1830 (November Insurrection), was entrusted with the organization of the Polish army. He soon became commander in chief but at first avoided all decisive operations as he hoped for the pacific intervention of the powers in favour of Poland. When at last Skrzynecki did take the offensive, his opportunity was gone, and, after a bloody contest with the Russians, he fell back upon Warsaw, where he demanded a reconstruction of the government and his own appointment as dictator. To this the Diet would not consent. Skrzynecki resigned his post, joined a guerrilla corps, and took refuge in Austrian territory. Subsequently he resided at Prague and finally retired to Kraków (1839).

* * *