The Cossacks of the Ukraine; comprising biographical notices of the most celebrated Cossack chiefs ... With a memoir of Princess Tarakanof, and some particulars respecting Catharine II., of Russia, and her favourites

Front matter

GIFT or

MICHAEL REESE

IVIicrosoft Corporation

Preface

There are two kind of authors, one who foster some predominating view with their pen, the other, who use it chiefly as an instrument for securing their personal advantages. I claim a place, however humble, in the former category.

Ever intent on the contemplation of the ancient glory of Poland, whose history and politics are familiar to me, because they have seldom ceased to be the special object of my researches and persevering study, I am always anxious to attract the reflecting readers attention to that which engrosses my own thoughts ; namely, how it is possible to humble Russia, to restore Poland as a nation, and to increase the salutary influence abroad, and the prosperity at home, of Great Britain. Hence, all that I have ever written in Polish, French, or English, has been historical in character, anti- Russian in sentiment, and consequently exclusively favourable to Poland and England. Having spent some of my boyish years in the secluded regions of the Polish Ukraine ; and having, at a later period, often

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inhabited and visited, north and south, the most dreary parts of ancient Poland ; having always been passionately fond of shooting, and lived occasionally for days, even in winter, in the open air, I naturally acquired (though I have never been in America), something of the habits of a North American hunter, and may be almost considered as a child of the desert. Indeed, though I lived for years at Warsaw and Paris, stayed often even in London, yet, however partial at times I might have been to polite society, I could never shake off completely my early recollections, nor forget the effect produced on my youthful and naturally enthusiastic mind, by the soaring of eagles, the neighing of the herds of wild horses, the howling of ravenous wolves, and the harmonious winds of the Steppes. To this may be attributed the facility with which I occasionally d ^- scribe some of the fiercer passions of the human heart, and my partiality in fostering in my publications subjects, more connected with the history of my own country, than with other countries, and consequently more congenial with the branch of politics to which I devoted my attention. To the abovenamed early recollection may be also ascribed, that the outpourings of my pen bear rather an impress of romantic wildness than that of too refined civilization. But if I sacrifice elegance to energy in my writings, it will, I think, be admitted, that I have a noble object in view. Without being for an instant deceived by the artfully concealed aim of panslavism, which with all its fine

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words, crafty sophisms, and childish arguments, intends nothing more than to dismember Turkey and Austria, to erase Poland from the map of nations, to disturb the balance of power, to check British commerce and British influence in the south-east of Europe, as well as in Egypt and Persia, and to endanger the British communications with India for ever in favour of Bussia. Thoroughly convinced that nothing short of the complete independence of Poland, on a liberal scale, and the rigid preservation of the Ottoman empire, can save Europe from north-eastern invasion, and permanently guarantee the blessings of peace and progressive improvement all over the world. I have boldly pointed attention to what I deem the weakest, and therefore the most vulnerable, part of Russia. >• To those who, having never exposed their heads to the Russian bullets, advised the Poles to submit blindly to Russia, as well as to those who, without the slightest knowledge of Polish history, past or present, became suddenly authors of political pamphlets, and from various motives (no doubt favourable to their private interests), now preach the same doctrine among the Poles, I beg to answer, that in proportion to the increasing danger with which Russia was occasionally threatened by numerous wars and political commotions in Europe, she always flattered Poland, and tried, with crafty and seasonable insinuations, to gain the confidence of the Poles. So did Catherine 11. before the partition of Poland ; so did the Emperor Paul I. ; so did Alex-

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ander in 1807, 1812, and 1815 ; so did the Emperor Nicholas in 1829, and does now — and while I admit that the hatred that exists between Russia and Poland for ages, is entirely of a political nature, and can cease under proper circumstances — I by no means admit blind submission to E-ussia as beneficial to the Poles, especially in the present unsettled state of Europe. If, however, Russia will give up part, at least, of her Polish provinces ; if she will restore all the confiscated property of the Poles, recal from abroad and Siberia all the Polish political exiles, if she will withdraw her armies from Poland, re-establish the constitutional kingdom of Poland, proclaim either his Imperial Highness the Grand Due Michel, or his Imperial Highness the Duke of Leichtenberg, or any other personage whom she may think proper, as the future king of Poland, and allow the formation of a purely national Polish army, under the command of Chlopicki, Skrzynecki, Uminski, Dwernicki, Bern, or Rozycki, as the safest guarantee of keeping her promise, then a permanent peace between Russia and Poland is possible, and Poland, though oppressed for ages, and who had, and still has such a strong claim to the gratitude of civilized Europe, may consider Russia as her sister, improve her morality, keep pace with the march of constitutional freedom, and drown in oblivion her Tartaro-Calmuck pranfe?? but without the fulfilment of a great part of the abovenamed guarantee, the friendly dispositions of Russia towards Poland is too great a mockery, and cannot

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possibly deceive any man who has one single grain of common sense.

The denationalizing of Poland for many reasons is impossible, and if Russia will not give up Poland voluntarily, that kingdom will be wrested from her sooner or later. Poland was conquered, temporarily, because she was a republic ; had she been a regular kingdom, she would never have become the prey of her neighbours. Should all Europe become a republic (which is very doubtful), Poland might accept the form of republican government; but even then, Poland would be the last of all the European nations where the republican government can work well. Whoever has a practical knowledge of all the parts of Poland, must be well aware, that a king is as necessary to the future well-being of Poland, as the mother's milk to the existence of a child.

Having, after a mature consideration, formed my own opinion on the Polish question (though at variance with the generaUty of the Poles of two opposite parties), I am convinced, that neither any advocate of the wild democracy, nor any man notoriously connected with the last Polish insurrection in 1831, can ever rule Poland; but any talented and energetic man (unconnected with either party), whom circumstances or European diplomacy may favour, can rule that kingdom, and soothe all its internal animosities. Considering that true liberty, which is spoken of everywhere, does not exist but in England ; considering that all dispas-

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sionate men, who have resided some years in England, agree that British institutions are superior to all others without exception; that the British government is the best in the world; considering that dethroned kings, expelled dukes, illustrious princes, fallen ministers of various shades ; considering that even such contrasts as Metternich and Louis Blanc, with swarms of persecuted chiefs, sectarians, exiles, from all parts of the world, find shelter in England, where their persons are safe, their creed respected, their property protected ; considering that parties are so well balanced in England that none of them can oppress each other; considering that England expended twenty-five millions for liberating the slaves ; considering that British sailors and soldiers, without much noise, under Nelson, Wellington, Harding, Napier, Edwardes, never showed their backs to the enemy, and conquered all nations; considering that there is no better climate for longevity than in England; nowhere are to be found fairer, or more virtuous women than in England ; it must be acknowledged, without speaking of British superiority in every branch of science and literature, that as long as she shall reasonably protect the Established church, and produce such political giants as Lansdown, Palmerston, Russell, Peel, and Graham, who, under the most trying circumstances governed her realms with extraordinary firmness, prudence, and foresight, and give at the same time fairly an example of all domestic

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virtues, England, firm like a rock amidst the raging political storms, will always be the real queen of the world; and, therefore, I cannot but imagine that nothing could be more advantageous to Poland (in the event of the restoration of that country), than that a British nobleman should become the future king of Poland. But should no British noble be induced to ascend the throne of Poland— and my earnest hope thus remain ungratified — his place might then be supplied by one of the princes Esterhazy, or by a Swedish, Servian, German, Italian, or any other foreign prince.

By propagating such an opinion, I offended some influential individuals, who never forgave me, and finding it impossible to alter my feelings in their favour, knowing some of my weaknesses, as also various difiiculties in which I have necessarily been involved as an exile, they have indirectly inflicted great injury upon my prospects in England. I was exposed, not only to annoyances, but to artfully propagated slander, unworthy even of an answer. Let them remember that noble blood flows in my veins, and that no offers, however tempting, can bribe me, and though, in consequence of crafty intrigues, some publications have been directed against me in various languages, it will ultimately rather tend to serve than to injure me. Confident in the purity of my intentions, and in the soundness of my political intellect, I shall fight my own battle, like the worthy British Missionaries who spread

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in all parts of the world, amid raging storms, the blessings of the Gospel.

Three years ago, during my stay at Richmond, in Yorkshire, I compiled a regular history of the Polish Cossacks, which I properly corrected in the British Museum ; but having neither literary acquaintances, nor available means of publishing it, and being more thwarted than encouraged in my literary exertions, I was twice obliged to curtail it, and so leave unpublished, perhaps, the most interesting part of it. "Whoever is an author, must admit that there is nothing more unpleasant than to condense and completely re-model historical subjects, after they have been once prepared and matured for the press.

In my present work on the Cossacks, I describe their piratical expeditions into Turkey, and sketch their dangerous rebellion (fostered by Russia) in Poland, under Chmielnicki, Zelezniak, and Gonta ; and not less formidable rebellions in Russia, under Stenko Razin, Mazeppa, and Pugatchef, which rebellions cost Russia nearly a million of human beings, and shook that empire to its very foundation, and even to this time has not only impaired its whole strength, but rendered its continued existence a mysterious problem. Having further described all the branches of the Polish Cossacks, with their most noted chiefs, from almost the beginning of their political existence till our time, I then unveil many interesing facts respecting Catherine II., as connected with Poland,

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and give a short account of her lovers and the victims of her hatred, as also the various diabolical intrigues for which she was so infamously celebrated. I conclude the work with a statistical, historical, and geographical description of the Ukraine, from time immemorial the land of unbridled passions, poetry, and romance, and the source from which the genius of Byron d-rew the material of his poem of Mazeppa.

Some of the notes are written in the form of memoirs, and will be found full of interest. The anecdotes on Prince Pashkievich and Countess Cordule Fredro, are peculiar and characteristic. Many curious customs of the dreariest parts of Poland are mentioned. The dark shade of the Ukrainian poetry, and the singular adventures of the principal Ukranian poets are faithfully described. The music to be found at the end of the book may be attractive to the fairer portion of my readers.

In the life of Pugatchef, following blindly a written document, I committed, unintentionally, an historical error, which I am anxious to correct. It was not the Russian general Tchernishef, but the Russian general Carr, who was first vanquished by Pugatchef.

The whole work, though very imperfectly written in English, may yet prove interesting alike to the historical student and the general reader, if they wiU but consider the importance of the subject rather than its style of composition.

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A small part of this work I have already written in French, those who wish to translate it into Italian, Spanish, and German, will not, probably, take advantage of a Polish exile, and may readily make terms for publication. In any written communication with me, it is necessary to put distinctly my christian name, Henry, on the address, to prevent mistakes, which has on more than one occasion exposed me to great annoyances.

Contents

PAGE

Chapter L — The Polish Cossacks 1

n.— Kebellion of Stenko Razin 57

CHAPTER i; THE POLISH COSSACKS

C Origin of the Cossacksz-Perivation of the Nam^ Invasion of BatuEhan — 'ihe Tatars— Pifferen^TietweiBn Eiissian and Polish Cossacks— The Cossacks of the Don— Their Arms and Mode of Warfare— The first Chief of the Cossacks of the Dnieper— Union of the Cossacks with Poland — Batory — His Policy respecting the Cossacks— Their Incursions— Boats— Cruises on the Black Sea — Dissensions between the Cossacks and the Poles — Revolt of the Cossacks— Their Defeat — Sahaydatchny — Dechne of the Cossacks —History of Khmielnitski — Andrew Firley — His Defence of Zbaraz— Horrors of the Siege —The friendly Arrow— Battle of Zhorof— Convention of Khmielnitski with the Poles — His treacherous conduct — Deliverance of Khmielnitski — His Invasion of Moldavia—Battle of Beresteczko — Defection of Khmielnitski — The Convention with Russia— The two wild Bulls— The dying words of Khmielnitski.

The immense solitudes which spread between the Volga, the Don, and the Dnieper, between the Caspian Sea and the Black Sea, appear to have been, from time immemorial, the fatherland of those wandering nations and barbarian hordes who, subsisting by rapine and pillage, thundered down upon civilized Europe like an avalanche ; leaving in the rear of their destructive and fearful track nought save carnage, conflagration, ruin, and despair.

Confounded and intermixed, as regards their origin, the one with the other, these predatory tribes have passed, ever since the ancient Scythians, under different names; but all bear one peculiar, distinctive, and forcibly -impressed character, both individually and in common, too indelil?le to be either obliterated or mistaken: whii&t the general resemblance observable amongst them is so decided and striking, as to preclude their being confounded with any other races ; notwithstanding that a few varying shades in individual character, attributable to slight diiferences or modifications of general climate — the moral results of successful or of unsuccessful wars — and other accidental circumstances influencing the destiny of so numerous and widely- extended a race of barbarian adventurers, may have caused some disparity in the general features of resemblance otherwise recognizable among them.

The origin of the Cossack tribes is lost in the obscurity of ages ; and many celebrated historians are still divided in opinion as to whence the term Cossack, or rather Kosaque, is properly to be derived. This word, indeed, is susceptible of so many etymological explanations, as scarcely to offer for any one of them decided grounds of preference. Everything, however, would seem to favour the beKef that the word Cossack, or Kosaque, was in much earlier use in the vicinity ^^ of the Caucasus than in the Ukraine.*

It is possible that the Kotzagery and the Kosarts may claim some sort of affinity with the primitive ancestors of the ancient Kosaques, with whom they are occasionally confounded ; nevertheless, it is not until long afterwards, that the Pelooses or the Komans can be reasonably considered as the true stock of the Kosaque race, from whom the Mamelukes also derive their origin. Sherer, in his " Annals of Russia Minor/' (La Petite Russicj) traces back the origin of the Cossacks to the ninth century ; but he does not support his assertion by any facts clothed with the dignity of historical truth. It appears certain, however, that the vast pasture lands between the Don and the Dnieper, the country lying on the south of Kiow, and traversed by the Dnieper up to the Black Sea, was the principal birthplace of the Cossacks.

When, in 1242, Batukhan'' came with five hundred thousand men to take possession of the empire which feU to his share of the vast inheritance left by Tchingis V Khan, he extirpated many nations and displaced many others. One portion of the Komans flying from the horrors of this '^terrific storm, and arriving on the borders of the Caspian Sea, on the banks of the la'ik, (now Ouralsek,) turned to the left, and took refuge between the embouchures of that river, where they dwelt in small numbers, apart from their brethren, in a less fertile climate. These were, incontestably, the progenitors of the Cossacks of the laik, who are, historically^ scarcely important enough for notice ; and who;, obscure and ignoble, were supported chiefly from the produce of their fisheries, and the plunder acquired during their predatory excursions. In religion they were rather idolaters than Christians.

At the approach of this formidable invasion towards the Don, that portion of the Komans located on the left bank took refuge in the marshes, and in the numerous islands formed by that river near its embouchure. Here they found a secure retreat ; and from thence, having, from their new position, acquired maritime habits and seafaring experience, they not only, themselves, resorted to piracy as a means of existence, but likewise enlisted in a formidable confederacy, for purposes of rapine and pillage, all the roving and discontented tribes in their surrounding neighbourhood. These latter were very numerous. The Tatars, ever but indiflferent seamen, had not the courage to join them in these piratical expeditions. This division of the Komans is indubitably the parentstock of the modern Cossacks of the Don, by far the most numerous of the Cossack tribes: by amalgamation, however, with whole hosts of Tatar and Calmuck hordes, lawless, desperate, and nomadic as themselves, they lost, in some degree, the primitive and deeplymarked distinctive character of their race.

The Komans of the Dnieper offered no more energetic resistance to the invading hordes of Batukhan

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than had been shown by their brethren of the Don : they dispersed in various directions; and from this people, flying at the advance of the ferocious Tatars, descended a variety of hordes, who occasionally figure in history as distinct and independent nations. Some of them hastened to implore the hospitality of Bella IV., king of Hungaria: they made their appearance as supplicants for his protection ; lands were distributed to them, a chief assigned as their ruler, and efiTorts were made to polish and soften down their rude and ferocious manners. As long as the danger lasted, they remained quiet ; but, after a while, incapable of subjection to the yoke of a calm and peaceful existence, they broke out into open revolt, massacred the chief who had been set over them; and resumed their former life of rapine and pillage. Being consequently attacked with considerable forces, they were defeated and pursued with great virulence; and ultimately found a permanent resting-place in the wild islets of the Dnieper, below the cataracts, where dwelt already a small number of their ancient compatriots, who had escaped the general destruction of their nation. This spot became the cradle of the Cossacks of the Ukraine, or of the tribes known in after times as the Polish Cossacks.

When Guedjmum, Grand Duke of Lithuania, after having defeated twelve Russian princes on the banks of the Pierna, conquered Kiow with its dependencies, in 1320, the wandering tribes scattered over the b THE COSSACKS

steppes of the Ukraine owned his allegiance. After the victories of Olgierd, of Vitold, and of Ladislas lagellon, over the Tatars and the Russians, large bodies of Scythian militia, known subsequently by the comprehensive denomination of Cossacks, or Kosaques, served under these conquerors: and after the union of -the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with Poland, in 1386, they'continued under the dominion of the grand dukes of Lithuania, forming, apparently, an intermediate tribe or caste, superior to the peasantry and inferior to the nobles. At a later period, when the Ukraine was annexed to the Polish crown, they passed under the protection of the kings of Poland. Kazimir lagellon had in his service a body of these troops, forming a kind of militia, dressed in English woollen cloth.'' We cannot, therefore, assign to the Cossacks a Russian origin, without rejecting the authority of a series of historical documents, the veracity and genuine character of which are indisputable. The similarity of their language to that of the Slavonic races ; and, as regards religion, their profession of the Greek faith, may be easily explained and accounted for. Located in the immediate neighbourhood of the Slavonic nations, they have adopted the idiom of the latter : in nearly equal proximity to the Greeks, they embraced that religion, probably at a much earlier period than did the Russians.

To give, in the present work, a detailed account of all the Cossack tribes, and to describe the various points of difference formerly existing, and which still continue to exist, between the Russian and Polish Cossacks, would be too wide a digression from the main subject of this historical essay : however, as the two races in question are still frequently confounded together, it may be proper here succinctly to inform the reader in what these points of difference appear chiefly to consist.

Although there may, doubtless, exist several species or castes of Cossacks, and to whom Russia, in order to impose on Europe, is pleased to give as many different names, yet there never have been, nor will there ever be, properly speaking, more than two principal tribes of the Cossack nation, namely, the Cossacks of the Don, or Don-Cossacks, and the Cossacks of the Black Sea, known in ancient times as the ^-/^ Polish Cossacks, or Zaporowscy Kozacy. And notwithstanding that the Cossacks may have had one common origin from the very commencement of their existence as a people, it needs to be repeated again that a variety of causes, as, for instance, the lapse of time, the mutation of events, the disparity of their individual modes of life, the changing influence of unforeseen circumstances, the modifications of slightly varying climate, or of the soil they inhabit, and more especially their fusion or intermixture with other nations, (the sure and powerful source of change, both social and physical), would seem to have established a perceptible difference between the two principal branches of this singular race of men.

The Cossacks of the Don long inhabited both shores of that river. They are the most numerous : as military adjuncts, they are excellent for foraging parties, for surprising an enemy, cutting off his communications, and pursuing him when defeated. They make excellent pioneers ; nor are their services less useful in pillaging a country, or in guarding its frontiers. They utter most singular cries when in pursuit of a retreating foe: their horses, small in make but extremely vigorous, and proof to all kinds of fatigue, clear all difficulties of the ground, carry their riders everywhere with facility, and are, like their masters, content with the most meagre fare : indeed, there can no be doubt, but that the Cossacks in question have rendered signal service to Russia, which, ever since the year 1549, has taken them under her protection, without, however, the existence of any official act, treaty, or stipulation, confirming their submission to that power. But sooth to say, these pretended heroes are, in point of fact, altogether wortliless as regular soldiers : the mere aspect of a musket or a pistol suffices to disperse them: they never dare charge in line, nor can they sustain a charge made upon them; so that with a single regiment of regular cavalry, one may always successfully attack ten regiments of Cossacks. In addition to a crooked sabre, a very long lance without pennant, and pistols, some few amongst them are armed with a long carabine, which carries to an almost incredible distance, and the ball of

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which is exceedingly small : this is perhaps their most dangerous weapon, and in the use of which they are very expert, turning it, mostly, to very good account. Occasionally, they feign a sudden retreat ; and when they perceive that their pursuers are comparatively small in number, they rapidly face about, and become the assailants ; this, however, can only happen with an inexperiencedbody of troops, totally detached, and who are unacquainted with their adversaries' wily mode of warfare. The Don-Cossacks especially have always stood in extreme dread of the Polish Lancers ; a few squadrons of whom put to flight, during the wars of Napoleon, many of their entire regiments. The Cossack troops but rarely form into squadrons ; they even appear to entertain a strong aversion to every species of order and discipline ; they never decide an action ; but divide in their attack, falling indifferently on the van, the flanks, and the rear of an army on its march ; hovering around them like a vapoury cloud, which from one instant to another alternately augments, fades away, or dissipates entirely, again to form into shape and to revive with increased density. They but seldom make a direct charge in line with their cavalry ; but keep constantly pirouetting and prancing about, wheeling round, and skirmishing about in every possible direction, with astonishing swiftness and activity. From the moment of their having taken the field for a campaign, they observe no regular int^vals of repose, nor stated times for repast; they set at nought the inclemency of the weather; and rarely does anything escape the vigilance of their piercing sight, or the well-trained alertness of their acute sense of hearing : pillage is their peculiar /br^ey and they are dangerous only to a flying enemy. Once dismounted, they lose all their previous activity and courage, become altogether useless, and may be easily vanquished.

The Don-Cossacks enjoy a certain kind of liberty and independence ; they have a hetman^ atiaman^ or chief, nominated by the Emperor of Russia ; and to this chief they yield an obedience more or less willing and implicit ; in general, they are commanded only by Cossack officers, who take equal rank in the Russian army. They have a separate war administration of their own ; although they are compelled to furnish a stated number of recruits who serve in a manner for life, inasmuch as they are rarely discharged before attaining sixty years of age : on the whole, their condition is happier than that of the rest of the Russian population. They belong to the Greek-Russian church. The existence of this small republic of the Don, in the very heart of the most despotic and most extensive empire in the world, appears to constitute a problem, the solution of which is not as yet definitively known, and the ultimate solution of which yet remains to be ascertained. \ As for the second branch of the Cossack race, the V / remnants, so to speak, of which, namely, Czarnon^cy, still exist, and who have not hitherto lost in anymaterial degree the distinctive mark of their origin, a wide and striking difference is observable as to habits, mode of Ufe, customs, and social peculiarities between them and the former class, without however impairing the general mutual resemblance which must ever continue to characterize the two nations.

The south-eastern districts of Poland, the Ukraine, and Podolia, exposed in former times to the incursions of barbarian hordes, were the scenes of eternal strife and bloodshed ; but as the soil of this part of Poland is the richest and most productive in all Europe, these provinces, although constantly ravaged, and frequently depopulated, became speedily repeopled, and regained their previous state of prosperity ; and this the more easily, as these countries principally consist of extensive fields, capable of yielding support to a population of almost unlimited numbers. In order to impose an efficient check to the incursions of the Tatars, the WaUachians, and the Kussians, the kings of Poland made grants of vast tracts of land on the banks of the Dnieper to the Polish nobles, on condition of the latter providing for their defence at their own expense and charges ; an arrangement which compelled these seignorial lords constantly to maintain a certain number of armed retainers in their pay, and to construct a line of strongholds, or fortified habitations, proof against the danger of a sudden attack. The soldiers . in their pay were, usually, either the descendants of ancient warriors, or of the primitive inhabitants of the Ukraine."^

It is towards the year 1506, after the I'atar wars, and in the time of Sigismund I., king of Poland, that historians mention, for the first time, a peculiar race of men as inhabiting both banks of the Dnieper (then nominally appertaining to Poland) , as likewise the large and numerous islands formed by the course of that river below the cataracts. They are described as halfsavages, living from the produce of the chase, of their fisheries, and of their excursions both by sea and land into Turkey ; their numbers were daily increasing by the arrival amongst them of deserters, fugitives, and adventurers of all kinds and from all countries, seeking a refuge from the vengeance of their respectiye laws, and anxious to make war on their own account ; and as the word Kozah, according to the Tatar translation of it, signifies a man slightly armed, a man who belongs or owes allegiance to no one, a man who has no fixed residence, who despises the conventional forms of society, and is ever ready to adventure on break-neck enterprises, the class of men in question then received for the first time in Poland the denomination of Kosaques ; and as za signifies beyond, and porog cataract, in the Polish language, they were also called " Kosaques beyond the Cataracts," Zaporogscy Kozacy, although strictly speaking this term is applicable only to the Cossacks actually inhabiting the islands of the Dnieper, known under the designation of Zaporogues.