Battle of Nowa Woda

Battle of New Water - Armed struggle between the forces of Hetman Janusz Radziwill(he didn't command at battle, it was his forces only) and the Russian Army, which took place on 25 June 1654, ended with the Lithuanian Victory

Battle of New Water
Part of Russo-Polish War of 1654–1667
Date 25 June,1654 Location Belarus,New Water Result Lithunian Win
Belligerents
Poland–Lithuania Janusz Radziwiłł Poland–LithuaniaGanzhoff	unknown
Strength
2,500	8,000
Casualties and losses
light	heavy

Situation Before Battle

After the tsarist army invaded the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, King Jan Kazimierz convened the Sejm in March under the chairmanship of Franciszek Dubrawski, Chamberlain of Przemyśl, and in July , were broken up by the deputies with a "Liberum veto". In addition, no effective methods were devised to defend the Polish-Lithuanian state. Both the grand bullahs(position of hetman), of the Crown and Lithuania, were vacant after the death of Janusz Kiszka, but the King, despite the fact that Prince Radziwiłł was in opposition to him, conferred the mullah on him.

However, fearing similar consequences as those which arose during the reign of King Sigismund through the humiliation of Duke Krzysztof Radziwiłł, the king granted him the position, and Wincenty Korwin Gosiewski became the field hetman.

There were disputes between Radziwiłł and Gosiewski, the situation was aggravated by the King's attempts to deprive Radziwiłł of his post, the situation was also made worse by the fact that Gosiewski was a treasurer and had no intention of donating money to pay the Lithuanian army, in this atmosphere actions were initiated.

Battle

although with a small number of soldiers Radziwill was eager for a clash, like any strategist in those days there was a need for reconnaissance so Radziwill sent Ganzhoff with a detachment consisting of several light banners and dragoujes, in general 2, 500 men to Dochorobuzh, Ganzhoff passing Smolensk, on 25 June met the Moscow forces at Novaya Voda numbering 8,000, the Tsar's army was celebrating St John's Day and after the Russian soldiers got drunk and fell asleep. Taking advantage of this, Gallzhoff attacked it on the night of the 11th and inflicted a great defeat on it. The battle lasted until morning. Seeing fresh troops, Ganzhoff retreated to Orsha where there was a Lithuanian camp.

In honour of victory in a battle, Ganzhoff carried 13 banners to Radziwill,also 7 Bojars were taken prisoner.

Aftermatch

After breaking up the Russian forces, at the same time Rotmistrz Lipnitsky achieved victory by dispersing the Moscow forces at the river Dzvina and near Polon, and captured several major Bojars, including Boris Marchalov, the Tsar's Podchai. The Tsar laid siege to Smolensk, which capitulated. Not waiting, Radziwill moved with his army in August, where he smashed a 40-thousand-strong Russian detachment in the great battle of Skhlow.