National Anthem:
 

Jeszcze Polska nie umarła,
Kiedy my żyjemy
Co nam obca moc wydarła,
Szablą odbijemy.

Marsz, marsz, Dąbrowski
Do Polski z ziemi włoski
Za twoim przewodem
Złączym się z narodem.

Przejdziem Wisłę, przejdziem Wartę
Będziem Polakami
Dał nam przykład Bonaparte
Jak zwyciężać mamy.

Jak Czarniecki do Poznania
Wracał się przez morze
Dla ojczyzny ratowania
Po szwedzkim rozbiorze.

Niemiec, Moskal nie osiędzie,
Gdy jąwszy pałasza,
Hasłem wszystkich zgoda będzie
I ojczyzna nasza

Już tam ojciec do swej Basi
Mówi zapłakany
Słuchaj jeno, pono !@#$
Biją w tarabany.

Na to wszystkich jedne głosy
Dosyć tej niewoli
Mamy racławickie kosy
Kościuszkę Bóg pozwoli.

Formation of Nation History:
 

Preparations:
As the ink of the congress of Vienna barely has time to dry, while the coalition armies are occupied in France, the Polish rise up. From peasantry to nobility, they fight side by side; back to back as the Russian, Prussian and Austrian armies now march towards Warsaw. The polish state, under the helm Józef Wybicki, they announce a full mobilisation of the army. Men in droves sign up to the call, hoping to resurrect their homeland amassing up to 40,000 troops as well as 7000 cav. Even raiding barracks and giving old French uniforms. On the home-front, women start sewing uniforms for the army as well as building fortifications; concentrating around Warsaw and Krakow. Due to the aftermath of the Napoleonic wars, the Holy alliance response to the rebellion was sloppy at best. Their armies exhausted from their marches to France and back. Using the time, marshal Karol Kniaziewicz drills his soldiers relentlessly, but not in an ordinary fashion. Using his experience in the Russian campaign of 1812, he saw first-hand experiences of guerrilla warfare by the cossacks. By attacking isolated groups, they could chip away at the enemies numbers. Once the 4 had armies arrived under Schwarzenberg, Blücher, Bagration, and Bennigsen, the Polish army was more than prepared. The plan was simple. A four-pronged attack trying to overstretch the hopelessly outnumbered Polish like they did with Napoleon. Up north is general Blücher's army of Prussia. Down south, von Schwarzenberg's army of Bohemia. In Silesia is Barclay de Tolly's army of Russia and near Poznán is Bennigsen's army of Poland. Meanwhile, Polish troops are spread out across the border with new ones being sent in by the minute. 

Start of the war:
On the morning of August the 22nd, 1815, the four armies march forth to their final destination Warsaw, the biggest army ever assembled since Leipzig. As the armies set foot on Polish soil, the sound of muskets are heard around them. Blood spraying  from side to side, cries of wounded men though as the column were preparing to fire back, they disappear from the forests and hills. The march resumes, a minute later, same story. It goes on... and on... and on... For the entire march, each army gets heavily harassed by the Polish. While encamped, regular night attacks were inflicted by the Polish cavalry, further demoralising the troops. By October the Holy alliance had lost 20% of their men due to death sickness and desertion. As well as attacking the troops, the polish army would also regularly attack supply lines, feeding their army while starving the enemy's. 

Battle of Łódź:
One the 9th of October, Bennigsen's and de Tolly's armies joined together at the town of Łódź. Hearing this news, marshal Karol Kniaziewicz ordered all men at arms in the area to form a stand. The army stationed itself on top of the hills northeast of the town. By the 11th, the Polish army was able to muster around 30,000 troops and 4000 cavalry, pale in comparison around the Russian armies, who numbered at around 85,000 combined. The battle starts at 9 am with Polish artillery pounding the Russian infantry formations. The Russian artillery responded with their own artillery barrage. Unfortunately, most Russian shells either hit the ground or flew over the Polish soldiers who cheered every time the whizzing artillery shells missed. Bennigsen and de Tolly hearing the commotion, orders for the cheering to be silenced. The Russians march over the hill, the screams and chants sprouting fear into the Polish lines. Marshal Kniaziewicz is having none of it, he orders the artillery to fire at the Russian horde. Artillery shells tearing through Russian ranks, every hit boosts the morale of the men. That is until the Russians answer back with their own guns. Balls of steel going through ranks of men. While general Kniaziewicz runs back and forth on his horse, inspiring his men to fight and stand their ground against waves of Russians. As the Russians get closer, the Polish artillery now switches to canister shot, each shot killing dozens of men at once. Now in range of their muskets, the Polish start firing volley after volley after volley. But the Russians keep going, they march on like it's a death wish. Once they're 50 yards away from the polish line, the Russians fire a devastating volley, destroying ranks of Polish men. Marshal Kniaziewicz rallies the men, cheering them on, even using his own personal gun to fire at the Russians. Seeing their general fighting in the thick of it, they hold under overwhelming numbers. For 45 minutes, volley after volley is exchanged between both sides, decimating each other. At 12, Kniaziewicz orders a full withdrawal the "second defensive line" while retreating, they make a gap in the line. The Russians seeing this opportunity, rush to the gap only to be met by Poland's finest cavalry, the Winged Hussars. Coming down the mountain side, their swords shining in the midst of fog all around them. The Polish, firing at the backs of the routing Russians, in headquarters Bennigsen seeing the catastrophe unfolding damns the cavalry that didn't appear to cover the Polish while de Tolly tries to rally the troops but it's too late. Now they too flee the battlefield.

Aftermath of Łódź:

An estimated 18,000 Polish troops were killed or wounded in the battle. The many being from the devastating opening volley. While the Russians lost an estimated 30,000 soldiers killed or wounded. The majority from the artillery barrage. While the Polish army would win, their army is devastated. Losing around 60% of the army, this forced Kniaziewicz to disband the army and send them to the other corps which were holding the two other armies. For Russia, the thought of losing a battle so winnable was morally damaging for all. The next day, the broken army marched on. The sight of the aftermath of the battle was hellish to say the least. Bodies mutilated in all sorts, many stacked on top of each other. The site horrified the common soldier, many vomited at the sight while others deserted all together.

The Winter:
 After another two months of arduous fighting, the harsh winter has set in. Each of the three armies were now around 30 miles from Warsaw. Overall the Holy alliance has lost over 190,000 casualties at this point out of the 350,000 men invasion force plus 60,000 guarding the wagon trains. While the Poles lost approximately 40,000. As they were so close to the capital, the armies decided to encamp due to Napoleons retreat during winter in 1813. It turned out to be one of the worst decisions in military warfare. For all of winter, the polish cavalry, stronger than ever under the command of Jan Henryk Dąbrowski, was able to inflict over 35,000 casualties over the course of winter through all sorts of ways like traps, ruining the water supply and raiding isolated group convoys.

The Siege of Warsaw:

On the first sight of light on a summers day, with reinforcements, the armies advanced to at last, capture Warsaw. Though the heroic stands of the Polish regulars and partisan force delayed the advance for months on end, giving them precious time to send food, water, ammunition,... Eventually, the armies would reach the gates of Warsaw. Fortunately for the Poles, the extended supply lines of the three armies were way overstretched so for now they can only lay siege. By now, all civilians have left the city  long ago, which is better for the garrison as now they only need to feed the troops. As the first shots of artillery hit the walls, the garrison's realisation sinks in. This is going to be a fight to the last. It's either die here or on foreign soil. The days seemingly go by smoothly for the Poles, as the enemy's 6 pounder cannon do little against the walls. The only way to break through is by knocking down the gate which is on the other side of the Vistula. As the Holy alliance crosses the Vistula, they are met with cannon and musket for every second they move. By the time a bridgehead was build, it had cost over 7,000 casualties. Now with the city being encircled entirely, the Holy alliance can bombard Warsaw on all angles. At the same time, general Dąbrowski is mustering the biggest cavalry army in europe since the Mongols. 
 

1st attack:
Months pass, every shot weakening the walls. Any moment now, they will fall, only by the grace of god it's holding together. On the evening of June 5th, 1816, a section of the western wall finally goes down. The army, under the overall command of Schwarzenberg, calls for an immediate attack amidst supply issues getting ever worse. With general Blücher attacking the breach, Schwarzenberg leading the assault on the gate. De Tolly directing a sneak attack into the city via the Vistula while Bennigsen guards the rear. Marshal Kniaziewicz, seeing this as the beginning of the end, sends an envoy to general Dąbrowski to send in the relief army. At 7 o'clock, the assault begins. The clacking sounds of thousands of boots giving away their locations in an instant. The Polish artillery opens fire at the direction of the noise, making rivers of blood. Even worse, the moons glare exposes de Tolly's surprise attack, to which they are slaughtered. Now the armies truly exposed, the Polish fire at them with whatever they got, canister shot, muskets, grenades, even makeshift spears. Schwarzenberg's army is the first to arrive at their objective. Sappers now are desperately trying to chop down the walls as shots fly overhead. Once down the Austrians are met with ferocious volleys by the Polish legion. Once fired, the legion fixed their bayonets and charged like mad men. Frightened by this mad force, the Austrians began a full rout. Meanwhile in the Prussian sector, the attack has bogged down. Every attack they've done is either met by musket or canister shot. While under massive fire, general Blücher orders a general retreat. Whilst tactical victory, the Polish lose 8,000 out of the 25,000 garrison, a 32% casualty rate. While the Holy alliance lose around 35,000 out of their 200,000+ strong army.

2nd attack:

By now, general Dąbrowski and his relief army are on their way. But as a result of the Biebrza Marshes bogging down the army, it's going to take two days before reaching Warsaw. After weeks of shelling, there are now four breaches in the walls plus the gate. The stage is set, for the biggest battle since Leipzig. On the eve of the 26th of June, the assault begins. Drums banging, boots sloshing, the horde of the Holy marches. On the walls, sentries blow their whistles as the garrison readies to fight death. The artillery now starts firing at the organised blob of soldiers, tearing through holes in the ranks. Though urged on by their commanders, the army moves on. Once in canister range, the Polish artillery change their rearm themselves with grapeshot and BOOM, thousands of men are killed and mutilated. Limbs flying, flesh going all over the place. Some try to run but are pushed forward by their own. The march goes on until, at 200 yards, the Polish muskets start firing. Causing huge casualties, the Poles give it everything, throwing as much as they can at the horde. Once near the breaches, they throw rocks and rubble, anything to stop the advance, but they keep coming. And soon they break through, firing at the backs of the Poles. Marshal Kniaziewicz now calls for a withdrawal to the inner city. Those who are behind act as a rearguard to delay the advance.

Fierce combat erupts in the city, as firefights emerge on the streets as well as brutal hand-to-hand combat in the buildings. For hours the Poles valiantly fight off the Russian, Prussian and Austrian coalition until over-extended, marshal Kniaziewicz orders a withdrawal to the bridge. With 7,000 men left, they will fight to the last. By 3 am, the Last remaining pockets of resistance are crushed. Schwarzenberg, orders a halt in the advance, reorganising the army for the crushing blow. Whilst redeploying the troops, the artillery from the western walls open fire at the blob of forces, setting mass confusion among the ranks. Blücher orders the 1st Pomerania and the 2nd Silesian infantry regiments to take the walls but are all wiped out by a couple grapeshot rounds. The barrage continues. The 6 pounder artillery tearing streaks of men into limbs. Before the artillery can reek more havoc, the order is given. Masses of infantry charge while the Polish troops and artillery fire volley after volley, some soldiers advanced within five feet from the Polish line but at last they held the line. Following the slaughter, Schwarzenberg orders to the halt the assault and reform. The Polish cannons using this opportunity, pummel the coalition with a huge volley of rounds, killing many thousands. Seeing the situation as hopeless, Blücher's and de Tolly's armies retreat to safety while the army of Bohemia forms a rearguard. In total, the Holy alliance lose 60,000 out of their 190,000 army. On the other side, the Poles only have 4,500 out of the original 17,000 before the attack.

3rd attack:

Knowing the situation on the western wall is untenable, marshal Kniaziewicz orders to retreat to the western bank of the Vistula and fortify the river. Retrieving the artillery pieces and placing them in strategic positions as well as a bomb to blow the bridge up if the coalition is able to cross. The coalition, knowing that attacking the eastern side is suicidal, decides to send the artillery to the western side to make a breach in the walls. Weeks go by, each shell reverberates across the city, one by one the wall will break. At this point of the siege, the Holy alliance is almost completely cut off from their supply lines due to constant raids by independent Polish cavalry and infantry. With two weeks of rations left for the alliance, they need a miracle at this point. And one they get. On the morning of July 12th, after weeks of bombardment, a large part of the eastern wall finally falls down. At the same time, to the right of the eastern wall another breach occurs. Command, seeing this golden opportunity, sends half their infantry to the east. The next day, the coalition armies are split among three fronts: von Schwarzenberg attacks the western wall while in the east, Blücher attacks the left breach and de Tolly the right. The assault starts at 10 am. In the east, the Polish artillery opens fire, trying to kill as many as possible as well as using as many artillery rounds as possible for the artillery to be unusable. In the west, Schwarzenberg's army of Bohemia is left unopposed. Though are demoralised after seeing the aftermath of the second assault. Once on the riverbank, the Polish artillery officer shouts "Fire!". 

In a matter of seconds, dozens of grapeshot rounds are fired, massacring thousands. The Austrians, charge immediately at the bridge, held by a measly of force of a 1000 troops, led by colonel Golaszewski. Even if undermanned, the presence of artillery will make it a tough ask for any army. Back to the eastern front, both armies are within 100 feet from the walls. The Polish valiantly fire volley after volley, but it's no use. Once they're 50 feet away, the Polish retreat to the secondary defense line, leaving behind the artillery on the walls. On the eastern wall, the artillery fires all they have left until finally, they've all ran out of ammunition. Charging down, muskets and sabres in hand, encircled on all sides trying to reach their comrades on the other side. Only 400 out of the 700 crew make it back. Returning to the western front, fighting is fierce as casualties are rampant. With only 400 of his men left, colonel Golaszewski orders for the bridge to be "lit up". The Polish now start a fighting retreat. Seeing the retreating Poles, hordes of Austrian soldiers rush to the bridge, only to be blown into pieces, the debris killing even more. Now with nowhere to go, the Austrians are forced to retreat while under fire. With the western threat gone, all forces are sent to the west. 

On the western front, huge pressure is being put on the second line. They've repelled an attack by the Prussians on the right, though with the Russians arriving it's a lost cause. Marshal Kniaziewicz orders a withdrawal to the Royal Castle where they make their last stand. The marshal himself, personally charging in with his body guard to halt the advance. Only a 1,000 troops now are left in the defense. Fortunately, the Russian and Prussian's pause the advance to wait for the Austrians. While crossing the river, the Austrians are under heavy attack by the few Polish artillery on the walls, using round-shot, they were able to inflict heavy losses while destroying the bridge. While the Austrians are stuck on the other side, general Blücher and de Tolly agree to stop the attack indefinitely. Resting their men for the final assault. A tactical victory for the coalition but at a high cost. The alliance lose 25,000 of their forces in the assault. On the other side, the Poles are in a dire state. Less than a thousand men are left in the defense, with not enough ammunition, they resort to looting the dead bodies of friend and foe. Trying to delay the advance for the next attack, they set up some traps for the enemy.

The 4th attack:

A few days later, the Austrians finally arrive in full at the western bank of the river. Now with their entire force, on the 18th of July, Schwarzenberg launches his attack. The armies march, uncontested. That is until huge explosions eviscerate thousands at the breaches. Startled, soldiers try to flee but are pushed back in. In the city streets, everything's all quiet on the western front. The fog of war so thick, you can't see two feet in front of you. Only the grinding of boots can be heard. All of a sudden, grenades fly from the windows. Mobs of men turned into mush. Trying to escape, the coalition soldiers charge at the palace, only to be turned to bits by the artillery. Seeing that they're trapped, the coalition's men try to retreat but are bombarded once more by grenades, flying out of every gap. The Polish now open fire at the retreating men, every shot killing someone. The alliance now with no other choice, decides to fall back to safety. Around 5,000 unlucky souls were captured by the Poles, who are going to be important later. Along with the 5,000 taken prisoner, around 5,500 men were slain in the attack whereas the Poles only have 10 wounded.

Negotiations:

The next day, marshal Kniaziewicz rides out with his bodyguard to talk terms with the enemy. Hoping for a lengthy ceasefire, negotiations drag on as the alliance only wants nothing but for the destruction of the beleaguered garrison. A week passes by, with no progress. Kniaziewicz wonders during all of this "Where the hell is the cavalry". When talks cease, Kniaziewicz orders the prisoners to be executed.

The massacre of the heights:
Meanwhile in the south, archduke Charles' army of Austria marches onto Warsaw, hoping to send the army as reinforcements and end the siege once and for all. That's what scouts report to general Dąbrowski. Using their better expertise on the terrain, general Dąbrowski plans for the complete destruction of the Army of Austria. A big force of cav is placed at the front of the Austrian column to lure them in. Then in coordination with the cavalry at the front, the others charge on the Austrian flanks and rear. Completely demoralising them into surrender. In the following days, with the pieces falling together. General Dąbrowski calls for the execution. On the 22nd of July, with the Austrians marching to Warsaw Austrian scouts have spotted a large contingent of Polish cav, ready to strike. Archduke Charles asks "How many?" To which the scout answers "Around a thousand". Considering the size of his forces compared to theirs, the Archduke presses forward. "Perfect." Says Dąbrowski, watching his trap coming to fruition. Once the enemy's further up, Dąbrowski orders the charge. Simultaneously, 4 armies of 10,000 cavalry charge in each direction. With no time to form square, the Austrians are slaughtered. With nowhere to go, Archduke Charles is forced to surrender and return to Vienna.

The siege of Warsaw continues:

After news reached of Archduke Charles' defeat, huge mutinies happen across all the armies. But these are dealt with brutal reprisals, disheartening the troops more to the cause. With no food or anything left, many desert. On the other side of things, marshal Kniaziewicz while relieved is also in a reckless rage due to Dąbrowski not relieving the city sooner. With both sides on the brink, Schwarzenberg has two options. Either retreat now or one last attack. In the end, he chooses the latter. The troops, hungry and tired, are forced to march on.

The end game:

On night of the 26th of June, the final assault begins. All the coalition, even the rearguard, charge the walls once more. The armies moving like zombies through mud, are at the breaches of the eastern wall again. Now in the city, soldiers seeing their former comrades heads on pikes are terrified of what’s to come. Now they clear the buildings for any resistance , checking room to room, door to door until, all the remaining buildings turn to dust as hidden bombs detonate inside, killing everyone who dare go in. With the silence being broken, the Polish artillery fires from all sides. Killing anyone in front. Now it's the infantry's turn, killing dozens with their fire. By rotating the troops in front every time they shoot, it keeps a steady rate of thereby keeping the troops at bay for longer. Though with their rate of fire, the coalition moves on. That's when a volley of canister shot rips through the lines, temporarily for a second pausing the advance. Once urged by their commanding officers, the men of the alliance push on, withering through musket and cannon fire. Once at 70 yards, the Polish retreat. Though just before they go into the safety of the castle the artillery fire one more canister shot, murdering through the lines before placing some bombs and retreating to safety. Seeing the Polish fall back, the soldiers of the alliance charge through the outer defense before many being blown up to pieces, killing hundreds. 

The few Polish who survive fire volley after volley at the blob of soldiers, killing as many as the can before they too fall. Marshall Kniaziewicz is in the thick of the fighting. On the second floor, he fires at any enemy he sees with his men. "Where the !@#$ is that !@#$" he exclaims, wondering where general Dąbrowski is. In that moment, the door is knocked down, alliance and Polish fight in brutal bloodthirsty hand to hand combat. Fighting tooth and nail, the Poles fight valiantly but it's no use. The coalition rushes down the first floor and moves onto the second. The bottleneck of the stairs proves of great use for the Polish who fire with anything they can. Even using pillars to push the enemy soldiers down. Grenades are thrown, bodies, everything in desperation to hold the line but it's just too much. The overwhelming numbers of the coalition force breaking through the second floor, marshal Kniaziewicz orders to retreat to the final floor, where they make their last stand. He and his 300 remaining troops, do a fighting retreat to inflict as many casualties as they can. At the third floor, they fight harder than before. Grenades, muskets, spears, even torches are thrown in the attempt to inflict as much pain as possible. By 5 am it looks as the city has fallen. 

The marshal, looks around the once great city turned into rubble. As he looks to the east, the Winged Hussars has arrived. Charging down the mountainside, with Jan Sobieski’s soul riding down with them. The rear of the attack try to form a cohesive line but it’s no use. The huge numbers of cavalry simply crush the line, first by firing a volley into the enemy and then drawing out their sabres. Cutting their way into the inner city. The remaining coalition troops, surrounded on all sides desperately try to get out. Some fight their way out while others swim across the Vistula into safety. Nonetheless, most are slaughtered. In the castle, the remaining 200 Polish soldiers rejoice as they’ve survived the most deadly siege in recorded history. Outnumbered and out gunned, the remaining coalition troops in the city surrenders. Seeing the ensuing defeat, all four generals try to run away from the battlefield but are soon rounded up and placed among those who surrendered. To the shock of the cavalry, the few who remain in the garrison walk out of the Royal Castle, marshal Kniaziewicz included. The general and marshal, exchanging kind words to each other. Thanking profusely to one another for their efforts. The few who survive, break down by the gates of heaven. The horrors they faced, the friends they lost, every soldier they’ve killed, seeing the hellish landscape, all the emotions comes crashing down. The cavalry leaving them be, escorts the prisoners to their cells. In total, only 214 of the 20,000 man garrison live to tell the tale.

 
The treaty of Kraków:

On the civilian front, everyone is appalled by this disastrous showing by their militaries. Protests erupt across the capitals as they want a treaty signed before more lives are thrown away. A few days later, a treaty is rushed between the four belligerents. The Polish state is given their old borders of 1789 and to place Frederick Augustus I as an exchange to release all the prisoners, especially the generals. In a scramble, the Holy alliance unwittingly sign without knowing the consequence. A few weeks after the dotted lines been signed, at the halls of the Royal Castle. He announce the creation of the Duchy of Warsaw and the Saxon-Polish Union.

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