Dezercja w wojskach prywatnych Radziwiłłów w XVIII wieku

ENThe paper refers to a little known issue among historical literature — the desertion in the private Radziwiłł armies during 1735-1764. An important source of information regarding the desertions, were interrogation protocols from captured deserters. There are about 50 protocols, all from 1740-1772. The protocols contain a lot of interesting information especially regarding the relations in the ranks of the militia. In the Radziwiłł militia desertion was punished by a death sentence, usually by hanging, which was supposed to be additional source of disgrace and shame. Desertion in the face of an enemy was an even worse crime. The most common causes for desertion were irregular payment, harassment by officers or other soldiers, difficulty with adapting to the new environment, and the search for better working conditions or military service. Escape plans were often formed in taverns, among soldiers with a common ethnic or social background. A getaway was usually made individually or in small groups, always by night. Sometimes, local residents aided soldiers in an unknown territory to safety. Often the uniform and guns were taken as well in order to sell them as a way to acquire money for the getaway journey. Troops were dispatched in order to capture the runaways. The executors were usually Hussars, Tatars or Cossacks, as they were looked upon as more loyal and ruthless. They had the help of beset specialists from local villages which specialized in besetting during local wildlife hunting expeditions.Captured fugitives were kept locked up for interrogation. If the desertion was made by a group, interrogators were keen on Ending out who was the initiator of the escape. Planned desertion was punished more severely than one caused by fear for punishment for a cause. The deserters were brought before military courts, led by the commanders. Death penalty was a common verdict, but it was not always carried out. A known sadist, prince Hieronim Florian liked to imprison people in dungeons for various infraction, only to graciously free them and reenlist them into the army. The scale of the process can be assumed due to numerous records from monthly and yearly registers, field reports and such, of which several hundred have survived. However, most deserters have not been caught. Sources indicate that from month to month 0Д to 2 % of soldiers fled the Radziwiłł army, and only 30% of them have been caught.