D. von Staberg wrote:Liluh,
There is at best limited evidence to support the claims you make in your post.
First the events you discribe happende at very diffrent times, the Santo Domingo expidition took place in 1802 at which time Poland was still occupied by Prussia, Russia and Austria. The Grand Duchy of Warsaw was not froemd by Napoleon until 1807.
The Polish forces served in Spain after 1808 while Polish forces other than the Imperial Guard regiment did not serve with Napoleon until 1812.
Regards
Daniel
Daniel, you may be right at some extent, my post was rather chaotic and not accurate, still:
1) Polish Legion in Italy has been created in the January of 1797 under command of gen. J.H. Dabrowski, in support and based in Lombardia (later Cyzalpia). It counted around 7000 men, those who left Poland after partitions, those who were forced to serve in Austrian army, but were made POW by French, and finally those who deserted from Austrian army (later also Russian etc.).
2) That`s also the time when J. Wybicki created song which is now Polish national theme. Its words mention Bonaparte, Polish Legion in Italy, and how they will follow him all the way to Poland to free it. These were Polish expectations although Napoleon never gave a clear promise it will happen (and it was obvious since he wasn`t a dictator yet).
3) In 1799 Legion had severe looses in Italy campaing against Russia-Austrian coalition. Since the situation was pretty bad also for France, directoriat finally agreed to incorporate Poles into French army. Reinforced Legion raised to 9000 men. Napoleon took the full power overthrowing the last republican government and soon overthrow coalition forces from Italy. Legion ("Naddunajska Legia") under gen. Kniaziewicz marched to the Vienna, but had been halted. Bonaparte needed peace, and he agreed to not support Poles in their claims for freedom, in exchange Austria agreed to not to support French royalists (treaty in Luneville 1801).
4) Legions grew uneasy, soldiers didn`t like the idea that they are being send to Italy to protect French interests then, as they wanted to march forward to Poland. Gen. Kniaziewicz dismissed himself, togheter with several officers, gen. Dabrowski was considering a complete departure of the Legion from French command. He wanted to go to Greece to help Greeks fight for freedom. Becouse of that uneasyness, Bonaparte decided to partition Legion. Large part, 6000 men from the Legion had been sent to San Domingo (Haiti) from where only 300 came back, rest died of diseases, harsh climate, or stayed there to live. Around 5000 men stayed with gen. Dabrowski in Lombardia (and Neapol, under Bonaparte`s brother) and took part in the campaings of that time.
5) In 1806 remains of the Legion took part if battles against Prussia and were later transfered to the forces of Grand Duchy of Warsaw under gen. J. Poniatowski (later French marshall). In 10 years time, around 35.000 men served in the Legion in total. Big setback was the change in Kosciuszko`s support. He lost his trust to Bonaparte, he didn`t accept the fact that Napoleon overthrow republic authorities, while the new and fresh democratic ideals were what he fought for. That had to lead to some troubles as Legion considered Kosciuszko its mentor and leader.
For final word. Sure, after 1806, or even a year or two earlier, Napoleon had every reason to make Polish forces bigger, they were finally marching towards Poland and he could be sure they`ll serve him eagerly and faithfully, as the never written promise and the main reason why Poles joined France, was the attempt to free their country and reestabilish it and it finally became true. But before that, in 1802, Bonaparte couldn`t let a mutiny to outbreak in his ranks. Poles didn`t want to wait, so he had to force them, but not by somekind of threat, that would surely lead to worse situation, he just gave them a job and to weaken their temper, spreaded around the world. Of course, I aswell doubt that Bonaparte ever wanted Kingdom of Poland as a fully independent country. In this case, Duchy was the golden middle as it gave Poles a bit of independence, but didn`t yet make them free of his fluency. In 1812 Duchy parliment decided to raise army of 100.000 men for the so called "second polish war" against Russia. I have no idea how many did they send in the end, most likely the number was pretty close to the estimated, but in any case 70% of them died in that campaing, especially that Polish forces moved in the rear protecting the retreat. If you ask me, Poniatowski shouldn`t follow Napoleon to the Moscow, with well trained and equipped men, army of 100.000 togheter with well experienced officers, Duchy could defend itself for years.
Yes, it was somehow naive to believe in Bonaparte intentions of freedom for everyone, but he was treated as a someone close to God, and not only by Poles.
Best regards,
Filip