Battle of Kircholm (September 27, 1605) was one of the major battles in the Polish-Swedish War of 1600-1611. After only 20 minutes of fighting the Swedish army was severely beaten.

History

Eve of the Battle

On September 27, 1605, the Polish-Lithuanian (mostly from Great Duchy of Lithuania, one of two subjects in the Polish-Lithuanian commonwealth) and Swedish forces met near the small town of Kircholm (now Salaspils, some 25 km. south of Riga). The Forces of Charles IX of Sweden were numerically superior and were composed of 11.000 infantry, 3.000 cavalry and 11 cannons. In addition, the Swedes were joined by an unknown number of Dutch, Scottish and German mercenaries. The opposing army under Jan Karol Chodkiewicz was composed of roughly 1.300 infantry, 2.500 cavalry and only 5 cannons. However, the Lithuanian forces were well-rested and the Lithuanian cavalry comprised mostly the Winged Hussars, or the Lithuanian heavy cavalry while the Swedish cavalry was of a standard, western-European light type. Lithuanian forces were aided by a small number of Tatars and Cossacks, used mostly for reconnaissance.

Deployment

The Swedish forces were deployed in a so-called Dutch Pattern, that is separate infantry regiments formed independent squares and pockets of resistance. The flanks were covered by the light cavalry and the cannons were placed in front of the cavalry.

Jan Karol Chodkiewicz deployed his forces in a deep formation, with the left wing significantly stronger and commanded by rotmistrz Dąbrowa, right wing composed of a smaller number of Hussars under hetman Lew Sapieha and the centre covered by the infantry under rotmistrz Woyna and aided by 300 Hussars. The commander also left some 280 hussars as his reserve under colonel Lacki.

Battle

The battle started with the Lithuanian cavalry charge on the Swedish left flank. At the same time approximately 300 Polish Hussars were attacking the Swedish infantry deployed in the centre of the lines in order not to let the infantry regroup and aid the cavalry fighting on the right flank. After the Swedish cavalry retreated, Chodkiewicz ordered his left wing and all of his reserves to attack the opposing right flank of the Swedish forces. The Swedish reiters retreated shortly afterwards and the infantry in the centre was attacked from three sides simultaneously. During the chaotic retreat the Swedes suffered heavy casualties.

The battle lasted only approximately 20 minutes, yet the Swedish defeat was utter and complete. The army of Charles IX of Sundermanland had lost more than 9.500 men, that is two thirds of his forces. The Polish losses numbered only approximately 100 dead and 200 wounded, although the Hussars lost a large part of trained battle horses.

During the battle the Swedish muskets could not breach the heavy armours of the Hussars. Also, during the frontal assault the Lithuanian cavalrymen were hiding behind their horses heads, which lead to negligible Lithuanian losses. However, the losses in horses proved vital to further usage of the heavy cavalry in the war with Sweden.

After the Battle

After the defeat Sweden was forced to leave the siege of Riga and withdraw northwards. However, the war was not over and soon the new Swedish king Gustavus Adolphus attacked the Inflants again.

See also:

• List of Battles
• Hussars