Battle of Birże

The Battle of Birzai was a series of skirmishes during the January Uprising. They took place on May 7–9, 1863, in the area of Lithuanian town of Birzai, which at that time belonged to the Russian Empire. Rebel forces from former Grand Duchy of Lithuania, commanded by Zygmunt Sierakowski, clashed here with the Imperial Russian Army.

In early May 1863, Sierakowski and his men tried to break through Russian cordon to Courland, where a maritime transport with weapons was announced. Rebel forces concentrated in Birzai and Medeikai, were attacked by the Russians. After several clashes, Sierakowski’s unit was destroyed, which ended the insurrection in Lithuania.

Battle of Medeikai
On May 7, first clash took place near Medeikai, 10 kilometers north of Birzai. Sierakowski divided his party into three columns, and ordered to march to Birzai. They were faced by troops of the Imperial Russian Army, which included Cossacks, uhlans, infantry and Finnish riflemen. Left rebel column, commanded by Boleslaw Kolyszka, was attacked by the Russians. After a heavy fight, the rebels, reinforced with additional forces sent by Sierakowski, managed to kill 65 and wound 75 Russians.

Battle of Gudiskiu
On May 8, Russian command sent reinforcements to the unit which had been defeated in Medeikai the day before. Near the village of Gudiskiu (3 kilometers southeast from Medeikai), they clashed with Sierakowski. A kosynierzy attack was fought off by the Russians, and the battle ended in rebel defeat. Sierakowski, himself wounded, lost 200 men (killed and wounded), and ordered a withdrawal, nominating Ignacy Laskowski new commandant of the party.

Battle of Siurniskis
On May 9, 1863, new rebel commandant, Ignacy Laskowski, ordered his forces to camp in a forest near Siurniskis. The rebels were completely taken by surprise, when the Russians attacked them. For one hour, reverend Antanas Mackevicius defended rebel positions, but was defeated and rebel survivors fled from battlefield.