| Polish Horse Regiment 21st (Polish Lancers) Horse Militia Regiment | |
|---|---|
| Польский Уланский полк | |
 NCO of the regiment in 1915 | |
| Active | 1797—1833 |
| Country |
 Russian Empire |
| Allegiance | Tsar of Russia |
| Branch |
 Russia Army |
| Role | Militia Cavalry |
| Size | Regiment |
| Engagements | Polish Revolution |
The Polish Horse Regiment later the Polish Uhlan Regiment (Конный Польский полк and Польский Уланский полк) was a militia, known as the Narodnoe Opolcheniye, horse regiment that existed during the Napoleonic Wars and later the January Uprising.
History[]
The Polish Lancers Regiment was first formed in 1797 as the Polish Horse Regiment. By 1801, the regiment was renamed as the Polish Cavalry Regiment. In 1805, Russian army uniforms were redone to bring them up-to-date. In 1806 the regiment joined the 4th Cavalry Division with their brand new polish influenced uniforms. From 1806-07 the regiment took part in the Battle of Pultussk and later the Battle of Eylau. In 1807 the regiment was renamed as the Polish Uhlan (Lancer) Regiment and moved under control of the 5th Infantry Division and moved to the city of Polotsk. In 1808 the regiment gained their first set of guidons and flags.
By 1809 they were assigned to the Border Guard on the frontier with the Duchy of Warsaw. By 1810 the regiment was brought out of border guard duties and assigned to the 1st Cavalry Division. During the French Invasion of Russia the regiment joined the 2nd Cavalry Division where they were assigned to Colonel Alexander Samoilovich Figner partisan detachment during the Battle of Borodino. After the battle and Napoleon's retreat from Russia, the regiment took part in the War of the Sixth Coalition. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars the regiment was moved to Sumy.
In 1827 the regiment gained brand new colours and in 1828 was given a regimental number, making them "unofficially known" as the 21st (Polish Lancers) Militia Cavalry Regiment. In 1831 the regiment took part in the January Uprising where they were assigned after that to the 6th Lancer Division. In 1833 the regiment was disbanded with the following squadrons being dispersed:
- 1st Squadron— Smolensk Lancer Regiment Forming 7th Squadron
- 2nd Squadron—Smolensk Lancer Regiment Forming 8th Squadron
- 3rd Squadron—Orenburk Uhlan Regiment Forming 8th Squadron
- 4th Squadron—Orenburk Uhlan Regiment Forming 7th Squadron
- 5th Squadron—Kienburg Dragoon Regiment Forming 9th Squadron
- 6th Squadron—Kazan Dragoon Regiment Forming 9th Squadron
- Civilian Reserve Squadron—Moscow Dragoon Regiment and Kargopol Dragoon Regiment's 11th Squadrons
Commanders[]
Because the regiment was classed as a "irregular" cavalry unit, the commanders were erratic. But include:
- 1799 Lieutenant General Prince Jan Henryk Dąbrowski
- 1800 Major General Prince Rtiev
Images[]
