Battle of Novhorod-Siverskyi

The Battle of Novgorod-Seversky was the first major battle of False Dmitry I against Boris Godunov.[1]

Battle of Novhorod-Siverskyi
Part of Polish–Russian War (1605–1618)
DateDecember 31, 1604
Location
Novhorod-Siverskyi, Ukraine
Result Victory for False Dmitry I, Novhorod-Siverskyi besieged
Belligerents
Army of False Dmitry I Tsardom of Russia
Commanders and leaders
False Dmitry I

Fyodor Mstislavsky

Peter Basmanov

Nikita Trubeckoy
Strength
15.000

25.000-40.000

1.500 in garrison of Novhorod-Siverskyi
Casualties and losses
Significant About 4.000

Prelude

False Dmitry I crossed the border of Tsardom of Russia in winter of 1604 commanding a mercenary army of Polish-Lithuanian noblemen. Many residents of southern Russian lands flocked to his banner, and fortified cities of Chernigov and Putyvl accepted him as their "rightful sovereign".[2]

Siege of Novgorod Seversky

Novgorod Seversky was the only city that resisted False Dmitry's troops, defended by Voivode Peter Basmanov and Nikita Trubetskoi with 1,500 men and several heavy cannon. The siege begun on November 21, but two major assaults have been successfully repulsed.

Battle

Nevertheless, the army of the impostor continued to grow to about 15.000, as new towns and cities recognized his authority. To help Basmanov, Tsar Boris Godunov sent some 25.000 servicemen (probably 40.000 including armed serfs) under Prince Fyodor Mstislavsky. But False Dmitry I took initiative and attacked larger Russian army on December 31, 1604, on the outskirts of the city. Polish Hussars, led personally by impostor, routed the right wing of the Russian army, put the center in a disarray and wounded Prince Mstislavsky himself. The Prince was saved by a counter-attack of Streltsy under Mikhail Shein, and the Russian army retreated to their fortified camp.[3]

Aftermath

The Tsar's army quickly recovered and defeated the usurper in the Battle of Dobrynichi in January 1605.[4]

References
  1. Dunning, Chester; Emerson, Caryl; Fomichev, Sergei; Lotman, Lidiia (2006-04-15). The Uncensored Boris Godunov: The Case for Pushkin's Original Comedy. Univ of Wisconsin Press. ISBN 9780299207632.
  2. Željko., Fajfrić (2008). Ruski carevi (1. izd ed.). Sremska Mitrovica: Tabernakl. ISBN 9788685269172. OCLC 620935678.
  3. Fajfrić, Željko (2003). Istorija Rusije. Šid : Grafosrem. p. 280.
  4. G., Skrynnikov, R. (2002). Boris Godunov. Moskva: Izd-vo AST. ISBN 5170108923. OCLC 50393092.

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