Miniatures Shop

25004 Jan Kozietulski, Somosierra 1808

Resin figure 250mm - 1/7 scale. Unpainted unassembled resin figure. Contains solder wire for aglets.
Sculpted by Grzegorz Kupiec. Painted by Wojtek Bulhak.

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We recommend  an album:

Ryszard Morawski, Andrzej Nieuwazny:
Wojsko Polskie w sluzbie Napoleona. Gwardia: szwolezerowie, Tatarzy, eklererzy, grenadierzy.
Polish Army in Napoleon's Service. The Guard: Light Horsemen, Tartars, Eclaireurs, Infantry Grenadiers.
Warszawa: KARABELA D. Chojnacka 2008, ISBN: 978-83-61229-01-8
size cm 34 x 24,. 360 pages , colour artwork pages 86, b/w artwork pages 4, map, Polish text, captions and summary in English and French, Hard Bound.

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The figurine presents the officer of the service squadron of the Emperor's Guard light cavalry regiment at the rank of squadron chef or captain during the famous charge at Somosierra on 30 November 1808. The officer's face takes the picture of Jan Kozietulski's oil painting by Vernet. We tried to express a good likeness forming a dynamic figure at the moment of the glory while giving the order of the charge after the salvo of Spanish artillery.

The uniform

There are a lot of misunderstandings resulting from the lack of Polish language historical documents for West European historians who were not acquainted with the chronicles of the regiment. The painters of battle pieces frequently changed the uniforms to give the picturesque effects of their masterpieces.

30 November 1808, the squadron on duty and the others of the regiment

The squadron was on body guard duty for the Emperor. The full dress (service-parade uniform) was obligatory. The squadron leader used to order to replace the elements of the campaign uniform to full dress one depending on weather etc. The squadron had the service dress coats with buttoned lapels, campaign dress trousers, greatcoats and covered caps without plumes. Just before the charge because of sunshine the great-coats were taken off, rolled and hung across the right shoulder. Officers had the service dress coat. If the caps were uncovered it is very likely that plumes were not put on. We assume, that Kozietulski would dress service-parade uniform with cloak. Before battle cloak was rolled across right shoulder and was torn by gunfire during the charge.The other squadrons that followed the third one had covered caps and campaign dress worn.

The officer's uniform

The full dress coat was navy blue with crimson lapels, collars, insertions and lining. You can replace navy blue with the white of the parade uniform, but is not correct for the Soomosierra charge. Only a few officers and privates had it because of high cost. It was very unlikely, that they charged the batteries having the white coats on. Kozietulski probably did not even have one. The officers had a silver white snakelike embroidery. A richly embroided epaulet on the right shoulder and aglets on the left shoulder were the marks of officers rank. The aglets were completed with two metal silver "pencils". The cartrige box with silver parts was hung on the white belt across the left shoulder . The neck was wrapped with a black cloth showing two white collar corners.

The cap

Four cornered cap with crimson quilted quarter edged with silver white ribbon and crimson purl below with silver white oak leaves above the black leather rim. The peak of black leather was fitted with metal rim. The "halfsun" of brass with the silver shield with capital N on it. The white heron feather crest was put on top with white-crimson and blue knot with a silver cross below. There was a thick silver white purl round the cap. It was buckled with the crimson cloth belt covered with silver chain. There were brass decorative elements at the corners of the cap. At the left corner a small hook was located to hang the unbuckled chin belt.
The cap was big, heavy and uncomfortable, that is why it was frequently cocked to ease the head of its burden.

Alternatives

You can make some changes with the bust:
Somosierra 1808 - remove the crest and add the white greatcoat, rolled and put across the left shoulder like the cartridge box belt.
Wagram 1809 - Kozietulski distinguished himself during the battle changing the direction of the charge and facing the Austrian cavalry that was attacking in the rear. The Legion of Honour Order received after the charge of Somosierra should be put below the cartridge box belt on the left side. The coat colour - navy blue.

The charge of Somosierra 30th November 1808

Somosierra was the strategic obstacle for Napoleon who set off to pacify the Spanish uprising. The way leading to the mountain pass was embanked with one yard high stone walls on both sides. The pass was guarded by the Royal Spanish Artilery - the elite force of the Spanish army and a few thousand of militia troops both sides of road. Regulars were held further back in reserve. There were 16 guns in 4 batteries located every several hundred yards along the road. The three batteries because of the narrow road consisted of 2 guns each. On top the last battery had 10 guns. The body guard service was performed by the third squadron of light cavalry. 209 men took part in the charge led by the squadron leader Jan Kozietulski with his nickname "hotheaded".
The first misty morning attack of French infantry failed and in the mean-time the second lieutenant Niegolewski was sent with the reconaissance party to patrol the front line. Napolen had not enought guns to calm down the Spanish batteries. He was irritated with foot soldiers failure and the capture of one of Niegolewski's men and ordered the squadron on duty to take the first battery. The squadron of the third and seventh company without Niegolewski's patrol set off along the road in column by four. The Spanish militia was firing at the horsemen from both sides. The first battery was able to fire twice causing some disorder among the charging men. Kozietulski led the cavalry men and despite the confusion maintained an order. He shouted "Long live the Emperor" and "Come on mates, take the guns!" and he took the first battery. According to some sources he shouted: “Forward dog’s offspring, Emperor is watching!”. Just behind the battery his horse got killed and captain Dziewanowski took over the command. He took the second battery and was gravely wounded in front of the third one. Niegolewski who returned from the patrol joined the squadron in front of the second battery. He encouraged the survivers to follow him and took the third and fourth battery. Though injured several times he tried to hold the position together with the handful of his able men. Napoleon sent the first squadron with Lubienski and the platoon of Chasseurs of the guard to finish the fight. Then major Doutancourt followed chasing the enemy with the second and fourth squadron.

The charge broke down the excellant position defended by numerous force of the enemy. The total loss was 18 killed and 79 wounded men. Spanish 10 thousand men force fled away. Most of the Spanish officers were taken prisoner and some banners taken over. The way to Madrid was open and the regiment proved its right to the Old Guard membership.

Kozietulski led the charge only to the first battery and his merit was to carry on the job without hesitation. In the fraction of the moment the men got used to the intensive fire of the enemy who puzzled started to lose his morale. The leading of the charge is put to general Montbrun's credit and major de Segurs. The first is mentioned in the Emperor's bulletin published after the battle but according to major Dautancourt Montbrun was the man of honour and he frequently was joking because of the doubtful privilege. Unfortunately he was killed in 1812 and was unable to explain the fact to the historians. Major de Segur was wounded before the battle and he could not take part in the charge. He is known for his showing off his part in the fight and this can be found in his description of winter campaign in Russia in 1812.