Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2013 4:38 pm
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And the story continues:
"We traveled the remainder of the night. We thought we had gone about twelve or fifteen miles from our prison, but when day broke, we found we were near the place we started from. We were surprised and afraid we would be discovered. But we made our way toward the river, and along the river we succeeded in getting into the thickets. About fifteen miles from prison we came to one of the fishermen, and after thrusting a kopieyka in his hand, he crossed us over on the other side of the river. When we gave him another, he told us there lived a very wealthy friend to our cause about ten miles from that place, and if we succeeded in reaching his house, he would assist us on our journey.
The old man got in his canoe, wished us good luck, and paddled off to his cottage which stood on the other side of the river. We turned to go in the direction described by him. Secretly we journeyed until we came to the patriot's house. We met him in the yard. I stepped forward and saluted him according to the military custom, and in the name of my country asked for protection.
"My dear Poles," said the patriot. "I am willing to give you all the assistance I can to enable you to get back to your country and then to your regiments, so that you may yet dip your bayonets into the breast of the enemy. But it would be dangerous to keep you in my house. It would be best for you to take lodging in my barn, and remain there covered with the straw until I find the best chance to send you away."
The next day our uniforms were exchanged for peasants clothes, and by our request he furnished us with firearms and plenty of ammunition. On the third day we were sent to his brother about twenty miles further on, and after that we were mostly assisted by the Polish nobles who resided in that country.
In about four or five weeks, we succeeded in reaching the frontier of Wolhinia, but being the last gubernia or state to the frontier of Poland, it was strongly guarded by the Russians, in consequence of a great many Wolhinians deserting to the Polish Army.
During our journey we met with few difficulties. Sometimes we met peasants, but seeing our weapons, they avoided us, thought they knew that the government would reward them with five rubles for every Polish prisoner. But as we were harbored and upheld by their nobles, the peasants were afraid to interfere, and we could pass though small villages in broad daylight.
One evening, while charmed with the beauties of Wolhinia-her extensive fields and fertile soil-we were talking at the same time that these lands once belonged to Poland, and that now they were in the hands of the Russian Czar.
There lay a small hill just before us, and there were Russian soldiers just beyond it, which the hill hid from our view. They could not see us, and we could not see them. We marched up the hill and met face to face. It was too late for us to run, for them them to fight. It caused a great surprise on both sides. But not to lose time, I have orders for my company to form a line. I thought then it would be best to respect the Imperial soldiers.
"Present Arms!"
The Russians strength consisted only of twelve privates and one corporal. They resumed their places, except the corporal who rode out a few paces.
"Who are you?" asked the corporal.
"We are Poles!" answered by all.
"We have orders to take you!"
"I think you will have some trouble in doing so!"
"Comrades!" said I. "We can fight them. Take aim!" and I was ready and pointing my carbine at the corporal who stood near me. "Now we all await for your orders to your company to draw their swords or to unfix their carbines from their straps. You are dead and so are your soldiers!"
"We are not ready to fight with you, Lahi" said the corporal.
We formed a line along the road, while the dragoons passed one by one in the shape of the flank. We presented our arms again, and the corporal saluted with his sword. We remained on the hill until we lost sight of them.
"I have served under Napoleon," said one of my eldest comrades, "and many campaigns I have been in, but I have never had such a unexpected meeting before." Taking me by the hand and kissing my lips, he said, "My young soldier, if you succeed in reaching Poland with us, we will present you to our chief of the army, and you will receive a just reward."
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Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2013 4:17 pm
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Continued...
From that time on my comrades loved me better than ever, and promised to obey my orders, and to fight to the last, let the number be what they might so that we would never be taken alive.
As we had some provisions with us, we traveled nearly all night. Then we took our lodging in the wheat fields, near the village. After a short sleep I concluded to go to the village to buy some bread and cheese, and to try to find out the safest way for our journey, and to apply to some of the patriots for assistance. And as I had not washed my face since I escaped from prison, I could pass for a peasant boy, and beside, I could speak the Russian language.
I took the road to the village. About a mile off from our camp I was met by five gendarmes who had just left the village. They stopped and asked me where I was going and what was my business in the village. I told them my father had lost two cows, and asked if they had seen any on their way. They started, but turning their faces and looking very closely at me, "According to the report, it was a small boy who gave the commands to the band. I do believe that boy is the one," said one to another. But the others contradicted his words, and they were disputing about me and as far as I could hear them, they laughed heartily that the boy frightened the corporal nearly to death.
I advanced towards the village, thinking of my narrow escape, and that an honest man can't live in the world without telling lies. My mother taught me never to lie. This time, it turned in my favor. With these thoughts, I arrived at the village inn. I got in conversation with the may that kept the tavern. I asked him if if he had seen any brindled cows pass his house. "No," said the Jew, for he was of that race of people. "How long since you lost them?"
"About two days. Have you any bread for sale?"
"I have not at the present, but I can have it in a very short time. How much do you want?"
"Six or Seven loaves, and I see you have cheese. I want the same quantity. How do you sell your cheese?"
"Well, well, you expect to hunt your cattle a long time by buying so much bread and cheese. I think your cows are wishing to get over the frontier to Poland." said the Jew, looking me in the face. "We Jews are not so easily fooled. It is bread, not cattle you are hunting. Did you meet with the Gendarmes?"
"I did, but what do the Gendarmes have to do with me, or I with Gendarmes?"
"Well, they would show you what they have to do, and you must be thankful to God they did not find you out."
"Why?"
"Why you are Lahi; and more, you stopped the Imperial soldiers upon the road, and threatened to fire upon them, and by the report and description, you are the same fellow who pointed your gun at the corporal."
"Do you wish me harm?"
"Oh no! No my boy, all I wish is great success for your country. We Jews are much oppressed by the Russian government and the high taxes, and besides they are taking our sons for their army. But you must leave this house as quickly as possible, for our houses are searched every day by the patrols."
As he spoke, about twenty dragoons rode up in the yard. "You are in danger, pull off that sheepskin cap and act like my servant, and when they want any liquor, you must take this pint-pot and draw out that barrel," he said, pointing to a barrel. "But pull off that sheep-skinning cap, as it is well described in the report."
Some of the dragoons entered the room, and some remained in the yard, and I with the broom fixing and sweeping about the house. After a short rest, some the dragoons called for some liquor. My new master handed me the measure, and ordered me to draw out of that barrel. I took it, but not being accustomed to drawing out of barrels I found I was very awkward at it. I knocked out the peg. It slipped out of my hands and fell and I spilled about a quart of his liquor before it could be stopped. My master came over and kicked me. "You scoundrel!" said he "You are more expense than profit."
They asked the Jew if he had seen any Poles pass by his house. They had orders to search every neighborhood to find them, and to watch the roads and all public house. They soon left the house, mounted their horses and disappeared.
"My dear friend, what do I owe you for your kind treatment towards me?"
"Nothing," said he, "and I am glad I found you out so soon before they entered the room, and I will pay you for the kick I gave you."
He game me some bread, cheese, a flask of liquor, and said he would inform the owner of the village, who was a good patriot, and we must try to get to this house late this evening, but unseen by a living soul.
When I returned to the camp, I found my comrades very uneasy about me. I related to them all that had passed, the kindness of the Jew-and then they fell to kissing me like a father would his child after a long absence.
We then spread out table on the ground and ate with good appetites. We remained in the camp until late in the evening. After examining our guns, putting fresh powder in the pans and placing our cartridges in our pockets, so we could easily get them out in case of necessity, we left our camp for the house of the patriot."
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 2:47 am
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Everyone,
I have recently discovered the original naturalization document for John Kwiatkowski It can be seen here: http://digital.ncdcr.gov/utils/getfile/collection/p15012coll13/id/8146/filename/8042.pdfpage/page/39
It listed his birth place as town called Beresteczko, The only place I can find with that name is now in the Ukraine. The problem is that it is several hundred miles from where I thought his family was from, which is in the far northeast of modern Poland around Suwalki. In his memoirs he mentions several things specific to that part of the country that he identified as home such as the Neman River and the customs of the Sudovian/Yotvingian tribe local to his area.
I wonder if this is a misspelling on the part of the clerk, or if there was another town by the same name...
Well I knew more than I did the other day at least..
Will MacDonald
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Elzbieta PorteneuvePO Top Contributor
Joined: 09 Nov 2012
Replies: 3098
Location: Paris, FranceBack to top |
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 6:08 am
Post subject:
Will,
The text in the naturalization document is very clear, it's Beresteczko. John Kwiatkowski left to the US in 1833 from Trieste in Italy [throu Adriatic Sea, Mediterranean Sea, then Atlantic Ocean] to NY.
I wonder why he would travel throu Mediterranean if he were from Suwalki area, where short path was through Hambourg or Bremen. It's almost the same distance between Suwalki and Beresteczko than between Suwalki and Hambourg.
Beresteczko has been a well known place since the http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Beresteczko in 1651, when Polish-Lithouanian king won against Cosacs and Tatars.
It is in the old geography book here http://dir.icm.edu.pl/pl/Slownik_geograficzny/Tom_I/139
We have a well known village name, and a logistic puzzle: if John Kwiatkowski was from Suwalki area, why did he travel throught the South.
Maybe you have other pieces of documents related to the souvenirs from Niemen River and old Baltic tribes? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Baltic_Tribes_c_1200.svg
Best,
Elzbieta
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Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2013 7:47 am
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Elzbieta,
He came from Trieste because he didn't have a choice, he was a prisoner of the Austrians at that time. After the failure of the 1831 Uprising he crossed over into Austria rather than surrender to the Russians and was arrested by the Austrian authorities. He had the choice of going to the USA or being handed over to the Russians. His choice was freedom in a far away land.
Evidence of being from NE Poland:
-When John is being taken to Warsaw by his father they stop at the old battlefield at Pultusk, which happens to be on road from Suwalki/Augustow to Warsaw.
-Later in his memoir John gives a brief descriptions of some of the customs of his village. He said they are left over from the time when they were pagans, and said the villagers were called "Yadzwings". He wrote "The first breath I breathed was among the Yadzwings. The first nourishment I drew from my mother's breast was near them...." This is also where he described the "beautiful" Neman river.
I need to reread and see what other clues it holds.....
Will MacDonald
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dzicz
Joined: 26 Aug 2023
Replies: 3
Location: PolandBack to top |
Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 7:55 pm
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Good evening!
I don't know where to start... This thread has been open for so long...
I come from Poland. Genealogy is my hobby. A few years ago I did the Ancestry test of my late grandmother. In my free time I find connections between my grandmother and her relatives.
Grandma recently got a new match named Rosemond. I remembered seeing that name before. What surprised me - all these people had very little Polish DNA. That would mean that their Polish ancestor lived a long time ago. How is this possible? After all, the main stream of emigration from Poland dates back to the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, the beginning of the 20th...
Since the new match had the beginning of its tree built, I started building my own and looking for a Pole ancestor. Imagine my amazement when I found John Kwiatkowski Rosemond, who emigrated so long ago!
My grandmother's ancestors come from today's north-eastern Poland... From the lands formerly inhabited by Prussian tribes. I knew John couldn't be from Beresteczko... it's too far away. Maybe he gave a different place on purpose, having reasons for it?
The Rajgród parish, where most of my grandmother's ancestors came from, is my favorite place. I have visited these lands by bike many times, I am also a co-author of many indexes made on the basis of records from the parish. I looked for Jan Kwiatkowski, Jakub's son... Yes, there is! He was born in 1810 in the village of Kroszewo. His mother was née Borkowska, and Borkowski is one of the surnames of my grandmother's paternal ancestors. I have all the records of this family. I am happy to share what I found. Please contact...
Magda
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Posted: Sat Aug 26, 2023 9:25 pm
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Magda,
I would love to learn more! Thanks for your post!
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Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 1:26 pm
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I have a copy of this memoir too! John Kwiatkowski is my great great great grandfather as well through the Rosemond to Robertson to Gattis lineage.
Small world! We have thoroughly enjoyed having a copy of his telling of life as a Polish soldier.
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dzicz
Joined: 26 Aug 2023
Replies: 3
Location: PolandBack to top |
Posted: Wed Feb 05, 2025 5:15 pm
Post subject:
| anniejohnson wrote: | I have a copy of this memoir too! John Kwiatkowski is my great great great grandfather as well through the Rosemond to Robertson to Gattis lineage.
Small world! We have thoroughly enjoyed having a copy of his telling of life as a Polish soldier. |
You have an amazing ancestor with a colorful life story! And I was so amazed that someone from Poland immigrated to America so long ago!
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dzicz
Joined: 26 Aug 2023
Replies: 3
Location: PolandBack to top |
Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:31 am
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I always wanted Poles from the place where John Rosemond came from to learn about his life story. Finally, I managed to publish the text. I also used materials posted on this forum - thank you very much! I wrote it as best I could. I apologize for any errors and inaccuracies - I can always correct them! This is written in Polish and with translations of English texts for Poles. You can easily read it using Google Translate...
https://jzi.org.pl/2025/06/07/odkrycie-johna-rosemonda/
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