Subsequently, and when Rozycki's military fame had begun to spread in all directions, a Russian colonel, who had distinguished himself in the preceding wars, experienced a vehement desire to measure his strength against him. As his forces were superior in number, and in the hope that he would prove victorious, his wish was complied with from head-quarters. At first they met together in a skirmish, but without any decided result. In the sequel, Rozycki affected to be afraid of him, and withdrew at his approach. Having by a few skilful manoeuvres succeeded in drawing his antagonist gradually into a disadvantageous position, Rozycki now in his turn became the assailant, and the Russian colonel was beaten, and forced to retreat with, the loss of nearly all his men.
Colonel Rozycki, who is at present living in exile in France, maintains that without the aid of artillery, there is no infantry in the world capable of resisting a properly directed charge of cavalry, well mounted, composed of courageous men, and led by skilful and experienced officers. In this opinion, I venture to differ from him most completely. The very contrary I maintain to be the case. The English squares have never yet been broken. A good infantry force, in fine weather, ought to bid defiance to any species of cavalry whatever that can be brought against it.
Beyond all doubt, nevertheless, Rozycki, who was by no means destitute of administrative talent, who united in his own person all the requisite qualities of a partisan chief, who was not wanting in that admixture of persuasive eloquence and tact, so essential to the gaining over of zealous adherents to a cause; who could contrive to render himself at the same time beloved and feared; and who possessed, moreover, a profound and practical knowledge of the means and resources alike of Russian-Poland and of E-ussia itself: Rozycki was the only man of the period capable of organising those insurrections which have ever proved the most dangerous and effective weapon in a contest with Russia; and which, although entirely neglected in the war of 1831, will, to a certainty, be found indispensably requisite, and a most powerful adjunct, in any future effort which may be made by Poland for the recovery of her independence.
Unfortunately, and as a link, it would appear, in that chain of fatalities which has ever bound the Polish struggle for emancipation, Rozycki made his appearance only towards the close of the war. He was wont repeatedly to say, "give me but 3000 men, and I will undertake to exterminate the corps of General Rudiger! " and most assuredly he would have redeemed his pledge. A great Polish noble, who is in the habit of listening only to the cool dictates of his reason, and not to the fervid suggestions of exalted sentimentality, and who had a thorough knowledge of Rozycki's capacity, used frequently to say, that provided only the chief military command in the Ukraine were given to the latter, and the civil government of that province to himself, the whole of the Russic provinces could be thrown into a state of revolt; 50,000 excellent cavalry troops be raised with ease in six weeks; and insurrectionary movements be everywhere so multiplied against Russia, that, in a couple of months, the Russians might be driven entirely from Poland; notwithstanding all the errors, blunders, and oversights that had been committed at the commencement of the war of 1831. At the same time, he maintained that nowhere else than in Russian Poland did the same facilities exist for a general, and from thence wide-spreading insurrection in favour of the Polish cause.
Rozycki has devoted himself, during his stay in Paris, to the assiduous study of military affairs. In person, he is above the usual height; his complexion is dark; and his face deeply pitted with the smallpox: although now passed the meridian of life, he being about sixty years of age, and his hair slightly turning grey, he is still strong and active, and in the I enjoyment of excellent health. Those now living, who served under him during the war of 1831, say that he scarcely ever slept; and that when on horseback and giving his orders, there was so much of dignity in his manner and deportment, that he inspired, apart from the circumstances of his position, a certain feeling of deferential regard in all that approached him.
Rozycki says that the best officer can be sometimes beaten, but that it is an unpardonable blunder when he allows himself to be taken by surprise.
It is to be remarked that most of the Polish nobles, and the Polish Ukranian Cossacks, seem to possess almost by natui'e a considerable talent for the cavalry partisan war. This talent, however, is not always extended to the infantry.