The events of October 30, 1848

Second Vienna Revolt

[Leopoldstadt] †
Street battles in Leopoldstadt
[Rasumofsky bridge]
†
Battle for the Rasumofsky bridge
Latour ordered the Richter Grenadier Battalion to move from Vienna and bolster Jellaçiç. The "grenadiers" were reluctant to do so, and were joined by Viennese students and workers who clashed with the cavalry sent to enforce the orders of the "Richters". This led to a widespread revolt, driving out the imperial troops and culminated in the hanging of the minister of war, Latour.

The emperor, the court and the Austrian cabinet fled to Moravia. Kossuth wanted to aid the rebels, but insisted the Hungarian army be invited into Austria by their leaders: a request slow in coming. A delay which allowed Windischgraetz to build up his forces.

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Battle of Schwechat

[Windischgraetz]
Windischgraetz
While Kossuth succeeded in enlarging the Hungarian forces near the Austrian border, in Moravia Prince Albert Windischgraetz put together an army of some 70 thousand : Croats, Czechs, Poles, Moravians, Germans. When the Hungarians finally crossed the Austrian border with some 25,000 men and 40 artillery pieces, under General Móga, Windischgraetz attacked them at Schwechat, East of Vienna.

[Gorgey]
Görgey
Not accustomed to the severe Austrian artillery barrage, the Hungarians backed off and the engagement stopped, the two armies retreated. In the melee General Móga fell from his horse and, citing his injury, resigned his command. On November 1, Kossuth, as president of the National Defense Committee, appointed major general Artur Görgey commander of the army in the West, i.e. facing Windischgraetz. Kossuth had been at odds with Görgey at times: both before and after the appointment. Yet he respected his military prowess and daring.

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