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Klapka's Komárom breakout

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Szöreg bridgehead

Haynau enters Szeged, already abandoned by the Honvéd, as well as by the Hungarian government, which moved to Arad.While this advance seemed ominous, far in the rear, now a general, Klapka, with his Komáromgarrison, lashed out and occupied the city of Gyõr, threatening the Austrian supply lines. This didnot seem to faze Haynau. Outnumbered, he pushed hard against Dembinski, who changed his destination from Arad to Temesvár ( Timisoarå ). The latter was beaten in battle at Szõreg. (suburb of Szeged; Aug 2 )

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"Imperials" at Temesvár

Battle at Nagycsûr. (Sura Mare near Nagyszeben/ Sibiu) Russian general Luders bests Bem. As a practical matter, Bem's Transylvanian army corps ceases to be effective, while Kossuth replaces Dembinski with Bem. Concurrently Dembinski was pressed by Haynau at Temesvár, ( Aug 6 ) even as Bem had assumed command. The cabinet, utilizing Russian general Count Rudiger as intermediary, offers the Crown of Hungary to any member of the Czar's family- consistent with the 1848 "April laws" (i.e. as ruler of a constitutional monarchy).

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Bem's defeat at Temesvár

Görgey arrives at Arad from the North, as the city had been evacuated by the Honvéd, while some members of the government still in the area. At Temesvár, outgunned by the Austrians, while outnumbering them, Bem's honvéd scattered in chaos. ( Aug 9) The general fell off his horse and broke a shoulder blade. Some 6,000 honved were taken prisoner. Historians had speculated about this defeat and its causes. Armaments ? Poor leadership ? Faulty strategy ? Poor morale ? , or, as some have said, all of the above.

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Haynau at Temesvár

The Temesvár defeat had not been reported to Arad, where Görgey arrives with his army.(August 10 ) Hedeclares unwilling to serve under Bem, suggests that Bem continue his operations in Transylvania,an area Görgey did not wish to operate in. He advocated placating the Russians, publicizing the cabinet's offer of the crown of Hungary to the Czar's family. If Bem were to suffer a defeat at Temesvár, Görgey to counsel surrender to the Russians. Kossuth asks Görgey to a private meeting, where, reportedly he informed Görgey of Bem's defeat and the serious consequences. He abdicates his presidency and vests all military and civilian responsibilities with Görgey (Aug 12)

Görgey issues a proclamation suggesting he will do all he can to alleviate suffering. Wrote a letter to Russian Gen. Rudiger, claiming responsibility for surrendering "to free my fellow citizens from the miseries of war". He asks Rudiger to serve as a buffer between the honvéd and the Austrians.A token meeting of the National Assembly (twelve deputies present) acknowledged Kossuth'sabdication and the Görgey appointment. The war declared lost and parliament suspended.

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Surrender at Világos

At Világos (Siria) , not far from Arad, Görgey informed his troops of his plan, while warning them not to desert. He had faith in the Czarist officers acting with compassion as his surrender would enhance Paskievich's prestige.Then the formal surrender took place. ( Aug 13 ) Görgey met Russian general Rudiger on horseback, shaking hands. Arms were assembled in pyramids, many sabres smashed as officers and troops wept.
The Honvéd surrender included 11 generals, 1,426 officers, 32,569 ranks,144 artillery and 60battle flags^*. Görgey's trust in the Russians however was limited, as the Honvéd were directed intoHaynau's hands. Many escaped in the transfer, however. Görgey was taken to Paskievich'sheadquarters, where he was informed that he personally was pardoned by Franz Joseph, but directed to live in Austria. No such amnesty extended to others. Some isolated forts continue to hold out.

Gen Mór Perczel and staff cross the Danube at Orsova into Turkey, thus starting the exodus of thousands.( Aug.14 ) Görgey sent messages to all Hungarian units still at large, urging them to capitulate to the Russians so as to minimize losses and retribution. His actions were soon criticized as premature and unwarranted. Could Hungary continue fighting ? Paskievich's opinion was "yes" and thought that consequences to the Austro-Russian alliance would have been "disastrous".

The Austrian cabinet establishes conditions for a Hungarian surrender. ( Aug 16 ). Haynau to negotiate only with military entities. Those preferring exile, should be free to do so. Those remaining to undergo "moderate" examination. Imperial officers who sided "with the rebels" can be reinstated or pensioned, provided they had no other "transgressions". Enlisted allowed to return home.

Gen. János Damjanich surrenders Arad's fort and his 3rd Corps (some 8,000) to the Russians. Kossuth crosses into Turkey at Orsova with entourage. ( Aug 17 ) and declares himself a private citizen: "a present je suis un simple citoyen et rien de plus".
Arisztid Dessewffy surrenders the 8th Corps at Karánsebes, in the frontiers' defense district.

The Austrian cabinet changes its policies concerning Hungarian prisoners. ( Aug 20 ) All officers to be taken prisoners and tried. Enlisted men to be incorporated in the imperial army. The reason for this change appears to be a lack of communication: on August 16the cabinet was unaware of Görgey's surrender and its mild policy was to encourage the Hungarians to lay down their arms. Having been informed of Görgey's action, the cabinet decided on retribution rather than enticement.

* The battleflags' fate has a sequel. See"Epilogue".