Komárom attack

Prime Minister Bertalan Szemere replaces the seemingly disobedient Supreme HonvédCommander Görgey with Lázár Mészáros, while leaving Görgey in his ministerial post.Previously, Kossuth had promulgated his "Szeged plan". After the defeat at Gyõr, this plan was to move defenses back towards Szeged including "scorched earth" to hobble Haynau. Görgey protested and even suggested a separate armistice for his command. Kossuth labelled Görgey a traitor and relieved him from his Upper Danube command.In a battle at Komárom-Ács, Görgey repels Haynau's superior forces, while his men demandGörgey's reappointment. His plan was to do battle on the upper Danube first, then withdraw towards Szeged.
Parliament decides to move the seat of government from Pest to Szeged.
Haynau proclaims emergency tribunals for "traitors".

Szeged

Klapka defeated at Komárom in his attempt to crash the Austrian lines. He splits his forces : two corps left to defend Komárom, the rest, three corps, commanded by Görgey, to move in the direction of Szeged. Reaches Vác. (July 11) The Austrians continue towards Buda-Pest, with the emperor reported leading his troops.
Haynau's forces conquer Buda two days later, while the Russians occupy Pest.

Vác and harbor

After a stand-off with the Russians at Vác, (an important rail/river center) Görgey surreptitiously moves Northeast only to reappear on the upper Tisza, three weeks later.
Kossuth, Nicolae Balcescu and Cezar Bolliac, Wallachia-based Romanian leaders, sign a far-reaching "project de pacification". (July 15)
Per this agreement, Romanians recognized as a nationality, have the right to use their language in administration, in law, in education. It establishes bilingual counties, permits reorganization of Romanian orthodox churches, an annual national convention, relieves the peasants of feudal obligations, establishes a Romanian Honvéd legion.
Submitted to Rumanian milician Avram Iancu. In his reply Iancu welcomed the pact, but suggested it was too late. Regretted past hostilities, but felt the new Russian presence makes any such agreement moot. He expressed remorse over killing Hungarians.

The National Assembly, meeting in Szeged, enacted the "nationality law". ( July 28 )
Known as "8th law of 1849", it guaranteed the right of all ethnic groups to free national development. While communications within the central government was to be in Hungarian, at the County and lower level any tongue was acceptable. Minutes to be kept in whatever language that jurisdiction's majority wanted. Local National Guard units to be commanded in the language of local majorities, as were primary schools, public or parochial. Appointments, promotion in the civil service to be based on merit alone.
While some of the foregoing provisions were hotly debated and dissented from (by some), another part of the bill, dealing with those of the jewish faith, was passed with minimum debate and no dissensions. "Citizens of the Mosaic faith" were to have equal rights with others, intermarriage allowed and, in return for having given the revolution broad support, a special program instituted "to improve the condition of the Jews" by teaching them agricultural and artisan trades.
While the military situation had deteriorated, and government finances reached a critical threshold, there was general optimism in Szeged . Finance minister Duschek asked for new credits, as shortage of currencies left soldiers unpaid, no means even to print banknotes.

Prime Minister Szemere warned the capital will again have to be moved. Selecting a new military commander also on the agenda. The deputies were favoring Görgey, but Kossuth would not agree. It was decided to, temporarily, appoint Dembinski to the post, pending the appearance of Görgey and Bem. Gen. Aulich appointed defense minister.( July 24 )

Segesvár coat of arms

Gen. Bem had penetrated into Moldavia, but was defeated by Paskievich at Segesvár (Today: SighisoaraTransylvania. About 150 km SE of Kolozsvár/Cluj- Napoca). Famed Hungarian poet Petõfi was killed in that engagement. ( July 31 ) His body not found and identified, for many years rumored to have been taken prisoner.

Görgey's activities had been enigmatic, moving surreptitiously, communicating with the Austrians at times, sending messages to Kossuth on occasion. Görgey had hopes for a split between Russia and Austria, as relations between Haynau and Paskievich had worsened. Paskievich complained of lack of supplies from Austria, as well as a threatening cholera epidemic.