September  1849: Exile

Austria demands extradition of the exiles. ( Sep 3 )Pétervárad capitulates. ( Sep 5 )A fort on the Danube in Southern Hungary, Pétervárad (todays' Petrovaradin, near Novi Sad, Vojvodina province-Serbia today) had been an anchor point in confrontations with Croat-Serb forces. Komárom continues to hold out under the command of Gen. Klapka.

Kossuth

Kossuth sends a letter from Vidin (a fortress by the Danube, todays' Bulgaria - then Turkish territory) condemning Görgey's surrender and calling for continued war efforts. ( Sep 12 )
In his "Vidin letter", he blamed the defeat on "that accursed man" (i.e. Görgey). His letter was more anti-Russian than anti-Austrian (probably banking on the rising Russophobic tide in England and France). Kossuth had again called himself governor-president. Vidin had a concentration of Hungarian exiles, some 5,000 at their peak. Conditions for most were unbearable and when an Austrian representative appeared with a promise of amnesty and back pay (for the lower ranks), many decided to accept the offer. Those remaining were largely officers, but also included hundreds of Poles and Italians, who had supported Kossuth.

Turkey rejects Austria's demands for extradition of the Hungarian exiles. But assures Austria it will move them well into Turkish territory to minimize possible excursions. Russia demands extradition of the Polish refugees. ( Sep 17 )

Klapka

General Klapka signs preliminary agreement for the evacuation of Komárom's fort ( Sep 27 ). Terms call for free passage for all defenders (some 30 thousand). Officers were allowed to retain their sidearms and all to receive a few weeks' pay. Sick and wounded became in Austrian care and the personal property was to be respected. Anyone may leave the country if desired.

Back to 1849