DEMBINSKI, IIitixi icrt, a Polish gen., best known in Britain through his connection with the Hungarian revolution, was b. in the palatinate of Cracow, 16th Jan., 1791, entered the Polish army in 1809, took part iu the invasion of Russia by the French in 1812, and was made capt. by Napoleon himself on the battle-field of Smolensk. He subsequently distinguished himself at Leipsic. After the fall of the empire, he returned to his native country, and lived in comparative obscurity for some time. The Polish revolution of 1830 called him again to arms. lie obtained the command of a brigade of cavalry, and exhibited heroic courage at the battle of Kuflew. Afterwards, lie made the campaign of Lithuania, under Gielgud; and arriving-in Warsaw—having traversed the entire Russian lines—was made commander-in-chief of the national army. After the surrender of Warsaw to the Russians, D. went to France, where he published his Xemoires sur la Campagne de Lithuanie (Strasbourg, 1832). In 1833, he proceeded to Egypt, and entered the service of Mehemet Ali, but returned to Paris in 1835. On the
outbreak of the Hungarian insurrection, he offered his services to that country, and Kossuth appointed him commander-in-chief of the Hungarian army. He drew up a plan of the campaign, but could not obtain the concurrence of Gorgei, whosd tardy arrival caused the loss of the battle of Kapolna (26t11-28th Feb., 1849). Forced to retreat behind the Theiss, D. resigned his command, but subsequently consented to act under Messaros. He strongly urged the necessity of uniting the cause of Hungary with that of Poland, and proposed to lead an army into Galicia; but his advice was not taken After the resignation of Kossuth, and the capitulation signed by Gorgei at Vilagos (13th Aug., 1849), D. fled to Turkey. In 1850, he returned to France, and commenced to write his Menwires on the Hungarian war. He continued to live iu Paris till his death, which took place 13th June, 1864.