Wreaths for Heroes

In the memorial ceremony Lt. Col. András Polyák, the acting chief of staff of the Brigade, in his commemorative speech, recalled the details of the battle, the heroic struggle of General József Nagysándor’s honvéd soldiers against the enemy that exceeded ten times their numerical strength!

“The battle was fought nearby: on the Northern and Southern meadows of Köntösgát (now called Balmazújvárosi Road), on the Nyulas meadow, and on the Western edge of Csigekert. The Hungarian Corps were not tasked to directly go into battle with the Russian main army: in their function as flank- and rear-guards, they should have avoided the confrontation. In spite of this the honvéd soldiers contained the enemy having superior force for almost three hours. The corps, though suffering heavy losses, could manage to retreat, and did not let themselves be surrounded. 112 Hungarian honvéd soldiers fell on the battlefield, who were laid to rest right here, in the Heroes’ Cemetery in a common grave" – said Lt. Col. András Polyák.

Following the speech the participants of the event placed the commemorative wreaths of flowers in memory of the heroes with military honours at the statue of the dying lion. The ceremony was completed with the sounds of the Hungarian ‘Last Post’.