DOMBROWSKI, Jan Henryk (1755-1818), Polish general, was born at Pierszowice in the palatinate of Cracow, August 29, 1755. He was of noble family, and his father was an officer in the Saxon army. Brought up in Saxony, he entered and for some years served in the army; but when, in 1791, the Polish Diet recalled all Poles serving abroad, he returned to his native land. Placed then under the orders of Poniatowski, he took part in the campaign of 1792 against the Russians. In 1794 he distinguished himself in command of the right wing under Kosciusko assisted in the defence of Warsaw, and reunited the scattered Polish forces after its fall. He was compelled, however, to capitulate and to surrender himself prisoner of war at Radoszyce, November 18. Suwaroff offered him a post in the Russian army, but this he declined, and for two years he lived in retirement. In 1796 the rank of lieutenant-general in the Prussian army was offered to him by the king; but this he likewise declined. He then went to Paris. The formation of a Polish legion was at this time in contemplation by the French authorities; and in January 1797 Dombrowski was formally authorized by the Government of the Cisalpine Republic to organize it. This task he executed at Milan. In command of his legion he played an important part in the war in Italy, entered Rome in May 1798, and distinguished himself greatly at the battle of Trebbia (June 19, 1799). On this occasion he narrowly escaped death, being struck by a ball the force of which was broken by a volume of Schiller which he carried with him. He next served under Saint-Cyr and Masséna; but being severely wounded he was for some time incapacitated for action. After Marengo he was intrusted by Napoleon with the organization of two new Polish legions; and at the ...