Walki o utrzymanie twierdzy w Zbarażu w lipcu i sierpniu 1649 R. Część. II

The second stage of the defence lasting for nearly the whole of August was the continuation of the combat for holding out the fortress until the arrival of the relief force led by king Jan Kazimierz Nevertheless, the king’s reinforcements were not approaching and as we all know, they never reached the walls of the besieged fortress. This was, therefore, a very hard period for the defenders of Zbarazh, who not only encountered the enduring attacks of the foemen but were also afflicted by an even worse enemy, famine. In addition, the ammunition reserves, especially gunpowder, were severely depleted, which meant that the future defence could prove impossible. The combat, however, continued and importantly, not only with a passive defence but also with counterattacks outside of the Polish fortifications, which often inflicted heavy losses on the enemy. Until the very end Zbarazh remained unconquered in spite of the constant attacks led by predominant besieger, aimed at the earthworks of the fortress. The last soldiers left their positions not under the pressure of the preponderant force but as a result of the treaties concluded under Zborów (Zboriv), which eventually put an end to the blockade of the fortress.