The Russian Army, commanded by Field Marshal Hans Karl von Diebitsch, entered Poland on 4 February and started an advance towards Warsaw.

He also sent a mounted Jaeger division—2 brigades of 2 regiments, each consisting of 3 troops of 2 squadrons[1]—into Poland on 13 February, with some 20 10-pounder guns of field artillery attached.

Field Marshal Diebitsch's strategy involved sending Geismar's Corps to outflank any numerically inferior Polish forces while he advanced towards Warsaw with great speed from the direction of Lublin.

The Polish forces in the area managed to amass a division of 14 Uhlan squadrons-light cavalry armed with lances, sabres and pistols-, 3 infantry battalions and 6 3-pounder guns.

On the noon of February the 14th, Geismar received some information regarding the presence of the Polish troops near the town of Stoczek, deciding to launch an immediate attack and taking direct command of his 1st Brigade.

Pashkov's Pereyaslavl Regiment was the first to reach the field, arriving from the north-east in the early twilight hours, and immediately came under fire from Dwernicki's artillery.

Having been taken completely by surprise, and deeply shocked by the cowardice of his soldiers, Geismar attempted to take personal command of the retreating cavalry, but the battle was already lost.

Geismar and General Pashkov survived the attack, perhaps purely by chance, and Geismar himself officially wrote to Field Marshal Diebitsch that his soldiers were "just struck with a sudden panic-attack", but expressed great concern in a private letter to his friend Colonel Anrep[4] regarding the general moral and military capability of the Regiment.