Hungarian Heritage Review, 1987 (16. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1987-07-01 / 7. szám

feature of 3Montl|:

purpose reveals that Kossuth himself was not certain of the betyar’s innocence. This “Letter of Amnesty” was addressed to those who repented their crimes and were willing to fight the enemy or were already fighting in guerrilla groups. The document reads as follows:

"Hereby Sándor Rozsa, who, in complete neglect of decency and the law, distressed this area by his forays for many years, not, by the Grace of God, has repented his sins, and humbly asked God and worldly justice to pardon his iniquities and sinful lifestyle, so that he could not only return to moral and legal rectitude, but also be able to offer his loyal service to his country against its armed enemies, moreover to bring 150 armed rural horsemen to camp, at their own expense, to fight the country 's enemies loyally and decently, as the generals of the army would command, until final victory is achieved... Therefore I grant Sándor Rozsa, in the name of eternal God and the country ’s Defense Committee, and on behalf of earthly justice, a general pardon for the crimes he committed before the date of this letter. ’ ’

Mór Jókai described his meeting with the legendary betyár in two of his books. And he also indicated how it came about that Kossuth sent him on what was a perilous journey:

"After the common supper, Kossuth invited me into his bedroom and said, 7 want to give you an assignment which requires some

poetic sensibility and a great deal of courage. I want you to look up Sándor Rozsa, the infamous robber chief tonight, wherever you find him. I’ve just received his letter, in which he is offering his service and that of his whole band of 150 men to our cause. They want to fight under our banner of freedom, as a guerrilla band, against the revolting Serbs, if he is granted an amnesty by the Hungarian government for his past crimes. This is going to be a ‘duplex libelli des ’ because such a large group of mounted betyars can cause a lot of calamity among enemy ranks. On the other hand, our descent rural folk of the plain will get rid of their bandits in this way, at the critical time when all the men have left their houses to join our camp. 1 ’ve already prepared the letter of amnesty to Sándor Rozsa; your task is to hand it to him. ’

(iNOTE FROM MY LIFE, Mór Jókai)

It is obvious from the above that Kossuth was far from regarding the betyars as “white knights", and that it was Rozsa who had initiated the deal with Kossuth. Kossuth accepted this offer because he recognized the importance of guerrilla action against Jellasich’s Croats. Kossuth also knew that the betyar’s familiarity with the local terrain and populace would give them a great advantage over the regular armies.

Jókai accepted the risky errand. His own guide was unsure of the path that led to Rozsa’s camp. But he did reach an advance guard post; from there he was led to a willowy inlet on which, in a thatched hut, was Rozsa’s headquarters. There

the betyár king was awaiting Kossuth's representative.

The populace greeted with great rejoicing the news of Rozsa’s joining the revolutionary army. It seemed only natural that the legendary King of the Puszta would join the liberation movement of Kossuth against the Austrian oppressors whose gendarmes had forced him into hiding.

The following two folk-songs reveal the popular feeling about Sándor Rozsa:

‘ ‘Now our Sándor Rozsa Is riding his charger,

His gold-trimmed, wide linen trousers

Are floating like banners.

"The bridle’s made of gold,

The bit is of silver,

And shining brass decorates the Pommel of the saddle.

"Gallop, my horse, gallop From Felegyhaza town:

Hurry up! Gondi Modolho Is waiting all alone. ’’

(Szeged, Csongrad County)

And:

‘ ‘Sándor Rozsa once again is mounted;

A beautiful shako shines on his head.

It is adorned with tricoloredribbons Bearing Louis Kossuth ’s name on the front.

"The Vienna tower has lost its vane;

Sándor Rozsa ’s horse is shaking its mane.

Go, my sweetheart, bring him some fresh water;

Sándor Rozsa ’s going to do battle.

(Szeged, Csongrad County)

Jókai rightly named Sándor Rozsa the hero of folk songs.

JULY 1987

HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW

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