Polish Field Commanders - 17th century

Lubomirsky was great untill betrayed. For sure he showned his mastership as commander in war against Russia, defeating all Russian armies but next he signed bad peace treaty with Russia just to have free back when leaded his army against king John Casimir.

Also Stephen Czarniecki proved his extraordinary skills on the battlefield.

As for Sobieski for sure he was a master in fighting Turks. He made many campaigns and won 2 major battles, first at Chocim and next in Vienna.

All mentioned commanders were good in the field and its really hard to say which one was the best.

Actually we can say that Lubomirski was better than king John Casimir because he leaded succesfull rebelion against this king.

Wasnt Lubomirski also very succesfull commander? His campaign against Russia was brillant. Can you say that if Lubomirski had such army like Sobieski at Chocim he wouldnt win as well?

What about Wisniowiecki and his fight against much larger Chmielnicki forces?

And Czarniecki also did great job in much harder situation and in much worse time.

And what do you think about king John Casimir and his military skills?

As you know im not an expert on 17th century so i value your opinion on these matters. Altough im not an expert and cant compare my knowledge about this period with yours, i have read some articles about him. In general i have learned that he wasnt an enthusiast of polish-lithuanian army and prefered to rely on foreign mercenary troops, especially infantry. He was also well educated in military strategy and tactics. Was battle of Beresteczko his achievemnt or some other commander stayed behind it?

I would say it's rather strange question..when I have two Wisniowiecki biografies on my bookshelf.

Zbaraz was a siege (an you have asked about field commander)..

Inaccurate. Wisniowiecki have repulsed many Cossack's storms and was succesful during some sallys otside the fortification but it still far from winning many battle with Chmielnicki...

Absolutely untrue ! Chmielnicki have split the army and marched with main corps towards Jan Kazimierz, then he ambused polish forces near the Zbor�w. Only bribery of Crimean Khan by polish chancellor Jerzy Ossolińki have rescued polish army from destruction. 

BTW I think Wisniowiecki was really good - he have palyed great role during battle of Ochmat�w as well as at Beresteczko (he have commnaded left polish wing). The defence of Zabaraż is also mainly his credit...however IMO he could not be compared with Sobieski, Chodkiewicz or Koniecpolski..

I would like to mention Hetman Zolkiewski in the Kluszyn battle against Russians.

His army of 6,800 was stuck between two Russian armies: one with 8,000 men and other with 35,000 men. Even Napoleon would have some misgivings about starting battle under these circumstances. Zolkiewski attacked the smaller force and forced them to seek refuge in a nearby fortified town and left some minimal forces to keep enemy inside fortifications, then turned his main force against bigger army of 35,000 and managed to defeat them, then came back to finish the smaller Russian and mercenary force. This was one of the battles involving Polish Hussars. Hussar losses were very minimal (about 100).