Kossuth sends a letter from Vidin (a fortress by the Danube, todays’ Bulgaria – then
Turkish territory) condemning Görgey’s surrender and calling for continued war
efforts.
In his “Vidin letter”, Kossuth blamed the defeat on “that accursed man”
(i.e. Görgey). His letter was more anti-Russian than anti-Austrian (probably
banking on the rising Russophobic tide in England and France). Kossuth had again
called himself governor-president.
Vidin had a concentration of Hungarian exiles, some 5,000 at their peak.
Conditions for most were unbearable and when an Austrian representative appeared
with a promise of amnesty and back pay (for the lower ranks), many decided to
take up the offer. Those remaining were largely officers, but also included
hundreds of Poles and Italians, who had supported Kossuth.

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