The events of March 23, 1848

Jelacic named “bán”

King Ferdinand V appointed Col. Josep Jelacic (Yelachich), “bán” (i.e. “ruler”) of
Croatia-Slavonia (Croatia-Slavonia had been autonomous regions of the Kingdom of Hungary for
nearly one thousand years, until 1867).
He was made a two-star general and put in command of the Croatia-Slavonia military district, a
border region. The Croat “Grenzer” had been among the best units and enabled Field Marshal
Count Radetzky retain many Italian areas. Jelacic however despised Hungary’s “radical lawyers”
(e.g. Kossuth) and these feelings resulted in certain events later that year. Kossuth responded with
a message of friendship, suggesting that Hungary’s newfound reforms are in Croatia’s interests as
well.

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