Hovtva

Hovtva stood on a height between the Psel and the Hovtva, where woods and marshes helped defend the town. In 1638 it became a stronghold of the Cossack uprising led by Yakiv Ostryanyn. His main force moved upstream from Kremenchuk, intending to establish a base on the Dnieper's left bank. Around Hovtva the insurgents strengthened the town and castle with earthworks, added a rampart between the rivers, and placed a fortified position on a mound before their lines.

The Crown army under Stanisław Potocki attacked in May. Artillery checked an attempt by German mercenary infantry and registered Cossacks to take the bridge across the Psel opposite the main town gate. Meanwhile, insurgents moved behind the attackers and laid obstacles among the trees, restricting the movement of the Crown cavalry. Renewed fighting ended with Potocki withdrawing towards Lubny. Hovtva's rivers, wooded approaches and improvised defences thus shaped one of the first major battles of the uprising.