General Pulaski

Pamela Jo · Dec 4, 2006

Because I'm part Polish, I have always had a special fondness for General Casimir Pulaski. I've even attended a few "Pulaski Day Parades" in Philadelphia. Can anyone recommend a good book or website about General Pulaski? I'd be most appreciative of any information about him.

Thanks!

Pam

MarylandRev · Dec 5, 2006

My grandmother, God rest her soul, was born in Poland and her family fled there after WW1. So I'll throw another Polish officer into the ring in her honor: Andrzej Tadeusz Bonawentura Kościuszko 8)

AmandaLynn · Dec 5, 2006

I don't know if you've checked Amazon.com but this is what they have available on Pulaski: search results

Here's what they have for Kosciusko: search results

I've been looking for a good biography on Baron von Steuben and ordered one from Amazon. It was good, but not what I expected because it turned out to be a kid's book. : So I'm searching for a biography on him with some more substance to it.

Linda

J David Petruzzi · Dec 5, 2006

This is a little bit on Pulaski that I have on my http://www.bufordsboys.com website:

Casimir Pulaski - The "Father of the American Cavalry" (1747-1779)

Casimir Pulaski is described as one of the most romantic and prominent soldiers who took part in the American Revolutionary War. He was born in Warka, Poland, (about 40 miles from Warsaw) on March 4, 1747, into an affluent family. As a young man, Pulaski would experience first hand the effects of foreign influence into Poland's national affairs.

Czarist Russian influence precipitated an armed movement termed the Confederation of Bar in 1768. Its motto was "For Faith and Freedom." The young Casimir was one of its founding members and, upon his father Jozef's death in 1769, assumed the role of the Confederation's military command. Casimir had proven to be a proficient military leader, especially in the art of guerilla warfare. His most notable success was the taking and holding of Jasna Gora at Czestochowa, the holiest place in Poland. All of Europe was thrilled with his brilliant tactical defense against the Russians. Pulaski was soon implicated in a plot (of which he had no knowledge) to abduct the Russian-placed Polish King and was given a death sentence. He had been unjustly accused of attempting to kill the monarch and had no choice but to flee the country in 1773. He spent the next three years in the Balkans and Turkey, attempting unsuccessfully to organize a military action against Russia.

Living in Paris, France and burdened by heavy debts, Pulaski was found by Benjamin Franklin in 1776 and, after seeking permission from the Americans, was enlisted into their army to help them fight for independence. Pulaski had been impressed that the Americans were fighting for the same ideals that he espoused. He was also very eager to fight against the British since England supported the partitioning of Poland. Franklin was well aware of Pulaski's military exploits and abilities and wrote a letter of recommendation to George Washington and the Continental Congress. He joined Washington's army the following year, arriving in America on June 23. Meeting with both Washington and General Marquis de Lafayette, Pulaski was placed in temporary command of the Cavalry detachment. At the Battle of Brandywine in Pennsylvania on September 11, Pulaski had his first action. Acting under Washington's orders, but without a commission yet, Pulaski led a scouting party that discovered a British flanking maneuver, counterattacked, and formulated and covered an escape route for the Americans. His charge both averted a disastrous defeat and saved the life of George Washington. The Continental Congress, on September 15, rewarded Pulaski with a Brigadier General's commission and command of all the American Cavalry, the Chief of Dragoons. He spent the winter of 1777-78 at Trenton training and outfitting the cavalry units, and leading forage expeditions to help feed and clothe Washington's men at Valley Forge. He often used his own money, when funding from Congress was lacking, to assure that his troops received the finest equipment. However, in early 1778, Pulaski asked to be relieved of his position since it was apparent that the Americans didn't share his view that the Cavalry should be an independent mounted force. Pulaski wished to be able to form an independent cavalry and light infantry unit that would have the ability to act on its own. With Washington's support, Pulaski was given consent by the Congress on March 28, 1778.

Pulaski would form his legion at his headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland, over the next five months. There, he had recruited Colonists, French, Poles, Irish, and especially German (Hessian) mercenaries who had deserted from their British employer. However, the American command still could not find a suitable role for "Pulaski's Legion" and he again requested reassignment. Finally, on February 2, 1779, Pulaski's Legion was ordered to South Carolina to reinforce the American forces (commanded by General Benjamin Lincoln) under British attack.

At the command of a troop of about 600, Pulaski arrived in Charleston on May 11, just in time to participate in a successful defense against a much larger British force. He had ordered his Legion to attack and they pushed back the British, forcing them to retreat. This victory was pivotal in that it broke the British northward momentum and boosted the Colonies' morale. The British had already occupied Georgia, and now the Americans would have to take it back. Savannah would be their goal.

Newly arrived French forces commanded by Admiral Charles Henri d'Estaing and the Americans began a siege on the heavily fortified town on October 9. The Pulaski Legion's assignment in the action was to follow the French infantry in and break the British's line of defense. While the infantry was taking a heavy fire and beginning to break, Pulaski and his troopers charged forward into the battle, straight into murderous musket and cannon fire. Pulaski was severely wounded by a cannon shot in the failed charge. Impressed by his daring and bravery, the British allowed him to be carried off the field to spare his life. He was placed on the ship "WASP" headed back to Charleston, but he never regained consciousness. Pulaski died on October 11, 1779, at the age of 32. He was buried at sea with full military honors.

In his first letter to American Commander-in-Chief George Washington, shortly after arriving in the Colonies, Pulaski had written: "I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it." He certainly proved to be true to his word and left both a legacy of a soldier for freedom as well as the early independent formation of the American Cavalry. Pulaski had distinguished himself on the field of battle and died for American freedom. An assessment of Pulaski's Legion came from a British officer who called them simply "the best damned cavalry the rebels ever had."

Pulaski's Legion became the training ground for several American Cavalry officers, including "Light Horse" Harry Lee, the father of future Civil War Confederate commander Robert E. Lee, and the model upon which Lee's and Armand's legions would be based.

Pulaski, the "Father of American Cavalry," has been honored in this country since he fell in battle. On November 11, 1779, in honor of his fallen comrade, General Washington issued an order to all units to use the word "Pulaski" as the password, with the response "Poland." That same year, the Congress voted to have a monument erected in his honor. In 1825, Lafayette laid its cornerstone in Savannah, and the Pulaski Monument was completed and dedicated in 1853.

Washington DC's Pulaski Monument was dedicated on May 10, 1910. In 1929, Congress passed a resolution creating Casimir Pulaski Day each October 11. Today, every state in the Union has a city, county, town, street, highway, bridge, or some landmark named in his honor.
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Not extremely detailed, but it gives the highlights.

Here's the pic that accompanies the piece:

J.D.

markpeters · Dec 5, 2006

J.D.,

Certainly an interesting read. I don't suppose you have a reference for the British source professing admiration for his ability, do you? I thought I might like to take that further.

Best wishes,

Mark

Basecat · Dec 5, 2006

Linda,

There is a fine statue of Kosciusko located on the grounds of West Point. Here in the NYC area, he is more known for the Bridge named after him that seems to have very bad traffic on it all the time.

Regards from the Garden State,

Steve Basic

AmandaLynn · Dec 6, 2006

Hey Steve,

Don't forget that Pulaski is also synonymous with bad traffic: Pulaski Skyway.

My National Guard Band played at its re-dedication in the late 70's. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't recall the reason for its re-dedication but I remember that the ceremony took place on the highest section and were just a few miles from Newark Airport.

Linda

J David Petruzzi · Dec 6, 2006

J.D.,

Certainly an interesting read. I don't suppose you have a reference for the British source professing admiration for his ability, do you? I thought I might like to take that further.

Best wishes,

Mark
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Hi Mark,

Not off hand, but that vignette of Pulaski being allowed to be taken from the field is told in many sources as I recall. I wrote that piece for the website nearly 8 years ago, culled from both my library and internet sources... I'll try to find it in one of my books and see where the sourcing leads.

J.D.

markpeters · Dec 6, 2006

J.D.,

That would be great if you could fit that into your busy schedule. I'd like to take it further after that; to find out what regiment, actions involved in, etc.

Best wishes,

Mark

J David Petruzzi · Dec 6, 2006

Good project, Mark. I should be able to grab a little time later tonite and see what I can come up with.

J.D.

Basecat · Dec 7, 2006

AmandaLynn said:

Hey Steve,

Don't forget that Pulaski is also synonymous with bad traffic: Pulaski Skyway.

My National Guard Band played at its re-dedication in the late 70's. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't recall the reason for its re-dedication but I remember that the ceremony took place on the highest section and were just a few miles from Newark Airport.

Linda
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Linda,

Very True. Have often found it odd that they helped win the Revolution and still after all these years many folks around here start a conversation with "I got tied up on that GD Pulaski Skyway".

At leats folks around here actually know how to correctly proniunce their names. As for spelling them correctly, well that's another thing.

Hope all is well.

Regards from the Garden State,

Steve Basic

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