Count Kazemierz (or Casimir) Pulaski, born in Podolia on the 4th
of March, 1748, received a thorough military education by serving
for a time in the guard of Duke Charles of Courland, and enlisting
when twenty-one under his father’s banner for the rescue of Poland
from her oppressors. Bereft of father and brother by the war, he yet
succeeded for a time in baffling all attempts to bring his country
into subjection; but at last in 1772 his enemies triumphed and the
partition of Poland was the result. Pulaski’s estates were confiscated;
he was outlawed; and a price was set upon his head. Escaping to
Turkey, but failing to gain any assistance there, he went to Paris in
1775. Sympathizing with the oppressed of whatever nation, he sought
an interview with Benjamin Franklin, tendered his services, and came
to this country in May, 1777, entering our army as a volunteer. His
conduct at the battle of Brandywine secured him promotion to the rank
of brigadier-general, on the 15th of September, 1777, with a command of
the cavalry. During the ensuing winter, however, finding the officers
under him dissatisfied at receiving orders from a foreigner who could
with difficulty speak their language, and whose ideas of discipline
and tactics differed widely from theirs, he resigned his command, and
returned to special duty at Valley Forge. At his suggestion, approved
by Washington, Congress authorized the raising of an independent
corps of Lancers and light infantry, in which even deserters from the
British, and prisoners-of-war, could enlist. This corps became famous
afterward as “Pulaski’s Legion,” and rendered great service at the
attack on Savannah. In this assault, Pulaski commanded all the cavalry,
both French and American. The conflict was obstinate and bloody.
Pulaski was severely wounded and left on the field of battle when his
men retreated; some of them, however, returned, and under fire of the
enemy, bore him to camp. With others of the wounded, he was taken on
board the American brig “Wasp,” which was lying in the harbor; but
notwithstanding the skill of the French surgeon, he died a few days
after, as she was leaving the river, and his body was consigned to
the sea on the 11th of October, 1779. The “Wasp” carrying the sad
intelligence to Charleston, appropriate funeral services were held
in that city. The cornerstone of a monument raised to his memory in
Savannah was laid by Lafayette, when in 1824 he visited this country as
“the nation’s guest,” and made a triumphant progress through each of
the twenty-four States.