COUNT KAZEMIERZ (OR CASIMIR) PULASKI.
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.