35 Facts About Casimir Pulaski

Casimir Pulaski distinguished himself throughout the revolution, most notably when he saved the life of George Washington.

Casimir Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army, and he and his friend, the Hungary-born colonel commandant Michael Kovats, raised Casimir Pulaski's Legion and reformed the American cavalry as a whole.

Casimir Pulaski is remembered as a hero who fought for independence and freedom in Poland and the United States.

Casimir Pulaski is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.

Early in his youth, Casimir Pulaski attended an elite college run by Theatines, a male religious order of the Catholic Church in Warsaw, but did not finish his education.

In 1762, Casimir Pulaski started his military career as a page of Carl Christian Joseph of Saxony, Duke of Courland and the Polish king's vassal.

Casimir Pulaski spent six months at the ducal court in Mitau, during which the court was interned in the palaces by the Russian forces occupying the area.

Casimir Pulaski then returned to Warsaw, and his father gave him the village of Zezulince in Podole; from that time, Pulaski used the title of Starost of Zezulince.

Casimir Pulaski spent the rest of the year rebuilding his unit in the region of Podkarpacie.

Casimir Pulaski impressed her and she became one of his protectors.

Casimir Pulaski intended to pursue Drewitz, but a growing discord between him and Zaremba prevented this from becoming a real option.

Casimir Pulaski enjoyed fighting against the Russians above everything else, and was daring to the extent he forgot about his safety in battles, resulting in his many failures on the battlefield.

Casimir Pulaski's forces were victorious at the Battle of Majdany, and briefly besieged Zamosc, but it was relieved by Suvorov.

Casimir Pulaski was initially opposed to this plan but later supported it on the condition that the king would not be harmed.

Casimir Pulaski spent the following winter and spring in Czestochowa, during which time several of his followers were defeated, captured or killed.

Poniatowski himself warned Casimir Pulaski to stay away from Poland, or risk death.

Casimir Pulaski attempted to recreate a Confederate force in the Ottoman Empire during the Russo-Turkish War, but before he could make any progress, the Turks were defeated, and he barely escaped by sea to Marseille, France.

Casimir Pulaski found himself in debt and unable to find an army that would enlist him.

Casimir Pulaski spent the year of 1775 in France, imprisoned at times for debts, until his allies gathered enough funds to arrange for his release.

Casimir Pulaski showed off riding stunts, and argued for the superiority of cavalry over infantry.

Casimir Pulaski immediately began work on reforming the cavalry, and wrote the first regulations for the formation.

Casimir Pulaski spent the winter of 1777 to 1778 with most of the army at Valley Forge.

Casimir Pulaski argued that the military operations should continue through the winter, but this idea was rejected by the general staff.

American officers serving under Casimir Pulaski had difficulty taking orders from a foreigner who could scarcely speak English and whose ideas of discipline and tactics differed enormously from those to which they were accustomed.

Casimir Pulaski was unhappy that his suggestion to create a lancer unit was denied.

Casimir Pulaski went to Yorktown, where he met with General Horatio Gates and suggested the creation of a new unit.

Casimir Pulaski, supported by Michael Kovats, often referred to as the co-founder of the US cavalry, made great efforts to turn their cavalry into an effective force, and the improvement of the Legion's mounted arm drew high praise form the British.

Casimir Pulaski used his own personal finances when money from Congress was scarce, in order to assure his forces of the finest equipment and personal safety.

Casimir Pulaski complained that he received inadequate funds, was obstructed by locals and officials, and was forced to spend his own money.

Casimir Pulaski was not cleared of these charges until after his death.

Casimir Pulaski arrived just as military leaders were establishing the city's defenses.

The Legion infantry, numbering only about 60 men before the skirmish, was virtually wiped out, and Casimir Pulaski was forced to retreat to the safety of the city's guns.

Casimir Pulaski was carried from the field of battle and taken aboard the South Carolina merchant brig privateer Wasp, under the command of Captain Samuel Bulfinch, where he died two days later, having never regained consciousness.

In 1931 a ten foot tall bronze statue of Casimir Pulaski, sculpted by Polish-American sculptor Joseph Kiselewski, was erected in Casimir Pulaski Park in Milwaukee Wisconsin.

Casimir Pulaski signed it on November 6,2009, making Pulaski the seventh person so honored.