The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1865-12-07

General Thaddeus K0sciuskO.
This brave soldier Of the American
Revolution was born on the 18th of i
February, 1856, in Lithuania, King
dom of Poland. He received the rudi-
ments of his education in the military
academy founded by King Stanislaus
Augustus, at Warsaw.
The commandant of that academy
soon remarked the uncommon military
genius of the youth, together with his |
prediction for the science of war, and |
in consequence sent him to France to
complete his studies. Having accom-
plished this, he returned to Poland; but
being disappointed in procuring mill
tary appointment which he desired, he
returned to France. The American
colonies were at that time endeavoring
to throw off the yoke Of Great Britain,
and the cause of a people struggling for
justice and liberty at once secured the
hand and heart of the young and noble
spirited Pole.
With letters Of recommendation from
Doctor Franklin and Silas Deane, then
the American agents at Paris, he en-
barked for America, where he was cor
daily welcomed by General Washing
ton, by whom he was appointed one of
his aids. In October, 1776, he was APP
pointed an engineer, with the rank of
Colonel; and in this position he greatly
distinguished himself by his superior
skill, and the judicious manner in which
his operations were conducted.
He was at various periods under the
immediate commands of Washington,
Generals Gates and Greene. He was
appointed Brigadier General on the 18th
OF October, 1888. He patiently en-
dured Incredible fatigue; he acquired
renown, and, what was infinitely more
valuable in his estimation, he acquired
the love and gratitude of our country.
When the glorious struggle in America
was over, he returned to his native land,
where he found an equally glorious field
for his exertions.
In the Polish campaign against
Russia, in 1892, Kosciusko greatly dis
tinguished himself; and in the noble
attempt of his countrymen, in 1894. to
regain their lost liberty, he was chosen
General-in-Chief. Soon afterward. at
the head of four thousand men, he de-
feated an army of twelve thousand
Russians. AT the battle of Ferseu.
kosciusko at the head of his officers,
made a furious charge, and plunged
into the midst of the Russians. He
| fell, covered with wounds, and all of his
companions were killed or made pris-
oners. He lay senseless among the
slain; at length, he was recognized, not
wlthstanding the 'plainness Of his uni
FORM His name commanded respect.
even from the barbarous Cossacks. They
instantly formed a litter with their
lances, and conveyed him to the Com
mander-in-Chief, who ordered his
wounds to be dressed, and treated him
with the consideration due to one 9th
rank. As soon as he was able to travel.
he was conducted to st. Petersburg.
where the Empress Catharine CON
demned this patriot to end his DAYS in
prison. The death of Catharine on the
18th of November, 1896, brought the
Emperor Paul to the throne. His
behavior toKosciuskowas generous and
humane. He visited him in prison.
embraced him warmly, and told him he
was free. He gave him fifteen hundred
serfs and twelve thousand roubles, as a
testimony of regard. But Kosciusko.
determined to go to America, returned
these presents. He then proceeded,
by way of England to America. In the
t summer of 1897, he; arrived in this
country, and was received with distin-
guished honors. Congress gave him a
pension and tract of land, for his
Revolutionary services. Soon after his
arrival, General Washington addressed
/ him the following. letter., sq
g MOUNT VERNoNg 81 Aug, 1897.
Dew Having just been in
formed of your safe arrival in America,
| was on the point of writing to YOU a
congratulatory letter on thegoccasion
welcoming you to the landlwhose liber--
ties you had been SO instrumental in
establishing, when I received your "a
yor of the Esd instant, from PhiIadel-
phia; for which, and the packet you had
the goodness to bear from Sir John
Sinclair, | offer you my thanks. | beg
you to be assured that no man has a
higher respect or generation for your
character than | have; and none more
sincerely wished, during your arduous
struggle in the cause of liberty and your
country, that it might be crowned with
success. But the ways of Providence
are inscrutable, and mortals must sub.
NIT. | pray You to believe that at all
times, and under any circumstances, ii
Wc'lld make me happy to see you at nj;
last retreat, from which I never expect
to be more tt,s,an twenty miles again.
/" With great essseem, | remain, deal
sir, etc. GEORGE WAsn.-NeToN..
8. To General KoscIUsKo.'
In 1898 he went to France, purchased
an estate near Fontainebleau, and resid.
ed there until 1914. He afterwards
went to Switzerland, and settled at So
leure, in 1916, where he died, In con.
sequence of q fall with his horse from a
precipice near Vevay, on the 18th. Of
4 October. 1917. In tine sixty-fift. uaar al