The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1899-07-05

while the mrashal belonged to the high
est.
The young captain then proposed an
elopement, and the Lady Louise consent
ed. They escaped from the castle one
night, but were overtaken by the sol
diers and servants of the marshal before
morning and surrounded. Kosciusko,
placing the young girl behind him, drew
his sword and challenged the soldiers to
take him. He held them on for a time.
but was finally cut down and fell sense
less, covered with wounds. The girl was
taken back to the castle and Kosciusko.
who was supposed to have been killed.
was left on the ground. In pool Of blood.
He recovered consciousness at the end Of
three hours and dragged himself to the
nearest village and to the home Of his
friend, Julian Ursyn NiemcewieZ, the
poet, author. and patriot. Kosciusko
found a handkerchief dropped by Lady
Louise when he regained consciousness
and this he carried next his heart through
life, where it was found after his death.
He never married and was true to his
first love to the last.
The poet concealed his friend from his
pursurers until he was fully recovered OF
his wounds, after which Kosciusko wrote
to the king, asking his permission to re-
1 sign his commission. This was granted
and the detected lover set out Immediately
for America, where the revolutionary war
was raging His purse was slim, and he
was absolutely without acquaintance In
| the new world. But he went directly to
| Washington's headquarters and intro
/ duced himself.
what do you seek here?" asked the
general.
'I come to fight as q volunteer for
American Independence" replied Kosci-
usko.
What can you do?' asked Washington.
'Try me-"
/ He was given trial and quickly DEM
| onstrated his genius for warfare and was
! given a commission as captain Of volun-
/ teers. Within a short time after his en-
/ listment there was a sharp battle between
| the Americans and the British, in which
Generals Wayne and Lafayette were in
command of the continental army. Dur
ing the engagement the French general
observed that one company Of volunteers
fought with extraordinary valor and was
| always in the van. When the firing ceased
in the evening he asked a member Of
his staff" who led the first company"
"A young Pole II noble birth, but poor.
His name is Kosciusko."
Lafayette ordered mis- horse saddled and
rode two miles TO where the volunteers
were encamped He asked for the cap
frsz a
which he entered and found young off,
Ger. covered with dust and blood, por!ng
over a map OF the country by candle
light. The general grasped his hand and
congratulated him on the part he had
taken in the days battle. The friendship
thus begun continued through life.
Kosciusko became a fayorite with Gen
eral Washington and quickly secured an
extraordinary influence over his men on
account of his just, sympathetic and hu-
name treatment of them. This was illus
trsted in a striking manner some months
after his first battle. Several companies
of militia had been detained in the army
long after their term OF service had ex-
pired, and there was much grumbl.ng
among the men. These complaints came
to the attention Of Kosciusko. and one
day he had the dsaffected companies
drawn UP before him, and in an earnest
voice he said:
"My good friends, you have been pron>
ised your discharge. and to me this prom
ise is sacred; II you are not willing to stay
go home. You are discharged! As for my
self. cannot desert the post Entrusted to
me. and shall remain here with cur few
regular troops"
This little speech was better than an ar
gument- The men stood abashed for
awhile. and then a cneer went UP and
they shouted: I'VE will stay" And they
did stay as long a. Kosciusko remained in
the cIItinental army.
When peace was signed between Great |
Britain and the United States Kosciusko |
returned 10 Poland with the American |
rank Of brigadier general. He was re- |
ceived with consideration by King Stan |
isaus and was reinstated IN the Polish |
army vita his American rank, and was |
shortly promoted to that of major gen. |
eral. But he lived in secIusion for years,
and only came out of retirement at the
time that the king suggested certain re-
forms in the Polish constitution that |
would enable him to shake of the as
cendancy of Russia.
On May 3. 1871. in spite OF the opposi-
ton Of all the partisans Of Russia. the
king swore 10 support the new constitu-
ton. He took the oath in the cathedral
at twilight In he presence OF the national
assembly. At the same time Kosciusko
declared in favor of the new charter and
received at the hands OF the king his pro-
motion to the rank of lieutenant general.
But the new constitution did not meet
with universal approbs lion in Poland.
The new laws deprived the powerful no
bles OF many of their prerogatives. which
had already almost destroyed their coun-
Try. and they banded together in the con-
federation of TargOwjca, which was pro-
fessetlly patriots. but was really in the
interest OF Russia which l. supposed to
have guaranteed them their ancient and
,eudal rights. P0tocki declared mself
marshal general, and the line Was drawnt
between the confederation and the king
and people.
In February. I7s2 the confederation Is
'ISA siia All N-4sNst ~ SdE u-tid4F0 / ,
hat NO hope remains for the republic
ave an appeal TO the msgnanimity OF the
ncOmparaole Catherine. Should the Poles
lot listen to the counsels OF this exalted |
they vii themselves precipitste
he ruin OF their country. We impiore the s
Inhabitants o. Warsaw and Z the PROF.
noes not 20 take any hasty steps that
nav undermine the general safety"
That there was an understanding be- !
xeen the empress and the mobiles uras 4