The Coolidge examiner., 1933-10-13

whose numbers far exceeded their own proved
disastrous Koscluszko, seriously wounded, was
taken prisoner on the battlefield.
For two years he was confined in the famous
Russian fortress of St Peter and Paul He was
released upon his request that he be allowed
once more to visit America
After his second visit to America he settled
down In house near Paris. There he received
many distinguished guests and worked for
fatherland he was never to see again The last
few years of his life were spent with friends
in Solothurn, Switzerland. where he died in 1917
Closely connected with the month of October
is the story of another Polish champion of lib
erty, a comrade In arms of Kosciuszko, and
man whom Americans delight to honor along
with him-COunt Casimir Pulaski
Pulaski was born In Podolia, Poland March
4. 174S. AS a mere boy he threw himself into the
struggle for Polish liberty At twenty-one he
stirred up a revolt in Lithuania against the ty-
rannical Russians, who were gradually crushing
out Poland's national life.
Though elected commander-in-che of the Po-
llsh army of Independence In 1770, when but
twenty-five years Old he was defeated in battle
and scored failure after failure. He is said to
have made an unsuccessful attempt the next year
TO kidnap King Stanislas Of Poland from the
latters Warsaw palace. AS result of various
mishaps Pulaski was outlawed, his estates con-
flscated and price set on his head
Pulaski fed for his life to Turkey finding his
way thence to France. patriot without a coun-
try. In Paris he met Benjamin Franklin, and
heard from him the story of Americas struggle
for liberty. Here at last was a chance for the
fugitive to strike another blow for freedom
Armed with letters Of Introduction from Frank
lin. he sailed for Philadelphia in March, 1777,
and Joined Washington's army a volunteer.
Washington appointed the Pole to place on the
general staff Pulaskis first American battle was
at the Brandywine. There he rallied companies
Of retreating Americans, and so deployed them
as TO protect the retreat of our main army For
this service congress made him a brigadier gen
eral
He persuaded Washington to raise a body of
light infantry and cavalry and enlist for it all
classes of men, including prisoners and de-
serters. The count was made leader of this
corps of $50 troops. which was known as the
Pulaski Legion. With his odd following he har-
ried the British and won new fame. But he
grew tired Of holding so small a command. There
was strife and discomfort among the men. Pull
aski gave up his Office, and decided to 20 back
to Europe.
Washington persuaded him to stay in the army
and sent him South to find new scope for his
energies The southern summers unbearable
heat and the Steaming, unwholeSome marshes
where he was often forced to camp told upon
the Poles health. He fell seriously Ill with ma
laria fever. But as fast as he recovered from
one attack he continued his campaign against
the British until another illness laid him low
His health wrecked, he fought on.
The Americans were planning to march against
the English forces that held Savannah, Ga Pull
ask, acting as advance guard fell upon the un-
prepared enemy captured some Of their outer
Notifications and opened the road for communi-
cation between the patriots and the reinforcing
French feet.
The Americans then laid regular siege to Sa-
vannah. Pulaski was made leader of both the
American and the French cavalry and led an
assault the British lines on October 9, 177e
during which he was mortally wounded. He
died two days later on the United States brig
the Wasp, and was buried at sea.
The sesqucentennial of Puaski's death was
the occasion for a nationwide observance on
October H. 1929, when commemorative services
were held in many places throughout the coun-
try and tall shaft honoring the Polish hero
was unveiled in Savannah There was also a spe-
cial stamp issue in honor of the event The next
year a resolution was introduced into congress
to make October II of each year Pulaski Me-
mortal day. and in 1881 this resolution was
passed and President Hoover issued proclama-
ton calling for its observance.
(G by Western Newspaper Union.)