Michael Kovats Michael Kovats de Fabriczy ( also spelled Fabricy ; 1724 – May 11 , 1779 ) was a Hungarian cavalry officer who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War , in which he was killed in action . Casimir Pulaski and Kovats are known as the Founding Fathers of the US Cavalry . Kovats was born " Kováts Mihály " in Karcag , Hungary . In English historical records his family name is sometimes spelled " Kowatz " or " Kowatsch " . A nobleman , he became an officer in the Hungarian cavalry under Maria Theresa . He later became captain in the famous Prussian Cavalry , serving under Frederick the Great . After learning about the American Revolution , he offered his sword to the American ambassador in France , Benjamin Franklin . He wrote : " " Most Illustrious Sir : " " " Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold . " " " " I , who have the honor to present this letter to your Excellency , am also following the call of the Fathers of the Land , as the pioneers of freedom always did . I am a free man and a Hungarian . As to my military status I was trained in the Royal Prussian Army and raised from the lowest rank to the dignity of a Captain of the Hussars , not so much by luck and the mercy of chance than by most diligent self discipline and the virtue of my arms . The dangers and the bloodshed of a great many campaigns taught me how to mold a soldier , and , when made , how to arm him and let him defend the dearest of the lands with his best ability under any conditions and developments of the war . " " " I now am here of my own free will , having taken all the horrible hardships and bothers of this journey , and l am willing to sacrifice myself wholly and faithfully as it is expected of an honest soldier facing the hazards and great dangers of the war , to the detriment of Joseph and as well for the freedom of your great Congress . Through the cooperation and loyal assistance of Mr . Faedevill , a merchant of this city and a kind sympathizer of the Colonies and their just cause , I have obtained passage on a ship called " Catharina Froam Darmouth " , whose master is a Captain Whippy . l beg your Excellency , to grant me a passport and a letter of recommendation to the most benevolent Congress . I am expecting companions who have not yet reached here . Your Excellency would be promoting the common cause by giving Mr . Faedevill authorization to expedite their passage to the Colonies once they have arrived here . " " " At last , awaiting your gracious answer , I have no wish greater than to leave forthwith , to be where I am needed most , to serve and die in everlasting obedience to Your Excellency and the Congress . " " " Most faithful unto death , " " Bordeaux , January l3th , 1777 . Michael Kovats de Fabricy " " P . S : As yet I am unable to write , fluently in French or English and had only the choice of writing either in German or Latin ; for this I apologize to your Excellency . " " Upon his arrival in America , Kováts joined Count Casimir Pulaski , who was then brigadier general and commander - in - chief of Washington ' s cavalry . Pulaski ' s cavalry was poorly trained . There were few trained cavalry officers which made the task of commanding the forces formidable . On February 4 , 1778 , Pulaski proposed a plan for the formation of a training division of hussars . In a letter to Washington Pulaski wrote : " There is an officer now in this Country whose name is Kovach . I know him to have served with reputation in the Prussian service and assure Your Excellency that he is in every way equal to his undertaking . " Later , in another letter to Washington dated March 19 , Pulaski again recommended Kovats : " I would propose , for my subaltern , an experienced officer , by name Kowacz , formerly a Colonel and partisan in the Prussian service . " Pulaski ' s legion was commissioned by the Continental Congress on March 28 , 1778 and Michael Kováts was named colonel commandant of the legion on April 18 , 1778 . He was finally given the opportunity to perform the task he had originally intended : to organize and train hussar regiments for the American army . The recruiting of men began almost immediately and by October 1778 , the legion consisted of 330 officers and men . Kováts trained these men in the tradition of Hungarian hussars : in basic form , training and organization they were similar to their European counterparts . The legion was transferred to New Jersey and in October was sent into battle with the British at Osborne Island on the 10th and at Egg Harbor on the 14th . With the approach of winter , the legion was ordered to Cole ' s Fort , where they spent the first part of the winter in training . On February 2 , 1779 , the legion marched to South Carolina to join the forces of General Benjamin Lincoln . During the long march smallpox took its toll : only 150 soldiers arrived in Charleston — more than half of the legion had died of smallpox along the way . The Siege of Charleston was underway . The situation was critical , the population urged for surrender . Pulaski ' s legion arrived on May 8 , 1779 and unsuccessfully attacked the English troops led by General Prevost on May 11 . In the battle on May 11 , 1779 in Charleston , South Carolina Colonel Michael Kováts lost his life in the war for American independence . He was buried where he fell . Even according to the English , the legion was " the best cavalry the rebels ever had . " A phrase from his letter to Franklin , " Faithful unto Death " ( Fidelissimus ad Mortem ) has since been taken as the motto of the American Hungarian Federation . On May 11 , 1779 , Colonel Kovats gave his life in the American War for Independence while leading the Continental Army cavalry he had trained in Hungarian hussar tactics against a British Siege of Charleston . The British remarked that Kovats ' forces were " the best cavalry the rebels ever had . " To this date , Michael de Kovats is celebrated by cadets at the Citadel Military College in South Carolina where part of the campus is named in his honor . The Hungarian Embassy in Washington , D . C . , has a statue sculpted by Paul Takacs and executed by Attila Dienes . Some of his descendants live in Roseland , New Jersey .