Casimir Pulaski

A Polish cavalryman who saved the life of the (then future) first US president, George Washington. In Poland, he was one of the commanders of the Bar Confederation, in the United States he became the father of the American cavalry and a hero of the War of Independence.

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Casimir Pulaski was probably born on March 6, 1745 in Warsaw. He grew up in the family estate of Winiary on Pilica near Warka. Local tradition says that it was in the parish school of Warka that he received his first education. He continued his education at the Theatine School in Warsaw. He learned a lesson in court etiquette at the court of Prince Charles of Courland in Mitawa, where he served as a page. His parents, Józef and Marianna née Zieliński, took care of the patriotic upbringing of the future Hero of Two Nations. His father, a landowner, mayor of Warka, but above all a recognized lawyer and active participant in many parliaments, involved in the activities of the anti-Russian opposition in the eighteenth-century Republic of Poland, introduced him to the world of politics. Undoubtedly, it was the influence of his father that prompted Casimir Pulaski and his brothers to participate in the Bar Confederation (1768-1772), of which the senior of the family was one of the founders.
Young Pulaski, although he did not have much military experience, quickly became one of the most famous commanders of the Confederate army fighting for Poland to break free from Russian influence. The successful defense of the Jasna Góra Fortress (1771) brought him the greatest fame. He was known for organizing daring raids on the enemy. During this period, he became a legend - songs were sung and poems were written about him. His figure was immortalized in paintings by outstanding XNUMXth-century painters, including Józef Chełmoński and Juliusz Kossak.

In 1772, Casimir Pulaski, as a result of the collapse of the Bar Confederation and due to the fact that he was associated with the failed assassination attempt on King Stanisław August, left the Republic of Poland and went into exile. After a few years of wandering around Europe, in 1777, he decided to go overseas, where American colonists were fighting with the English for independence. Participation in the American Revolution opened up new opportunities for Casimir Pulaski. The rich war experience gained from the Confederate fights convinced George Washington, the commander of the Continental Army, to engage the brave Pulaski in the American army.

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Author: Karol Kucharski, Muzeum im. K. Pulaski in Warka

The entire publication and other sources can be found in the Polish Digital Equestrian Library (click)

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