31 Casimir Pulaski Facts About The Famous Soldier

Casimir Pulaski came from Poland to battle in the American Revolution and is one of only seven individuals to be awarded honorary citizenship in the United States.

In 1745, he was born as an aristocrat in Warsaw. As a liberation warrior in Poland, he initially led soldiers into battle.

Pulaski began his war for national freedom in Poland against the Russian Empire before embarking on a second continent with the same goal. Despite his small stature of somewhere between 5.08-5.33 ft (154.8-162.4 cm), he proved to be a skilled military leader by the age of 20.

He effectively led the armed troops of the uprising against the new Polish king.

Kazimierz Pulaski was granted honorary U.S. citizenship in 2009, more than 200 years after his death - an honor held by only seven other people, including Mother Teresa.

Casimir Pulaski Day was declared an official state holiday in Illinois in 1986.

The Life History Of Casimir Pulaski

It is interesting to read about the life history of Polish patriot Casimir Pulaski. Below are some intriguing facts about him.

• Pulaski was born into a wealthy family.
• He was born in Warsaw, Poland, in 1745, as the second eldest of three sons of Count Joseph Pulaski.
• Pulaski's family was so important that they wore the Ślepowron coat of arms, which several powerful clans wore during the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
• Pulaski acquired extensive skill training as a result of his wealthy background.
• He spent his childhood learning archery, lancing, and, most importantly, horseback riding.
• Poland had a great horseback riding culture, and young Pulaski excelled in his training, which would later prove crucial to his destiny in the American military.
• Casimir Pulaski's engagement in the country's tumultuous politics began when he was 15 years old when he joined his father's cause as a founding member of the Polish Confederation of Bars.
• Count Pulaski died on a ship between Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina, in October 1779.
• In 2005, on the Siege of Savannah's anniversary (October 9, 1779), the man considered the 'Father of the American Cavalry' was reburied beneath the restored monument.

What did Casimir Pulaski invent?

Want to know more amazing facts about Casimir Pulaski and his inventions? Read on to learn more!

• He was a Polish patriot and American Revolutionary War hero who battled unsuccessfully against foreign domination of his native Poland before traveling to America to fight in the American Revolution.
• Pulaski was a key military commander for the Bar Confederation, fighting against Russian domination of the Commonwealth.
• During the conflict, Pulaski created a name for himself by scoring a series of small but improbable wins over Russian soldiers.
• Like other Polish military men of his class, he was a cavalryman and a competent rider and swordsman by all accounts.
• Pulaski rose to the rank of general in the Continental Army. He and his buddy Michael Kovats founded the Pulaski Cavalry Legion, which revolutionized the American cavalry as a whole.
• In Poland, he is regarded as a man who struggled for liberty on two continents, earning him the title 'Soldier of Liberty.'
• Numerous highways, bridges, counties, and towns in the United States are named after him to recognize his assistance to American forces.
• The Pulaski Monument, built in his honor, is found in Monterey Square in Savannah, Georgia.

The Role Of Casimir Pulaski In Revolutionary War

General Casimir Pulaski had a significant role to play in the war. Here are some Casimir Pulaski fun facts about.

• In 1768, he joined forces with his father's Confederation of Bar in a struggle against Russian dominance of Poland.
• On the other hand, the confederation proved to be too small to win and was decisively defeated.
• After his properties were stolen, Pulaski escaped to Turkey during Poland's first partition in 1772.
• He stayed here for several years in a futile attempt to provoke the Turks into attacking Russia.
• Finally, bankrupt and homeless, he fled to Paris searching for work.
• As the American Revolution began in the spring of 1775, the American representatives to France handed Pulaski money to make the journey to Boston.
• He arrived with a letter of introduction to General George Washington.
• Pulaski joined the staff of Gen. George Washington as a volunteer shortly after a meeting with Washington in August of that same year.
• In September, following his performance in the Battle of the Brandywine, he was assigned leadership of a freshly formed cavalry troop in Washington's army.
• During the winter of 1777, he and his soldiers served at Trenton, Flemington, and Valley Forge, where Pulaski shared responsibility for the provisioning of the starving Americans with Gen. Anthony Wayne.
• Washington dispatched Pulaski south to assist in the liberation of Savannah from British occupation.
• Pulaski was mortally wounded in action in Savannah in 1779.
• Some claimed he was buried at a nearby plantation and that his remains were later relocated to a monument honoring him in a downtown square.

The Importance Of Casimir Pulaski In History

Pulaski is known as the 'Father of the American Cavalry.' Read to learn about his importance and the role that he played in the historical events.

• He headed the Pulaski Legion, a brigade of German Hessians, French, and Poles who prevented the British forces from taking Charleston in 1779.
• That battle aided in turning the tide in the South's favor.
• He is regarded as an officer recognized throughout Europe for his bravery and courage in defending his country's freedom.
• General Pulaski aided Washington's forces at Brandywine and established himself as a skilled military tactician.
• Casimir Pulaski was honored with the names Fort Pulaski and Pulaski County.
• Before heading south to Charleston, Pulaski and his legion were sent to defend Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey, and Minisink, Delaware.