U.S. Continental Army Brigadier General. Born a Polish nobleman, he was a soldier and military commander, referred as the "Father of the American Cavalry." At the age of fifteen, he joined his father and other members of the Polish nobility in opposing the Russian and Prussian interference in Polish affairs. Later, he met Benjamin Franklin in Paris, who induced him to support the colonies against England in the American Revolution. In 1777, Pulaski arrived in Philadelphia, met General Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and became an aid of Washington's forces as a military tactician. For his efforts, he was appointed Brigadier General in charge of Four Horse Brigades. Securing a victory for American forces at the Battle of Germantown, the United States Congress approved the establishment of the Cavalry and put Brigadier General Pulaski in command. On October 9, 1779, while leading his corps during the Battle of Savannah, Georgia, charging into battle on horseback, he fell to the ground mortally wounded by the blast of a cannon and died several days later. The Pulaski Monument, erected in his honor, is located in Monterey Square, Savannah, Georgia. Pulaski County, Arkansas is named after him. To honor him, Casimir Pulaski Day has been celebrated as a holiday in the Chicago area since 1977. In 2009, the United States Senate granted "The Father of the American Cavalry" honorary U.S. citizenship.
U.S. Continental Army Brigadier General. Born a Polish nobleman, he was a soldier and military commander, referred as the "Father of the American Cavalry." At the age of fifteen, he joined his father and other members of the Polish nobility in opposing the Russian and Prussian interference in Polish affairs. Later, he met Benjamin Franklin in Paris, who induced him to support the colonies against England in the American Revolution. In 1777, Pulaski arrived in Philadelphia, met General Washington, Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army and became an aid of Washington's forces as a military tactician. For his efforts, he was appointed Brigadier General in charge of Four Horse Brigades. Securing a victory for American forces at the Battle of Germantown, the United States Congress approved the establishment of the Cavalry and put Brigadier General Pulaski in command. On October 9, 1779, while leading his corps during the Battle of Savannah, Georgia, charging into battle on horseback, he fell to the ground mortally wounded by the blast of a cannon and died several days later. The Pulaski Monument, erected in his honor, is located in Monterey Square, Savannah, Georgia. Pulaski County, Arkansas is named after him. To honor him, Casimir Pulaski Day has been celebrated as a holiday in the Chicago area since 1977. In 2009, the United States Senate granted "The Father of the American Cavalry" honorary U.S. citizenship.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Inscription
PULASKI
The Heroic Pole who fell mortally wounded fighting for American liberty at the seize of Savannah 9 Oct 1779
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