(Some notes missing, check back later)
"Today a dragoon of the former Pulaski corps arrived here as a deserter. Since he seemed to be quite a reasonable fellow, I asked him what sort of a man the dead Count Pulaski had been. 'He was a young and noble gentleman, a very daring horseman, and feared nothing in the world...' What a splendid eulogy for an offcier after his death from the mouth of one of his subordinates! What esteem does this Count not merit in the eyes of every soldier?" --- From the diary of Captain Johann Ewald, March 1780.
"The best damn cavalry the rebels ever had." --- British Major F. Skelly, speaking of Pulaski's Legion.
(The death of Pulaski) "swept away from the American service a most active and dangerous character" --- British Sergeant Roger Lamb, in his diary.
"Pulaski has died as he lived -- a hero -- but an enemy of kings" --- Statement of Polish King Augustus Poniatowski, when news of Pulaski's death reached the Polish Court.
"suffice it to say in as few words as possible, as a soldier and citizen, that I came to America with the aim of devoting myself entirely to her aid and her fame, and to help as much as one man is able to winning her freedom..."--- Pulaski to Hoartio Gates, president of the Board of War, March 19, 1778.
" The detachment, which will be under my command, will be made up of two companies of lancers and six companies of foot... The commanders' duties will consist of closely observing the movements of the enemy, of taking such steps against them as surprise assaults, ambushes, capturing vanguards, attacking rear guards, attacks on his flank, etc...It will be easily seen that the only rule for such a unit will be that of constant action; not going into details then, it is evident that with the aim of continuing attacks on the enemy, observations and harassment, such a unit must be of great use..." --- Pulaski to Hoartio Gates, president of the Board of War, March 19, 1778.
"He was accounted the finest swordsman and one of the best horsemen in the Army...When his horse was at a gallop, he would discharge his pistol, throw it in the air, catch it on its descent, again hurl it with all his power in front of him but with one foot in the stirrup pick it from the ground and time his position in the saddle". --- Anonymous
"Count Pulaski of Poland, an officer famous throughout Europe for his bravery and conduct in defence of the liberties of his country against the three great invading powers of Russia, Austria and Prussia, will have the honor of delivering this into your Excellency's hands. The Court here have encouraged and promoted his voyage, from an opinion that he may be highly useful to our service." --- from Benjamin Franklin's letter of introduction, addressed to George Washington, June, 1777. (Writings of Washington, Ford, VI, p.57)
"The principal thing which I ask is to be near the enemy, that I may more readily seize occasions of acquiring the name of a good officer. If an incursion is to be made into the country which the enemy possesses, I shall not probably be skillful at that, or in defending an advanced post." -- Pulaski's letter to Congress, August 24, 1777. ( Executive Document No. 120, Senate, 49th Congress, 2nd session, Message from the Pres. of the U.S.)
"I am pleased with the favorable account you give of Count Pulaski's conduct while at Trenton. He is a gentleman of great activity and unquestionable bravery, and only wants a fuller knowledge of our language and customs to make him a valuable officer." -- Letter from Washington to Gov. Livingston, March 14, 1778. ( Washington's Writings, Part II, vol. V, p.279)
"In the words of one of his comrades, 'the Count in battle -- how he seemed to fight as if enjoying a banquet; how, again and again, he would dash into the midst of the enemy, cutting his way on the right hand and on the left, as if the strength of ten men lay in his single arm; and then wheeling, cutting his way back again, and often without loss.'" --- Anonymous
"That country (Poland) no longer exists for me; and here, by fighting for freedom, I wish to deserve it. Life or death for the welfare of the state is my motto and thereby I hope to earn the esteem of the citizens of this country..." --- Letter from Pulaski to Washington, July, 1777
"He was to do detached duty with this corps but a sufficient number of light troops from the army was to be sent him from time to time to enable him to act with his legion in the partizan way and to support his enterprizes." --- From a report of the Board of War, February 15, 1779 (PCC 147, III, f.55)
Return to Camp