Casimir Pulaski

Lore & Background

Pulaski was born in Warsaw, Poland, the second eldest son of Marianna Zielińska and Józef Pułaski. He attended an elite college run by the Theatines but did not finish his education. In 1762, he began his military career as a page of Carl Christian Joseph of Saxony, Duke of Courland. He later became involved with the Bar Confederation, opposing Russian domination of the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth. He recruited a unit and signed the act of the confederation on February 29, 1768. He fought in numerous battles, including a successful defense of a monastery in Berdyczów, though he was forced to surrender and released on a pledge he later considered non-binding. He continued to lead Confederate forces, notably defending the Jasna Góra monastery from September 1770 to January 1771.

Reader's Guide

Following the failure of the Bar Confederation, Pulaski was driven into exile. Recommended by Benjamin Franklin, he traveled to North America to aid the American Revolutionary War. He distinguished himself, most notably by saving the life of George Washington. Pulaski became a general in the Continental Army and, with Michael Kovats, raised Pulaski's Legion and reformed the American cavalry. He was fatally wounded by grapeshot while leading a cavalry charge at the siege of Savannah and died shortly after. Pulaski is remembered as a hero for independence in both Poland and the United States. Numerous places, events, and works of art commemorate him. He is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship. There is circumstantial evidence that he was a Freemason, but no surviving documents of his actual membership have been found.

Did You Know?

• Pulaski was born on March 4 or 6, 1745, in Warsaw, Poland.
• He saved the life of George Washington during the American Revolutionary War.
• He is one of only eight people to be awarded honorary United States citizenship.
• There is circumstantial evidence he was a Freemason, but no surviving documents confirm it.