Biographical Sketches of the Generals of the Continental Army of the RevolutionLeiter, Mary Theresa
History
Biographical Sketches of the Generals of the Continental Army of the Revolution
Leiter, Mary Theresa
United States -- History -- Revolution, 1775-1783 -- Biography
Two years later, however, when the Poles determined to resume their
struggle for freedom, Kosciusko returned, and in March, 1794, was
proclaimed director and generalissimo. With courage, patience and
skill, that justified the high esteem in which he had been held in
America, he directed his followers while they waged the unequal strife.
Successful at first, he broke the yoke of tyranny from the necks of his
down-trodden countrymen, and for a few short weeks beheld his beloved
country free. But with vastly augmented numbers the enemy once more
invaded Poland; and in a desperate conflict Kosciusko, covered with
wounds, was taken prisoner, and the subjugation of the whole province
soon followed. He remained a prisoner for two years until the accession
of Paul I. of Russia. In token of his admiration, Paul wished to
present his own sword to Kosciusko; but the latter refused it, saying,
“I have no more need of a sword, as I have no longer a country,” and
would accept nothing but his release from captivity. He visited France
and England, and in 1797 returned to the United States, from which
country he received a pension, and was everywhere warmly welcomed. The
following year he returned to France, when his countrymen in the French
army presented him with the sword of John Sobieski. Purchasing a small
estate, he devoted himself to agriculture.
In 1806, when Napoleon planned the restoration of Poland, Kosciusko
refused to join in the undertaking, because he was on his parole
never to fight against Russia. He gave one more evidence before his
death of his love of freedom and sincere devotion to her cause, by
releasing from slavery all the serfs on his own estate in his native
land. In 1816, he removed to Switzerland, where he died on the 15th
of October, 1817, at Solothurn. The following year his remains were
removed to Cracow, and buried beside Sobieski, and the people, in
loving remembrance of his patriotic devotion, raised a mound above his
grave one hundred and fifty feet high, the earth being brought from
every great battle-field in Poland. This country paid its tribute of
gratitude by erecting a monument to his memory at West Point on the
Hudson.
STEPHEN MOYLAN.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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