Kosciuszko
This is the last name of
Tadeusz
(real Polish first name, all records call by the Latin "Thaddeus" as
his offical first name)Kosciusko. Funk & Wagnalls quote of who Tadeusz
Kosciusko was: Kosciusko, Thaddeus (1746-1817), Polish national hero and
military leader. Kosciusko was born on February 12, 1746, near Brest (now in
Belarus), and educated in military engineering in Warsaw and in Germany, Italy,
and France. Imbued with contemporary French liberal philosophy, he went to
America in 1776 to serve with the colonial forces in the American Revolution. He
fought under General Horatio Gates, and his selection of a defensive position
contributed significantly to the decisive American victory at the Battle of
Saratoga (1777). The following year he directed the construction of
fortifications at West Point, New York, and in 1780-81 he served under General
Nathanael Greene in South Carolina. In 1783, in recognition of his services,
Kosciusko was granted U.S. citizenship, a pension, estates, and the rank of
brigadier general. In 1784 Kosciusko returned to Poland, attaining the rank of
major general in the Polish army. In 1794, following the second partition (1793)
of Poland, by Russia and Prussia, he led a rebellion for Polish independence.
Proclaimed military commander and given dictatorial powers by his followers, he
defeated the Russians at Raclawice in April, but was overcome by a combined
Russian and Prussian force at Szczekociny in June. After successfully defending
Warsaw against the Russians and Prussians (July-September 1794), he went on the
offensive in October, but he was defeated and wounded at the Battle of
Maciejowice. This defeat ended the Polish uprising. Kosciusko was held prisoner
in Russia until 1796, when he was released and exiled. He visited America, where
he was awarded $15,000 and a grant of Ohio land. After 1798 he lived in France
and Switzerland, unsuccessfully seeking independence for Poland. He died October
15, 1817, in Solothurn, Switzerland. He not only fought for national
independence in the United States and Poland but also supported the principle of
political equality. He freed the serfs on his estates in Poland just before his
death, and he ordered in his will that his Ohio property be sold to provide
education for black Americans. "Kosciusko, Thaddeus," Microsoft(R)
Encarta(R) 96 Encyclopedia. (c) 1993-1995 Microsoft Corporation. All rights
reserved. (c) Funk & Wagnalls Corporation. All rights reserved.
