The FReeper Foxhole Profiles Thaddeus Kosciuszko - Jul. 26th, 2004

www.kosciuszkofoundation.org ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
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FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

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Tadeusz Kosciuszko
(1746-1817)

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THADDEUS (TADEUSZ) KOSCIUSZKO
A Polish Son of Liberty,
Hero of the American Revolution

Of the many distinguished military men who came from abroad to fight for the independence of the American colonies, Kosciuszko was the very first. In August 1776, only a month after the Declaration of Independence had been signed, the 30-year-old military engineer arrived in Philadelphia from Poland. He offered his services to the Continental Congress, and served continuously until the British surrender seven years later. For over 200 years, the memory of his dedication and contribution has forged strong bonds between the peoples of Poland the United States. Kosciuszko was born to an aristocratic family of modest means in Poland on February 4, 1746. He received a solid classical education at the local church school; mathematics, geometry and drawing attracted his special attention, and at 19 he decided on a military career. He entered the newly-established Royal Military School in Warsaw. Four years later, he graduated with honors, receiving a captain's commission, and was sent on a scholarship from King Stanislaw August to Paris, for advanced study of engineering and artillery.



When he returned to Poland five years later, the country had been forced to yield much of its territory to Russia, Prussia, and Austria, and there was little use for his skills. Hearing of the events at Lexington and Concord, he decided to enlist in the American cause, and traveled to Philadelphia.

He was commissioned Colonel of Engineers by Congress, and assigned to General Horatio Gates and the Army of the North. His strategic engineering skills were a major factor in the American victory at Saratoga a year later; it was this triumph that turned the tide of the war and convinced many European powers to support America against Britain.

Kosciuszko's next task, probably his most important in this country, was the fortification of the heights of West Point, which Washington had called "the key to America." This occupied him nearly two and a half years. He supervised the construction of interlocking batteries, and designed a massive 60-ton chain to block the Hudson River and keep the British from advancing South. (Later, this site became the home of the U.S. Military Academy; the first monument there, erected by the cadets themselves, was to Kosciuszko.)


"Hero of two worlds"
Thaddeus Kosciuszko, here in his heroic American role, painted by a Pole: Kosciuszko at West Point by Boleslaw Jan Czedekowski (1885 - 1969).

He was then sent to the Army of the South, where he supervised troop movements crossing rivers and treacherous swamps. He had the honor of leading American troops into Charleston, the last point of British resistance in the South. At the war's end, Congress named him a Brigadier General.

In 1784, he returned to Poland, and five years later was called up to the Polish army. Poland's political fortunes were sinking, however, and the King ordered his troops to stop fighting. Resigning in protest, Kosciuszko resigned and went to Germany, where he maintained contact with Poles planning a general insurrection.



Finally, in March 1794, he returned to Poland to lead the long-planned revolt. He ordered the mobilization of all men fit to bear arms, even peasants. In America, Kosciuszko had learned how to work with such untrained volunteers. Seven thousand men rushed to join his army, and he soon won a stunning victory over the Russians at Raclawice. By October, however, combined Russian and Prussian troops overwhelmed his forces; Kosciuszko, seriously wounded, was captured. The next year, in a final partition, Russia, Prussia and Austria divided what was left of Poland between them, and the country vanished from the map of Europe.

Kosciuszko was held prisoner in Moscow under Catherine the Great, but her successor, Czar Paul I, freed him on the condition that that he not return to Poland.


George Washington and Thaddeus Kosciuszko

Kosciuszko came back to America, his adopted homeland, and moved to Philadelphia. His earlier friendship with Jefferson bloomed, and the two met almost daily. When he left America for the last time, he named Jefferson the executor of his will, directing that all his American assets be sold and used to buy and free slaves.

His final years were sad and full of disappointments. He was invited to the Congress of Vienna in 1815, but the leaders there refused to restore Poland to post-Napoleonic Europe. He settled with friends in Switzerland friends,where he died in October 1817, at the age of 71. His body was returned to Poland, and lies in a royal crypt in Cracow's Wawel Cathedral.


303 Warsaw Kosciuszko's Squadron

After World War I, his courage inspired American volunteers to join the new Polish Air Force, forming the "Kosciuszko Squadron" to fight Russian forces a century after Kosciuszko himself had done so. And in 1925, the Kosciuszko Foundation was established in the United States, to promote educational and cultural exchanges between the United States and Poland. As it approaches its 75th anniversary, in the year 2000, the Foundation continues to enrich both Poland and America through a deeper understanding of each otherís cultures, values, and achievements.

Ironically, Kosciuszko could never secure for his homeland the freedom he helped America to win. But his life continues to encourage each new generation of Poles. Thomas Jefferson, who knew him as well as any American did, summed up his dear friend and colleague by declaring:



HE WAS AS PURE A SON OF LIBERTY AS I HAVE EVER KNOWN, AND OF THAT LIBERTY WHICH IS TO GO TO ALL, NOT TO THE FEW AND RICH ALONE.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyonbe at the Freeper Foxhole.

[The Mayor]

You two do an awesome job!

July 26, 2004

The Pursuit Of Happiness

Read: Psalm 34

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him! —Psalm 34:8

Bible In One Year: Psalms 40-42; Acts 27:1-26

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In 1948, Life magazine brought together a group of labor-union representatives, industrial leaders, university scholars, and clergy to discuss what the framers of the United States Constitution had in mind when they referred to“the pursuit of happiness.”They agreed that steady work under good conditions at a living wage was absolutely essential. Some included the values of racial fairness, unselfishness, and integrity.

This led one participant, a brilliant young woman who had been crippled by polio, to say,“It is my experience that suffering and pain are, unfortunately, great character builders—not that suffering is good in itself, but because it often helps to shift our expectation of happiness from without to a search for it from within.” True, but we can find inner happiness only by knowing God personally and walking the path of trust and obedience.

Happiness isn’t found by pursuing it. It’s a by-product of seeking an ever-closer walk with God. When we do, we will find a depth of happiness no person or thing can give. That’s what David referred to when he said,“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” (Psalm 34:8). —Herb Vander Lugt

Happiness is never found
When happiness is sought;
It’s found instead in Jesus
And what His blood has bought. —D. De Haan

To know happiness, know God.

[alfa6]

Polish help in our Revolutionary War and back from travel bump for the Foxhole

YEEEE HAAAAAAA

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-gram.

[tomball]

Good Morning, Foxhole

Here's To The Free Republic:  The Land Of The Free and The Home Of The Brave

 

General Thaddeus Kosciuszko (1746-1817)

Freedom Fighter for Poland
American Revolutionary War Hero
and Founder of West Point
 

The number of foreign auxiliary officers had become numerous, and Washington had complained to congress, in October, 1776, that he was unable to employ many of them, owing to their ignorance of English.  Kosciuszko, however, arrived with letters of recommendation from Benjamin Franklin to Washington, who inquired what he could do. " I come to fight as a volunteer for American independence," answered Kosciuszko. "What can you do?." asked Washington. "Try me," was the reply.

 

[stand watie]

GM snippy!

free dixie,duckie & sw

[CholeraJoe]

Valin, you take one day off and get spanked by the proprietors. Ingrates!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut.

Thanks for the compliment, Snippy and I just wish real life wouldn't intrude in our work at the Foxhole.

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C.

The weather is turning bearable again. ONly in the 80's

[SAMWolf]

Morning Mayor.

Have we told you how much we appreciate seeing the coffee and parable each moring?

[SAMWolf]

Moring alfa6. How was the trip?

[SAMWolf]

Morning PE.

Oh Boy! Our flag and some electronic gadgetry!!

[SAMWolf]

" I come to fight as a volunteer for American independence," answered Kosciuszko. "What can you do?." asked Washington. "Try me," was the reply.

Morning tomball, nice tribute to Kosciuszko you put together.

[SAMWolf]

Morning stand watie. How's Sandra today?

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone.

[SAMWolf]

Valin, you take one day off and get spanked by the proprietors. Ingrates!

Morning CholerJoe.

Look Mom. It's Sam and Snippy. :-)

Really though, Snippy and I appreciate "On This Day In History" and look forward to seeing it every day. It was thoughtful of Valin to give us a heads up that he wouldn't be able to post it and we figured "OH BOY! TIME TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH VALIN!

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Feather

[Soaring Feather]

Morning PE, can this be a space dish? Great Flag-o-gram today!

[stand watie]

quite well.

she's had her bath (that is a PROJECT, given that !@#$%^&*! brace!), dressed & had breakfast.

today we have to go do some errands in the car, all over SA. she'll like being out and about.

free dixie,sw

[snippy_about_it]

The man who was to become the symbol of alliance between countries so distant in space yet so close in their love of freedom.

So close in their love of freedom.

Matthew Paul, I'm reminded by this story to thank you for your friendship and sharing the news of your country with us here at the Foxhole. ;-)