Pulaski, CASIMIR

Pulaski, CASIMIR, a Polish count who fell in the American revolution, was born in Podolia, 4th March 1748, took an active part in the war against Russia, and lost his estates and was outlawed at the partition of Poland in 1772. In 1777 he went to America, and for his conduct at the Brandywine was given a brigade of cavalry, which he commanded until March 1778. He then organised 'Pulaski's legion,' a corps of lancers and light infantry, in which he enlisted even prisoners of war and deserters. In May 1779 he entered Charleston, and held it until the place was relieved; a furious assault which he had made on the British was repelled, but he afterwards followed and harassed them until they left South Carolina. At the siege of Savannah on the 9th of October he fell in the assault at the head of the cavalry, and died on board the brig Wasp two days later. In 1824 Lafayette laid the corner-stone of a monument to Pulaski, in Savannah, which was completed in 1855.