Kosciusko, Thaddeus

kos-si-us'ko, Thaddeus (1746-1817), a Polish patriot. He was a native of Lithuania. He was well born and was educated in the military school at Warsaw. A disappointment in love affairs caused him to leave his native country. In 1777 he came to America and offered Washington his sword in defense of liberty. The latter was delighted to have the help of an officer educated thoroughly in military science. Kosciusko was made a colonel and later a brigadier-general. By virtue of his skill, bravery, and knowledge of fortifications, he rendered the American cause signal service. At the close of the war Congress gave him a vote of thanks and conferred on him the rank of major-general. Kosciusko then returned to Poland and served in the army of his native country with a rank of lieutenant-general. At the second partition of Poland he withdrew to Leipsic, yet returned in 1794 to take part in the final war with Russia. He was at first victorious, but was later defeated and taken prisoner. He was held by the Russians two years, then set at liberty. He visited England, the United States, and France, being received everywhere with the highest honor. In 1814 he endeavored, without success, to bring about a semi-independence of his native land, desiring the czar to be content with the title, King of Poland. He emancipated the serfs on his paternal estates. While residing in Switzerland he was killed by a fall from his horse. In the following year Alexander, czar of Russia, sought to win the affection of his Polish subjects by a gracious act. The body of their great leader was brought home at imperial expense and buried in the cathedral of Cracow, where a monument has been erected in his memory.