| General Thadeus Kosciuszko became a leader of worldwide reputation through his intelligence and strength of character. In the American Revolution (1775-1783), he built strong defences at Bemis Heights on the Hudson River that blocked the advance of British General John Burgoyne at the battle of Saratoga in October 1777 and led to the recognition by France.
General George Washington chose him to be the engineer at the West Point which he converted into a fortress the British never dared to attack. Thus, Kosciuszko thwarted the British military objective of dividing the colonies along the Hudson River.
In the Southern Theater of Operations, and as the engineer of General Nathanael Greene, he built a fleet of flat-bottomed boats with attached wheels, giving the American Army an amphibious capability to maneuver rapidly against superior British forces.
While in retirement in his native Poland he seized the mantle of national leader to battle superior Russian forces occupying his country. Unfortunately, he was defeated in battle, wounded, and made a prisoner of Russia at St Petersburg. Tsar Paul Nicholas, who succeeded Tsarina Catherine, did not possess the cruelty of his mother. Paul released Kosciuszko from prison, and the Pole journeyed to his adopted country, America. Along the journey his fame accompanied him. He was feted as a world hero in Sweden and Great Britain.
In the United States the departing President George Washington and his successor John Adams both greeted the illustrious Poles with letters of welcome. In addition, Washington invited Kosciuszko to be his honoured guest at Mount Vernon, Virginia. In America the Pole took up residence in the historic district of Philadelphia which served temporarily as the capital of the country. Vice President Thomas Jefferson often visited Kosciuszko at his residence.
As the international situation between France and the United States worsened, Jefferson sought to improve the sagging conditions. He was a member of the Republican Party, in opposition to the ruling Federalist Party. Jefferson, therefore, decided on a secret mission to France, and he asked Kosciuszko to undertake the delicate mission, thus demonstrating his utmost confidence in Kosciuszko’s sagacity and leadership. The Pole sailed secretly to France where he influenced the French Directory to release American ships seized on the high sees, free American sailors from captivity, and restore diplomatic relations.
Kosciuszko remained in France, greeted by thousands of his former soldiers from the Insurrection. They had gathered in France to organize Polish Legions for the French Army in the belief that Napoleon Bonaparte would restore the independence of Poland. Recognizing the worldwide reputation of Kosciuszko, Napoleon asked him to command the Polish Legions. However, Kosciuszko, knowing the devious nature of Napoleon, declined the offer. Clearly General Thaddeus Kosciuszko had gained the stature of world leader.
By Colonel F.C. Kajencki
author of Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Military Engineer of the American Revolution
Southwest Polonia Press
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El Paso, Texas 79925 | 
