The Pulaski Reader
Cover art by Gabriela Paciorek. Used with permission of the Polish Heritage Society of Philadelphia
This edition published in 2021
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ISBN 978-1-950423-64-4 PB
ISBN 978-1-950423-85-9 EB
LCN 2021950212
Bibliographical References and Index
1. History. 2. Poland. 3. American Revolution
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Table of Contents
Translators Note 3
Casimir Pulaski Life, 1745 - 1779 - Timeline 5
The Remainder of the Memoirs of Maciej Rogowski, Regimental
Captain of the Bar Confederation 15
Publishers Post-Script 93
Konstanty Gaszynski 96
The Legend of According to Konstanty Gaszynski 99
Pulaski Biography 106
On the Pulaski Trail - Boston to Savannah 112
Casimir Pulaski at Moland House 131
Celebrating Pulaski in His Hometown 135
Pulaski the Forgotten Hero 141
Pulaski Commemorations 147
A Pulaski Play is Over 100 Years Old 153
Not for Children Only 160
Pulaski Comic 165
The Pulaski Legion 172
The Pulaski Cadets 180
The Pulaski Documentary 184
Pulaskis Grand Burial in Savannah 189
Edward Pinkowski 195
Translators Note
The Rogowski Memoirs is perhaps one of the most fascinating books I have had the privilege to translate. It is full of vivid events told in a quirky old Polish that could have only been spoken by an authentic eighteenth-century Polish nobleman, but it is also totally inaccurate as an historical record. Therefore, it can only be looked upon as an entertaining tale, not as a source for factual information about Pulaskis life.
The whole is structured as a memoir, a format that since has become a cliche among writers of Polish historical fiction who claim with the utmost sincerity that their works are based on a long-lost diary that they have come across on a dusty shelf in along abandoned manor.
In this case the incidents seem to fit what might have been Pulaskis life except that in several cases the actual circumstances are known from authoritative or verifiable sources, and these do not match up with the story as presented by Rogowski.
To give his hero more authenticity, Gaszynski has Rogowski slip-in mention that Americans had a lot of trouble pronouncing his names, disfiguring his into Kokoski or even Kolkoski - possibly to create the impression that Rogowski was really there, because there was an actual Kotowski who is listed on the rolls of the Pulaski Legion.
It would have been wonderful if this had been an authentic memoir, because of the terrific details, yet we know from various sources that Pulaski landed in Massachusetts not on the Chesapeake Bay, and that he first met Washington at Moland House in Bucks County, not at Brandywine.
So please read and enjoy this memoir for the stimulation of your imagination as things might have been, not to provide the actual historical frame for Pulaskis exploits.
Peter J. Obst, October 2021
The Remainder of the Memoirs of Maciej Rogowski Regimental Captain of the Bar Confederation
Published with an introduction by
Konstanty Gaszynski
Third Edition
Gubrynowicz and Schmidt
Lww, 1888
Introduction by the Publisher
Nearly thirty years ago, as a far as I can remember, there lived in the neighborhood of my parents home a very illustrious citizen, Maciej Rogowski. He was known in the area as the Captain of Cavalry ; during the Bar Confederation he had this rank and fought during this five year war. It was considered a rebellion against the Court of King Stanislaw August and the supporters of the Tsarina in Petersburg, but every true Pole knew that it was a holy fight for the rights of the nation. Rogowski was also called an American, for the reason that he went to that remote part of the world with Pulaski and Kosciuszko, and several other Poles, to fight for American independence under Washingtons command.
All respected and loved Mr. Maciej because he was friendly and kind, fun loving and joyful. He saw much of the world, met many people, saw much and had experiences. His talk, therefore, was incredibly interesting and the stories were often laced with humorous anecdotes which were always entertaining to hear. For fifteen miles around, at every name-day party, baptism or wedding among the nobility it was unthinkable not to invite the Captain . And when a party was planned in the neighborhood, everyone would ask, Will the American be there?
The memories of ones youth do not fade easily, so today after so many years, I still can picture the figure of this respected old gentleman clearly and distinctly, as if I had just seen him yesterday. Rogowski wore the old traditional noblemans attire: a split-sleeve coat, a brocade robe and a woven sash. He was slender and tall, straight like a young man despite his advanced age and bad health. His mustache was long and white as milk, hanging down his thin face, giving seriousness to his animated face that was lit up by large blue eyes. Across his bald head there were scars and traces of old wounds. And many times, while drinking he would repeat jokingly that his head was strong - because it had been riveted with lead and steel. Rogowski never married and for this reason he was proud of his title of March Cavalier [word play on bachelor/ cavalry captain]. His older sister, a childless widow, kept house for him.
On returning back home after a long absence the Captain found that his familys village was deserted and nearly ruined. There were debts, so he sold it and gathering some capital, had to live on rental income and loans. But in time with good husbandry, he set himself up and did well enough; he was not wealthy but did not know want. He could entertain guests, especially on the Day of St. Maciej [Matthew], which celebration usually turned into a three-day revel. From this the neighbors would depart well fed and - more often than not - quite drunk. But in this last instance their host would console them with the old Polish proverb, the noble sentiment, that only a dishonest man fears to get tipsy for while intoxicated he might speak of his own dishonorable acts and treasonous intents .
