THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY.

ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS.

1789, when the Diet made him a Major-General on discovering that foreign powers were plotting to overthrow Poland. The weakness of the King (Stanislas Poniatowski) rendered it impossible to sustain the independence of the country; he had bound himself to sanction the Diet of Grodno, which restored the ancient constitution with all its vices and all its abuses. In the meanwhile Frederick William, of Prussia, who had given the Poles assurances of assistance if attacked by Russia or Austria, basely deserted them, and stood aloof waiting to see what share of the spoil the haughty Empress of the North would give him, as a reward for his non-interference.

But, though thus betrayed on all sides, the Poles had too much fire in them to submit without a struggle, they flew to arms, and found in the nephew of their King, the Prince Joseph young 'Poniatowski," a general worthy to conduct them in so glorious a cause. Under his command Kosciuszko first became known in European warfare. He distinguished himself in the battle of Zielence, June 18th, 1792, and still more in the battle of Dubienska, which was fought July 17th, 1792. In this battle he defended for six hours, with only 4,000 men, against 15,000 Russians, a post which had been but slightly fortified in one day, and at last retired with very small loss. This contest was too unequal, the patriots found themselves surrounded by

enemies from without and by traitors within, at the head of whom was their own sovereign.

The Russians took possession of Lithuania, and whatever suited their convenience, while Prussia, the friendly Prussia, invaded another part of the Kingdom.

This was too much for the lofty patriotism of the officers of the Polish Army; the most distinguished retired in indignation and disgust from the service, to Germany and France. Kosciuszko made miserable at the fate of his unhappy country, retired to Leipsic, where he was, when the Legislative Assembly of France made him a French citizen.

The Poles, the brave Poles, in whose bosom the fires of Patriotism and love of Liberty, still burnt bright, were anxious for another struggle, never stopping to count the fearful odds arrayed against them; early in 1794 they met and made Kosciuszko their Generalissimo with dictatorial powers. He obeyed the call and found the patriots eager to combat under his orders; even the noble Joseph Poniatowski, who was previously Commander-in-Chief, returned from France, and took command under Kosciuszko,

The patriots had risen in the North where Kosriuszko had first directed his steps. Anxious to begin his campaign with vigor, he marched rapidly on Cracow, which city he entered triumphantly on March 24th, 1794.

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He at once published a manifesto against the Russians, and then at the head of only 5,000 men, without cavalry or artillery, he marched to meet their army.

On the 4th of April he encountered at Wraclawice, ten thousand Russsians, and entirely defeated them after a bloody combat of four hours. He returned in triumph to Cracow.

The inhabitants of Warsaw stirred to acts of daring by the heroic deeds of their countrymen, at once raised the standard of independence, and were successful in driving the Russians from their city, after a murderous conflict of three days. In Lithuania and Samogitia an equally successful revolution was effected before the end of April. The Polish troops in Volhynia and Podolia marched to reinforce Kosciuszko,

To this time fortune seemed to smile on the cause, but the scene was destined to a change.

formed a national council to conduct the affairs of Government, and as soon as possible advanced against the Russians. On his march he met a new enemy in the person of the faithless Frederick William, of Prussia, who not even having gone through the form of declaring war, had marched an army of 40,000 men into Poland. Kosciuszko with but 13,000 men, attacked the Prussian army on the 8th of June at Szcekociny.

The battle was long and bloody; the sword and the battle axe made hecatombs of the dead,

had two horses killed under him, but still the fight went
on, until overwhelmed by numbers he was obliged to
retreat on Warsaw. This he effected in so masterly a
manner, that his enemies did not dare to harass him in
his march; he effectually covered the Capital, and main-
tained his position for two months against vigorous and
repeated attacks. This wonderful retreat and the ability
he displayed in holding the Capital, gave Kosciuszko
as much fame and reputation as if he had won a great
battle. Some Russians joining the Prussians, in all
amounting to 50,000 men, they again assembled under
the walls of Warsaw and commenced a siege of the
city. After six weeks of bloody conflicts, the Con-
federates were obliged to raise the siege.

During all this time Kosciuszko proved himself
to be the master of the situation, and for awhile held
them as with a grip of iron, while he had at the same
time to keep in check, a furious populace inside, much
given to great excesses.

"Warsaw's last champion from his height surveyed,
Wide o'er the fields, a waste of ruin laid-

Oh! Heaven!' he cried, my bleeding country save;
Is there no hand on high to shield the brave?

Yet though destruction sweep these lovely plains,

Rise fellow men! our country yet remains!

By that dread name, we wave the sword on high;
And swear, for her to live, with her to die.""

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