TO JOHN SCHUYLER, Esq.,

of

"SANS SOUCI," near NEW ROCHELLE.

NEW YORK, Jan. 1st, 1883

Chairman of the Committee on Publications of the Societ of the Cincinnati.

SIR-Your letter of 31st ult. in reference to writing a memoi Kosciuzsk for the new book of the Society of th Cincinnati was duly received. I will undertake the task, althoug feeling incompetent to portray in all the brilliant light it deserves the life and character of one so pure, so heroic, and so patriotic He was the warm personal friend of my grandfather, through th war of the Revolution, and in after years.

As a boy, I heard his praises sung and accounts of his deed in war related, by my grandmother, who considered him second only to Washington,

I will with pleasure jot down reminiscences of stories and historical points in his life, believing that they will be read with interest by those who take pleasure in studying the pages o history, that tell of the deeds and sacrifices of "Our Fathers of the Revolution," "The Founders of the Nation," "The Immortals o

*

the Republic," "The men who formed the Society of the Cincin-
nati," of which he was an honored member, and proud in being one,
for he wore on his breast the decoration of the Society, in the
bloodiest battles he fought for his own country.

If I, in my enthusiasm for the character of the Polish chief,
should extend the story beyond the limits at your disposal for any
one memoir, in the new book, which is to hold nearly 300 others,
cut it down to the required dimensions. The subject is interest-
ing, and will, I am sure, be read with pleasure by the members of
the Cincinnati, who should be proud of having on their roll the
name of so true a man and soldier as that of the illustrious
Kosciuszko.

I have the honor to be, Sir,

Your obedient servant,

ANTHONY WALTON WHITE EVANS.

*

*

*

Memoir.

MONG the men of modern times the was, perhaps, in Europe none whose fam was more brilliant, whose patriotis was more pure, and whose character fo fierce bravery, gentle acts and virtuou conduct through life, was more unsullie than that of Thaddeus Kosciuszko. His nam is enshrined in the ruins of his unhappy country, which with heroic bravery and devotion, he sought to defen against foreign oppression and domination.

Kosciuszko was born February 12th, 1746, i Lithuania, of an ancient and noble family, at the Chatea of Mercez-Wczyzua―a dependence of Sienniewicze, ne Brezesc-Litenski. To be the son of a noble in those day was to be born to arms, and to become a soldier.

HYPL

the
age of eighteen, he graduated from the cadet college
at Warsaw, where he proved himself to be a brilliant
student in all branches. He was selected by the King to
be sent to France, for a still higher education. As an
Engineer, he first studied at Versailles, and then in Paris,
afterwards going to Brest and other ports; he had a
chance to study during construction, the great fortifica-
tions and works of Marshal Vauban, who was the greatest
military Engineer of his time. Kosciuszko also
visited England and after seven years spent in study, re-
turned to Poland, received a commission as Captain, and
was placed in charge of fortifications and restorations at
Cracow. While there he was solicited to become Pro-
fessor of Mathematics, by the eminent scholar, Hugo Kot-
tataj, the chief of the old University founded in 1370.
This high position for a man of twenty-eight,
refused.

was

Early in 1776, Kosciuszko was on duty near the castle of Somowice, in a manor of that name, belonging to the rich and proud Marshal of Lithuania, the Palatine Sosnowski, a relative of our hero, who soon fell deeply in love with Louise, the young and favorite daughter of this great officer of State. The haughty parents rejected with scorn the poor young nobleman, an elopement was the consequence, the lovers escaped in the night, and were close to the goal of their wishes, when the father with his armed minions overtook them; a combat ensued.

*

*

Kosciuszko defended himself and his lady love wit lion-hearted courage, but one against many could no prevail, he sank wounded to the ground, and was left fo dead by the imperious father, who carried off in triumph his daughter to his stronghold.

When Kosciuszko awoke to consciousness, al that he found of his beloved, was a handkerchie stained with his blood. Forty years afterwards, wher Kosciuszko died, his body was found covered with grievous wounds, and that handkerchief was found next to his heart, where it had a resting-place during the tempests of the ocean passage; during the struggle of our Revolution; during his glorious triumphs in battles for his country's life; during the sad hours of defeat, and the long weary years of dungeon life; during his second visi to America; during his long years of exile in France, and during the many rides in storm and sunshine, which he took daily for two years when the guest of the Ambassa dor Zeltner, up into the mountains to carry money and comforts to the poor Swiss peasants, who learned to look upon him as their savior, and whose children cherish his memory to the present day, and in their simple but honest way, pray for the repose of his soul. In their coun try is to be found the only spot in Europe where a Polish museum would be allowed. Count Plater, the leader of the last revolution in Poland, is the director and founder of a Polish museum at Rapperschwyl, a small