New Books about Casimir Pulaski

Written with the younger reader in mind, this book nevertheless presents a complete yet concise look at Casimr Pulaski, the man fated to become the "Father of the US Cavalry," to readers of all ages.

Starting with his childhood, the author explains the circumstances which set the stage for the dissolution of the Polish "Nobles' Republic" and the brave though futile resistance that was the reason for Pulaski's eventual departure from his homeland.

Recruited to the American Cause for Independence in Paris by Benjamin Franklin Pulaski came to the American Colonies and met Washington at Moland House near Philadelphia. After his brave action at the Battle of Brandywine, he received a commission as Brigadier General and Commander of the Colonial Cavalry. Though he later resigned that post to organize a separate "Pulaski Legion," he left a legacy of indomitable courage to his men, as he led the charge on the fortifications at Savannah, the charge that was to be his last.

Pulaski's story is well told and nicely illustrated with drawings and portraits that make the history of this remarkable patriot, a hero of two countries -- Poland and he United States -- come alive.

About the Author: Since 1990, Dr. AnnMarie Francis Kajencki has been an editorial consultant for Southwest Polonia Press. In this role she has critically reviewed the firm's manuscripts, primarily relating to American history, for publication. This book was based on her father's book, Casimir Pulaski: Cavalry Commander of the American Revolution. Dr. Kajencki is also a profesor of English at Bismarck State College in Bismarck, North Dakota. She regularly writes presentations for national and regional conferences on English and education. She lives on the mighty Missouri River in a house she shares with five cats.

110 pages, color photographs, hard bound

You can order it from AMAZON.COM

The Author expands on his earlier work Casimir Pulaski: Cavalry Commander of the American Revolution. In this sequel he focuses more on the valor and fighting ability of the officers. He continues their distinguished service in the Revolutionary War into the post-war period. Therefore, the author documents, perhaps for the first time, an account of the lives of Pulaski's officers who faced danger and fought courageously in the Revolutionary War.

The officers of the Pulaski Legion were mostly French, with a few Americans and Poles, one Hungarian, one Saxon, one Italian, one Canadian, one French Irishman, and one Swede. These officers knew of Pulaski's reputation for boldness and bravery. When petitioning Congress for appointment in the Continental Army, they asked to be assigned to the Pulaski Legion. The soldiers of the Legion were preponderantly Americans, as the muster rolls of the Legion in this book show. Perhaps the most significant action of the Pulaski Legion was its death-defying challenge to the impetuous march of the British Army to seize Charleston, South Carolina, in 1779. Although Pulaski's battle plan miscarried and the Legion got mauled, Pulaski gained the strategic objective of denying Charleston to the enemy. Impressed by Pulaski's performance, the British called the Legion "the best Cavalry the rebels ever had." General Casimir Pulaski and the Pulaski Legion earned a proud chapter of service and sacrifice in the history of the American Revolution.

About the Author: Francis Casimir Kajencki was born in Erie, Pennsylvania, in 1918. He entered the United States Military Academy, at West Point, New York, in 1939. In 1973, after 30 years of commissioned service, he retired as assistant chief of information, Department of the Army. Colonel Kajencki began researching military history, and wrote several books on American history. This is his latest book. He resides in El Paso, Texas.