Pulaski, Casimir

Pulaski, Casimir pəˈlæskē (1748–79) Revolutionary War army officer. Having failed in attempts to block foreign depredations in his native Poland, Pulaski fled first to Turkey, then to Paris, where Benjamin Franklin provided him with a letter of introduction to George Washington and encouraged him to sail for America. Pulaski joined up with Washington and immediately proved his worth; he discovered that British troops were endeavoring to surround Washington's army, allowing Washington to take steps to avert that undesirable occurrence. Washington had him promoted to brigadier general and placed him in charge of cavalry. Because of personal tension between him and his superior, Gen. Anthony Wayne, Pulaski resigned his commission and asked permission to form an independent corps of lancers and light infantrymen. This corps became known as “Pulaski's Legion.” For the rest of the war, Pulaski served ably, although he continued to feel that his services were not adequately appreciated by the colonials.