Full text of Statements and Speeches of M.S. Szymczak : Address at Unveiling of Monument in Memory of General Thaddeus Kosciuszko at the Battlefield at Bemis Heights, Saratoga Springs, New York

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Address at
Unveiling of tonument in Memory
of General Thaddeus ^osciuszko""
at the Battlefield at Bemis Heights
Saratoga Springs, New York
October 25. 1936
Thaddeus Kosciuszko, we are here to do you honor.
It was you, who, with your scientific education - especially in the
art of fortifications - with a commission as Chief Engineer, began your
work with General Schuyler and General Gates here at Saratoga. It was
you who planned the entrenchment of the American army at Bemis Heights,
and it was you who selected Moses Creek, four miles below Fort Edward,
as a point at which to check the advance of General Burgoyne.
Of you it was said that your "strategic skill in the fortification
of Bemis Heights was an important factor in our victory at Saratoga" and again, it was said of you that "your skill at Saratoga contributed
in a very great measure to the recognition of the United States by
France and to the ultimate victory of the Colonies."
You prepared yourself for this contribution to the independence of
the United States while a student at the cadet college at Warsaw, and
later In France you pursued your studies under Marshal Vauban, the outstanding military engineer of your time.
You also studied in England for seven years, after which you returned to Foland and received a commission as captain. You were then
placed in charge of restorations and fortifications at Cracow.
In 1776 you went to Paris and obtained a letter from Benjamin
Franklin. With this you came to America, to George Washington. You
were the first foreign patriot to heed the call and the first to come
to the aid of the American colonies in their struggle for freedom.
Having made your contribution here at Saratoga, you were sent to
West Point to strengthen the defenses on the Hudson. George Washington
said of your work at West Point that "to your care and sedulous appreciation the American people are indebted for the defense of West
Point." And again George Washington wrote that he "experienced great
satisfaction from your general conduct and particularly from the attention and zeal with which you prosecuted the works committed to your
charge at West Point."
In 1780 you were transferred at your own request to the Southern
Army, where your services fur the American cause were equally distinguished.
And of you General Greene said: "LIy warmest approbation is due to
you as an officer and my particular acknowledgment as a friend."
On October 13, 1783, you were raised to the rank of BrigadierGeneral on the recommendation of Washington "for long, faithful and
honorable services in the American Army." You met with success here;
then you returned to Poland.

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During the Polish-Russian Campaign of 1792, in one of your engagements, after having three horses killed under you, exhausted and bleeding
you fell by the lance of a Cossack, and across your forehead a sabre left
a deep and long gash. You were carried away to prison at St. Petersburg,
and later you were offered a high command in the Russian Army, which you
did not accept. You stated then "I have never fought except in the cause
of human freedom in America and Poland and I can never serve in any other
cause."
Still later you again visited America. Your return h.ere met with
enthusiasm - the American heroJ You intended to remain here, but a sudden
secret summons called you back to Poland. Before leaving here you bequeathed all of your lands and money in America to be used in the emancipation and education of the negro. We note particularly that this was
done about 65 years before Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation.
When your efforts in behalf of the freedom of Poland were unsuccessful
you retired and spent the' rest of your life with your friend, Zeltner, in
the mountains of Switzerland, where you quietly and unassumingly devoted
yourself entirely to acts of true human kindness among the Swiss peasants,
who to this day pray for the repose of your soul.
One day, after returning from a call that you paid a sick friend,
your horse stumbled and you were bruised. Shortly afterward you were
attacked by a serious nervous fever, and you died in the arms of your
friend Zeltner, surrounded by Zeltner's weeping family, on October

1817.
When you lived and fought, you were surrounded by many - when you
died, you were surrounded by the members of only one family - true and
loyal to you to the end.
. ,
After your death a dainty kerchief was found next to your heart
where it rested forty years. Blood stained. It was recalled that defending your beloved Louise, you were wounded. She was taken from your
side, but her handkerchief remained with you throughout the forty years
of your glorious activity. You were genuine.
About one hundred and sixty years after your contribution at
Saratoga we meet here, thousands of us to pay tribute to you for what
you had given us about one hundred and sixty years ago.
General Kosciuszko, we salute you.'