Kosciuszko, Thaddeus

Kosciuszko, Thaddeus (1746–17), Polish patriot, Revolutionary War general.
Revered for his role in Poland's political struggles, Thaddeus Kosciuszko was also a significant figure in the Revolutionary War, principally for his expertise as a military engineer. Born in the province of Polisie, Kosciuszko was educated in Poland's finer schools, and enlisted in its Corps of Cadets before departing for advanced training in artillery and engineering at Paris. Returning to Poland in 1774, he found his country divided, his family finances in disarray, and opportunities in North America appealing. In mid‐1776, he sought a Continental army commission.

The Polish captain stood out in an army bereft of military engineers, a shortage of immense concern to Washington and Congress. On 18 October 1776, Congress commissioned Kosciuszko a colonel and later authorized an [The entire page is 265 words long]

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