The Eighth Tribe, 1979 (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)

1979-09-01 / 9. szám

Page 4

THE EIGHTH TRIBE

Szeptember, 1979

KOVATS:

HEROIC

EXAMPLE

By Gen. Mark W. Clark President Emeritus of The Citadel

During more than eleven years as president of The Citadel, I was very much aware of the need to direct the thinking of our magnificent cadets toward the patriots who helped form, preserve, and develop America. Among the great individuals on whom we were able to focus was Col. Michael Kovats de Fabricy. He typified the dedication of many heroic patriots of foreign origin who contributed mightily to the victory America won during the Revolutionary War.

Colonel Kovats, long before he sacrificed his life in Charleston, had a vision of freedom and what was required to preserve it. He eloquently put that vision into the following words. “Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold.”

From his native Hungary he conveyed these sentiments to the great Benjamin Franklin in a letter dated June 13, 1777. The letter was an appeal for an opportunity to assist the cause of freedom by utilizing his expertise as hussar for the betterment of the Colonial Army.

The letter was written in perfect Latin, lending credence to the claim that Kovats was indeed a nobleman. From the standpoint of his native land, of course, he had proved well many times over that he was of noble character. That was especially true when he built an international reputation as a fighting member of the First Prussian Hussar regiment during the Austrian War of Succession.

Colonel Kovats became a distinguished drill master of American cavalry after he came to this country. He served for two years under the direct command of Gen. George Washington before becoming cavalry commander in the famous Pulaski Legion.

With that Legion on May 11, 1779, he led a gallant charge against the British lines resulting in the

withdrawal of the enemy, cheering local leaders, and gaining an additional year of liberty for Charleston. At the age of 55, he was killed in that charge and buried where he fell.

The Citadel’s particular interest in Colonel Kovats was based on proximity. Notwithstanding his heroic accomplishments, he probably would not have been recognized at The Citadel had he not fallen to his death at the hands of the British very near the present campus of The Citadel.

This Hungarian American accurately evaluated the nature of freedom, how it was won, and how it is preserved. Because of his insight into the value of force in securing and maintaining freedom, because of his eloquence in phrasing his ideals, and because he made the supreme sacrifice for the cause of America, we named a field in his honor on The Citadel campus.

On May 27, 1955, while I was president of The Citadel, the American Hungarian Federation presented the college a bronze plaque commemorating the heroism of Colonel Kovats. This plaque was placed in a temporary location until November of that year when a new drill and sports area was acquired. I felt the field was in an eminently appro