The Eighth Tribe, 1979 (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-04-01 / 4. szám
April, 1979 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 7 Excerpts from a book* by LÁSZLÓ L. ESZENYI: FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH The life and heroic death of Michael Kováts de Fabricy Colonel of the Calvary and hero of the American War of Independence I. THE AMERICAN BALAKLAVA. On May 11, 1779, the southern group of the British forces, without firing a shot, came within hours of conquering the most important port of the insurgents, Charleston, South Carolina. The force failed in attaining an almost sure victory by the death-defying attack of a tiny fighting unit, consisting mostly of Europeans. The raid, which reminds the posterity of Baklava, finally was stopped, after suffering heavy casualties, from the lethal fire of the British mercenaries. As a result of the battle, however, General Provost started his retreat the next day and Charleston remained in the hands of the insurgents for another year. The new strategic plan of Sir Henry Clinton, the British Commander-in- Chief, to break the resistance of the insurgents by launching an offensive from the south had failed at Charleston. More and more educated Americans are aware today that the valiant attack at Charleston was the most outstanding military achievement of the Pulaski Legion. Unfortunately, there are only a few who know that it was Michael Kováts de Fabricy who contributed the lion’s share to the organization and training of the Legion. He lost his life as the colonelcommander of the Legion in the battle around Charleston in the defense of the independence of the United States of America and of the freedom of the American people. We owe it to the memory of our renowned military ancestor and to the reputation of the Hungarian name in America to tell the story of his colorful life and heroic death during the American Bicentennial. II. THE SON OF THE HUNGARIAN PLAINS. We know little about the childhood and early youth of Michael Kováts. The first authentic data reports that he entered military service at an age of twenty in 1744 in the First Jász-Cumanian Cavalry Regiment. In describing his country of birth and characterizing its people we would like to provide the background which makes his comet-like career in the * The book can be purchased through the author, P.0. Box 34917, Washington, D.C. 20034 or through Bethlen Press. Price is $6.00. Zoltán de Bényey: Michael Kováts de Fabricy at Charleston. military and his later gallant deeds more easily understandable. For Kováts is a true Cumanian with all the virtues and vices of his race. The real Cumanian is bom in the Plains, is reared in the saddle and dies fighting. Therefore the Cumanian Plains of Hungary has ever been the home of the best cavalry soldier of the world, the huszár. Kováts came into the world in August 1724, at Karcag, at the outskirts of the well-known Hortobágy Puszta. As a result of 150 years of Turkish rule, the number of settlements had decreased, and an almost endless plain covers the space between them. No hills or small glens to break the monotony for the eyes of the traveller. At times one perceives large cattle or horse herds. In Kováts’ day, cattle breeding had priority, and agriculture was only of secondary importance. Wealth was measured in cattle, not in acres. The Kováts’ must have been affluent people for at the end of his trial in Vienna the queen herself made arrangements for the restitution of his personal and real assets.
