Verhovayak Lapja, 1954 (37. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1954-04-07 / 4. szám
LMOST every country of Europe has made some eminent contribution to civilization. However, the world tends to remember the contributions of the larger nations only, or those of nations having languages wide in circulation or easy of comprehension. In the case of Hungary, with a language seeming to Americans almost as exotic as the Finnish, other nations have tended to go their way often unaware of the Magyar record. My modest aim is to moderate this situation in certain respects. I will try to acquaint you with the life of Colonel Michael de Kováts and his achievements, which even most Hungarians know only in a general and vague manner. I will try to give you only a glimpse of this Hungarian and his accomplishments, but I hope it will prove enlightening. Our hero, Colonel Michael de Kováts, was born in 1724 in Karczag, Hungary. We know nothing of his youth and we meet with his name for the first time only in 1744, when the twenty year old Kováts joined the Jász-Nagy-Kun Huszár Regiment as a junior officer. He took part in the Second Silesian War, fighting in the armies of Empress Maria Theresa. A document dated December 14, 1761 proves that he distinguished himself in the war and was honorably discharged from the Army in December of 1745, when the Peace Treaty of Dresden, which ended this war, was signed. His two years’ soldiering left a deep impression on him and influenced him in the choice of a military career. First he tried to join the standing Austrian Army. When this was refused, he enlisted in the Prussian Army and became a member of the First Huszar Regiment. After six years of hard service, he was appointed a second lieutenant. There is another version which claims that during his services in the Austrian Army he became a prisoner of the Prussians, and after the Peace Treaty was signed — 2 — as if his heart were broken. Two months later he was in Savannah. On the 9th of October 1779 he was mortally wounded, and two days later he followed his dead comrade to the grave. Colonel Michael de Kovats was a most representative soldier of the Baroque period. As a son of the Eighteenth Century, he was an integral part of that long line of soldiers always fighting for the most idealistic endeavors of mankind, ever since there have been any Hungarians on this earth. Our late President, Franklin D. Roosevelt, undoubtedly referred to him when he said: “Men of Hungarian blood, many of them exiles from their Fatherland, rendered valiant service to the cause of the Union, their deeds of self-sacrifice and bravery deserve to be held in everlasting remembrance”. * ¥ * In the 1934 issue of, the Hungarian Military Review, we find the following about our hero: “Michael de Kováts was a most outstanding man of his century, he embodied great initiatives, undertaking abilities and quick decisions — which are such significant qualities of modern Americans. No doubt he had quick wits, courage: never had known any handicap, he was an excellent commander, leader of his men, able to discipline his men and lead them. He was above all a gentleman even to his enemies, the saviour of those needing protection. His excellent qualities were always appreciated. Both the English when he made the supreme sacrifice and the Austrian War Council when he was a prisoner of war, gave him full recognition for his deeds. On his personal documents we find the signatures of Maria Theresa, Frederick the Great, Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, His life was dynamic. He was born in the East, takes part in every great movement of his period, always rising and moving to the West, then he is one of the great leaders of the Revolutionary War — then disappears without any trace. He reappears after one hundred fifty year's so that his name and deeds should shine in eternal glory.” — 15 —
