Calvin Synod Herald, 1979 (79. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-05-01 / 5-6. szám
4 CALVIN SYNOD HERALD MINI-BIOGRAPHY OF MICHAEL KOVÁTS DE FABRICY, FOUNDER OF U.S. CAVALRY 1724, August born at Karczag, Hungary. 1744, enlist with Jász—Cumanian Hussar regiment, in Hungary. 1744—1746, fights with distinction in the Second Silesian War. 1746, Kováts’ regiment is dissolved. In vain he tries to join the retained regiments, thus enlists in the famous army of Frederick the Great. 1752, September, becomes an ensign of the First Prussian Hussar Regiment. 1757, September, is awarded the Pour le merite order. 1760, April, is promoted to the rank of captain. 1761, March, resign from his rank as a Prussian Officer, deems incongrous for a Hungarian nobleman collecting war taxes. 1761, goes to Poland, to help with his military talent this “brother nation.” Becomes frustrated there. 1761, returns to his homeland Hungary, is arrested and tried for treason. 1762, May, acquited and promoted to major with an annual pension. 1763, May, married, his son dies at the age of three. 1773, October, leaves for Leipzig, to fight for his financial claims, meets with Polish emmigrants who participated in the Confederation of Bar. 1775, December, returns to Hungary. 1776, August, leaves Hungary again for Leipzig, Saxony, where he learns of the Declaration of Independence of the thirteen American Colonies. 1777, January, writes a letter from Bordeux to Benjamin Franklin, then serving in Paris, offers to fight for the liberty of the American people. 1777, March, arrives in Boston, being too impatient to wait for Franklin’s answer, four months earlier than Count Casimir Pulasky. Kováts very soon joins the “insurgents” German-speaking units. 1777, September, four days after the battle of Brandywine, Pulasky is appointed Brigadier General and Commander-in-Chief of the cavalry forces of the colonial armies preventing with death-defying heroism the destruction of Washington’s retreating army. 1777, December, Pulasky sends Kováts as his most reliable and competent aid to gather recruits and get provisions for the Bosnian Squadron approved by Washington and in, 1778, January, Pulasky recommends Kováts appointment as “Master of Exercises.” Washington approves Pulasky’s recommendation. 1778, March, Pulasky resign his position as Commander-in- Chief of the Cavalry, in order to organize an independent Legion. Kováts follows suit. 1778, April, Kováts is appointed as Colonel-Commandant of the Legion. 1778, October, at Egg Harbor, a deserted British officer, Gustav Juliet, betrays the exact position of the Legion leading a group of British marines to the post, it is almost wiped out. The cavalry commanded by Kováts started to pursue forcing the British to withdraw. 1778, December, Washington orders the Legion to Cole’s Fort to fight the Indians. In the midst of the harsh winter, inadequate rations and clothing Kováts kept the Legion’s morale by his ability to get along with his soldiers and by his exemplary behavior. 1779, February, Washington orders the Legion to the Southern theater. 1779, May 11th the Legion arrives in the city of Charleston, South Carolina, which is under British siege. The surrender of the city is prevented by the Legino’s daring invasion, by the firm intervention of Pulasky and by the death charge against the British, led by Colonel- Commandant Kováts de Fabricy, who is mortally wounded and falls. 1779, October, Count Casimir Pulasky dies in the battle at Savannah, Georgia. 1780, October, George Washington gives his greatest acknowledgement to the two heroic officers, Pulasky and Kováts, in his proposal sent to Congress recommending the Legion as the future organizational structure of U.S. cavalry. Freedom Fighter, April, 1979 SYNOPSIS OF THE BICENTENNIAL FESTIVITIES MAY 6, Opening: Artillery Gun salute, Bells from all Churches of Charleston, Field Mass in the Citadel, opening of the Colonel Kováts Exhibitions by General Mark W. Clark. Evening reception by Mayor Riley, Concerts. MAY 7, Dedication of a highway and a Street to the memory of Col. Kováts. Musical performances with Hungarian and Polish dance groups. MAY 8, Grand Parade to the memory of Col. Kováts and his friend Casimir Pulasky. Evening Gala Performance in the City Auditorium. MAY 9, Military Parade and Review, participants and guest of honors from France, England and Armed Forces. Evening Gala performance in the City Auditorium by the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. MAY 10, On the twohundred years anniversary of Col. Kováts arrival in Charleston, history will be re-enacted in original costumes even how he will ride into battle. MAY 11, The historical re-enaction continues when Brig. Gen. Pulasky brings back the sad news of the heroic death of his friend Col Kováts, who not only saved Gen. Washington’s Army Southern flank from destruction, but the City of Charleston from British occupation as well. Gala performance in the City Auditorium. MAY 12, Sightseeing as guests of the City. Farewell reception given by the Mayor of Charleston. Colonial Gala Ball with all its pageantry. Colonel-Commandant Michael Kováts de Fabricy Historical Society, Inc. PITTSBURGH - INSTALLATION On April 22 we held the Installation Service of the recently elected minister the Rev. Nicholas Novak. The service began at 4:30 p.m. — Rev. Zoltán Kovács of Homestead conducted the liturgy, Dr. Éva Fábián of McKeesport preached the sermon of the day. Her text was taken from the Book of Nehemiah, 2:17-18, with the title “Let us rise up and build.” In the latter part of the service Rev. Zoltán Kovács (since then the newly elected Dean of the Central Classis) introduced the minister for installation, which solemn rite was performed by the Rt. Rev. Dr. John Biitösi, Bishop of the Calvin Synod Conference of the United Church of Christ. Among the several delegations Father Paul Bolváry, pastor of St. Ann’s Church, Pittsburgh, Rev. Louis Illés of the T
