Fraternity-Testvériség, 1979 (57. évfolyam, 1-4. szám)
1979-04-01 / 2. szám
of the city to avoid massacre. Even Governor Rutledge was hesitating. Only John Laurens supported General Moultrie’s protest, who commanded the American forces in the city. The appearance of the Legion changed the mood of the citizenry from despair to hope. Pulaski paraded his Hussars on the streets and soon forced his way into the City Council. When hearing about the plans to surrender, in his indignation he protested in a mixture of three languages, and as a federal general he emphatically rejected the idea of capitulation. It was a new and unusual voice for the hesitating city fathers and the determination to fight gained new strength from the confidence of the young general. Pulaski told them that regardless of their decision he would immediately attack the British advance guard which stood a few hundred yards before the fortifications of the city. Pulaski wanted to show the frightened people of the city that one can conduct offensive, not only defensive warfare against the dreaded mercenaries. Therefore an extremely audacious hut potentially successful plan was worked out. First, the cavalry would attack the enemy lines and when their rows had been broken the Hussars would turn around and feign retreat towards the city. In this manner, they would entrap the British in pursuit into the concentrated fire of the rifle companies of the Legion and the cannons of General Moultrie. Anyone only faintly familiar with the old Hungarian cavalry tactics will agree that this plan must have been originated with Kovát8 and was only ordered by General Pulaski. Pulaski’s brave exhortations at the city council were soon known all over the city and thousands of citizens became spectators of the bloody drama occur- ing outside of the walls. The Hungarian commanding colonel of the cavalry started the raid with death- defying courage against the surprised and confused British infantry. The mercenaries faced stubborn defenders among the patriots but this was probably the first time that the “rebels” attempted an all-out attack against their ranks. This was the psychological element which caused the battle-experienced British infantry regiment to fall apart. Those not killed by cavalry sabres began to recede. Unfortunately, the infantry of the Legion which was supposed to stay in ambush position started to advance behind the cavalry and prevented them from turning back toward the city without interference. The British regiment was one of the best trained and experienced units in the British forces in America. Its members soon recognized the true situation, recovered their courage and began to counterattack. Within minutes, they destroyed the intermingled Legion infantry and caused irreplaceable damage to the Legion’s cavalry. Kováts himself was mortally wounded and during the withdrawal fell dead from his horse. The best epitaph was given by Skelly, a British major, who had participated in the battle, writing into his diary on May 12th: “This was the best cavalry which the rebels ever had.” The British now- commenced a general attack against the walls, but Moultrie’s artillery was too much for them. Later that day negotiations were initiated between thé commander of the British forces and General Moultrie. On May 12th, an American cavalryman who was intercepted by the British, brought a message to Moultrie that General Lincoln with 4,000 men was moving in accelerated marches toward Charleston. Prevost, in the knowledge of the death-defying cavalry attack of the day before and because of the successful artillery attack against his forces, was no longer sure of capturing the city. He assumed that he could not score an easy victory against the dedicated defenders. Kováts’ example restored the morale of the city. Prevost, afraid to be caught between two fires, ordered withdrawal to the south the next day. Charleston remained for one more very important year in the hands of the “rebels.” Kováts’ magnificent life and heroic death is a shining example for our materialistic generation which clamors for rights and privileges of freedom hut is reluctant to pay its price. His famous one-liner: “Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold” is a timely warning that eventually we also have to pay for our freedom in sw'eat, tears and blood. The value of freedom is measured by the sacrifice a people is willing to offer. László Eszenyi “FAITHFUL UNTO DEATH” Published in our “Hungarica Americana” Series. by László L. Eszenyi The life and heroic death of Colonel Michael Kováts “Master of Exercises” of Washington’s cavalry. English and Hungarian versions in one volume. Send orders with $6.00 in checks, money order, or cash to: Mr. L. Eszenyi, P.O. Box 34917, Washington, D.C. 20039. Author will contribute net profit to the “Museum and Archive Fund” 3
