The Eighth Tribe, 1979 (6. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1979-09-01 / 9. szám
Szeptember, 1979 THE EIGHTH TRIBE Page 5 priate location for the plaque, because it was in the general vicinity of where Colonel Kovats died fighting for American freedom. I felt the name Kovats Field would be a fitting reminder to posterity of his valor, and that it would be a daily inspiration to cadets in whom we seek to instill the same ideals of love of God and country which impelled this Hungarian cavalryman to aid us in the Revolution. Thousands of Citadel men have since marched, drilled, and exercised on Kovats Field and observed the bronze equestrian figure on the monument which marks the area’s entrance. On the occasion of the two hundredth anniversary of the death of Colonel Kovats, I was comforted by the fact that his memory is perpetuated on The Citadel campus in a way that will inspire future generations of cadets to emulate his example. Let us hope that they will constantly strive to achieve the levels of leadership and heroism he so convincingly achieved. THE MEETING TOOK PLACE ON MAY 10, 1779, BETWEEN COUNT CASIMIR PULASKI OF POLAND, BRIGADIER GENERAL OF THE US CAVALRY, MICHAEL KOVÁTS de FABRICY OF HUNGARY, COLONEL COMMANDANT OF THE PULASKI LEGION, FOUNDING FATHER OF THE US CAVALRY, CHEVALIER OF THE “POUR LE MÉRTTÉ", AND THE CITY FATHERS. THE DECISION WAS MADE TO DEFEND CHARLESTON. AND SUCCESSFULLY SO, AGAINST THE BRITISH GENERAL PREVOST, WHOSE ARMY GREATLY OUTNUMBERED THE CITY'S DEFENSES. MICHAEL KOVATS de FABRICY LED THE CAVALRY ATTACK AND FELL DURING THE BATTLE ON MAY II, 1779. t THE SOVEREIGN MILITARY ORDER OF THE TEMPLE OF JERUSALEM GRAND PRIORY OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA *! LT. GEN. GEORGE M. SEIGNIOUS, II.: COLONEL MICHAEL KOVÁTS MEMORIAL DAY It has often been said that The Citadel is an institution of the spirit. This is a season of the spirit because the Bicentennial Celebration in which we are now engaged lias awakened the Spirit of 1776. Those thoughts combine in a perfect way to provide background for our gathering here today. Not only is the spirit of Colonel Kováts — his very memory — the part of him that dwells with us here but the spirit that motivated him is a profound matret for us to consider. Why would the spirit of an Hungarian nobleman move him to absent himself from his native land to join the rebel forces across the sea in America? I speculate that it was an inherent desire to use his talents toward winning freedom for mankind. His background suggests that he espoused larger causes and worried little about the particular banner under which he pursued his greater ambitions. He could fight doggedly in the forces of Queen Maria Theresa of Austria; then transfer to the forces of Frederick the Great against whom he had so recently fought. He could fight with the most outstanding cavalry unit of Frederick the Great, the First Prussian Hussar regiment; then become a diplomatic collector of the Emperor’s war tax. He could take over a recalcitrant, undisciplined unit; then restore it promptly to an effective organization. He could turn his talents toward the liberation of Poland; then return to Prussia with honor. He could perform as one of the best Hussar officers of all Europe; then invent metal alloy for use in cannon. He could offend the clergy with offensive language; then win the hand of a charming young darling of society halls who was 19 years his junior. He could not resist the urge to involve himself in battle for freedom. His biographers suspect that in August, 1776, he learned in Leipzig that the American Declaration of Independence had been signed. Then 52 years old and no longer the hot-blooded, vain young nobleman; he had a mature outlook toward the perils of
