Tadeusz Kosciuszko

Definitive

Star & Flag - Tadeusz Kosciuszko

Cover Announcement 

As the American colonies began their struggle for independence, military engineers were one of their most urgent needs. One of those who answereri the call was a young Polish officer named Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Not only did engineers build forts, but they fortified temporary positions in the field, planned lines of march and supply, and selected sites for camps and battles.

Within a short time after his arrival, Kosciuszko proved to be a most valuable asset to Washington's army. He helped construct the defenses of Philadelphia and contributed to the American victory at Saratoga. He then was asked to build a fort at West Point to guard the Hudson River to prevent a British invasion. Along with the fortifications, he built a large chain that was stretched across the river to prevent the passage of British ships. His sophisticated work at West Point "was a fortress far ahead of its time" according to historian David Richard Palmer.

This cover joins the one for Lafayette, which was offered previously, leaving the one for von Steuben to be announced soon. At this time, I'm pleased to present the extraordinary Polish military engineer who assisted so greatly in America's cause - Brigadier General Thaddeus Kosciuszko. Collins # P3502 at $12.25.