Michael de Kovats
| Michael Kovats | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Birth name | Kováts Mihály |
| Born | 1724 Karcag, Hungary |
| Died | May 11, 1779 Charleston, South Carolina |
| Buried at | Charleston, South Carolina (Field of Battle) |
| Allegiance |
 Kingdom of Hungary Kingdom of Prussia United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
Hungarian cavalry Prussian Army Continental Army
|
| Rank | Colonel Commandant |
| Unit | Pulaski's Legion |
| Awards | |
Michael Kovats de Fabriczy (Hungarian: Kováts Mihály) (also spelled Fabricy; 1724 – May 11, 1779) was a Hungarian nobleman and cavalry officer who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War, in which he was killed in action. General Casimir Pulaski and Kovats are together known as the "Founding Fathers of the US Cavalry."
Kovats was born Kováts Mihály in Karcag, Hungary. In English historical records his family name is sometimes spelled "Kowatz" or "Kowatsch". A nobleman, he became an officer in the Hungarian cavalry under Maria Theresa. He later became captain in the famous Prussian Cavalry, serving under Frederick the Great and earning the highest distinction in the Prussian Army, the Pour le Mérite.
In 1777, after learning about the American Revolution, he offered his sword to the American ambassador in France, Benjamin Franklin. In a letter that has since become famous, he wrote:
"Most Illustrious Sir:
"Golden freedom cannot be purchased with yellow gold."
"I, who have the honor to present this letter to your Excellency, am also following the call of the Fathers of the Land, as the pioneers of freedom always did. I am a free man and a Hungarian. As to my military status I was trained in the Royal Prussian Army and raised from the lowest rank to the dignity of a Captain of the Hussars, not so much by luck and the mercy of chance than by most diligent self discipline and the virtue of my arms. The dangers and the bloodshed of a great many campaigns taught me how to mold a soldier, and, when made, how to arm him and let him defend the dearest of the lands with his best ability under any conditions and developments of the war.
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Wikipedia