Recalling the Life, Death and Courageous Example of Michael Kovats

The National Society was exceptionally privileged this week to culminate administration efforts to honor the life of a man considered one of two “Fathers of the U.S. Cavalry” through ceremonies that marked his line-duty-death in the Battle of Charleston. Michael Kovats de Fabriczy (often known as simply Michael Kovats) was a Hungarian nobleman and cavalry officer who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He and General Casimir Pulaski are considered the "Fathers of the U.S. Cavalry."

Who was this man? Kovats was born in Karcag, Hungary, in 1724, and later served as a Hussar in Prussia, Poland and France before volunteering to fight on behalf of our Patriot ancestors. On Jan. 13, 1777, he wrote to American Ambassador to France Benjamin Franklin, offering his service. His letter concluded, “I have no wish greater than to leave forthwith, to be where I am needed most, to serve and die in everlasting obedience to Your Excellency and the Congress. Most faithful unto death, Michael Kovats de Fabricy.” He would ultimately make that supreme sacrifice. When he fell in battle in Charleston, SC, on May 11, 1779, he and his horse were buried in an unknown location by the British victors, whose brigade commander praised Kovats’s Legion as, "the best cavalry the rebels ever had."

This week, on May 10, we dedicated an identical marker that will be placed in the front entry foyer of the Old Exchange and Provost Dungeon in Charleston, SC, to honor Kovats’ ultimate sacrifice in this historic community in 1779. We are deeply appreciative of the Exchange’s willingness to erect the plaque in order to tell this little-known chapter of local history. The ceremony was conducted in an upstairs meeting space that accommodated the large crowd of local historians, SC Daughters, re-enactors and even a representative of the Hungarian Ambassador. It was live-streamed on my DAR President General Facebook page, and you may enjoy its replay here.

Regrettably, the list of other contributors and supporters who made all three of these events possible is simply too long to include here, for which I apologize. Dozens of participants in Karcag, Budapest, Charleston, our Headquarters and beyond capably executed hundreds of details that combined over the course of three months to result in this series of fitting acknowledgements of Michael Kovats as a true Patriot of the American Revolution. I am grateful to each of them.

I am also so appreciative of all of the work that each of you has each done to raise awareness of the men and women who achieved American independence during our term in office. Doing so is the core mission of our National Society, and I am immensely proud of our worldwide efforts during the last three years to honor these Patriots. Thank you, ladies!

(See lot of photos from these events and other happenings by following my DAR President General Facebook page.)