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| - 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. After learning about the American Revolution, he offered his sword to the American ambassador in France, Benjamin Franklin. He wrote: Bordeaux, January l3th, 1777. Michael Kovats de Fabricy
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| - 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. After learning about the American Revolution, he offered his sword to the American ambassador in France, Benjamin Franklin. He wrote: Bordeaux, January l3th, 1777. Michael Kovats de Fabricy Upon his arrival in America, Kováts joined Count Casimir Pulaski, who was then brigadier general and commander-in-chief of Washington's cavalry. Pulaski's cavalry was poorly trained. There were few trained cavalry officers which made the task of commanding the forces formidable. On February 4, 1778, Pulaski proposed a plan for the formation of a training division of hussars. In a letter to Washington Pulaski wrote: "There is an officer now in this Country whose name is Kovach. I know him to have served with reputation in the Prussian service and assure Your Excellency that he is in every way equal to his undertaking." Later, in another letter to Washington dated March 19, Pulaski again recommended Kovats: "I would propose, for my subaltern, an experienced officer, by name Kowacz, formerly a Colonel and partisan in the Prussian service." Pulaski's legion was commissioned by the Continental Congress on March 28, 1778 and Michael Kováts was named colonel commandant of the legion on April 18, 1778. He was finally given the opportunity to perform the task he had originally intended: to organize and train hussar regiments for the American army. The recruiting of men began almost immediately and by October 1778, the legion consisted of 330 officers and men. Kováts trained these men in the tradition of Hungarian hussars: in basic form, training and organization they were similar to their European counterparts. The legion was transferred to New Jersey and in October was sent into battle with the British at Osborne Island on the 10th and at Egg Harbor on the 14th. With the approach of winter, the legion was ordered to Cole's Fort, where they spent the first part of the winter in training. On February 2, 1779, the legion marched to South Carolina to join the forces of General Benjamin Lincoln. During the long march smallpox took its toll: only 150 soldiers arrived in Charleston—more than half of the legion had died of smallpox along the way. The Siege of Charleston was underway. The situation was critical, the population urged for surrender. Pulaski's legion arrived on May 8, 1779 and unsuccessfully attacked the English troops led by General Prevost on May 11. In the battle on May 11, 1779 in Charleston, South Carolina Colonel Michael Kováts lost his life in the war for American independence. He was buried where he fell. Even according to the English, the legion was "the best cavalry the rebels ever had." A phrase from his letter to Franklin, "Faithful unto Death" (Fidelissimus ad Mortem) has since been taken as the motto of the American Hungarian Federation. On May 11, 1779, Colonel Kovats gave his life in the American War for Independence while leading the Continental Army cavalry he had trained in Hungarian hussar tactics against a British Siege of Charleston. The British remarked that Kovats' forces were "the best cavalry the rebels ever had." To this date, Michael de Kovats is celebrated by cadets at the Citadel Military College in South Carolina where part of the campus is named in his honor. The Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C., has a statue sculpted by Paul Takacs and executed by Attila Dienes. Some of his descendants live in Roseland, New Jersey.
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