Pulaski arrived in Massachusetts on July 23, 1777, and wrote to Washington, “I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it, and to live or die for it.” Washington accepted Pulaski to serve in the Continental Army cavalry.
His first military engagement against the British occurred on September 11, 1777, at the Battle of Brandywine. On September 15, 1777, on the orders of Congress, Washington made Pulaski a Brigadier General in the Continental Army cavalry. On October 4, Pulaski took part in the Battle of Germantown then spent the winter of 1777 to 1778 at Valley Forge. Congress confirmed a special title of “Commander of the Horse,” and authorized the formation of a corps of 68 lancers and 200 light infantries. This corps became known as Pulaski Cavalry Legion.
Pulaski arrived in Charleston, South Carolina, on May 8, 1779, and he joined forces with General McIntosh while attempting to rally fleeing French forces during a cavalry charge. Their combined forces were to serve as the forward elements of General Benjamin Lincoln’s army. Pulaski captured a British outpost near Ogeechee River. He rendered great services during the siege of Savannah, and in the assault of October 9, commanded the whole cavalry, both French and American. Pulaski was mortally wounded and died two days later in Georgia. Brigadier General Casmir Pulaski gave his life for the cause of American Independence. He is interred at the Casimir Pulaski Monument in Savannah, Georgia.