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Historical Marker Honoring Hungarian Nobleman to be Unveiled at Old Exchange Building on May 10th
The National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) will recognize a Hungarian nobleman and accomplished officer for his significant role in helping the colonists achieve independence from Great Britain during the Revolutionary War.
NSDAR President General Denise Doring VanBuren along with representatives from the Old Exchange Building will unveil a historical marker in honor of Michael Kováts de Fabricy (right). The unveiling will take place May 10th at 10 am at 122 East Bay Street on the second floor in the Great Hall of the Old Exchange Building.
Tony Youmans, the director of the Old Exchange Building, said honoring the foreign-born Patriot at the Charleston landmark just makes sense. It was in the Holy City that Kováts gave his life on the battlefield – all in the name of freedom.
“When first approached about this opportunity to honor the Prussian colonel, staff quickly realized that this would present the chance to interpret the international support the colonists were grateful to receive, furthering the narrative of the American story,” Youmans said.
Kováts was a retired Hussar major in the Austro-Hungarian army when he learned of the American Revolution on January 13, 1777. He soon wrote to the American ambassador to France, Benjamin Franklin, to volunteer his services to the Americans and pledge himself “faithful unto death.” He was appointed colonel commandant of Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski’s legion in the Continental Army in 1778.
He recruited, trained, and led what became the first U.S. Calvary unit. He was the highest-ranking Hungarian military officer in the American Revolutionary War and is recognized in the United States as one of the founders of the U.S. Calvary.
He was ultimately killed on May 11, 1779, while leading an assault on British troops in what is now present-day Charleston. He lies buried in an unknown location in an unmarked grave somewhere in the city, near where he fell in battle. True to his word, he remained loyal to the cause of American freedom until his death.
“It is remarkable to learn about the contributions made to America by Michael Kováts de Fabricy,” said VanBuren. “This patriot gave his life in service to our fledgling nation. He is an inspiring example of courage, principle and selflessness. The National Society is deeply honored to place this remembrance plaque at the Old Exchange Building, which is such an important historical institution. We don’t know where his gravesite is, but now the legacy of Michael Kováts de Fabricy will always be memorialized.”
The upcoming marker unveiling will be the second event in three months hosted by NSDAR that pays tribute to Kováts. In February, VanBuren and the NSDAR delegation traveled to his home country of Hungary where they placed and dedicated a historic marker on an elementary school named for him in his hometown of Karcag (photos from that trip can be found here) It is part of NSDAR’s efforts to raise the visibility of foreign-born Patriots who helped achieve American independence.
To learn more about Kováts and the role he played in the American Revolution, click here.
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Colonel Commandant Michael (Mihály) Kováts de Fabriczy was born in Hungary in 1724, and came to the American colonies. His name is sometimes spelled Kowats. During the American Revolution he served for two years under Washington. Washington appointed him exercise master of dragoons in January 1778. In April 1778 he was appointed one of the colonel commandants in the Pulaski Legion. He was killed in the battle of Charleston, S.C. on May 11, 1779 and is believed to be buried near the intersection of King St. and Huger Streets, a few blocks from The Citadel campus. The Citadel’s Kovats’ Field (now a parking lot) is named after him. The Kovats’ monument is a large stone with a brass plaque. General Clark had it dedicated in 1959. It is located on Kovats’ field near the tennis courts.