Casimir Pułaski was born in Warsaw on 4 March 1745 and grew up steeped in Poland’s cavalry tradition. The Commonwealth was struggling to maintain its independence against the influence of Russia, Austria and Prussia, and in 1767 Pulaski joined a rebellion against Polish King Stanisław August Poniatowski, who was seen as a Russian puppet.
Pulaski was considered as one of the leading Confederate leaders, and incited anti-Russian uprisings in Lithuania and Ruthenia. He was also allegedly involved in the preparations for the kidnapping of the Polish king, which took place in November 1771. Eventually, the king was released, and although the leaders of the Confederation and Pulaski denied involvement in the kidnapping, there was substantial evidence against them.
The Confederation collapsed in 1772, and Pulaski was forced to leave the country due the accusations against him. He was sentenced to death in absentia for an attempted regicide in 1773, and wandered around Europe for several years, staying in Dresden, France and Turkey. Pulaski was restless and frustrated that he could not find an army
