Born in Poland in 1748. he was the eldest son of Count Joseph Pulaski and a member of the Polish nobility. Pulaski fought with his father in the popular uprising against King Stanislas in 1769 after Poland had been partitioned by Germany. Russia. and Austria. When it became evident that the forces of freedom who had fought so gallantly against enormous odds and with inadequate equipment would be slaughtered by the Russians. Pulaski chose to disperse his men and seek aid for their cause abroad. Although a penniless refugee. and having lost his father and brother in the fight for freedom. he sought help in Prussia. Turkey. and then France. In Paris.