Gaspar Tochman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kasper Tochman
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| Born | 1797 Łętownia, Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria |
| Died | 1880 (aged 82–83) Spotsylvania County, Virginia, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  Kingdom of Poland Confederate States |
| Service/ |
November Insurgents Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1830–1831, 1861–1865 |
| Rank | Major (insurgents) Colonel (C.S.) |
| Awards | Virtuti Militari |
| Spouse(s) | Apollonia Jagello |
| Other work | lawyer |
Kasper Tochman (1797 – December 20, 1880) was a Polish-born American lawyer and soldier. He is known for forming the Polish Brigade, which included the 14th and 15th Louisiana regiments, during the American Civil War. This brigade was part of Johnson's Division.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kasper Tochman was born in 1797 in a place called Łętownia in what was then the Kingdom of Galicia and Lodomeria. He went to Warsaw University to study Law and Administration. After finishing his studies, he became a lawyer in Warsaw.
Tochman was a well-known speaker and writer. He was the vice-chairman of the Polish Patriotic Society. He was also a good friend of Jan Zygmunt Skrzynecki, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the November Uprising. He also knew important figures like Joachim Lelewel and Maurycy Mochnacki. Kasper Tochman helped a group called the Society for Upbringing Orphans after the Fallen Polish Knights. This group helped children whose parents had died fighting for Poland.
Fighting for Poland and Moving to America
Kasper Tochman served as an officer during the November Uprising (1830-1831). This was a big rebellion in Poland against Russian rule. He was either a lieutenant or a major, depending on the source. After a battle called Battle of Białołęka, he was given the Virtuti Militari award for being very brave.
When the Polish rebels were defeated, Tochman had to leave Poland with General Maciej Rybiński's army. He moved to Avignon, France, where he worked as a secretary for the Polish Council. He then traveled around France, trying to find more people to support the Polish cause. During this time, he joined a freemason group called Eagle and Pahonia.
In 1837, the French government no longer wanted Tochman in France. So, he decided to move to the United States. He first worked as a French teacher in New York City. In 1840, he became a US citizen. He then studied American law and became a lawyer in Washington, D.C. in 1845.
Supporting the Polish Community in the US
Kasper Tochman was very active in the Polish diaspora, which means the community of Polish people living outside Poland. From 1840 to 1844, he gave over a hundred speeches about the situation in Poland. At that time, Poland was divided among other countries. His speeches were published in a book in 1844.
Tochman worked to bring the Polish community together in the US. He started the Polish-Slavonic Literary Society, which included both Poles and Americans. He also met with important US officials. Famous people like Abraham Lincoln, William Seward, and Samuel J. Tilden visited his home in Virginia. He supported the Democratic Party and was chosen as a Virginia State Elector.
In 1851, he married Apollonia Jagello. She was a well-known military nurse. She had helped Hungarian exiles create a new home in the United States. Tochman also helped the Kościuszko family in a legal fight over their inheritance against the Russian Empire.
Service in the American Civil War
When the American Civil War began, Kasper Tochman joined the Confederate Army. He helped organize the 14th and 15th Louisiana Regiments. These regiments were part of the famous Louisiana Tigers brigade. This group was sometimes called the Polish Brigade.
The Polish Brigade fought in important battles, including the Battle of Gettysburg. They were part of the 2nd Corps, Johnson's Division. On July 2, during the battle, the brigade suffered many losses. Even though Tochman called himself a General, he was officially a Colonel. Some Polish emigrants, including his friend Lelewel, did not agree with his decision to join the Confederate Army.
Later Life and Legacy
After the Confederacy lost the war, Tochman was appointed as the Virginia Immigration Commissary. His job was to encourage people to move and settle in Virginia.
Kasper Tochman passed away at his farm near Washington on December 20, 1880.
Images for kids
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Flag of the November Uprising
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Insignia of a Confederate Colonel
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The Virtuti Militari award
