Under the military tradition of the time, Polish commanders donned the uniform of their most effective unit in combat. To the delight of the serfs Kosciuszko ripped off his general’s uniform and put on a sukmana, a peasant robe made from woven sheep’s wool. The serfs shook their weapons in the air and roared in approval as their new peasant prince officially declared the scythemen infantry a separate branch of Poland’s military. “They feed and defend,” became their motto. The commander in chief promoted Madalinski and Zajaczek to lieutenant general. Kosciuszko also received permission from
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