- Good morning. Thank you that you found time to give an interview.

- Hello, it's my pleasure to talk to you.

- Please tell us something about yourself.

- Well, my childhood wasn’t easy ... I was born 2 August 1755 r. When I was two years old my mother  Zofia died. I stayed with my two older sisters - Henryka i Aleksandra and my father – colonel Jan Henryk Dąbrowski. We lived in Osiek-Blonie near Warsaw, where my father had a royal farm. I didn’t  enjoy much of my youth, because when I was 16 years old I joined the army at the cadet level.

- So you started as a teenager with the degree of a cadet, but became the Chief Commander of Polish army, how did it happen?

- Ten years after I  joined  the army in 1780, I  got  the rank of lieutenant, I was then on military service in Drezno, in in Saxon army,  where my father served. I remember that there were few Poles.

- So you were in Saxon army, you worked with German soldiers and I  know  that you reluctantly accepted a proposal to join the Polish army.

- Yes it's true. I had been persuaded  by the king Stanisław August Poniatowski before I agreed. In the end, however, I came back to the country and started the service as a lieutenant colonel.

- What happened after you returned to Poland?

- I took part in the Kościuszko uprising and after defence battle of Powązki I was honored  the degree of a general.

- And  the Polish Legions?

- It was an idea to rebuild the country. After long efforts, the talks with General Napoleon Bonaparte and various complications – on 9. 01.1779 finally we signed system of founding the Polish Legions in Milan, in Italy.

- You took an active part in many battles, thanks to which you deserved the title of supreme commander.

- Yes, I fought in the battles  near Grudziadz or Radzyń. In 1812. I was appointed commander of one of its Polish divisions  in the battle of Mohylewo and Borysowo, battles of Berezyna, Lipsko. After many of these battles I was commander in chief of the army of the Duchy of Warsaw.

-  How each person in addition to the life you have a private life ...  wife,  children.

- When I was 21 years old  I met my first wife –Gustawa Małgorzata Henryka von Rackel, we were married on 28 March  1780. We lived in Lubben. Unfortunately, my father died a year before our wedding. Shortly after my wife passed away.5  November  1807, I married again with Barbara Chłapowska.

- What about the children?

- I have four children – Jan Michał, Bronisław, Karolina and Bogusława.

- You have any hobbies or interests?

- I haven’t too much time at my own leisure. I focused on the family and service to country.

- Thank you for your time. Goodbye.

- I also thank you, goodbye.

Magdalena Cebulak