Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-12-05
COUNT PULASKI'S HEIRS.
ASKING RECOGNITION OF THE
PATRIOTS SERVICES.

kress and Suggest Rewards TO Eu-
laskPs Family-The Spot Where He
Fell.
The Polish citizens OF Philadelphia have
organized a movement with a view to
securing, if possible, from the govern
ment, in behalf OF the heirs of Count Cast
mer Pulaski, recognition of the gallant
Poles services to the country and and
for the surviving members OF his
family. Much interest will be taken in
the movement here on the very ground
where the brave and noble count laid
down his life, and where there is erected
the beautiful monument in Monterey
square 10 recall his valorous deeds.
1t is supposed that Pulaski fell about
the spot now occupied by the Central
railroad depot. The circumstances of his
death are recorded in history, but the
place Of his burial has never been fully de-
termined.
At the memorable seige of Savannah, in
October, 1879, Pulaski was leading his
command in an attack upon a redOubt
just west OF the city, and near where the
CentraPs depot now stands, when, under a
heavy fire, portion of the troops were
thrown into confusion and retreated.
Leaving his own command Pulaski gal
Hoped to the front of the retreating forces
and bade them follow him. Animated by
his brave example and cheering words
they turned and again advanced TO the
redOubt. A small cannon ball struck
Pulaski in the groin just as he was enter
ing the redoubt, and he fell from his
horse. This discouraged the troops, and
they retreated, leaving their leader on the
field. Hearing Of their commanders fall,
his own legion advanced through the
terrible fire and bore him to the rear.
The ball was extracted, and he was
placed on vessel to be sent to Charles
ton. The vessel had hardly sailed out
of the harbor before he died. The
body became so offensive that the
Captain OF the vessel was compelled TO
accepted story of his death, although
there has been a great diversity of
opinion in regard to his burial,
some asserting that the body was
buried at Greenwich, three miles
from Savannah, and others on an island
between here and Charleston. The fu-
neral services were held in that city
where the announcement Of the death of
the brave Pole caused, as it did through
out the American colonies, the most in
tense grief.
AID FOR HIS FAMILY.
The members OF the Philadelphia
branch of the Polish National
League recently held meeting and
appointed a committee which is about to
proceed to Washington to appear before
the President in behalf of Pulaski's heirs.
The members of the league expressed
their admiration for the generosity OF the
United States in giving TO distinguished
ofRnnrG of farafup hfrtk a NJ fol nd
for the services rendered by them In the
struggle which ended in the Independence
of the colonies of Great Britain in America.
His sudden death, they declared, no
doubt prevented their fallen cOuntrymaB,
Gen. Pulaski, from receiving full and
proper return for his services to that
country for which he gave his life. 1t
was deplOred that he was not alive at the
time when the strong feeling Of gratitude
for the aid so timely offered by volunteers
from other nations prompted the grant
ing Of ample rewards to all who were in
position 10 claim or receive them.
While no complaint was made at the
delay, it was stated that members
OF the Generals family, poor and in dis
dress, have, in this country and the land
of their birth, asked for relief, and the
petitioners expressed confidence that
Congress will consider his services,
though rendered more than a hundred
years ago, and grant to the surviving
members of the Pulaski family remunera-
tIon for what their noble ancestor suffered
in the cause of the American people.
PETITION TO PRESIDENT CLEVELAND.
The committee drafted petition. which
they will present to the President, setting
forth that Casimer Pulaski, distinguish
cd soldier of Poland, and defender of the
republic, in the summer OF 1T77 came to
the American colonies of Great Britain,
then engaged in a war for their independ-
ence with that great power. That vOlun-
teering TO her arms in that cause he so
conducted himself at the battle OF Bran.
DIVINE that he was, in IT'S, created by
Congress commander of cavalry forces,
with rank of brigadier-general In the
army, and authorized 10 raise and equip
the legion called after him. That a gal
liant service OF more than two years was
closed by his death on the field of battle
at Savannah, In October, 1873.
That Congress. approaching his SER
vices and his gallantry, as mark of re-
spect for his memory, resolved that a
proper monument should be erected to
the memory OF BIN who had given such
aid to struggling people and who had
died for the cause he was laboring to sup
port. That no payment, it is believed
was ever made for his term of service as
Brigadier General.
THE GOVERNMENTS ACKNow LEDGMENT.
Several years ago the United States
Government gave public notice through
the Department Of State and the Minister
Of the United States at the Court OF Rus
sla, To the heirs of Gen. Pulaski that the
United States acknowledged the indebt-
edness, and was ready 10 make compen-
sation. Some OF the family OF Pulaski,
relying upon the generosity and good faith
Of the United States, came to this country
several years ago, and are here to-day,
poor and dependent, waiting TO realize the
tulhllment OF the promises of the govern
ment thus held out to them.
Other members of the family have, at
considerable expense, instituted proceed
ing in the courts Of Poland TO prove their
relationship to the dead soldier. The
records of the courts establishing the
facts have been sent To this country 10 be
presented 10 the proDer authorities. That
from year 10 year, for several years. at
every session OF Congress, application has
been made for relief OF those shown 10 be
entitled 10 compensation for the services
OF Gen. Pulaski, and although the subject
has been before various committees no
action has ever been taken upon the mat
ter. These people are in need, anxiously
waiting Tor some action in their behalf,
many OF them advanced in life.
The petition concludes with the request
that the President again call the atten-
ton OF Congress TO the services OF Gen.
Pulaski with the suggestion, ''that both
gratitude and justice demand that the