The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1933-10-13
koseiuszko

30 years ago when it was removed to the little
chapel of Chateau Rapperswil, near Zurich
During all these years Poland had been po-
htical football for the powers of Europe But
the end of the World found it an independ-
ent nation at last and in 1927 the bronze urn
containing his heart was carried back to Poland
and enshrined in the cathedral at Cracow
Closely connected with the month of October
is the story of another Polish champion of lib
erty, comrade in arms of Kosciuszko, and
man whom Americans delight to honor along
with him-Count Casimir Pulaski
Pulaski was born in Podofa Poland March
a. 174S. AS mere boy he threw himself into the
struggle for Polish liberty. At twenty-one he
stirred up revolt in Lithuania against the ty-
rannical Russians, who were gradually crushing
out Poland's national life
Though elected commander-in-chief of the Po-
lish army of independence in 1870 when but
twenty-five years old he was defeated in battle
and scored failure after failure He is said to
have made an unsuccessful attempt the next year
to kidnap King Stanisas of Poland from the
latter's Warsaw palace. AS result of various
mishaps Pulaski was outlawed, his estates con-
hscated and price set on his head
Pulaski fled for his life to Turkey finding his
way thence to France a patriot without a coun-
try. In Paris he met Benjamin Franklin, and
heard from him the story of Americas struggle
for liberty. Here at last was chance for the
fugitive to strike another blow for freedom
Armed with letters of introduction from Frank
lin, he sailed for Philadelphia in March, 1777
and joined Washingtons army volunteer
Washington appointed the Pole to place on the
general staff. Pulaski's first American battle was
at the Brandywine. There he rallied companies
OF retreating Americans and so deployed them
as to protect the retreat of our main army For
this service congress made him a brigadier gen.
eral
AS leader of cavalry, Pulaski performed DASH
Ing exploits in Pennsylvania and New Jersey
and might have accomplished much more for the
cause but for i'll feeling that sprang up among
his troops American-born officers did not like
to be ordered about by foreigner who could
scarcely speak a word of their own language
There was much discomfort that Pulaski threw
over his command.
He persuaded Washington to raise a body of
light infantry and cavalry and enlist for it all
classes of men, including prisoners and de-
Serters. The count was made leader of this
corps of $50 troops, which was known as the
Pulaski Legion. With his odd following he har-
ried the British and new fame But he
grew tired of holding so small command. There
was strife and discomfort among the men. Pull
ask gave up his office, and decided to go back
to Europe
Washington persuaded him to stay in the army
and sent him South to find new scope for his
energies. Pulaski entered Charleston, S. c. at
the head of his tiny army on May g. ITO. Three
days later 900 British beseged the city. The
municipal council panic stricken and wanted
to surrender Pulaski furiously declared he would
fight while he had left. So bravely did
he defend Charleston that he held the larger
British force at bay until reinforcements could
reach him. Then, as the enemy withdrew Pull
aski followed, hanging their TANKS and in
flictng fearful losses upon them until the Brit
ish driven wholly out of South Carolina
the North The southern summers unbearable
heat and the steaming, unwholesome marshes
where he was often forced to camp told upon
the Poles health. He fell seriously i'll with ma
laria fever. But as fast he recovered from
attack he continued his campaign against
the British until another illness laid him low.
His health wrecked he fought on.
The Americans were planning to march against
the English forces that held Savannah, Ca Pull
ask, acting as advance guard, fell upon the
prepared enemy, captured some of their outer
Notifications and opened the road for communi-
cation between the patriots and the reinforcing
French feet.
The Americans then laid regular siege to Sa-
vannah. Pulaski was made leader of both the
American and the French cavalry and led an
assault on the British lines on October o, 1779,
during which he mortally wounded He
died two days later the United States brig,
the Wasp. and buried at sea.
The sesqucentennial of Pulaskis death was
the occasion for a nationwide observance on
October H. 1929, when commemorative services
were held in many places throughout the coun-
try and a tall shaft, h0noring the Polish hero,
was unveiled in Savannah There was also spe-
cial stamp issue in honor of the event. The next
year resolution was introduced into congress
to make October IL of each year pulaski Me-
mortal day. and in 1881 this resolution was
passed and President Hoover issued proclama.
ton calling for it's observance.
&c by wsstera Newspaper Union,