Casimir Pulaski
Casimir Pulaski was a Polish descendant who fought for freedom in his home country of Poland, as well as the United States. He’s a well remembered soldier and military commander, and the United States has paid homage to him through naming streets, bridges, and even towns under his name. Pulaski’s history in the city of Savannah is extensive, and a commemorative monument was erected in his name as gratitude for all of the sacrifices he made fighting for the city during the American Civil War.
Born in 1745, Pulaski came from a family of fighters. His family members were involved in victorious wars in the 17th century, and by his 21st birthday, Casimir Pulaski had already proved himself to be a talented soldier. He fought in several wars throughout Europe, eventually offering his services to the United States to assist in fighting for their independence. In July of 1777, Pulaski arrived in Boston and began to serve next to George Washington himself. Within a few short months, he was promoted to Brigadier General. He quickly made a name for himself stateside, proving successful at Brandywine and Germantown, where his efforts helped to ensure continued success.
Pulaski formed his own legion by May of 1778, and it was composed of men from multiple nationalities including Americans, Germans, Frenchmen, Irishmen, and Poles. They immediately set forth toward guarding the New Jersey border, as well as Pennsylvania, and worked their way south. Together with his legion, Pulaski successfully defended Charleston, South Carolina, and later arrived in Savannah, Georgia in the fall of 1979.
Savannah would then become the last city that Casimir Pulaski would fight for. On October 9, 1979, while fighting the Battle of Savannah, Pulaski suffered a gunshot wound while fighting to regain control of the city from the British forces. American and French troops had been fighting them off for a while prior to his troop’s arrival, and with the help of Pulaski’s troop, they put up a hard fight but were forced to retreat. Two days after being wounded, Casimir Pulaski died of his injuries. There are multiple accounts on where his body was buried, whether out at sea, or at an unmarked grave on land. This is still a topic of debate to this day, with no confirming information to settle the truth.
His contributions to the country, as well as to the city of Savannah were remarkable, and did not go unnoticed. In 1833, Fort Pulaski was built on Cockspur Island and named after him. In Savannah’s Monterey Square, a towering monument was constructed to commemorate his efforts and the impact he had on the city. Designed by Robert Launitzhis, a Russian American sculptor, the memorial stands at 55 feet in height, and is made of Italian marble and granite. The moment of Pulaski’s death is commemorated in bas relief art that is mounted on the monument itself, and a bust of the Statue of Liberty sits at the top.
The Casimir Pulaski Monument on Monterey Square was constructed in 1854 with an inscription that reads "Pulaski, the Heroic Pole, who fell mortally wounded, fighting for American Liberty at the siege of Savannah, October 9, 1779." which is exactly how history remembers him - as a hero.
