WITH PULASKI IN SAVANNAH
USA Travel

by Jeffrey R. Portko, Esq.

It is the greatest sacrifice, said the Lord, to lay dawn one's life for another. It is also patriotic, it is said, to give one's life for one's country. Here is a soldier who gave his life for our country, which was not his, but America has since adopted him as one of our own! One of the first great heroes of the American Revolutionary War was Brigadier General Casimir Pulaski, born in 1745 in Warka, Poland. He was invited to the United States to form the first United States Cavalry Brigade and join us in fighting for our independence. His reputation as a military strategist in Poland was brilliant, but he had to flee Warka for his life because he was a revolutionary leader.
As you know, on October 11, 1779, Count Pulaski died from mortal wounds he suffered in the siege of Savannah, while leading a charge against the British artillery. Perhaps what you don't know is how revered and honored General Pulaski is in Savannah and in the entire state of Georgia. I was amazed that people actually knew who he was when I feigned ignorance of him.
Back in 1997, I visited the Pulaski Museum in Warka (which is housed in his home on his father's Manor House Estate) and the grave of Pulaski's closest known realtive near there, which had just been reopened to exhume her body to examine and compare DNA tests between them. I found out about the restoration drive in Savannah, for which funds were then being raised.
Ever since I served as the president of the Pulaski Days Patriotic Committee many years ago, I have always wanted to visit this historic site in Georgia where Pulaski gave his life for us. I recently had the opportunity to travel to Savannah and view the newly - restored Pulaski Monument located downtown in central Old Town Savannah at Monterey Square. It is just fantastic, perhaps the most beautiful, classical and magnificent monument to any war hero outside of Washington, D.C. This expensive restoration to its original elegance is a superb work of art. Standing 55 feet high, it is made of the purest white marble, surmounted by a statue of " Lady Liberty" with her arm raised, which is probably the inspiration for the famous Statue of Liberty in New York Harbor.
For those who have seen the movie or read the book, "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil," one knows that Mercer House is the main location for this movie. It sits facing Monterey Square, the most beautiful square in all of Savannah.
Savannah itself was spared destruction by General Sherman during the Civil War. When he reached Savannah at the end of his "March To the Sea" through Georgia, routing the Confederate forces, he decided because of the beauty of the city not to harm it, and gave it to President Lincoln as a "Christmas present," That is why Savannah remains the pre-eminent surviving example of antebellum Dixieland.
If you have the chance to travel there, I highly encourage you to go South, because on October 9, 2001, the U.S. and Polish Governments will rededicate the newly - restored Pulaski monument and at some future point, re-inter the remains originally found beneath it, which are thought to be General Pulaski himself. These military re-mains were exhumed from beneath the monument during it's restoration. His re-burial will take place with full military honors. The Monument itself was first constructed in 1835 and at that time, the remains of a Polish general, who had died upon a ship at sea after being transferred there for treatment of his wounds during the battle were buried at the Greenwood Plantation in 1779. They were then transferred and re-buried at the location of the Monument itself. Markers at the monument indicate / that it is truly Pulaski. DNA tests to authenticate his remains are still being performed, but the search for relatively close or direct descendants has been elusive.
Upon my visit to Savannah, I found the newly - restored Pulaski monument to be an inspiring and admirable edifice erected to the memory of this great man, who should be a hero for all Polish Americans and any lovers of liberty. In Savannah, there is also another square named Pulaski Square, and there is also a United States Fort Pulaski, located on the ocean's shore, which is now a National Historic Landmark. Fort Pulaski was constructed in part by General Robert E. Lee, starting in 1829. Savannah celebrates Pulaski Day as well, and this coming Pulaski Day in Savannah will be especially memorable.
Savannah is a very large seaport of special importance, even today. It is the entrance to the southern portion of the United States, and that is why during the Revolution in 1778, the British recaptured Savannah. American forces were determined to retake it from the British. That is why, on October 9 one of the fiercest battles of the entire American Revolution took place near the city limits. About 1,000 American, French, Haitian, Indian and Polish forces were killed in about one hour, while the British defenders of Savannah lost only about one hundred. In the face of great odds against them and superior fortifications, the Americans still courageously attacked.
Not only is the impressive Pulaski Monument the highlight of any tourist visit to Savannah, but Fort Pulaski, located at the mouth of the Savannah River on the Atlantic Ocean, is a remarkably well - preserved example of 19th Century military architecture, and provides fantastic views of the Atlantic Ocean as well as the scenic Salt Marshes. There are tours and historical markers throughout the island upon which the fort is located, which is approximately 15 miles east of downtown Savannah. The entire area is beautifully preserved and kept in a natural state.
Perhaps the Pulaski Day Patriotic Committee will organize a bus trip to Savannah to enjoy this remarkable city and the rededication of the famous Pulaski Monument. Georgians everywhere, even in 2001, know who General Pulaski was.
They gave me a uniform and a constant response to my question, "Who was this Gen. Pulaski?" They would answer "Don't you know the Polish General who came to liberate Georgia? He saved us from further invasion!" I was told this, time and time again, by every local I asked. Unfortunately, we here in Grand Rapids ,who have our own Pulaski Monument near Pulaski Square, have not done as much to educate the general populace about the heroism and the reasons why he and General Tadeusz Kosciuszko came here to offer their services to the colonies in their fight for independence.
So if you're near Savannah, Georgia, make a trip to this wonderful city, to Tybee Island near the fort, and the fort Pulaski National Monument itself.
Take pride in your historic roots, your Polish heritage and the American freedoms you enjoy. Join me in saying thanks to Generals Pulaski and Kosciuszko, who came to America from Poland to assist us under the command of General George Washington.
Pay your respects to them this October during national Polish Heritage Month by flying your Polish flags proudly!
INFO: JEFF PORTKO,
phone 616-456-5353 or by fax
616-774-3964