Near Tybee Island in Chatham County, Georgia — The American South (South Atlantic)

Soldier of Liberty

Fort Pulaski National Monument

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

1. Soldier of Liberty Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Casimir Pulaski became a national hero in Poland when he fought for Polish liberty against Russian and Prussian forces in 1771. A year later, Poland lost the fight and Pulaski was forced to flee his homeland. He met Benjamin Franklin in Paris in 1777 and was inspired to join America's fight for freedom.

Pulaski became known as the "Father of the American Cavalry" when Congress selected him to command the newly formed cavalry unit in 1778. He was mortally wounded during the Battle for Savannah in 1779. This fort's name honors his supreme sacrifice for liberty.

”I came here, where freedom is being defended, to serve it and to live or die for it.” Casimir Pulaski

(photo captions)
• Several Polish noble families, including the Pulaski family, used this Ślepowron coat of arms in the 1700s and 1800s.
• In Polish, Casimir Pulaski is pronounced Ka-zi-mier-sz Pu-wa-ski.
• Image courtesy of the Polish Museum of America

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

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lists: Colonial Era • Forts and Castles • Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Revolutionary.

Location. 32° 1.639′ N, 80° 53.571′ W. Marker is near Tybee Island, Georgia, in Chatham County. Marker is on Fort Pulaski Road, 0.9 miles north of U.S. 80, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located at Fort Pulaski National Monument, along the walkway in front of the Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tybee Island GA 31328, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. History of Emancipation: (a few steps from this marker); The Waving Girl (within shouting distance of this marker); Cisterns of the Construction Village (within shouting distance of this marker); A Bustling Village (within shouting distance of this marker); Sheltering Crown (within shouting distance of this marker); Cockspur Island Lighthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); Freedom Ahead! (within shouting distance of this marker); Guarding the Door (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tybee Island.

Also see . . .

Soldier of Liberty Marker (<i>wide view • visitor center restroom building in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, April 30, 2019

2. Soldier of Liberty Marker (wide view • visitor center restroom building in background)

Casimir Pulaski. In May, 1778, Pulaski began to form an independent cavalry unit that would be known as the Pulaski Legion. Comprised of Americans, German, Frenchmen, Irishmen, and Poles, the legion would see action in along the New Jersey coast. In May 1779, the Pulaski Legion helped defend Charleston, South Carolina against the British. By the fall of 1779, the Pulaski Legion headed toward Savannah, Georgia in an effort to join other French and American troops in an attempt to retake Savannah from the British. In the attack on October 9, 1779, American and French forces fell short of retaking the city. Pulaski was mortally wounded and would die two days later aboard the American ship Wasp on route to Charleston. In 1833, the new fort being constructed on Cockspur Island outside of Savannah was christened Fort Pulaski in honor of Casimir Pulaski. (Submitted on May 20, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on May 20, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 208 times since then and 27 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 20, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.