Pulaski, Casimir (1747-1779) to Benjamin Lincoln
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC06419 Author/Creator: Pulaski, Casimir (1747-1779) Place Written: Habersham's Plantation, Georgia Type: Letter signed Date: 14 September 1779 Pagination: 1 p. : address : docket ; 32.1 x 19.7 cm. Order a Copy
One of General Pulaski's last letters to Major General Lincoln as commander of the Southern Department. Possibly endorsed by William Washington (1752-1810), a relative of George Washington who served with Lincoln. Discusses events at the end of the siege of Savannah. Tells Lincoln he has the pleasure of sending Count D'Estaing and that he will do his utmost to join the Count with his detachment of calvary. Says one of his detachments took 11 prisoners without the loss of a life. Washington's note says Lincoln will send 1000 troops to facilitate communicate with D'Estaing
Pulaski, a Polish nobleman who left Poland for Turkey in 1772, travelled to Paris in 1775, and then to America under a letter of introduction from Benjamin Franklin, joined the revolutionaries in July 1777. Pulaski's service was less than stellar. He alienated many American officers with his haughty attitude and desire to take orders only from Washington or Lafayette. He was shot on 9 October 1779 in a gallant but foolhardy calvary charge at Savannah, Georgia. He died two days later.
from Mr. Habersham's plantation at Six o-clock in the morning, September the 14th. 1779,
Dear General
I Give myself the pleasure of sending you the Expedition of Count d'esting, I shall do my utmost [struck: for] to join the Count as soon as possible, with my Detachement, it is absolutely necessary that the rest of the cavalry should join me to day if it possible they will meat with me on the roat from [ogee] [text loss] fery to Savannah, the detachement that I [struck: illegible] have send the other day has fallen with a [patrole] of the Ennemies Consisting of Eleven [inserted: men], and the whole was took prisoner without Lost on our side.
I have the honour to be
Dear General
With Respect
your most humble
Servant &ca.
C. Pulaski [illegible]
If Genl. Lincoln think proper, Count D'Estang will Land one thousand men to the White [illegible] Road, in order the better to Secure an Communacation [struck: with] between his army & the Counts This he begd. Id. inform Genl. Lincoln of immediately
[illegible] Washington
[address leaf]
The Honble. Major General
Lincoln
Head quarter
[docket]
From Count [struck: DeEstang] [inserted: Pulaski]
Sept. 14. 79
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