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19.84/3-12:6 k Service U.S. Department of the Interior Office of the National Park Service Liaison to the White House President's Park Notes Statues Number 6 -Kosciuszko Statue NPS/TERRYADAMS General Thaddeus Kosciuszko Statue Lafayette Park, Washington, D.C. ThestatueofThaddeusKosciuszko theBattleofSaratoga,therebyturningthe standsatthenortheastcornerofLafayette tideofthewarbybringingFranceinto ParkinWashington,D.C.Thestatue, theconflictontheAmericanside. His agifttotheUnitedStatesfromPolish laterengineeringworksonthedefenses Americansundertheleadershipofthe atWestPointweresoextensive,theyef- PolishNationalAlliance,wasexecuted fectivelypersuadedtheBritishtoabandon byPolishsculptorAntoniPopieland anyattempttoinvadetheHudsonRiver dedicatedonMay 11, 1910.Kosciuszko Valley.Aftertherevolution,Kosciuszko wasayoungPolishmilitaryengineerof- returnedtohisnative Poland,andalive ficerwhoservedduringtheAmerican withEnlightenmentidealsvaliantlyfought Site plan ofPresident's Park indicating Revolution.Hisengineeringfeatshelped togainindependenceforhishomeland. the location ofthe Kosci|fl?yc§SljatQe #011 ensuretheContinentalarmy'svictoryat Consideredaheroontwocontinents,the Lafayette Park, nps ON RY "GeorgeWashington"ofPolandspentthe Thaddeus Kosciuszko onAugust30.Kosciuszko,waitingin remainderofhislifeadvocatingequality PhiladelphiaforareplyfromtheCongress, andfightingforfreedominhisnativeland. AndrzejTadeuszBonawentura madehisservicesavailabletothecity, — Kosciuszko ThaddeusKosciuszko (1746 whichwasdesperatelyworkingtofortify — The Statue and Its Context 1817) wasborninMereczowszczyzna, itselfinanticipationofaBritishassault. inpresent-dayBelarus,onFebruary 12, Heeventuallygainedemploymentwith Attheturnofthe20thcentury,Polish 1746.OfPolishandLithuaniandescent, thePennsylvaniaCommitteeofDefense Americansfocusedintenseinterestonthe Kosciuszkowasgreatlyimpressedby todevelopandexecuteplansforbuild- exploitsofheroicPoleslikeKosciuszko, storiesfromantiquity,particularlythe ingfortificationsalongtheDelaware whose achievements symbolized a CorinthianheroTimoleon,whofreedhis River.Moreimportantly,becausethe national heritageworth saving. nativelandfromtyrannicaloppression. ContinentalCongresshadapproved Movementsevolvedtoerectstatuesand In 1765, 19-year-oldKosciuszko theproject,Kosciuszko'snamecame monumentstoKosciuszkotocoincide enrolledinthenewlycreated withthecentennialoftheMay3, 1791, RoyalMilitaryAcademy.Upon PolishConstitution,Europe'sfirstmodern graduationhewascommis- constitution.In 1894,PolishAmericans sionedafirstlieutenantand throughouttheUnitedStatescelebrated assignedasaninstructoratthe "theYearofKosciuszko"markinghis academywhereheremained returntoPolandandgreatvictoryoverthe until 1768.Ayearlater,hewas RussianarmyatRaclawicein 1794.This promotedtocaptainofartillery enthusiasmmotivatedPolishAmericansto andawardedascholarshipby erectastatueinWashington,D.C. Poland'sKingPoniatowskito LafayettePark,wheretheKosciuszko continueengineeringstudies statuestands,isapproximatelysevenacres inFrance. direcdyacrossfromtheWhiteHouseon AsaforeignerinFrance, thenorthsideofPennsylvaniaAvenue. Kosciuszkowasnotpermit- Bytheearly20thcentury,LafayettePark tedtoenrollattheprestigious hadevolvedintoawelcomingpublicspace militaryacademies.Insteadhe withstatuesofforeign-bornAmerican studiedattheAcademieRoyale RevolutionaryWarheroes,whichsur- dePeintureetdeSculpture roundtheheroicequestrianbronzeof andhiredprivatetutorsfor AndrewJackson (1853) atthepark'scen- military-relateddisciplines tercommemoratinghisvictoryatNew suchasmathematicsandmili- OrleansduringtheWarof1812.In 1891, taryengineering. Itisalsovery astatuetoGeneralMarquisdeLafayette likelythatheabsorbedthe wasdedicatedatthesoutheastcorner. writingsofEnlightenmentphi- ThaddeusKosciuszkobyJulian Rysafteran unidentified Thiswasfollowedbythestatuesto losophers,whoforKosciuszko source, 1897. independencenationalhistoricalpark GeneralComtedeRochambeau(1902) at illustratedtheinequalityand thesouthwestcorner,GeneralThaddeus injusticesenduredbytheEuropeanpeas- beforetheCongress.OnOctober 18, Kosciuszko(1910) atthenortheastcorner, antryandenslavedAfricanAmericans. theCongressappointedhimacolonel andGeneralBaronvonSteuben(1910) In 1772whileKosciuszkowasstillin ofengineersintheContinentalarmy. atthenorthwestcorner. Paris,Polandsufferedthefirstofitsthree Aroundthistime,Kosciuszkodevel- Throughoutitshistory,Lafayette partitionsbyAustria,Prussia,andRussia. opedawarmandadvantageousfriendship Parkhasenjoyedtheattentionofsome Withhisfinancialresourcesdwindling, withGeneralHoratioGates,thenincom- ofAmerica'smostwellknownarchi- Kosciuszkoreturnedtohisfamilyestate mandofPhiladelphiainFebruary 1777. tectsandlandscapearchitects,including inSiechnowicze.Hesupportedhimselfby InMarch,Gateswasorderednorthtotake CharlesBulfinchandAndrewJackson teachingthedaughtersofJozefSosnowski, commandofthenortherncampaignsand Downing.Duringthelate 19thcentury oneoftherichestnoblemenintheregion. FortTiconderoga;andaccompanyinghim LafayetteParkderiveditsorganiza- Kosciuszkoeventuallyfellinlovewiththe washisnewengineer,Kosciuszko.InNew tionandclassicalorderfromtheCity youngestdaughter,Louisa.Thecouple York,hedisplayedhisgreatesttalentsasa BeautifulMovement,whichcreated plannedanill-conceivedelopementthat militaryengineer.Reelingfromthehumili- grassrootsenthusiasmfororderedcity wasdiscoveredbyLouisa'sfather.Under atingdefeatatFortTiconderogaonJuly5, planningand classicallyinspiredspaces. athreatofprosecution,the29-year-old ContinentalforcesunderKosciuszko's Thisenthusiasmforclassicalurban KosciuszkofledPolandin 1775.Less leadershipundertookdelayingtacticsto designandthedesiretomemorialize thanayearlater,hesetsailforAmerica. impedeBritishGeneralJohnBurgoyne's greatnationalheroes,intersectedfortu- KosciuszkoarrivedinPhiladelphiaby advance. OnJuly 16,GeneralPhilip itouslyattheturnofthe20thcentury, latesummer1776,wherehepresentedhis Schuylerdispatchedhimtooverseedelay- particularlyforPolishAmericans. credentialstotheContinentalCongress ingactionsandplaced 1,000menunderhis command.Kosciuszko'ssuccessindelay- Burgoyne'seventualdefeatattheBattle isthefirsttimethetwoactuallymetin ingtheBritishadvancegaveGatesvalu- ofSaratogainSeptemberandOctober person,andalthoughnoofficialreport — abletimetoreplenishhisdepletedarmy. 1777 apivotaleventintheRevolutionary exists,Washington'ssubsequentcorre- Kosciuszkowentforwardimmedi- War.Afterthesevictories,Francewas spondenceindicatedhissatisfactionwith atelytosurveythesurroundingcountry- persuadedtoentertheconflictonthe thefortification'sprogress.Washington side. Bridgesweredestroyed,treesfelled, Americanside.Kosciuszko'sfeatsof transferredhisheadquarterscloserto andland floodedcreatinganimpassable engineeringarecreditedinlargemeas- WestPointandorderedthatallsoldiers quagmire. Largeboulderswererolledinto ureformakingthevictorypossible. whoweremasonsorskilledcraftsmenbe largerwaterwaysmakingitdifficultfor BythetimethenewsofFrance's immediatelytransferredtoKosciuszko's theBritishtonavigate,whilealsocaus- entryintothewarreachedthetroops, detail.Thegarrisonworkeddayand ingoverflowsthatimmersedsurrounding Kosciuszkowasagainatworkconstruct- nighttostrengthenallapproaches.These lands.Ditchesweredugtolowerwater ingnewdefensesatWestPointalongthe activitieswerecloselymonitoredby levelsinotherwisenavigablestreams, HudsonRiver.NorthofNewYorkCity Britishreconnaissancewhosereports whiledivertingwatermadesurround- about45 miles,theHudsonRivernar- seemtoindicateagrowingBritishwari- inglowlandsimpassable.Livestockwere rows,thechannelturnsthroughatight nessoveranassaultonWestPoint. drivenawayandgrainfieldsburnedto S-curve,andthehighlandsriseoneither Bytheendof1778,Kosciuszko denythe Britishmuch-neededprovi- sideprovidinganaturaldefensivebarrier madeconsiderableprogressonthevari- sions.Kosciuszko'stacticsreducedthe betweenAlbanyandNewYorkCity. ousdefenses,supplementingthemwith Britishadvancetoanaverageofonlyone TheHudsonRiverValleywas fireboats,gunboats,chains,andanyother mileperday,insharpcontrasttoprevi- importantandtheContinentalCongress possibleobstacletodiscourageattack. ousmovementsbyBurgoyne'sarmythat recognizedasearlyas 1775 thestrate- Heoftenwrotetocommandingofficers hadtraveledasmuchas 18milesperday. gicanddefensiveimportanceofWest complainingaboutthechronicshort- Capitalizingonthetimebought Point.GeneralGeorgeWashington, ageofmanpowerandrequestingmore throughKosciuszko'sdelayingtactics, commanderoftheContinentalarmy, supplies.Throughouttheseverewinter Schuylerandthe Continental army inalettertoGeneralIsraelPutnamin monthsof1779-80,heurgedhissoldiers retreatedfarthersouththroughSaratoga December 1777urgedPutnamtouse tokeeppacedespiteunrelentinghun- then 12milessouthtoStillwater.On allmeansathisdisposaltosecurethe ger,cold,andfatigue.Workersrepaired August 19, 1777,GatesreplacedSchuyler riveragainstanypossibleattacks. thelogboomandironchainthatlaid atSchaick'sIslandandorderedKosciuszko KosciuszkoarrivedatWestPointin acrossthe HudsonRiver,erectednew northtoselectaspotonthewestbankof March 1778,andimmediatelybeganthe chevaux-de-frise,constructedbombproof theHudsonRivertoestablishadefensive taskofbuildingdefenses,whichhad lan- magazines,andraisedadditionalbarracks position.Heselectedanareasixmiles guishedunderhispredecessor. Hemoved andredoubts.Toexpeditethework,half aboveStillwater.Withgunsplacedon quicklytofortifyboththeriverandthe agallonofrumwaspromisedforevery thecrestofawoodedhill,namedBemis surroundinghighgroundagainstapos- approvedlogdeliveredtoWestPoint Heights,hecouldcommandtheroadalong siblelandassault.Thefocusofthiseffort abovethedailyrequirement.Heagain theHudsonRiverValleyleadingtoAlbany. wasFortPutnam,whichfromarockyhill attemptedtoamelioratethesufferingof Gatesordered 1,000menforwardto overlookedtheplainbelowandtheWest hismen.InalettertoSchuyler,nowa executeKosciuszko'splan,whichincluded Pointprominence.Additionalpriorities memberofCongress,Kosciuszkopleaded mile-longentrenchmentsmadeofearth, includedcompletingFortArnold;rais- onbehalfoftheentireCorpsofEngineers logs,andfencerailsfrontedbyanabatisor ingobstructionstorivertraffic;finish- requestingclothingequaltowhatthe obstaclecreatedbyplacingfelledtreesina ingouterworks;erectingbarracks;and restofthearmynormallyreceived. waythatthebranchesareintertwinedand constructingwaterbatteries,abatis,and Theserequestswereroutinelyunmet. tangled.Behindthefirstline,Kosciuszko defensiveobstaclesofspikesattachedto Thegreatesttestimonyof constructedasecondmoreformidable woodenframes,especiallyagainstcavalry, Kosciuszko'sachievementwasthefact lineataroadjunctionjustsouthofBemis knownaschevaux-de-frisetosupport thattheBritishnevermadeanattempt Heights,andalongtheheightsconstructed FortPutnam.Oncetheseprioritieswere againstWestPoint.Britishreconnaissance gunemplacementstocoverthelowlands. accomplishedKosciuszkowouldgoonto perceivedthedefensiveworksasvirtu- Whencompleted,theHudsonRivereffec- planandexecuteadditionalfortifications allyimpregnable.Kosciuszko'sdensely — tivelyguardedtheAmericanrightflank. thatwhencompletedwouldcompriseone fortifiedWestPoint theGibraltarof Ontheeasternsideoftheheights, expansiveinterlockingdefensiveunit. America—effectivelydeniedtheBritish Kosciuszkosimilarlyconstructedfield- Inthesummerof1778,renewedfears useoftheHudsonwhileprotectingthe worksthatfollowedthenaturalcontours ofanattackacceleratedtheworkatWest grainsupplies,whichfedWashington's oftheland.Manyofhisemplacements Point. InJuly,WashingtontraveledtoWest army.Thenoveltyofdesignandthequal- tookadvantageofthenaturaloutlineof Pointforaninspection inthecompany ityofworkmanshipwascarriedoutunder thelandscapeorwerehiddenbehind ofKosciuszko.Washington'spurposefor Kosciuszko'ssupervisionillustratingasur- standsoftreesandforests,thusconceal- thisbriefvisitwastopersonallyassure prisingdegreeofengineeringsophistica- ingexactlywheretheAmericandefenses himselfthatthis"mostimportantpostin tionthatwouldnotbeseenin Europeuntil lay,whichprovedadecisivefactorin America"wassecure.Itisbelievedthis the 19thcentury. HadtheBritishbeenable freelytonavigatetheHudson,thecolonies ledtoasecondpartitionofPolandin PrussianandRussianforcescombined wouldhavebeengeographicallydivided 1793.ThereformsmadeundertheMay3 todefeatKosciuszkoatSzczekociny. andthe FrenchandAmericanarmies constitutionwereabolishedand Poland Kosciuszkowasundeterredinhis isolated,leavingtheFrenchclusteredon fellunderRussianandPrussianrule. zealtoformanindependentPolish LongIsland.WithWestPointsecured, Kosciuszko,distraught,resignedhis state.AnticipatingthatRussianGeneral theBritishwerebottledupinNewYork commission,leftPolandandeventually AlexanderSuvorovwasmovingtorein- makingsouthwardmovementstheir landedinAustria.Authoritiestherefeared forceRussianforcesaroundWarsaw, onlyalternative. hewouldfomentrebellionandordered helaunchedanoffensiveagainstthe Kosciuszko'sWestPointduties himtoleavethecountry.WithRussian RussiansatMaciejowiceonOctober finallyconcludedaftertwoyearswhen spiesfollowing,Kosciuszkomadehisway 10, 1794.ThePolisharmywasover- GateswastransferredtotheContinental toPariswheretheFrenchRevolutionary whelmed.Hewasgravelywounded army'ssoutherncampaignandperson- governmentgrandlyannounceditsintent andcapturedbytheRussians,thus allyrequestedKosciuszko'sservicesfrom tosupportalldemocraticmovements endingtheKosciuszkoUprising. Washington. InAugust 1780,Kosciuszko inEurope,butintheendofferedhim Althoughseriouslywounded, wasnamedchiefengineerofthesouthern only"honoraryFrenchcitizenship"and onOctober13Kosciuszkobeganalong army.Hespentthenexttwoyearsputting thetideof"defenderofthepeopleagainst andpainfuljourneytoSt. Petersburg hisengineeringtalentstousehelping despots." Inthesummerof1793 he asaprisonerofwar.Alongtheroute, histroopsdodgeandengagetheBritish returnedtoLeipzigandimmersedhimself theRussiansdisplayedhiminorderto intheCarolinasandVirginia. inplanningforanewPolishrebellion. squelchrumorsofhisescape.Hefinally Attheconclusionofthewar, InMarch 1794,Kosciuszkoreturned arrivedinSt. PetersburgonDecember KosciuszkosailedtoPhiladelphiain toPolandintentonsparkinganewrevolt. 10andwassentbyCzarinaCatherineII June 1783tosettlematterswiththe OnMarch24inKrakow,Kosciuszko tothePeterandPaulFortressasapoliti- ContinentalCongressbeforeembark- appealedtothe Polishnationtorise calprisoner.Whileimprisoned,hewas ingonhisreturntoPoland.Oneofthese upagainstitsoccupiers. Heissuedhis grievedonceagainasPolandunder- matterswashispromotion,andtheother famousActofInsurrectionthatwas wentitsthirdpartitionandwaserased concernedhispay.Unlikeotherofficers intendedtoclarifytherevolt'spur- fromthepoliticalmapofEurope. duringthewar,Kosciuszkowasmod- posesandcreateenthusiasmamongthe OnNovember6, 1796,Catherine esttoafault,ofteneschewingpersonal peasantrywhosesupportwasneeded. 11diedunexpectedlybringingtothe advancement.Attheconclusionofthe TheActwasbasedontheAmerican thronehersonCzarPaulI.Theczarwas war,Kosciuszkowaspromotedtothefull DeclarationofIndependenceandthe areformerandadmirerofKosciuszko's rankofbrigadiergeneralandsettledhis FrenchDeclarationoftheRightsof liberalideals,thoughnothispoliticalaspi- compensationwiththeCongressinthe Man. Heurgedcitizenstostandfor rations.Inreturnforhissolemnoathnot amountof$12,280.94withsixpercent theirliberty,security,andproperty. toresumerevolutionaryactivities,theczar interestbackdatedtoJanuary1, 1784. Kosciuszkowasabletomusteran releasedhim.Aftertwoyearsofcaptiv- Healsoreceived500acresoflandalong armyofonly32,000regularandpeas- ityKosciuszkodepartedSt. Petersburg theSciotoRiverintheOhioTerritory. antmilitia.Ontheotherhand,Russia onDecember 19,boundforEngland. AfterreturningtoPoland, deployed29,000troopsinPolandafterthe InEnglandKosciuszkowastreated Kosciuszkoreturnedtothefamily partitionwithanother30,000closebyas byKingGeorgeIll'sprivatephysician. estateinSiechnowice.Althoughhe reinforcements.Alsointheareawere8,000 Healsoreceivedvisitorsandnewsof waswealthyfromhisAmericanpay,his Prussianswithanother14,000enroute. hisoldAmericancompatriots,who financialsituationremaineddifficult. TheoddswerenotinKosciuszko'sfavor. encouragedhimtoreturntotheUnited Promisedinterestfromhisaccounts OnApril4, 1794,6,000Polish States.Notonlydidhewishtoseehis didnotarrive. Italsobecameclearto regularsandpeasantmilitiamet7,000 oldcolleagues,healsohopedtocol- Kosciuszkothatwhilehewasservingin RussianstroopsatRaclawicejustoutside lectonthedebtsstillowedtohimbythe America,Polandsufferedeconomicand ofKrakow.TheKosciuszkoUprisingwas Americangovernment.OnJune 19, 1797, socialstagnationunderRussianrule. underway.Kosciuszkopersonallyled350 KosciuszkoboardedtheAdrianabound Bythelate 1780s,debatesragedwithin scythe-wieldingpeasantsagainstthecenter forPhiladelphia,wherehewasgreeted PolandovertheNaturalLawPhilosophy, Russianline.Theattackersweredressed byahero'swelcomeuponhisarrival. whichfoundasteadfastsupporterin innativedressanddespitesuchirregular InPhiladelphiaKosciuszkoreceived Kosciuszko.WelcomingafightforPoland's uniformsandimprobableodds,brokethe numerousvisitorswhilehecontinuedto freedom,Kosciuszkoacceptedanappoint- enemyline.Newsofthevictoryspreadand convalescefromhiswounds.Despitehis menttothepositionofMajorGeneralof incitedsuccessfulrevoltsacrossPoland. agreementwiththeczarnottofoment the Polisharmy.Whilehebuilthisforces, KosciuszkoissuedhisPolaniecManifesto rebellion,hestilllongedforanindepend- thePolishparliament,orSejm,adopted onMay7,hopingtorousemorepeasant entPolandandheldouthopeforFrench Europe'sfirstconstitutionbasedonthe supportfortherevolutionarycause.This assistanceinthisregard.Kosciuszko principlesoftheEnlightenment,onMay historicbutessentiallyfutiledocument secredymetwithFrenchdiplomaticrep- 3, 1791.Assuch,itaggravatedPoland's declaredthepeasantryfreeandgranted resentativesandwouldhavereturned monarchialneighborsandeventually themlandownershiprights.InJune 1794, immediatelytoresumehisfightforPolish Forthenext 14years,Kosciuszkolived quietlyatZeltner'sestate. Hereceived guestsregularly,includingtheMarquisde LafayetteandmembersoftheAmerican diplomaticmission,stayinginformedon Americaneventsandcontinuallylament- ingtheplightofhisnativePoland. During thistimehecontinuedhiscorrespondence with PresidentThomasJefferson,who establishedtheUnited StatesMilitary AcademyatWestPointin 1802onthevery fortressKosciuszkosecuredduringthe AmericanRevolution. Hecertainlywould haveapprovedofsuchaninstitutionas manyofhisletterswouldattest. During Jefferson'spresidencyandWestPoint's nascentyears,Kosciuszko'slettersoften expressedstrongfavorformilitaryeduca- tionasnecessarytofurthertheUnited States' hard-foughtdemocraticideals. Kosciuszkocontributedamanualonartil- Americaonthe north faceofthe Kosciuszko Europeon thesouth faceofthe Kosciuszko lerywarfare. ManouvresofHorseArtillery, Statue pedestal, nps/terryadams Statue pedestal, nps^erryadams firstwritteninFrenchin 1800andlater translatedintoEnglishin 1808,becameone independenceifFrenchassurancesofsup- affairsnowinorder,Kosciuszkoagain ofthefirsttextseverusedatWestPoint. porthadbeenforthcoming.Unfortunately, departedtheUnitedStatesthistime In 1815,Kosciuszkoacceptedthe theseoffersofsupportnevermaterial- ingreatsecrecytoattendtothediplo- invitationofZeltner'sbrother,Francis ized,buthiscontactwiththeFrenchand maticmissionauthorizedbyJefferson. XavierZeltner,toresidewith hisfamily JeffersonianRepublicansincludingVice The detailsofKosciuszko'smission in Switzerland. He didhisbesttokeep PresidentThomasJeffersonduringatime in Franceareunderstandablydim,given upwithworldeventsbuttimeandbattle ofheightenedpoliticaltensionsinthe thesecretnatureofthetask. Historysug- woundshad takenatollonhisbody. UnitedStateshastenedhisdeparture. geststhatKosciuszko'seffortswereto Perhapsawarethathislifewaswaning, Inearly 1798relationsbetweenthe goodeffectastensionsbetweenthetwo Kosciuszkoexecuted anotherwillin UnitedStatesandFrancebecamestrained nationseased considerably.Thisperiod April 1817,leavinghisfamilialestate asthepro-British,Federalist-ledgovern- markedasustainedlevel ofcorrespon- atSiechnowiceto hisnieceKatarzyna mentbegantoprepareforthepossibility dencebetweenKosciuszkoandJefferson. Estkowaandherchildren,stipulatingthat ofwarwithFrance.Jefferson,desperate The fluctuatingpoliticaltensionsbetween afterhisdeaththeserfsontheestatewere toquellthefuror,enlistedKosciuszko's theUnitedStatesand Franceheldtheir tobefreed.SimilartohisAmericanwill, help. Knowingofhisdesiretoreturnto politicaltalktoaminimum. Buttheir heurgedthefreedserfstoeducatetheir Europe,JeffersonbelievedKosciuszko close ideologicalbondaswellasthe childrentopreparethemtobefull-fledged wouldbeaperfectintermediary.While factthatJeffersonwasoverseeinghis citizens.InSeptember,Kosciuszkowrote Jeffersonmadearrangementsforthe financeskepttheminfrequentcontact. toJeffersonremindinghimofthewillhe clandestinetrip,hecompletedhisown WhenJeffersonbecame Presidentin witnessedand "thesolemnoath"they personalbusiness,whichincluded 1801,Kosciuszkoconsideredareturn made.InearlyOctober,Kosciuszkoexe- managementofhisAmericanaccounts triptoAmerica.Hewasalsoincreas- cutedathirdwillleavinghisSwissfundsto andpreparationofhisfinalwilland inglydisenchantedwithNapoleonic theZeltnerfamily. DayslateronOctober testament.WithJefferson'sassistance, Franceanditscontinuingreluctance 15, 1817,the71-year-oldKosciuszkodied. KosciuszkoexecutedhiswillonApril30. tosupportthecause ofPolish liberty. ManywritershavecitedKosciuszko's Theextraordinaryprovisions In 1800whilein France,Kosciuszko willsandtestamentsasproofofhisegali- ofKosciuszko'swillhavebeencited wroteapamphletcallingforapopular tarianideals. Unfortunately,thefactthat frequentlyasproofofhisunfailingly Polishuprising,butFrenchauthorities heexecutedthreewillsontwocontinents egalitarianconvictions.Init,henames suppressedthe pamphletand promptly createdatangledwebofprobateand Jeffersonashisexecutorandstipulates placed himunderpolicesurveillance. engenderedalong-lastingmyth regard- thatJeffersonshouldusetheproceeds Worn downbytheconstantmonitoring, ingtheestablishmentofa"Kosciuszko ofhisestatetopurchasethefreedomof Kosciuszkoaccepted in 1801 the invita- School"forAfricanAmericansin New enslavedAfricanAmericansandthen tionofthe Swissministerto France,Peter Jersey.Thisinfactnevercametopass educatethemtoknowthedutyofa JosephZeltner,tocometohisestateat despiteKosciuszko'sferventwishtofree citizeninthefreeGovernment.Withhis Berville nearFontainebleau,France. andempowerenslavedAfricanAmericans. — oftheirmethodsincluded memorial- 20thcentury. Normally,Congresswould izingheroicPolessuchasKosciuszko. approvelegislationbothforthecreation Asearlyas 1888,ChicagoPolish andfundingofthestatue.TheKosciuszko Americansorganizedtoraisefundsfor statue,however,wasagifttotheUnited anequestrianstatueofKosciuszkoin States,paidforwithprivatefundsandso thecity'sHumboldtPark.Thestatue didnotrequireappropriatinglegislation. wasfinallydedicatedonSeptember Itdid,however,requireCongressional 11, 1904,inthepresenceofmorethan approvalduetothefactthatitwouldbe 100,000spectators.OnMay7, 1905,the erectedonapublicreservationwhich ClevelandKosciuszkomonumentwas wasunderCongress'sjurisdiction. dedicatedbeforeanotherimpressive AsplanningprogressedforthePulaski crowd,andonJune 18, 1905,acrowd statue,whichinitiallywasproposedfor of50,000watchedtheunveilingofthe LafayettePark,adilemmaconcerning MilwaukeeKosciuszkostatue.This itsplacementemerged.GeneralPulaski enthusiasmwouldspreadtoWashington, wasacavalryofficer.Consequently D.C.,wherethePulaskistatuewith PolishAmericanswereadamantthat federallyappropriatedfundswould Pulaskiberepresentedasanequestrian finallygetitsdueandintheprocess statue.However,theFederalgovern- drivethePNAtooffertheKosciuszko ment,whichhadjurisdictionandfinalsay statueasagifttotheUnitedStates. overthestyleandformofthestatue,felt UrgedbyvariousPolishAmerican thatanequestrianstatueonanycorner Freedomgroupontheeastface ofthe organizationsintheMidwest, ofLafayette Parkwouldbeinappropri- KosciuszkoStatue pedestal, nps^terryadams RepresentativesJamesH.Southard (Ohio) ate.Freestandingpedestrianfiguresof andAbrahamLincolnBrick(Indiana) LafayetteandRochambeauwithpedestal introducedabillinCongressinJanuary figuresoccupiedtheothertwocorners Legislation and the 1901 tobuildanddedicatethestatueto andanequestrianstatueofAndrew Polish National Alliance PulaskifirstpromisedbytheContinental Jacksonwasatthecenterofthepark. Congressin 1779.Aseparatebillwaslaid Theprecedentforthecornershadbeen ThedevelopmentoftheKosciuszkostatue beforetheCongressinMay 1902foran established,andtocreateaharmonious inLafayetteParkwasinfactintertwined equestrianstatueofBaronvonSteuben, setting,thetworemainingspotswould withastatuetoyetanotherPolishpatriot, whichcoincidedwiththededicationof havetobeoccupiedbysimilarfigures. CasimirPulaski.Thetwostatueswould theRochambeaustatue. Eventually,these SincePulaskicouldnotoccupythissite eventuallybededicatedinWashington twoseparatelegislativeinitiativeswere inaformthatwasacceptabletoboththe onthesamedayinalavishdemonstra- combinedintoonebillthatbecamelaw PolishAmericangroupsandtheFederal tionofPolishAmericanpride.Pulaski, onFebruary27, 1903.Thelegislation government,PolishAmericansproposeda likeKosciuszko,camefromPolandto authorizedthecreation fightintheAmericanRevolutionandis ofcommissionsfor consideredbymanyas"theFatherofthe eachstatue,anditis AmericanCavalry."SoonafterPulaski's withintherecordsofthe deathinOctober 1779fromwounds PulaskiandVonSteuben sustainedinbattle,theContinental StatueCommissionsthat Congressissuedaresolutionpledging informationisfound amonumenttoPulaski.Itwasnotuntil regardingtheKosciuszko — theearly20thcenturythattheAmerican statue'splacement an Congressfinallyfulfilledthispromise. importantdetailthat Attheturnofthe20thcentury, shedslightonwhythe thePolishNationalAlliance (PNA)was finallegislationfor justoneofthePolishfraternalsocieties theKosciuszkostatue thatevolvedconcurrentlywithincreas- specificallyprovides ingPolishimmigrationtotheUnited foritsplacementin States.ThePNAwasfoundedin 1880 Lafayette Park. inPhiladelphiaundertheleadershipof TheKosciuszko JulianLipinski,JulianSzajnert,andJohn statue'sdevelopment Popielinski.Thesemenproposedanew didnotfollowtheregu- — federation ZwiazekNarodowyPolski or larlegislativeprocess PolishNationalAlliancetoworkforthe thattypicallycreated preservationofethnicconsciousness memorialsandstat- Braverygrouponthewestface ofthe Kosciuszko Statue andprideamongPolishAmericans.One uesattheturnofthe pedestal, nps^terryadams statueofKosciuszkoasagifttotheUnited concerningthestatue'sunveilingandsite JHgf^.^ Statesforthissite.Inturn,thegovernment preparationwaspassedin 1910,provid- proposed,andPolishAmericansagreed,to ing$3,500forlayingsod,asphaltwalks, ^Hd ^iiW "'••fc-!L erectthePulaskistatueatasmalltriangular grading,addingsoilasneeded,granite 5 blockonthenorthsideofPennsylvania copingforposts,andforcopingaround S. Avenuebetween 13thand 14thStreets. themonument. Ofthe $3,500requested, Inthe 1970sPennsylvaniaAvenuewas $1,500wouldbeusedforinspectionsand redesigned,andthePulaskistatueandthe theunveilingceremonyinMay 1910. ^^^aS9 uftk;''m triangleblockwhereitstoodwereincor- Operationally,thelegislationaccept- r poratedintothelargerFreedomPlaza. ingthegiftoftheKosciuszkostatuecre- ^^HK&i M - Actingonthisplan,sixmenrep- atedaFederalcommissionforthestatue r resentingover250,000membersfrom comprisedofthesecretaryofwar,William . $-•.;/•»*$* i/ .: -^wfc; sixdifferentPolishAmericanorganiza- HowardTaft(whowouldbepresidentat tionssentanofficialletteronJanuary14, thetimeoftheunveilinginMay 1910); 1904,toPresidentTheodoreRoosevelt. thechairmenoftheCommitteeson Theletterexpressedadesiretopresent theLibraryoftheSenateandHouseof K^gS/ "totheUnitedStatesasuitablestatue Representatives,GeorgeP.Wetmoreand ofThaddeusKosciuszko"andthatitbe JamesM.McCleary,respectively;private placedinLafayette Park.Theletterfurther secretarytothesecretaryofwar,FredW. statedthisgiftwouldserve"asatoken Carpenter;andsuperintendentofPublic oftheloyaltyanddevotionfeltbythe BuildingsandGrounds,ColonelCharles Kosciuszko bronzefigure, nps/terryadams PolishpeopleoftheUnitedStatesfortheir S.Bromwell.Anon-governmentalcentral adoptedcountryandforthelibertiesof committeewasalsoformedcomprised which,nowsohappilyenjoyedbythem, ofmembersofthePolishAmerican estimatedthecostfortheKosciuszko Kosciuszkosonoblyfought."Theletter organizationsthatsignedtheoriginal statuetobebetween$35,000and$40,000. empoweredTheodoreM.Helinski,who January1904offerlettertoRoosevelt. Fundraisingforthestatuewascon- wasalreadythepresidentofthePulaski The centralcommittee,charged ductedatall levelsandincludedlarge MonumentPolishCentralCommittee withtheprimaryresponsibilityforexecu- individualcontributions,community toconferwithPresidentRoosevelt. tionofthestatue,metimmediately events,and "assessments."Atits 16th Helinski,aPolishimmigrantandsecre- afterthelegislationwassignedand CongressinOctober 1905,thePNA taryofthePolishNationalAlliance,led beganplanningforthenecessaryfund- imposeduponitsmembersa"tax" of theefforttoreconciletheplacementof raising.Asplansprogressed,thecentral twocentspermonth.The PNA'staxpro- thePulaskistatueinconcertwiththe committeeencounteredreluctance videdover$75,000ofthenearly$77,000 newofferoftheKosciuszkostatue. onthepartofseveralorganizationsto ultimatelyraisedforthecreationofthe Followingtheofferletter,onJanuary moveforward,duelargelytothewell- Kosciuszkostatue.Thefinalcostofthe 21, 1904,MinnesotaRepresentativeJames documentedpowerstrugglesbetween statue includingassociatedadministra- TMcClearyintroducedHouseJoint PolishCatholicorganizationsandthe tivefeestotaledapproximately$46,000. Resolution84(HJR84)toacceptthe moresecularPNA. Eventually,anumber offermadebyPolishAmericancitizens. ofthosewhosignedthe originalpropo- The Kosciuszko Statue Twodayslater,Rooseveltsentaletterto sitionforthegiftwithdrewtheirsup- Competition and ColonelThomasSymons,superinten- port,leavingthe PNAtomove forward Antoni Popiel dentofPublicBuildingsandGrounds, alone. PolishAmericanorganizersin conveyinghiswishtocomplywiththe ChicagoundertheleadershipofHelinski Polishgroups'offer. Symonsreplied andthe PNAfinallyconvenedtheir Thesecondmajorquestionthatdomi- tothepresidentthatthe "liberaland Washington,D.C.,KosciuszkoMonument natedthecommittee'splanningwashow patrioticofferofthePolishSocietiesof CentralCommittee comprisedofT M. toconductadesigncompetition.The America"couldbeaccepted.Threedays Helinski,president;M.B. Steczynski, committeewasuncertainastothestyleof lateronJanuary28,PresidentRoosevelt vicepresident;M.Durski,treasurer;S.T. statuetheFederalcommissionwouldfind senttotheCongresstheletterfromthe Orpiszewski,financialsecretary;and acceptable,andhowexactlytoproceed J. PolishorganizationsalongwithSymons' M. Sienkiewicz,correspondingsecretary. withadesigncompetition.Thecommittee report.InhismessagetoCongress,the Intheearlyplanningstages,twoques- wasnotinterestedinbreakingnewground Presidentadvisedthatthe "verypatri- tionspredominatedthecentralcommit- artistically,butratherwantedtoprovide oticofferofthePolishorganizationsbe tee'sdeliberations.First,howtoraisethe theFederalcommissionwithaworkthat accepted."Theresolutiontoacceptthe necessaryfundstopayforthedesignand wouldbeacceptable.Consequentlyin offerfromPolishAmericansforastatue castingofthebronzesforthestatueand announcingthecompetition,picturesof ofKosciuszkotobeplacedatLafayette granitepedestal,andsecondhowtocon- theLafayetteandRochambeaustatues Parkpassedandwasorderedprinted ductadesigncompetition.Basedonother weretobesenttothePolishnewspa- onApril 18, 1904.Additionallegislation statuesatLafayettePark,thecommittee pers,especiallyTygodnikIllustowanyin ByDecember21, 1906, morelinearwithathinnerandtaller themodelswereinplace pedestal.ThecentralfigureofKosciuszko attheCorcoranandready hadlessmilitarybearing,andthesur- forreview.Thecommission roundingbasefigureswereallstanding. appointedajudges'panel Inalettertothecommission,the comprisedofprominent juryvoicedconcernsoverwhether AmericansculptorsLorado Lewandowski'ssculpturecouldbe Taft,HenryM. Shrady,and executedwithintheallottedbudget. DanielChesterFrench, Theyalsofeltthat"forartisticreasonsthe whoforunknownreasons subordinategroupsshouldbeofstone" declinedtheappointment. contrarytothecompetitionguidelines, Thecommissiondecided whichstatedsubordinatefiguresmustbe tomoveforwardwithonly inbronze.Thejudgesthennotedthatif twojudges,TaftandShrady. forsomereasonLewandowski'smodel Taft'screditsinWashington, couldnotbeexecuted,Popiel'ssubmis- D.C,include Columbus sion"subjecttoslightmodificationsin Fountain (1912) atUnion itsarchitecture"wouldbeaccepted. Station.Shradyisperhaps Thenextday,January4, 1907, bestknownforhissculpture, theFederalcommissionconsistingof the UlyssesS. GrantMemorial SecretaryofWarTaft,SenatorWetmore, (1922),locatedatthefoot andRepresentativeMcClearyreviewed ofCapitolHill.Thesetwo themodelsandawardedfirstplaceto artistsreviewedthemod- themodelbyAntoniPopiel,asitwas elsonJanuary3, 1907,and consideredmoresuitableforplace- determinedthatthemodel mentatLafayetteParkthanthemodel Antoni Popiel'sdesign submission model, 1906. (Source: byStanislawLewandowski byLewandowski. PresidentRoosevelt RecordsoftheOfficeofPublic Buildingsand Public Parks ofViennashowedthemost alsofavoredPopiel'ssubmissionover inthe National Capital, RG 42, National Archivesand merit,followedbythemod- Lewandowski,althoughthereasons RecordsAdministration.) nationalarchives elsbyAntoni ^^^^^^ Popieland Warsawtoillustratetoprospectiveartists JulienBeltowski,both whatwouldbeanacceptableformfor fromLvivinpresent-day thestatue.Thefinalguidelinesstipulated Ukraine.TeofilKoszarek thatthecompetitionwouldbeopenonly ofPariswasawardedan toPolishsculptorslivinganywhereinthe "honorablemention." world;thecostofthestatuewithpedestal Thefirstplacefinisher, wouldbelimitedtobetween$35,000and StanislawLewandowski $40,000;theheightofthefigure,pedes- wasaPolishsculptorwho tal,andbasemustbebetween30and32 hadstudiedattheAcademy feet;andallmodelsweretobesubmitted ofFineArtsinVienna.His byDecember 1, 1906,totheCorcoran winningdesigndepictedthe GalleryofArtinWashington,D.C. Polishheroinhisgeneral's The competitionguidelinesclearly uniformatopalowergroup placedalimitonanartist'sinterpreta- consistingof13allegorical tionofKosciuszkosincetheystipulated figuresrepresentinglibera- thatKosciuszkomustbe represented tion,progress,civilization, standing,dressedin "thecontinental industry,andprosperity. uniformofanAmericanGeneral,on Beltkowski'sthird agranitepedestal,aboutwhichareto placeentryalsoshowed begroupedappropriateallegoricalfig- KosciuszkoinhisContinental ures."Allthe figuresweretobecastin armyuniform.Allegoricalsin- bronzeandthe pedestalwouldbemade gularformssurroundedthe of"thebestgranite." Blackgranitewas baseandposedinaninterest- specificallyprohibited. Prizeswould ingarrangementofvarying beawardedforfirstplace ($1,000), positionsthatdrewtheeye Stanislaw Lewandowski'sfirst placedesign model, 1906. secondplace ($600),andthirdplace upwardtothecentralfigure. (Source: Recordsofthe Officeof Public Buildingsand Public ($400),baseduponthefinalapprovalof Koszarek'shonorablemen- Parks in the National Capital, RG 42, National Archivesand theKosciuszkoStatueCommission. tionsubmissionwasvertically RecordsAdministration.) nationalarchives 8 forhischoicearenotapparent.The whereheestablisheda centralcommitteeacceptedthejudg- temporaryresidence.Acon- mentoftheFederalcommission,paid tractwasenteredintoon theartiststheirawards,andentered October29, 1907,between intoanagreementwithAntoni Popiel. theartistandtheKosciuszko AntoniPopiel (1865-1910) islargely MonumentCentral unknownintheworldofAmericansculp- Committee.Thecontract ture. HewasborninSzczakowa,Poland, stipulatedthatPopielwould in 1865andstudiedattheKrakowSchool executethestatue,withside ofFineArtsfrom 1882to 1884underthe groupsandemblemsinclay directionofWladyslawLuszczkiewicz, andplasterandsuperintend IzydorJablonski,andProfessorWalery thecasting,erection,and Gadomski.Hecontinuedhisworkatthe placingoftheseonthepedes- AcademyofFineArtsinViennafrom 1885 talinLafayettePark.Popiel's to 1888.HisprincipalworksinPolandare compensationwassetat hismonumentstoAdamMickiewicz(Lviv, $17,000.Themonumentwas Ukraine 1904;Krynica,Poland 1906).He tobecompletedanderected alsocollaboratedwithhisfather-in-law, nolaterthanApril 15, 1910. LeonardoMarconi,onaKosciuszkostatue ByFebruary1908, 16months attheentrancetoKrakow'sWawelCastle. afterenteringintothecon- OtherimportantworksbyPopielinclude tract,Popielhadcompleteda monumentstoPolishRomanticwriters full-scalemodelofthestatue KornelUjejskiandJozefKorzeniowski andsubsidiarygroups. inBrody,Ukraine;amonumenttoPolish Afewdifferencesare chemistAndrzejSniadeckiatLwow visiblebetweenPopiel's UniversityinLwow,Poland;aPietagroup competitionmodeland Julien Beltkowski'sthird placedesign model, 1906. (Source: forasepulchralchapelinLancut,Poland; thefinaldesignthatnow Recordsofthe OfficeofPublic Buildingsand Public Parks in anddecorativefacadeworkfortheLviv standsatLafayettePark. the National Capital, RG 42, National Archivesand Records Administration.) nationalarchives (Ukraine)TheaterofOperaandBallet. TheContinentalsoldier, SoonaftercompletingtheKosciuszko graspingtheflagandassist- statueforWashington,D.C.,in 1909, ingthefallenfigure,wearsatricornered LafayettePark,BerchemandAmericanArt PopielwentbacktoPolandbutreturnedin hat.Thesoldierinthecompetitionmodel FoundryalsocasttheKosciuszkomonu- thespringof1910toassistwiththedesign worenohat.Inthesecondgrouping,the mentinChicagoandthegreatlionsatthe andplacementofthegranitepedestal. Polishpeasantsoldierhasonehandonthe entrancetotheArtInstituteofChicago. Alreadyillduringthistime,hereturned scytheandtheotheronthefallensoldier's Reportedly,Berchemwouldlatertravel toPolandandwasunabletoparticipatein shoulder;inthecompetitionmodel,both toWashingtontosupervisethesettings theunveilingceremoniesinMay.Hedied handsheldthescythe.Thesetwofigures ofthegroups,whichwasaccomplished twomonthslaterinJulyattheageof45. onthefinaldesignalsofacetheopposite byalocalcontractor,J.M.Falvey. directionfromthoseonthemodel,their OnJune 1, 1908,theKosciuszko Creating the Statue facesarenowvisiblewhenviewingthe MonumentCentralCommitteeentered frontornorthfaceofthestatue.The intoacontractwiththeKyleGranite AntoniPopielsubmittedhismodelfor centralshaftdepictingKosciuszkoalso CompanyofWashingtonD.C.Thecon- thedesigncompetitionwhileresidingin seemstohaveundergonesomealteration, tractfor$6,175statedthatKyleGranite Lviv,whichistodayinwesternUkraine. reflectingamoreforceful,determined, would"furnishandsetcomplete"a Heinscribedhiscompetitiondesign andlesscontrappostostance.Theswordin granitepedestalofselectedlightBarre, withtheemblemForFreedominBoth hislefthandisgrippedmoretightlythan Vermontgranitethatwouldbe"free Hemispheres.ThefigureofKosciuszkois inthemodel,withthethumbengaged fromknots,starts,sap,discolorationor ofanofficerobservingthefortification andpointing.Hisrightlegstandingona anyblemishesorcracks."SmithGranite works.Thegroupontheleftside (east) cannonislikewisebearingmoreweight. CompanyofWesley,RhodeIsland,made representsFreedomandthegrouponthe Oncethefinalmodelwasaccepted, thepedestal.Thegraniteworkandthe rightside (west) isBravery.Atthefront thenextstepwastoactuallycastthe constructionofthepedestalweretobe (north) ofthestatueisthehemisphere bronzecentralshaftandsidegroups doneinaccordancewiththedimensions Americawithaneagledefendingthe andalsotocarvethegranitepedestal. anddifferenttreatmentsassetforthinthe flagandcoatofarms.Attherear(south) JulesBerchem,theownerandfounder drawingmadebyPopiel.ByAugust30, ofthestatueisthehemisphereEurope ofAmericanArtBronzeFoundryin 1909,thebronzecentralshaftandside andaneaglefightingwithasnake. Chicago,Illinois,wasultimatelyselected groupswerecastandreadyforshipment Afterwinningthecontest,Popiel tocastthemonument'sbronzes.Besides toWashington,overeightmonthsahead cametoChicagoinSeptember 1907, theKosciuszkostatueandgroupingsin ofthescheduleddedicationinMay 1910. a The Statue problemwithalignmentduringthesetting and commemorative itemscollectedby ofthebronzefigureagainstthegranite. thePNAin 1910suchasearthfromthe TheKosciuszkostatuestands30feet. Additionalinscriptionsthatwere KosciuszkoMound in Krakow,com- Thefreestandingpedestrianfigureof notpartofPopiel'soriginalmodelnow memorative medals,periodicalsofthe Kosciuszkorises 10feet8inchesoffa appearonthestatue.Only"Kosciuszko," day,andacopyoftheCongressional granitepedestalandbasemeasuring 19 "Saratoga,"and "Raclawice"werepart legislationauthorizingthestatue. feet4incheshighsittingonabasemeasur- oftheoriginalsubmission.The Polish Standingtodayatthe Kosciuszko ing22feet9inchesby20feet9inchesat NationalAlliance,asbenefactorsofthe statue,onemaywonderattherather thegroundlevel.Kosciuszko,abrigadier statue,addedthelanguageinscribed unfortunate orientation ofthestatue. It general,isshownintheuniformofa onthesouthsideofthepedestaljust doesnotfacetheWhite Houseandthe Continentalarmyofficerwithepaulets, beforethestatue'sdedication.Thefirst broadexpanseofPennsylvaniaAvenue sash,andtallboots.Hisdemeanorispur- lineofthisinscriptionwastakenfrom astheLafayetteandRochambeaustat- poseful,and hisposturenobleandener- getic.Inhisrighthandheholdstheplans forhisfortificationworks,andinhisleft heholdsasword.SurroundingKosciuszko onfoursidesareallegoricalgroupscastin bronze. Belowhimonthenorthfaceof thepedestalisinscribed"Kosciuszko." FlankingKosciuszkoontheeastand westsidesarefiguresrepresentinghis contributionstotheAmericanandPolish strugglesforindependence.Theeastside groupwiththeflagstaffmeasuresover9 feetinheightandrepresentstheAmerican Revolution.Afigureintheuniformofthe Continentalarmycutsloosethetiesfrom — aroundthewaistofareclinedfigure futurefreecitizenoftheUnitedStates. Thewestsidegroupmeasuringjustover 8feetinheightrepresentsKosciuszko's contributionstothe Polishcausefor independence.Thisgroupreferences Kosciuszko'svictoryatRaclawicewhere heled6,000Polishregularsandpeasant militiaagainstamuchlargerRussianforce. ThestandingfigurerepresentsthePolish peasantarmywithfolkdress,ahomespun Kosciuszko Statuewith largeelm tree in foreground, ca. 1950. us.commissionoffinearts coat,andwearingasquarepointedhat. HestandswithascytheshelteringaPolish "ThePleasureofHope,"atraditional, ues,norisitoriented atanangle,likethe officerwhopointsintothedistancewith 18thcenturyheroicpoembyThomas von Steubenstatue facingConnecticut hisrighthand.Onthenorthandsouth Campbell: "ANDFREEDOMSHRIEKED Avenue. Rather,Kosciuszkostands sidesarefiguresofeaglesonpartialglobes /ASKOSCIUSZKOFELL."Belowthisis preciselydue northonHStreetfacing orhemispheres.Onthenorthface,meas- inscribed: ERECTEDBYTHE/POLISH abuildinginstead ofVermontAvenue. uringover5feethighistheeagleofthe NATIONALALLIANCEOFAMERICA Atthetimeofthestatue's dedicationa westernhemisphereexpandingitswings ANDPRESENTEDTOTHE/UNITED largeoldelmtree,probablyplantedas toprotecttheAmericanflag.Belowon STATESONBEHALFOFTHE/POLISH partofCharlesBulfinch's 19thcentury thebaseistheinscription "Saratoga."On AMERICANCITIZENS/MAY11,1910. planforthepark,stood justafewsteps thesouthfaceofthestatueistheeagleof Laterinscriptions,addedin 1979 fromthestatue.Topositionitatanangle, theeasternhemisphere.Thefigurerises atthe requestofthe PNA,includeon likethevonSteubenstatue,wouldhave over4feetandshowsaneaglefightinga theeastbase,GENERALTHADDEUS itdirectlyfacingthetrunkofalargeelm snakeorserpentthatcurlsthroughparts KOSCIUSKO/ 1746-1817/SONOF tree,aplacementthatwouldhaveseemed ofEuropeandAsia.Belowisinscribed POLANDandonthewestbase,MILITARY odd,andmaybe evenoffensivetosome. "Raclawice."Foranunknownreason ENGINEER/INTHEAMERICAN Despiteitscloseproximitytothestatue thiseaglehadaportionofthebottom REVOLUTION/FORTIFIEDSARATOGA greatcarewas exercised overtheyearsto ofthewingclosesttothegranitebase ANDWESTPOINT.Finally,setinsidethe sustainthe elm;eventuallyitwasremoved shearedoff.Themissingsegmentisclearly base ofthe monumentisacopper"time sometimebetween 1953 and 1960 definedsuggestingtheremayhavebeena capsule" boxcontainingdocuments becauseofitsdeteriorated condition. 10

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