Wladimir
Krzyzanowski was born on 8 July 1824 (or 9 June 1824) in the town
of Ronowo, Wielkopolska, Poland to noble parents, Krzyzanowski was involved
in the Mieroslawski Insurrection in Poznan, and, when the Insurrection
failed was forced to flee. Making his way overland, he embarked at Hamburg
for the United States, sailing to New York. In New York, Krzyzanowski learned
English, and became a civil engineer, eventually working in the forests
of Virginia.
When the War came in
1861, Krzyzanowski, then living in Washington, DC, where he was a functionary
in the Republican Party, raised a militia company, Company B, Turner's
Rifles, District of Columbia Militia, of which he was Captain. When this
unit's term of service ended, Krzyzanowski went to New York to raise a
larger unit. This unit, originally known as Morgan's Rifles, became the
58th
New York Infantry, also known as the "Polish Legion." Subsequently
commanded Second Brigade Third Division First Corps AoV, then Second Brigade
Third Division Eleventh Corps.
Arriving on the field
at Gettysburg at about 12:30 on 1 July 1863, the Brigade pushed through
the town and joined the Union right, north of the town, parallel with the
Almshouse near the Carlisle Road. Engaged first with Dole's Brigade, the
Brigade was initially successful in holding the Confederate attack in check.
Col. Krzyzanowski's horse was killed under him, and in falling Krzyzanowski
was thrown on his chest and injured severely enough for Schurz to recommend
that he quit the field and seek medical attention. Krzyzanowski kept the
field. His brigade was forced back into the town, where it temporarily
supported a section of Dilger's battery. Finally the unit reached the Cemetery
at about five P. M. Krzyzanowski, with Schimmelfennig (the commander missing)
assumed command of the division. Losses had been severe, every regimental
commander in Krzyzanowski's Brigade was a casualty.
On 2 July 1863, part
of the Brigade under Krzyzanowski participated in the counterattack against
the Confederate infantry that penetrated Cemetery Hill. On 3 July 1863,
the Brigade skirmished into Gettysburg.
After Gettysburg, the
Eleventh Corps was sent west, Krzyzanowski commanding his Brigade in the
Army of the Cumberland, around Chattanooga. Participating in the Battle
of Wauhatchee, where the division (under Schurz) became involved in a controversy
with Hooker, that led to a Court of Inquiry. While clearing Schurz and
Hecker (the only two accused) the Court found that Krzyzanowski, though
not previously accused was guilty of halting without orders. Krzyzanowski
served out the war commanding the defenses of the Nashville and Chattanooga
R. R. Postwar he served in Treasury Dept. and the customs service in Panama
and New York. Breveted Brigadier General USV 2 March 1865, an earlier appointment
(29 November 1862) expired without confirmation. General Krzyzanowski is
buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
"General Krzyzanowski,
whose patriotism we commemorate today, is another link to bind us to the
people from which he came in the full tide of youthful promise when shadows
lay over the land which gave him birth. It is high privilege to bear witness
to the debt which this country owes to men of Polish blood. . . .
These are the thought
and reflections that come to mind today as we consign to Arlington National
Cemetery the honored dust of a son of Poland who faithfully served the
country of his adoption. General Krzyzanowski was the embodiment of the
Polish ideal of liberty. . . ." from an address by President Franklin Delano
Roosevelt, 1937
Source: by John Dynia
(Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress)
For Liberty and Justice, The Life and Times
of Wladimir Krzyzanowski, by Jim Pula