Evidence in the debate over Pulaski's burial

<p>The burial of Brig. Gen. Casimir Pulaski, killed in the Revolutionary War in 1779, has been debated since remains from an unmarked grave were moved to Pulaski's monument in Savannah, Ga., in 1854. Some accounts say Pulaski was buried at sea. Others say the Polish nobleman was placed in a secret grave outside Savannah to prevent desecration. DNA tests on bones exhumed from the monument in 1996 failed to settle the dispute.</p><p>Some key evidence on both sides of the debate.</p><p>___</p><p>Burial at sea:</p><p>_Paul Bentalou, Pulaski's aide-de-camp, wrote in the 1820s that he witnessed the general's burial from a ship bound for Charleston, S.C. "Just as the Wasp got out of the river, Pulaski breathed his last, and the corpse immediately became so offensive that his officer was compelled, though reluctantly, to consign to a watery grave all that was now left on earth of his beloved and honored commander."</p><p>_Col. Paul Horry, Pulaski's second-in-command, wrote that "Pulaski was badly wounded and put on board an armed Vessell (sic) bound for Chtn. (Charleston) So. Carola. died at Sea and was thrown over board."</p><p>_A draft report released this month on the exhumed remains says the pelvic bones are "more characteristically female than male" with features "seen in only about one in 20 male skeletons."</p><p>___</p><p>Burial at Savannah:</p><p>_In 1855, the year the marble Pulaski monument was built in Savannah, William P. Bowen wrote that his aunt told him Pulaski was buried in an unmarked grave at Greenwich plantation, the family's former estate. She "witnessed with her mother the arrival at Greenwich at the day of the battle a litter containing a wounded man. ... They were soon also informed that it was Count Pulaski," Bowen wrote. He located the grave and had the remains moved to the monument site in 1854.</p><p>_Capt. Samuel Bulfinch, on whose ship Pulaski reportedly died, wrote a letter from Savannah on Oct. 15, 1779. "I likewise took on board the Americans that was (sic) sent down, one of which died this day and I have brought him ashore and buried him." However, he did not name Pulaski.</p><p>_The draft report on the DNA investigation says the remains "are consistent with the physical appearance of Casimir Pulaski." They appear to match Pulaski's age, height and known facial features. The pelvis showed evidence of stress "consistent with life in the saddle." A healed fracture on the right hand fits an injury Pulaski once described. A blow to the skull fits a battle wound Pulaski reportedly suffered in Poland.</p>

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