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Bielaski, Alexander

Civil engineer. Captain in Union Army. Exile of 1831 from Poland. Born in Poland and took part in Polish insurrection against Russia in 1831; after the fall of the insurrection, came to U.S. From 1835 to 1837 made surveys in Florida. In 1837 came to Illinois as a pioneer engineer of the Illinois Central Railroad. As engineer he was engaged by the State Highway Department. In 1844 appointed chief draftsman for Bureau of Patents in Washington, D.C. In 1861 nominated aid-de-camp of General McClernaud of the 30th Infantry of Illinois. Killed in the battle of Belmont, Texas, on November 7, 1861. Appointed captain the day before his death. General Logan writes of him: "Captain Bielaski was killed, when he tried to put our flag on the Confederate trenches. More brave man never was killed on the battlefield." General McClernaud reported: "A braver man never fell on the field of battle. His bravery was only equalled by his fidelity as a soldier and patriot. He died making the stars and stripes his winding sheet."

From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943

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