Wardzinski, Felix AndrewHero of the Mexican War. Hero of San Jacinto, where Houston defeated and captured Santa Ana. Born in 1801, in Poland, took part in the Polish insurrection against Russia in 1830-31. In 1836 came to Texas, and joined the American army under General Sam Houston, against Mexico, in 1836, for the independence of Texas. In the battle at the Buffalo and Vince rivers, Lieutenant Wardzinski encircled the Mexican army of General Antonio Lopez, destroyed the bridge on Vince river and won the victory over General Lopez. On the very next day appeared before General Houston with a very valuable prisoner: this was no other than President and dictator of Mexico himself, General Antonio Lopez de Santa Ana. Dictator Lopez bowed and signed a peace, recognizing the independence of Texas; later returned to Mexico. When General Houston was elected President of Texan Republic, Wardzinski retired from the army, Aug. 5. 1837. Wounded and sick be became a farmer in Harris county, Texas, where be received 320 acres of land. In 1845 again joined the American Army against Mexico and served until the end of war Feb. 2, 1848. After the war retired to his farm in Harris county, where he died. Texas Centennial Exposition bulletin of January, 1936, states: "In the Hall of Heroes in that Million-dollar Texas Hall of State at the Centennial Exposition opening in Dallas, June 6, Felix Wardzinski's name will be inscribed along with that of Sam Houston, liberator, and Stephen F. Austin, colonizer and father of the Lone Star Empire."
From: "Who's Who in Polish America" by Rev. Francis Bolek, Editor-in-Chief; Harbinger House, New York, 1943