Veteran Bio
The Kemp Sketch
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WARDZINSKI, FELIX -- Born in Poland in 1801. In Headright Certificate No. 379 for one-third of a league of land issued to him in 1838 by the Harrisburg Board of Commissioners it is stated that he came to Texas in January, 1836. He arrived at Velasco January 28th, having been recruited for the army of Texas in New Orleans by Captain Amasa Turner, in whose company he served in San Jacinto. On December 5, 1837 he was issued Bounty Certificate No. 691 for 1280 acres for having served in the army from February 13, 1836 to August 15, 1837. This he sold at Houston, January 20, 1838 to Ellis Benson. At the promotion of Captain Turner to Lieutenant Colonel the men of his company were transferred to Company A, First Regiment of Regular Infantry, commanded by Captain John Smith. On page 171 of the army rolls in the General Land Office Mr. Wardzinski is shown as a member of Captain Smith's Company on Galveston Island, December 31, 1836. On page 181 his name appears on Captain Smith's roll when his company was mustered February 28, 1837.
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In Comptroller's Military Service Record No. 3102, signed at Houston August 9, 1837, it is certified that Mr. Wardzinski was born in Poland in 1801. He was described as being five feet, seven and one half inches high, of light complexion, with blue eyes and brown hair. By occupation he was a soldier. When discharged he was a member of Captain Robert Oliver's Company.
The indications are that Mr. Wardziski did not remain long in Texas. He did not apply for a Donation Certificate which could have entitled him to receive 640 acres of land for having participated in the battle of San Jacinto. This was probably because Donation Certificates were at the time they were issued, in 1838, non-transferable.
In the Deed Records of Harris County, Book I, page 161, it is shown that his land in Harris County was sold at auction, November 27, 1841, for taxes amounting to $22.14.
Mr. Edmund L. Kowalczyk, 169 1/2 Washington Street, Worcester, Massachusetts wrote to this compiler November 19, 1939 that Mr. Wardzinski served in the United States Army in the Mexican War in 1846.
Mr. Kowalczyk wrote:
"The 'United States Land Office' in Washington, D, C. has a list of the names of 235 Poles, who were deported from Trieste, Austria by the Austrian government, November 22, 1833. These men crossed into Galicia, which at that time was a part of Austria and arrested. For two years they were interned at various places. Finally they were asked as to what country they would like to go and they chose the United States. On this list Wardzinski's name is given as Andrew. It is possible that an error was made in the entry of his Christian name.
The list reads as follows: "List of the Names of The Two Hundred and Thirty five Poles transported to the United States of American by the orders of the Emperor of Austria on board of the frigates Guerriere and Hebe--
Names Grade
39 Andrea Wardzinski Lieutenant
"They arrived in New York City July 14th, 1834. Most of them were officers, who fought in the Polish Insurrection of 1830-31 and after its downfall laid down their arms and crossed over in Austria.
Mr. Felix Wardzinski was a private, Company I, Tennessee Regiment. Lost during the storming of Monterrey, but returned later to his Company.
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Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.
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Battle Statistics
- Died in Battle: No
- Rank: Private
- Company: Capt. Amasa Turner
Personal Statistics
- Alternate Names: Wardryski, Wardzinski
- Date of Birth: 1801
- Birthplace: Poland
- Origin: Louisiana
- Came to Texas: 1836 Jan 28
- Bounty Certificate: 691
- Profession: Soldier
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