478 PULASKI COUNTY. 



healthy. Remote from the swamps diseases are not so com- 

 mon. We have been able to ascertain but one case of 

 longevity, Jacob Parkerson, a soldier of the Revolution, was 79 

 at his death. One or two negroes have reached an advanced 

 age. 



Character of the People. — The temperance effort has 

 had a happy influence upon the population. The amount of 

 immorality has greatly diminished. Hospitality and kindness 

 to strangers are traits in the character of the people. 



Rocks. — Pulaski offers a wide field to the a;eolog;ist. The 

 rotten limestone formation prevails, filled with shells of almost 

 every variety. Fossil bones and petrified wood are very com- 

 mon. On the banks of the river at Hawkinsville, petrifactions 

 are abundant. 



Antiquities. — There are a number of small mounds in 

 various parts of the county, on the Ocmulgee river. 



Name. — This division of the State was named after Count 

 Pulaski. After Casimir Pulaski had unsuccessfully contended 

 for the principles of liberty in his own country, he determined 

 to connect himself with those who were engaged in the same 

 struggle in America. Dr. Franklin, then minister to the Court of 

 France, to whom Pulaski was introduced in Paris, thus writes 

 to Gen. Washington : " Count Pulaski, of Poland, an officer 

 famous throughout Europe for his bravery and conduct in de- 

 fence of the liberties of his country against the great invading 

 powers of Russia, Austria, and Prussia, will have the honour 

 of delivering this into your hands. The Court here have en- 

 couraged and promoted his voyage, from an opinion that he 

 may be highly useful in our service." Furnished with such a 

 testimonial, Pulaski found no difficulty in getting employment 

 in the American army. In the battle of Brandywine he had 

 a post near Washington, and by his bravery and activity, con- 

 firmed the reputation which he had in Europe, as an accom- 

 plished officer. After the battle. Congress appointed him to 

 the command of the cavalry, with the rank of Brigadier Gene- 

 ral ; but owing to some dissatisfaction among the officers un- 

 der him, he resigned his command and joined the main army 

 at Valley Forge. In 1778, with the approbation of Washing- 

 ton and Congress, he raised a corps, which was afterwards 



