Civil War Veteran, Major League Baseball Player. During the Civil War, he attempted to join the Union Army in 1864, claiming his age was 19. However, one month later after his true age of 17 was discovered, he was summarily discharged. In 1866, when he was able to legally do so, he enlisted with the Navy at the age of 19. Several years later he became the first Polish-American player for Major League Baseball. Beginning in 1872 he began playing for the Washington Nationals and later the Chicago White Stockings, ending his career in 1876. Alexander Bielaski, his father, was a Captain for the Union Army and died in the first year of the Civil War at the Battle of Belmont.
Civil War Veteran, Major League Baseball Player. During the Civil War, he attempted to join the Union Army in 1864, claiming his age was 19. However, one month later after his true age of 17 was discovered, he was summarily discharged. In 1866, when he was able to legally do so, he enlisted with the Navy at the age of 19. Several years later he became the first Polish-American player for Major League Baseball. Beginning in 1872 he began playing for the Washington Nationals and later the Chicago White Stockings, ending his career in 1876. Alexander Bielaski, his father, was a Captain for the Union Army and died in the first year of the Civil War at the Battle of Belmont.
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