Picture of Walerian Sułakowski - a Polish war hero and American soldier. He served in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War. Walery Sulakowski was appointed as Colonel and served as Commander of the 14th Louisiana Volunteers until his resignation in January 1862.

He introduced strict discipline and was probably the only officer who was able to control these troops. Born in Poland in a noble family, he perfected his military skills during the Hungarian Springtime of Nations revolution in 1848. After the fall of the uprising, Sulakowski made his way to the States, settled in New Orleans and worked as a civil engineer. Sulakowski helped Gaspar Tochman with the organization of the Polish Brigade and was rewarded for it by being appointed as Commander of the 1st Polish Regiment.

His soldiers - of different nationalities, speaking different languages - were difficult to control, but Sulakowski commanded them with an iron hand. He was admired by his subordinates for his commanding and organizing skills, as well as his talent for discipline. He was said to be an incarnation of the military law - despotic, cruel and totally merciless.