Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1863-04-09
Gems. pe,h .nd chsatham AZ shnohi

AlHHa 20
CorerpoRdsnee knoxville ReGisterl
pr-usTnsrn March 90-It Is verF Fortunate,
81 menv raasens. shat Gen. Folks report was
"a huuiediy transcribed II has induced ne,
while regretsing the necessity that led % the
omission of words sad sentences, % Tecur %
wbieet which would otherwise have been dis
mi.sea and perhaps forgotten, until ue inquiry
sesiu arose, as it must, why the victory at hhi-
l6h was not complete. There is no reason for
prosecuting this investigation Just now. The
anil WIS not Gen. Folks. j. was NOS bis, that
the battle did not bsvin ct The hour fixed and
designated by Gen. A. S. Johnston. General
PoIF's report shows what general officer was
then dercliet in the discharge Of duty. IL was
moi Gen. Polk's fault that the Yankees were not
6rtvsn into The Tennessee or captured. The re-
psrt again shows whose judgment was At fault,
aud yet there are 20 charges mede extensively.
The facts are stated clearly and succinetly, and
he reader is left to make the necessary infer
ences.
But there is e degree of modesty which ct
tsehas 20 this bloody chapter in our eounny's
history which comments il to the confidence
and respect Of every reader. See how readily
the general does honor to Richmond, Preston
Smith. Mercus Wright and others, on whom he
bestovs al praise for skill and galantry, snd
vet not more than they deserve. There is not 3
soldier of Folks esmmsnd who would tear
away from the broWs Of these youthful Tennes
seems. 4 single leaAet Of that honor which is
now twined shout their brOws. But General
Folks son was on the battlefield. Is be named
ia the reportf If so, I do not remember. l
have a letter from a distinguished srtiheTiest'
which says " About the time you left Colun-
bus, Kentucky, you remember thas Lieutenant
A. II. Polk Was assigned 20 duty in my COM
uand. In the battle Of Shiloh be was his IA
ther's aid -de-eamp. He proved himself one q
the bravest and coolest officers on the field. he
bore orders everywhere regardless CT danger
and did his full share IN inspiring the soldiers
with courage aud confidence" The General
could not say this much OF his son, and yet as
reliant an officer as ever directed batteries on
the field, tells me tie siory-y0uT Tesders are
entitled 10 it. The letter continues, Il saw him
very many times in the hottest places to be
found, slWsys cool, calm and collected" TINS
tribute is from ore wh0 has participated in aa
many pitched bsttles SIS any otheer, who, hsYlng
served trough one war, has often distinguished
himself in this. His Communications, whether
publicly or privately bestowed, are worth as
much SIS those of = general,
Ihave promised you Gen. Chsathsm's report
If YOU recsive Il / shall be responsible for 10 er
rors, and then / would fain hope that It 200 may
be transferred 20 the columns Of other journals
shall transcribe it more leisurely than ca
thst Of Gen. Polk. IF Gen Chesthsm can Wieie
A Den as skiifully as a sword, Polk report va
not surpass Chesthsm's in any Of the elements
Of exeelieDcies.
would have justice done to Teanessesns VIII
have won immortal honors in this revolution
They have scted on that memorable precept @
PoIonius 70 his son-'BewsTe of entrsuce 30
quarrel, but being IN, bear If, that the opposed
may beware Of thee"
Tennesseans, as a mass, were hsEd to move,
but when the ouGrages Of the North c1uld no
longer be borne, with & perfect apprehension o.
the suffering to which their sfste would be sub
iected, shey staked their fortunes and lives upol
the issue. Nobly aud braveiy have they born'
themselves upon every blood-ssained he.d iron
tee Potomac to the Mississippi; and now, lie
f the press and country DO them justice.