Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-06-29
A CORRECT sTArEMEnF 0R EEE
DEAFm 8F GEN POLK.
HKADQUAETERs. FLORIDA BRisADE. I
CAaLP NEAR MARIEITA "a Llna ~ 800.

HEADQUARTERS, FLORIDA BH1AADE.
CAa5P NEAR MARIETTA, ga, June - iso4.
EDITORS APPEAL:-HaviDg seen several accounts Of
the circumstances attending the death Of Lieut. General
Polk none ef which wsre exactly c,rrset; and being
with him the time Of his demise and cognzant Of all
the facts attending ih sad esisity suppose correct
AID account Of all the circumstances will be
interfering to public and particularly to his faIly
Tins indaess to give you the following statement:
I bsiHg The time IN command Of this Brigade then
Occupying the most pr5unsns position Pine riigs
At ahout elsven clock on the morning o. tho I4lh
insL Gems. Johnston, Hsrdss and Polk seeomp panisd
boz their as arrived at my camps for the purpose Of
examining the situation pine ridge being about one and
quarter miles in advance Of main linsl We went
% me position the highest poin. tho ridge
ped BY Capt. tBsauregards battery. Before reacsing
this Point, asked the generals 70 allow moro than
three four persons to go with US large crowd
wOuld be sure to attract the FIRE Of the enemy All
dropped back except Gems Johnston, Hardee md Polk
when arrived at the battery mounted the parapet
and commenced pointing the positions Of the enc.
nv lines batteries, &c In about ten mnates there
came a shower Of mimic balls from the enemy's shars
shooiea turned and that large crowd had col.
lected around the battery turned and told the gen
erals that unless the crowd Scattered their artillery
would open had scarcely got dowR from the pArspsi
when SOLID SHOT from ne enemy paltery came OE6T
our hesds then urged the generals tosget und ths
aiH but hons seemed inclined do this. then urged
them to at lesst scatter and Gems. Hardes and Fok
stared with to the right of the brigade ine General
Hardee saying he wished 10 see the right OF my line
We hA walked but about ten PAGES from the battery
when second shoi came. We walked on some ten
PAGES farther when a third shot Tss frsd. looked
around but did not see Gen. Polk Something had
attracted his ssentioa and he stopped behind. A no
nsnt aft sr and some exclaimed: General Polk Ii
killed" r." Gen. Hardes Immediately turned TO. 90 to
him. caught him by the and told him hs must
not expose himself Gen. Johnston came ie Us at this
time and As soon he heard the sad Intelligence slsc
started back. asked him not SO. that our osE Wal
sueienty great aiy that he could do coed and
that If he and Gen. Hardee would 90 to my hesdquar
terz would have the body brought of. with much re
lueanss and hearts almost with grief they
complied with my request. whsasI sent Itserbssrers
and had the body brought Of the fed The fatal shot
was three inch solid shot-st least pronounced by
Cen HaFdse Il struck Gen. Polk in tSe left side pass
ms through him breaking both arms. think, though
did not examine tAe wound very closely. I suppose
10 sss walking ct he time he WAS struck Gems John
stoo aud Hsedee seemed simOst overcome with grief
The event vas suddsn, unexpected, and easmltous
hst them and many others great Efforts to re-
sstsia their tears
Let ms here rensr that our pronlnsat generals srs
sossanuy exposing their lives unnecessary danger.
trust that this sal less N may b. turned 70 good sc.
CO M bF those who survive IEubscribe nlf respect
W. s. Dill LeORTH.
i Col. COmmandiug Brigade,