Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1864-06-15
Only gppeal.
MORNING EDITION.
ATLANTA.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. JUNE IA, 1864
DEATH Sg LAEUT.-GEN. LEONIDAs


DEATH OLE LEEU E.-0SENs Lk0NADA -
POLK.
The entire community was thrown into glsom
yesterday by she publicity Of the official an
nouncenonf, published elsewhere, that Lisui.-
Cen. LEoEIDAs Polk, of the army of Tennss-
see, was killed by cannon shot, in the early
part of the day, while engaged with his sssOci-
atss in oonmsnd in making observations at the
immediate front.
Lieut. Gen. Polk was born in Raleigh, N
c., in 1906, from whence at an early sge he emil
grated to Tennessee, in which State the greater
portion Of bis life was spent At the age of sew
eutsen he entered West Point as cadet, in the
sans class With Gen. ALBERT SIDNEY JORs-
sTOE. While at West Point, auder ths teach
ipgs of Right Rev. Bishop McELvANE, of the
diocese Of Ohio, thea chaplain of the post, he
was received into tho Protestant Episcopal
church By holy baptism, il the presence of The
whole corps of cadets he subsequently Tati-
fed his bEptsn1sl VOWS, snd was confirmed by
Bishop RAVEEsCRoFF, of the diocese of North
Carolina. BE WAS ordained dsacon in the
church by the venerabls Bishop MOORE, Of Viz
ginis, in 1880, and was endowed With the priest
hood by the imposition Of the same apostolic
hands in 1886. He was consecTatsd to ths epis-
e0pste in 1888, and exercised bis varied fuue-
tions in the diOcsss Of louisiana with great
credit to himself and usefulness to the church.
uatil tae commencement of cur present struggle
for liberty, when be entered the field in which
be was engaged at his death.
In organising the army, sad when calling to
fhe field The best military talent the country af-
forded, President DAVIS recognized the ability
Of Gen. Polk ct an early hour. Accordingly,
early in the summer of 1861, the position of
mHj9T-gensTAl and an active command was ten
deIed him, which hs promptly secspted, and ct
eaeo repaired 10 Memphis, where ne assumed
command Of the forces in the department. of tbs
Mississippi. Here be st once entered upon the
task Of organizing the raw msssTisl called into
service int an EEmy, and prosecuted his laboEs
with such zeal that in very short time he found
himself a. the head Of well-sppOinted force,
Of such strength as to warrant sesivs operations,
which were at once commenced.
Recognizing the Importance Of bloekadiug
the Mississippi aad preventing its navigation by
The enemy, Gen. Polk selected Columbus, KY,
as suitable point lor the erection of works,
and the place was occupied by our forces under
his cOnmsnd in the summer of 1861. Under
he waiehful eye the strong and extensive works
were erected, and for many months, until after
the fsll Of Forts Henry and Donelson, when the
position was 40 longer tessbls, be remained in
command Of the garrison. ol the 6;h day Of
November, 1861, the FedeTais made q move
ment hgsiust ths works, which was followed by
the battle Of Belmont, resulting in the signal
defeat Of The enemy's forces, who were driven
back 70 their boats with great slaughter.
Upon the. withdrawal of the forces from Co
luBbas, the garrison was incorporated with the
forces under Gen, ALBERT SIDNEY JOHNSTON
at COrinih. The subsequent military career of
Gen. Polk Is well known to the country. He
was appointed lieuieRsnt-gsnsrAl upon the pas
sage CT She act creating that ofics, and in that
capacity has ever since shared the fortunes Of
the army Of Tennessee, participating with it in
the battles Of Shiloh, Penyville, MurfreesboTa,
Cbiesusugs, Missionary Ridge, Rocky FA =,
Rsssca, etc, and enduring all the priva tons in
cldsnt to military esreer, engaging in the per-
foTmRucs of his duties with the same yea that
had always characterized bis actions in life. As
g commander he enjoyed the eonfiencs of his
men, and his ability was reeSgaizsd BY his Go
vsrnment and the pablo. III The tine of bis
dezsh he was in command Of the army Of Ms
s;ssiPpi, which has been incorporated with the,
forces sRdsr Gen. JOSEPH E. JOHNSTON, now
confronting the enemy, in momeutary expects
tion Of battle, near &aristta
We are advised that Gsns JOHNSTON, HAIR
DEE ard Polk, with other officers were eia-
gsged in consultation near position occupied
BY The Warrington artillery, when the group
were opened upon BY a Federal battery, the
second shot from which struck Gen Polk full
IN the breast, killing him instantly. No fur
thsr particulars Of the ssd even: have reached
the city.
A divine snd chieftain has fallen, and at an
inoppoTtane hour. The church will mourn shs
demise Of one of iss brightest ornaments, while
the whole country sus.ains loss tina: can b'
lily afforded. But to other pens we leave tht
drty Of recording the virtues and services O
tho lAmenssd deceased. His history is that oI
his church and country, and both viii acknow
ledge bis worth and revere his memory.
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