The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-05-09


How BISHOP Polk WAS KrlLKD--The
following account Of the death Of this brave
man is copied from the New Orleans cores
pondence of the N Y. Times, the writer of
which says, he received the statement from
Bishop Folks Inspector General
It seems that Gems. Joe Johnston, Polk, and
Hardee, accompanied by Gen. jackson, of
the cavalry, and an escort of staff. officers,
had ridden out in front of Bates line 70 ex-
anime position, thought to be suitable for
for the Washington Artillery. Tho horses
were made fast at the foot Of the hill, and
the party assembled to the crown. Here
were the initials to an G5attis, with several
embrasures, rendering the place very much
exposed. Our own guns were less than eight
hundred yards In front. There had been
little desultory firing during the early hours
of the day, but this had ceased some time
before the group of officers began their recon-
noisance This was prolonged to u much
greater extent than usual, and glided into
general and animated conversation, all Of
the officers being gathered into q knot and
using their hands and glasses with free
dom bespeaking rank and interest. The
gunners upon our side could not fail to see
them plainly, and while they were being
observed, deliberately returned the observa
ton, with full tine for calculation and nd
justment. The party seemed to forget their
exposed situation, although some of the can
noniers, who had been at work upon the
little tier of breastworks, pointed out to them
the accuracy of our shots. Presently spher
eical case shell was discharged from our bat
terry, and exploded directly above the heads
of Gems. Johnston, Polk, Hardec and Jack
son, all of whom fell to the ground to avoid
theconcussion of the fragments. 1t was then
proposed to divide, and the different officers
separated to such courses as were at hand.
Gen. Polk selected very secure shelter but,
becoming impatient and anxious to see the
range of fire more accurately, he stepped nut
upon the brow and was intently gazing out
across the country-his arms folded and his
left side presented-when three-inch round
shot from steel riied cannon struck the cl-
bow, crushing both arms, and passing
through the heart, portion of the chest and
stomach, and out and on its murderous course.
Leonidas Polk fell lifeless and manglcd to
the ground. Joe Johnston was bending over
him in an instant, with the rest of the party.
They lifted him in their arms TO an amb,i-
lance, anu Ills COIPSc Wuo CoiiiCu W hao yum
tiers, where his bewildered military family re.
ceived it with the mourning OF men meeting
the corpse of father This was on the 14th.
The body of the diseased reached Atlanta
at two O'Clock next morning services by
Rev. DR.. Quintard were said at noon, and
the remains proceeded on the afternoon train
to Augusta and from thence to Ashville
Nc, where his family were residing.
Is it not little singular, says the Savan-
ah Rspublioan that the fatal shell which do
prived the Confederate forces of one of their
bravest leaders, was aimed by the ablest Off
Ger in the Federal army Major General
Sherman General Sherman happened to
be in front of Pine Mountain, where the
group of Confederate Chefftains were assem-
bled inspecting the advance lines of the I'm
ion army. Noticing the officers, General
Sherman at once ordered one of the gnnen
of an Indiana Battery which was already in
position to drop shell among them. The
order was promptly obeyed, but the fuse be-
ing too short, the first shell exploded in the
air, causing the officers to scatter in all direc-
TONS Directing the cannoniers to depress
the muzsle of the gun few inches and pull
ing the lanyard, the leaden messenger Ut
death shot forth, kissing destruction and no
yeage and Leonidas Polk was no more.