The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-06-05
PINE MOUNTAIN.
The shot that Killed Bishop Polk
Graphic Descr ption by an Eye
Witness.

On June II General Howard and
staff lett their headquarters tor the
front, where SANKEY'S division OF
Towards Fourth corps had broken
camp and were awaiting the order
to attack Pine Mountain. 1t was just
after sunrise. \ mile or two In
rear OF the advance Howard met
Sherman, but the conversation be-
tween them | did not hear, as the
two generals convcrscd aside. How
ard and staff joined Stan.y and his
staff on the road in full view OF Pine
Mountain, and as we drew rem and
exchanged greetings. Stanley eN-
claimed -
Howard, do you see that group
up there on the crest OF the NOUN
tain 1 wonder who they are
We all brou, Int our field glasses
to bear upon the point indicated
and could plainly see three persons
standing in 'front.' of Il line OF breast
works and larger group in the
background. We could not tell
whether they were officers or pri-
Vatcs, OUT as IL was S''NNHe '.'
they were watching our movements,
Stanley suggested that few shots
be fired to drive them under cover.
Howard, who had suggested that
Bishop Polk was in the par y, made
no objections, when Stanley turn
ed to Captain Simolison, hin chief
of artillery, with the remark:
Simonson, can't You unlimter,
put shot into the group and give
the Bishop q morning saiution 2!
"Ill try :" was SimOnsons lacon-
ic reply. And away he galloped to
the rear. A few minutes later a
section of the Fifth Indiana battery
(Simonson's) was unlimbered with
in twenty feet of us. The Lieute
nant sighted the gun and the shot
exploded over and to the right OF
the group Here my memory fails
me, but my impression Is second
shot was sighted and fired by the
Lieutenant with no better effect.
Simonson, when the gun had been
reloaded, dismountcd and said,
{" Here, Lieutenant, let ME try it,
He took the range and the messcn-
ger of death sped on its mission.
Our glasses were bent upon the
nroup and we observed a commo-
ton rs the shot took effect in the
group that scattered TO the rear.
While Simonson was upon his knees
sighting the gun for another dis
charge, Captain Leonard, chef OF
Towards Signal corps, sitting on
his horse beside me, read the Con
iederate signal code that our Off
GERS had Interpreted ut Lookout
Mountain and caught the words =
General Polk is killed :" With
look of amazement Leonard turn
ed to Howard and Stanley aud eN-
claimed -
"Rishop Polk is I,llled ~
What 2" exclaimed Howard ;
'.havc you interpreted the signal
correctly!
Eyes, General Simonson's last
shout killed him. They are signal
ing it along the line
The young men of the staff who
were cracking jokes instantly ceas-
ed, and for moment none spoke.
Then Howard said -
"WeII a Christian has fallen
Such is war;"
Just then Simonson caught the
words, " Bishop Polk is killed ~
He WAS sighting the gun, and,
lifting his eyes, that glared fearful
Iy, exclaimed -
What is that. Leonard ?
Bishop Polk is killed! Your
last shot did it. They are signaling
it over the mountain" | replied.
Simonson's head dropped upon
the " vent" where it rested mo
mcnt. Then raising his eyes, he
exclaimed =
"Thanz God. Yesterday they
killed my dear brother; | have
killed acknowledgement aud am
avenged.
Without discharging the piece
Simonson arose, remounted and join
cd the staff. Silently he repaired
to regular duties, and, the line be
ing formed, we advanced slowly
against the mountain, every one o
us feeling that We would have re
iuiccd had some other than Loulsl
anas fighting Bishop gone dowr
before Simonson's first and only
shot. The enemy was so democrat
lied that he evacuated the noun
tain, and half an hour atterwar'
we stool upon the spot where Poll
fell and saw the ground stained viii
his blood. \ day on two after poor
Simonson, the only one of us who
rejoice at the Bishops death, fell
shot on the skirmish line III Alex
worth woods.
Thea was the Confedcracy avcn"
ed. 1t is possible that Genera
Sherman had seen TO the front tina
morning, and seeing the group re
ferrcd to, ordered Howard To dis
pcrsc il but certain it is that III
was nowhere near Howard whci
Simonsun's shot felt for the hear
of Leonidas Polk, the fiShtn:
Bishop.
New YORK, May Is, 1919
Telegraphic.