Idaho tri-weekly world. (Idaho City, Idaho) 1875-1875, 1875-06-11

the trge version Of the death of Gen. foik
during the late war. :.
In your reyis4oss o'ss'
what purperas u be sat aE n :
manner kwlflph 0enes Eslk - va
is given, il whicls II sppsst tiae aa
called Gen. sPs stepndca - eup
of officers on Pms Mountain, md ''osee'ea
him to compel il. to keep uastef cose1
Will you permit one who was attached 70
Gen. Towards headquarters, and VINO was
by his side daily on the Atlanta campaign
lone who with Howard and others, sat
our horses beside the Firth Indiana Bat
terry that fired the fatal shot-to give the
true story from my notes made that morn
ing, and published in Western daily a
few weeks afterward.
On June 14th Gen. Howard and staff lett
their Headquarters for the front, where
Stanley's Division of Towards (Fourth)
corps had broken camp and were awaiting
the order to attack Pine Mountain. TWAS
Just after sunrise A mile or two III rear
of the advance Howard met Sherman, but
the conversation between them l did not
hear. as the two Generals conversed aside.
Howard and his staff joined Stanley and
his staff on the road, in full view OF Pine
Mountain, and as We drew rein and ex-
changed greetings, Stanley exclaimed:
Howard, do you see that group up there
on the crest of the mountain: wonder
who they are:'
We all brought our field glasses 10 bear
upon the point indicated, and could plain
~ see three persons standing in front OF
line of breaStworks, and ii larger group in
the background We could not tell whether
they were officers or priyates but rs twas
evident that they were watching our move
ments. Stanley suggested that few shots
/, be fired 10 drive them under cover How
ard. who suggested that Bishop Polk was
| in the party. made no objections, when
Stanley turned 10 Captain Simonson, the
chief Of artillery, with the remark:
"Simonson. can't YOU unlimber, put "a
sho, into the group, and give the Bishop
morning saluiaiion.'
IN Try" YVES Simonson's laconic reply,
and away he galloped 10 the rear y ie"
minutes later a section of the Fifth lndi-
ana Battery ,Simonson's) was numbered
within twenty feet Of Us. The Lieutenant
sighted the gun and the sho, exploded over
and 10 the right Of the group. Here my
memory fails me, but my impression is
that second sho; was sighted and fired
by the Lieutenant, with no better effect.
Simonson, when the gun had been reload.
cd, di>mountcd and said Here. Licuten.
ant. let me Try H." He took the range and
the messenger of death sped on it, mission
our glasses were bent upon the group, and
We observed a commo;ion Is the shot took
effect IN the group that scattered 10 the
rear. While Sin!onson was upon his knees
sighting the gun for another discharge
Captain Leonard, chief Of Towards signal
corps. sitting on his horse beside me. read
the Confederate signal code that our off.
GERS had interpreted al lookou, Mountain
and caught the words:
General Polk is killed.
With look of amazemcnt Leonard
turned TO Howard and Stanley and ex-
claimed:
Bishop Polk is killed.
what" exclaimed Howard. "have YOU
interpreted the signal correctly"
Yes, General: Simon-on's las; sho,
killed him. They are signaling it all along
the line
The young men of the staff who were
cracking jokes instantly ceased. and for a
momen, none spoke Then Howard said
We'll, 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 fcarfully, exclaimed:
What is that, Leonardo
Bishop Polk is killed Your last shot
did it. They are signaling it over the
replied.
Simonson's head dropped upon the
vent" where it rested moment. Then
raising his eyes, he exclaimed:
Thank God. Yesterday they killed
my brother. have killed "A Lieutenant