Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-06-11

a writer in the New York Herald contra
diets hauy General Sherman's story OF how
the rebel General Polk was killed. lie says
The facts, in which am sure | viii be
-u~tuined in the main by Generals Howard
and Stanley and the staff officers present
are these
On June n, General Howard and staff
left their headquarters for the front. where
Ntanlcy'> division of Towards (Fourth)
cprirS had broken camp and were awaiting
the order to attack Pine Mountain. 1t twas
Just after sunrise. 4 mile or two in rear of
the advance Howard met sherman, but the
conversation between them | did not hear,
as the two generals c0nversed aside. How
ard and staff ioined Stanley and his staff on
the road, in iull view Of Pine Mountain, ami
a~ We drew rein and exchanged greetings
Ntanely 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 to bear
upon the point indicated, and could plainly
see three persons standing in front Of a line
Of breast-work~ and large group in the
background. We could not tell whether
they were officers or IriyateS, but as it was
evident that they were watching our move
uent- Stanley suggested that few shots he
fired TO drive them under cover Howard.
who had suggested that Bishop poli was in
the party, made no objections, when Stanley
turned to Captain Simonsoa. his chief of ar
tillery with the remark
"Slmonson, caE t you unlimber. put shot
into the group, and give the Bishop morn
ing saluation ?"
Il II try, was SimOn~0n's laconic reply
and away he galloped to the rear. \ few
minutes later a section of the Fifth Indiana
battery (Simonson > was unlimbered within
twenty feet Of u. The Lieutenant sighted
the gun, and the shot exploded over and to
right of the group. Here my memory fails
me, but my impression Is n second shot was
sighted and fired by the Lieutenant with no
better effect. SimOns0n, when the gun was
reloaded, dismounted and said, Here, Lieu
tenant, let me try it lie took the range
and the messenger of death sped on it. mis-
sion. Our glasses were bent upon the group
and We observed commotion as the sh1t
took effect in the group that scattered TO the
rear. " hile Simonson WIS on his knees
sighting the gun for another discharge. Cap
tain Leonard, Chief OF Howard signal CORPS,
sitting on his horse beside me. read the on
federate signal code that our officers had in
terpreted at Lookout Mountain, and caught
the words
General Polk is killed go With look
OF amazement Leonard turned to Howard and
Stanley and exclaimed
Bishop Polk is killed"
What exclaimed Howard. "haye You
interpreted the signal correctly? -
AZ f.,,ar,1 J., IL
ed him. They are signaling it all along the
tine"
The young men Of the staff who were
cracking bikes instantly ceased, and for
moment none spoke. Then Howard said
"Well, Christian has fallen. Such is
war
Just then Simon~on caught the words,
Bishop Polk Is killed ."
lie was sighting the gun. anl lifting his
eyes, that glared learlully, exclaimed
Nv hat is that. Leonard -
Bishop Polk is killed Nnur last shot did
It. They are signaling it over the noun
tain, replied.
SimonSon's head dropped upon the went"
where it rested 4 moment. Then, raising
his eyes, he exclaimed
Thank God Yesterday they killed my
dear brother | have killed Lieutenant
General, and am avenged -
Without diScharging the piece Simonson
arose, rcmounted and ioined the staff.
Silently he repaired to his regular duties,
and the line being formed we advanced slow
ly against the mountain. every one OF rs feel
ing that we would have reioiced had some
other than Louisiana fighting bishop gone
down before Simon>0ns first and only shot.
The enemy was 50 demoralized that he
evacuated the mountain, and half an hour
alterward we stood upon the spot where Polk
fell, and saw the ground stained with his
blood. \ day or two after poor Simonson,
the only one who reioiced at the bishops
death, fell, shot on the skirmish line in Ack
worth : tv..,1s