Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1875-06-14
now BISHOP POLK WAS KILLED
A writer IN ths Herald correcting a
statement in Gen. Sherman's Memoirs.


A writer IN ths Herald correcting a
statement in Gen. Sherman's Memoirs.
says:
''on June l4th General Howard and
staff left their headquarters for the
front where Stanley's division of How
ari's Fourth corps had broken camp
and were awaiting the order to attack
Pine Mountain. 1t was just after sun.
rise. A mile or two in rear OF the ad-
vance Howard met General Sherman.
but the conversation between them l
did not hear. as the two Generals con-
versed aside. Howard and staff joined
Stanley and his staff on the read, in full
view Of Pine Mountain, and as he drew
rein and exchanged greetings. stanley
exclaimed;
Howard, do you see that group up
there on the crest of the mountain? l
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 line of breastworks and a
larger group in the background. We
could not tell whether they were off,
GERS or privates, but as it was evident
that they were watching cur movements
Stanley suggested that a few shots be
fired to drive them under cover. How
ard, who had suggested that perhaps
Bishop Polk was in the party, made no
objections, when Stanley turned to Cap
tain Simonson. his chief of artillery, with
the remark:
''SimonsOn, can't you unlimber, put
shot into the group and give the bish-
op morning salutation
''I'll try was Simonson's laconic re-
ply. And away he galloped to the rear.
A few minutes later section of the
Fifth Indiana battery (Simonson's) was
unlimbered within twenty feet of u.s.
The Lieutenant 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, dismounted and
said, "Here. Lieutenant, let me try it y
He took the range and the messenger Of
death sped on its mission. Our glasses
were bent upon the group and We OBJ.
served commotion as the shot took eff.
feet in the group that scattered to the
rear. While Simonson was upon hii
knees sighting the gun for another dis
charge, Captain Leonard, chief of How.
ards signal corps, sitting on his horse
beside me, read the Confederate sigma
code that our officers had interpreted al
Lookout Mountain and caught the
words:
General Polk is killed !" With 6
look of amazement Leonard turned K
Howard and Stanley and exclaimed:
"Bishop Polk is killed -
/ What ?" exclaimed Howard "have
you interpreted the signal correctly ?"
"Yes, General Simonson's last sho
killed him. They are signalling it along
the line"
The young men of the staff, who were
cracking jokes, instantly ceased, and fol
moment lone spoke. Then Howard
said:
"Well, Christian has fallen. Sucl
is war"
Just then Simonson caught the words
Bishop Polk is killed I"
He was sighting the gun. and, lifting
his eyes, that glared fearfully. exclaim-
ed:
"What is that, Leonard ?"
Bishop Polk is killed Your las
shot did it. They are signalling it owe
the mountain, [ replied.
1 Simonson's head dropped upon tn
went. where il rested moment. Ther
raising bis eyes. be exclaimed:
Thank God! Yesterday they killet
my dear brother; have killed lieu
tenant general and am avenged !"
| Without discharging the piece Simon
son arose. Temounted and joined th'
staff. Silently be repaired to his regu
lar duties. and. the line being formed
we advanced slowly against the noun
tain. every one Of US feeling that W
would have rejOieed had some other thai
I.oulsiana's lighting bishop gone dow
before simonsoE's first and only shot
The enemy was % demOralized that b
evacuated the mountain. aud half al
hour afterward We stood upon the spo
where Polk fell and saw the groun,
stained with bis blood A day or tw
after. poor Simonson, the only one Of .
who rejOieed at the bishops death. fell
shot on he skirraish line in AekwortI
woods.
NAKIsG A B0sFIKE oF CHISEs