The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1886-10-30
DEATH OF GEN. POLK.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE KILLING OF
THE CONFEDERATE COMMANDER. p"

A Group Of Officers Mako Iicconnois-
sance-Two Shots Fired from Federal
Battery - The Fatal Result of tho
Second.
The third most painful incident upon the
records Of fatalities among general officers Of
the southern army during the rebellion was
the death of Lieut. Gen Bishop Leonidas
Polk, who was killed by a three-inch round
shot from steel rifled cannon Of Simonson's
Fifth Indiana battery during the Atlanta
campaign, on Little Kenesaw, between Ala
toona and Sencsaw mountain, on the 18th Of
June 1854 was present, with number Of
our general officers, when the shot was pro-
jected which killed the distinguished Con-
federate, and heard Gen. George II. Thomas
say TO old Van Schrader, as q group Of richly
dressed officers rode up upon M exposed situn-
ton upon the enemys line: "There's some
big guns in that party, and they are either
making observations Of our advanced lines or
are selecting some spot for battery; give
them a shotw Two shots were fired, the
second Of which killed Polk, who was a good
old man-onterprising, brave and efficient rs
a commander; pious, liberal and faithful us
churchman, and full of honor, manhood and
affection
Some years ago, while coming up the Mis-
sissippi from New Orleans TO Memphis, was
introduced to Gen. Joseph Il. Johnston by
Gen. Sherman, who during one evening re-
lated graphically the incidents of Folks death
about as follows: Johnston, Polk and Har-
dee, and Jackson Of the cavalry, accompanied
by large number of staff officers rode out
upon this particular occasion in front Of
Bates line. near Pine Point, to Examine q
position thought TO be suitable for the Wash
ington artillery. The horses were ilude fast
at the foot of the hill, and the generals and
their respective stafis assembled to the crown
which was about 500 yards from our line.
Here there were the initials to an ubats, with
several embrasures, rendering the place very
much exposed. There hail been little des-
ultory firing during the carly hours of the
day, but this had ceased for some time before
the Confederates began their reconnaissance
This was prolonged to much greater extent
than usual, and glided into general and ami
mated conversation, all of the officers being
gathered into knot, so TO speak, ard using
their hands and glasses with a freedom be-
speaking rank and interest.
Our gunners saw the richly caparisoned
party and while they were being observed,
deliberately returned the observation, with
full time for calculation and adjustment.
As their movements and proximity had as
yet provoked no dcmonstrative objection,
the Confedcrates seemed to forget their cx-
posed situation, and so, at Gen. Thomas sug-
gestion, our gunners let fly shrieking spheri-
cal case shell, which exploded directly over
the heads Of Gems. Johnston, Polk Hardee
and jackson, all Of whom went to grnss UNI
consciously. 1t was then proposed to sepa-
rate, of course, and each went his way in
| possibly an unmilitary manner. Gen. Polk
made double quick toward an adj lucent shelter,
but becoming impatient and anxious to sec
the range of fire more accurately he stepped
out just rs Gen. Sherman, who had become
an interested spectator, said TO one of the
gunners: "rry them againw When quicker
than it takes me to tell it, round shot went
murmuring through the air and in an instant
n Confederate lieutenant general fell lifeles.
and mangled TO the earth, the missile strik
ing its victim in the left elbow, crushing botl
arms tas he was standing with his arm.
folded and tearing out his heart, chest ant
part Of the stomach in its murderous course.
1t is very plain to us that one of the Con
federates had been slain, the commotion wa
so great for the number in action and their
was such galloping away of horsemen anS
confused running to and fro by those VIII,
still remained unmounted. And it is a curiou
fact that Folks death was known in Wash
ington before it was in Richmond, as GU
knowledge of the Confederate signals uset
during the Atlanta campaign was perfect
and we stood and saw the enemy's sigma
officers signal for an ambulance and 70
preparations TO be made for the conveyanc
of the corpse to Atlanta, where services wer
held at noon the following day by the Rev
DR.. Quintard, and ON the afternoon of til
18th the remains We're taken to Augusta an
from thence to Asheville, N C., where Bisho
Folks family were then residing Cor. Ne,
York Times