The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1886-10-27
DEATH OF GEN. POLK.
AN ACCOUNT OF THE KILLING OF
THE CONFEDERATE COMMANDER. J

Group of Officers Make "A Rcconnois-
sance-rwo shots Fired from a Federal
Battery - The Fatal Result of tho
Second.
The third most painful incident upon the
records 81 fatalities among general officers OF
the southern army during the rebellion was
the death OF Lieut. Gen. Bishop Leonidas
Polk, who was killed by threc-inch round
shot from steel riled cannon OF Simonson's
Fifth Indiana battery during the Atlanta
campaign, on Little Kenesaw, between Ala
toona and Kenesaw mountain, on the 18th Of
June, 1864. ! was present, with number OF
our general officers, when the shot was pro-
jected which killed the distinguished Con-
federate, and heard Gen. George H. Thomas
say TO old Van Schrader, as group Of richly
dressed officers rode up upon an exposed situa-
ton upon the enemy's line: There's some
big guns in that party, aid they are either
making observations Of our advanced lines or
are selecting some spot for a battery; give
them a shot" Two shots were fired, the
second OF which killed Polk, who was good
old man-enterprising, brave and efficient as
commander; piOus, liberal and faithful as a
churchman, and full OF honor, manhood and
affection.
Some years ago, while coming up the Mis-
sissipp from New Orleans to Memphis, was
introduced to Gen. Joseph f. 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 III front Of
Bates line near Pine Point, TO examine
position thought 10 be suitable for The Wash
ington artillery. The horses were made fast
at the foot Of the hill and the generals and
their respective stats assembled TO the crown,
which was about 500 yards from our line.
Here there were the initials to an abatis, with
several embraSureS, rendering the place very
much exposed There had been a little des-
ultory firing during the early hours Of the
day, but this had ceased for some time before
the COnfederates began their reconnaissance.
This was prolonged to a much greater extent
than usual, and glided into general and ami
mated conversation, all Of the officers being
gathered into a knot, so TO speak, ard using
OltlI udillto dilN idSStS WIN "a lloch 10
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 demonstrative objection,
the Confederstes seemed to forget their ex-
posed situation, and so, at Gen. Thomas sug
gestion, our gunners let fly a shrieking, spheri-
cal case shell, which exploded directly over
the heads of Gems Johnston, Polk, Harlee
and Jackson all OF whom went to grass I'M
consciously. 1t was then proposed to sepa-
rate, II course, and each went his way in
possibly an unmiLtary manner. Gen. Polk
made double quick toward an ad jacent shelter,
but becoming impatient and anxious to see
the range of fire more accurately he stepped
out just as Gen. Sherman, who had become
an interested spectator, said TO one Of the
gunners: TRY them again. When quicker
than it takes me TO tell it, round shot went
murmuring through the air and in an instant
a Confederate lieutenant general fell ifeless
and mangled TO the earth, the missile strik-
ing its victim in the left elbow, crushing both
arms las he was standing with his arms
folded and tearing out bis heart, chest and
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 was
so great for the number in action and there
was such a galloping away Of horsemen and
confused running to and fro by those who
still remained unmounted. And it is a curious
fact that Folks death was known in Wash
ington before it was in Richmond, as our
knowledge of the Confederate signals used
during the Atlanta campaign was perfect,
and we stood and saw the enemy's signal
officers signal for an ambulance and for
Dreparations TO be made for the conveyance
of the corpse TO Atlanta, where services were
held at noon the following day by the Rev
DR.. Quintard, and on the afternoon OF the
18th the remains were taken to Augusta and
from thence to Asheville, y. c., where Bishop
Folks family were then residing Cor New
York Times