The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1891-10-15
POLK'S RECORD AS A SOLDIER.
4 Genera, Denial to the Accusation OF Cow
ardice-He Claims to have Spent Two
Hours in the Fight at Win
chester.

chester
! RALEIGH, \. c., October 6.-Col. Z.
L. Polk publishes u lengthy statement
in which he says:
''1t has been charged in the newspa
pers that I skulked the battle of Win,
I chester of September 19, 1861; that
was bidder behind a stone fence on the
morning OF that day, when my regi
ment had gone on and was engaged in
battle; that Brig Gen. Bryan Grimes
saw me there and had a conversation
with me; that claimed to have chill;
that Gen. Grimes called special atten-
ton to the matter and said with an
oath that he intended to Court-martial
me for it, and would summon Devereux
as witness; that for some reason I was
not Court-martialed, but was allowed to
resign.
WHAT THE OFFICIAL RECORD SHOWS.
II have in my possession the official
record Of a Court-martial which poves,
on the sworn testimony of Gen. Grimes
himself and fourteen other witnesses,
that the above charge contains no
truth. The official record shows that
the charges were: 'Misbehavior in the
presence of the enemy and absence
without leave.' Gen. Grimes makes no
allusion, either in the charges or speci-
fications, or in his sworn testimony,
to any lack of duty on my part during
the morning. Upon my petition he
was instructed to try the case before
the Court-martial Of Rhodes's division,
and thus was allowed to select officers
who should try the case. Brig Gen.
W. R. Cox was appointed president.
ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURE.
'The record shows that up to Sep
tember IS, was acting adjutant Of the
43d North Carolina regiment, being
then lieutenant in Company I. On
that day I received certificate from
the sheriff of Anson County showing
that had been elected a member of
the Legislature. That day I turned
over my horse, books, etc., to the pro-
per authorities, preparatory to leaving
for Raleigh on the 10Th. The COM
manding officer Of the regiment re-
leased me from duty, and on the morn
ing of the 10th I had prepared to start
home having previously filled the pro-
per application for release from duty.
Finding that battle was imminent I
went to the commandant of the regi-
ment and asked his opinion as to
whether ought to go into battle. He
said was under no obligation what
ever to go, but suggested that I speak
to Gen. Grimes about it. After the
line of battle was formed I approached
Gen. Grimes. and asked his advice as
friend. He advised ,ne to 60 in, saying
there might be talk if did not.
REMAINED IN THE FIGHT.
II tole him T would 60. I then took
charge of Company H, it having no
officer. We advanced and we halted
under heavy fire of skirmishers. The
order, forward, was repeated. For some
reason the regiment did not advance
until I went in front and called to the
color sergeant to follow me. I led the
charge through open ground for two or
three hours under heavy and destruc-
tive fire. I was the only officer seen in,
front during the charge and remained
in front until the line was ordered to
halt. When ordered to fall back by
Gen. Grimes I assisted him in rai:ying
the regiment on a line indicated by
him, until the commandant Of the
regiment, who was my former captain,
was brought to me near Gen. Grimes,
and, being as he thought, fatally
wounded, implored me to take him to
the rear, insisting that T had no busi-
ness there and appealing to me as
brother Mason.
AN ERRAND OF MERCY.
II took him from the field 10 the
hospital. Soon after reaching the hos
pital the report came that our line had
been broken and the wounded should
get out if possible. I seized my pistol
and sword, and, going out, met some
flying cavalrymen. I drew my pistol
on an officer and halted and held him
until our troops came up. The Court
martial, after hearing all the evidence,
ordered the following verdict to be sent
me:
In accordance with the Act of Con-
eress, published in General Order No.
50, Adjutant and Inspector Generals
office, present series, I have the honor
to inform sou that you have been hon
orable acquitted of the charges against
you. R. c.. BARGER,
"Major and Acting Judge Advocated"
sERESADEp By THE TROOPS.
THAT night I was aroused, pulled
from NV hunk and nlacad on q etnrnn