The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1892-07-26
MARSH" POLK.
THE TRAGIC LIFE OF Il BRILLIANT
GENTLEMAN.
A Nephew of President Polk-The Terrible
Misfortune that Befell Him at the
Battle of PerryvilIe, Etc.


Having had the pleasure Of hearing the
article given below read by the gifted au-
thor feel anxious to give it to my readers,
feeling sure they can but be interested in the
sketch of the unfortunate man. The writer
was intimately acquainted with the subject
of the sketch, and all the incidents related
are facts.
The decision of the Tennessee chancery
court, declaring the will of ex-Presdent
Polk null and void, and that Folk place,
which the ex-presdent attempted to de
wise in trust to the state as tomb Tor HIM
self and as q residence for the Worthiest
of the name of Polk, must go to the heirs,
invites special attention to the law, that
rule of action" which governs our lives,
liberties and property, and 1t emphasizes
The uncertainty which hangs over the acts
and opinions OF the most eminent lawyers
who may be employed TO put legal safe
guards around our most important actions.
Here was a man who held the exalted po-
sitlon of chief mag Strate of the American
nation, himself Il lawyer of high standing,
whose solemn act to dispose of his property
III Il lifting manner is brought to empty
nothingness over forty years after his
death.
Now that this perplexing question is set
tItt ny Tie ulSueSb lcSdl llc
problem arises who would have been the
fortunate heir had the will of the
president been executed according to his
unique desire? Those in the confidence of
James X. Polk, and knowing ones of his
family, thought that this will was made in
the interest CT Marshall Polk, a much-loved
nephew.
Young Polk was a most promising member
of this distinguished family, and it was gem
orally conceded that in him the fondest
Of Nv jIapf 1xyn,tlI no liynd q.
and that the young West Pointer would
prove himself "the worthiest of the name"
and inherit the old homestead. The life of
Marshall Polk was brilliant as 1T was
Military academy with distinction in 1853,
numbering among his friends and class
mates Stoneman, Davidson, Sheridan, Cos
by and many other mon who have filled
high places in times of war and peace He
was appointed lieutenant in the First reg
iment dragons, and served with that reg
iment in New Mexico, Oregon and Cali
fornia He resigned the rank of captain
in the United States army in 1861, and
joined in the rebellion, casting his lot with
was at once promoted to the rank of colonel,
for he was popular in the confederate ser
vice as he had been in the old army
Colonel Polk was a remarkably hand-
some man; with the bearing OF a cavalier,
he coupled the courage of true southern
gentleman; born to conquer, his sword
was of tempered steel, doubleedged to his
adversaries-a willow wand, tipped with
silver. 10 his comrades. tie was the wit
of after-dinner circles Good cheer was the
watchword wherever this magnetic man lin
gered. Genial, talented and brave, Marsh
Polk might have been the worthlest OF the
name" but for the terrible misfortune
which bcfell him st the battle. of Perry
Vile. He was badly wounded in that EN-
gugement, and taken prisoner TO federal
htSnital in Evansville, Ind.
Colonel Polk was never the master OF
inyective, and courted fear rather than
spects TO the federal guards in his usual
keen and ncsive style, and for this want
of discretion the federal surgeons swore
vengeance against him. While his wound
was serious, il was by no means considered
an incurabe one; but the leg of an inso-
lent colonel of the blue blooded south was
too tempting a morsel 10 go untouched,
81 amputation was declared positively nee
T talS; Polk protested and pleaded for
time that his division surgeon might be
consulted and his leg saved; bat no time
nor quarter was allowed him. Finding
himself solely at the mercy of the fed
eral surgeons, with no hope of any mercy
being extended, he procured revolver
through the assistance of a Tennessee
lady who at that time was a citizen OF
Evansville. The hour for the desperate
work arrived. Bandages were in readiness
and the surgeons stood III waiting around
the room. AS they approached his bedside
he drew the revolver from its hiding place
under his pillow and dared the enemy to
carry out their butchery,' swearing that
he would shoot the first man of them who
attempted to violate his person. The des-
peratc bravery of the rebel made the sur
geons more determined. A full supply
of anaesthctics was brought into service
and administered by means of atomizers.
The strong arm was soon powerless and the
loyal tongue speechless. Then the diaboli-
cal work was carried into operation which
came near proving fatal to the unfortunate
confederate.
The limb was amputated far above the
knee Joint. When consciousness returned
the prisoner was Il raving mailman for days,
weeks and months, his life hung by a
thread, and strong arms were necessary to
keep him from doing himself personal vio-
lence He refused all nourishment, ard in
his rational moments he would pray to die
pitifully declaring that he would rather be
dead than to live with his body so mutt
lated. But death does not always come
to those who mourn. The naturally strong
body labored and finally yielded to treat
ment, but the brilliant mind Of Marshall
Folk was no more.
:. After many, months of dreary hospital!
life, through the influence of q comrade of
the regular army, then prominent fed
cral general, Colonel Polk was exchanged
and sent through the federal lines to the
headquarters OF MS relauVe, General lie
ondas Polk, in Shelbyville, Tenn. General
Polk had his private quarters at the hand
some home of Mr.. William Gosling Col
onel Marsh" Polk was received in his
pleasant abode, and surrounded with every
comfort The entire household devoted
to the MANNED soldier the kindest attention
His recovery, however, was very slow;
there was oven disposition to shun Eocie-
~; only intimate, personal friends We're re-
ceived. The former genial man had been
changed into a morose misanthrope, and the
only person who could happily interest his
wandering mind, and cause smile to IA
date from the marble cOuntenance was
young Harry Lee Costing, the bright and
intelligent fourteen-year-old son of the happy
household.
Colonel Polk was specially fond Of the
boy, and never seemed quite contented I'M
less his young companion was near him.
The attachment was mutual and young
Costing faithfully served his unfortunate
friend until the lovely wife and daughter
came through the lines to minister to their
loved one The confederate army advanced
and Colonel Polk and family were compel
led to leave Shelbyville for u place of safe
ty within the confederate lines
Amidst the terrible clash of arms, the
roar of cannon, and the many sad scenes
of death and suffering, persons and events
were soon forgotten; but somehow l could
never cease to remember this unfortunate
man. his great dreamy eyes and tar-aWay,