The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1902-02-20
HOW GEN. POLK WAS KILLED
All Interesting Account Froh1 q
Northern Newspaper of the Sad
Event.

| ----------~
An Interesting Account Froh1 q
| Northern Newspaper of the Sad
Event.
The death of General Leonidas X.
Polk was one Of the saddest tragedies
of the war. There have been MANY
versions of how the death of the noted
bishop and general occurred, but the
following from The New York Times
of 1864 is the true story of the killing
Of General Polk, which occurred on
lionncsaw mountain, the body being
brought to Atlanta:
" 1t seems that Generals Joe John.
ston, Polk and IIardcc, accompanied
by General Jackson, of the cavalry,
ana an escort of staff officers, had rid
den out in front of Bates line to exam
inc position, thought to be suitable
for the Washington artillery. The
horses were made fast at the foot of
the hill, and the party asccnded to the
crown. Here they were the initials to
an abattjs, with several clnbrasurcs,
rendering the place vcly much exposed.
Our own guns were less than 500 Yards
IN front. There had been little dcsul
tory liring during the early hours Of the
day, but this had ceased some time be
tore the group Of officers began their
reconnaissance. This was prolonged
to much greater extent than usual
and glldcd into a general and animated
conversation, all of the officers being
gathered into knot and using their
hands and glasses with II freedom, be-
speaking rank and interest. The gun
ners upon our side could not fail to see
them plainly. and while they were be.
ing observed, deliberately returned the
observation, with full time tor calcula-
ton and adjustment. The party seemed
TO forget their exposed situation, al
though some Of the cuumrnrers who had
been at work upon the little tier OF
| brtaSt"orks, pointed out TO them the
accuracy OF our shots. Presently a
| spherical case shell was discharged
from our battery. and exploded directly
above the heads Ct Generals Johnston, ,
| pr.k, lIuvIcc, and Jackson, al. of whom
! fell ID he ground to avoid the cOncus-
sion Of Fragments. 1t was then pro-
posed 10 divide, and the different oili.
Gers separated to such courses as were
ii band. General POLK selected very
secure shelter but, becoming impati-
cNt and anxious TO see the range of liIe
more accurately, he stepped out upon
tn" brow and was intcnlly gazing out
across the cOuutry--hiS arms fold d
aud hi, .cft side cscnted-whcn >
inch round shot from Il steel rillcd can
non stuck the elbow, crushing both
arms. and passing through the heart. a
portion of the chest and stomach, and
out and on lis muvdcrOus course.
l.con!das rulE fell liiclcss and manglcd
TO the ground. Joe Johnston was
bending over him il an instant, with
the rest Of The party. They lifted HIM
IN their arms TO an ambulance and his
corpse was carried to his qua, tcrs
whore his hcwildcrcd military family
received 1t with the mourning Of men
meeting the corpse OF father. This
wa, Oh .hc lith. The body Of the de-
| ceased reached Atlanta at , O'Clock
next Iii, rning-scrviccs by Rev. Or.
puintard were sand at noon, and the
remains proceeded on the afternoon
tram to Augusta and from thence to
Ashcvl!lc. y. c., whclc his family
were residing.