novushomus
Sergeant
- Joined
- May 23, 2016
Someone on the American CivilWarTalk on Facebook posted this picture depicting the death of Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, commanding the Army of Mississippi, on Pine Mountain, Georgia, June 14, 1864, during the middle of the Atlanta Campaign to commemorate the anniversary. I've not seen the picture before, so I thought I would share it.
Polk was killed when he accompanied his superior, General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Army of Tennessee, and Lieutenant General William J. Hardee, senior corps commander of the Army of Tennessee, to inspect the salient position occupied by Major General William Bate's division on Pine Mountain, which sat in front of the main Confederate line. They determined the position was too vulnerable to attack and should be evacuated, but as the group was about to disperse, the gaggle of generals and their aides drew the attention of Sherman, who ordered one of his batteries to open fire. The Federal gunners scored a direct hit on Polk, mauling him.
Sherman would write to Major General Henry W. Halleck, acting chief of staff, that "We killed Bishop Polk yesterday, and have made good progress today."
Sherman may have unwittingly helped the Confederate cause. Polk, an incompetent marplot at worst and a mediocre general at best, was replaced by Alexander P. Stewart, a far more vigorous soldier and able tactician and commander, who would vigorously assault and make inroads into the Federal 20th Corps position at Peachtree Creek later that July. Expired Image Removed
Polk was killed when he accompanied his superior, General Joseph E. Johnston, commanding the Army of Tennessee, and Lieutenant General William J. Hardee, senior corps commander of the Army of Tennessee, to inspect the salient position occupied by Major General William Bate's division on Pine Mountain, which sat in front of the main Confederate line. They determined the position was too vulnerable to attack and should be evacuated, but as the group was about to disperse, the gaggle of generals and their aides drew the attention of Sherman, who ordered one of his batteries to open fire. The Federal gunners scored a direct hit on Polk, mauling him.
Sherman would write to Major General Henry W. Halleck, acting chief of staff, that "We killed Bishop Polk yesterday, and have made good progress today."
Sherman may have unwittingly helped the Confederate cause. Polk, an incompetent marplot at worst and a mediocre general at best, was replaced by Alexander P. Stewart, a far more vigorous soldier and able tactician and commander, who would vigorously assault and make inroads into the Federal 20th Corps position at Peachtree Creek later that July. Expired Image Removed
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