JUNE 14, 1864:
General Leonidas Polk C.S.A. (born 1808) is
killed while inspecting relative Confederate and Union positions near Atlanta
when he is struck in the chest by a mortar round fired at great distance with
amazing accuracy. An ordained Episcopal Bishop and the Bishop of Louisiana, Polk
was a run-of-the-mill commander but an inspiring one to his men, able to imbue even
routine orders with oratorical fire. As a “political general” (he was related
to U.S. President James K. Polk and was close friends with C.S. President
Jefferson Davis) he was prone to making errors in the field (such as the one
that killed him). He is probably more famous for what he didn’t say than what he said. At the Battle of Perryville (1862),
C.S. Major General Benjamin F. Cheatham told his men to "Give 'em hell,
boys!" and Polk, ever the model of rectitude, seconded the cheer:
"Give it to 'em boys; give 'em what General Cheatham says!" The death
of “The Fighting Bishop” made little difference militarily, but the loss of the
respected and popular Polk sent a seismic shock through the Confederacy.
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The U.S.S. KEARSARGE
drops anchor just outside of Cherbourg, France, waiting for the C.S.S. ALABAMA
to leave port.
Units of The Army of
Northern Virginia, moving like lightning, begin to reach Petersburg and occupy
the city’s defenses.
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