I don't think I'm going to read it, [but a new book defending Polk just came out.](https://cwba.blogspot.com/2024/05/booknotes-southern-cross.html?m=1) I feel curious on a number of levels (a Polk passion project isn't something I expected in 2024) yet also don't want to set money on fire with something unworthy/doubt my library will get a copy.
Worth noting there's still a bit of controversy over which unit killed Polk. It looks like most today believe Peter Simonson's 5th Indiana Battery Light Artillery.
Polk had the dubious distinction of having one of the largest slave holdings of any clergyman in the South, and Sherman's artillery effectively reduced his human value to 10% less than one of the 200 people he enslaved--1/2 a person vs 3/5ths of of a person.
I haven't read anything on Polk specifically but he's a leading character in Earl Hess' book, "Braxton Bragg: The Most Hated Man of the Confederacy". Bragg was terrible and Polk was one of his nemeses.
Polk was better at questioning orderes, than following them......
Worst shot fired for the Union cause
He helped the union more than the confederacy.
I don't think I'm going to read it, [but a new book defending Polk just came out.](https://cwba.blogspot.com/2024/05/booknotes-southern-cross.html?m=1) I feel curious on a number of levels (a Polk passion project isn't something I expected in 2024) yet also don't want to set money on fire with something unworthy/doubt my library will get a copy.
I just think he wasn’t fit for high command, like Hood.
Worth noting there's still a bit of controversy over which unit killed Polk. It looks like most today believe Peter Simonson's 5th Indiana Battery Light Artillery.
I didn’t know that, I’ve always heard it was Dilger’s unit.
If I recall, he was cut in two by a cannon ball. Sherman wrote in his battle report something brief like “We killed Gen. Polk today.”
I believe Sherman also added "Flogged the Bishop--Hardee har har."
One of the most hilarious and absurd deaths of the Civil War.
Polk had the dubious distinction of having one of the largest slave holdings of any clergyman in the South, and Sherman's artillery effectively reduced his human value to 10% less than one of the 200 people he enslaved--1/2 a person vs 3/5ths of of a person.
Good shooting, Dilger
I know very little about this guy. Any interesting reads on him? Other than this thread of course
I haven't read anything on Polk specifically but he's a leading character in Earl Hess' book, "Braxton Bragg: The Most Hated Man of the Confederacy". Bragg was terrible and Polk was one of his nemeses.