A two-page insert was in this month's issue. The first page was a copy of the Calendar of Events page for the period June 1 through August 22, 2004 from the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History website: www.southernmuseum.org/calendar.html.

On the second page was a copy of the page of events from the Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park's website schedule of events for June 26 & June 27, 2004 to commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. That website is located at: www.nps.gov/kemo/. The schedule of events is located at: www.nps.gov/kemo/pphtml/eventdetail13000.html/.

Take note that any viewing of these pages in the future will list different events from those published in this month's issue of CANISTER.

Editors Appeal: --Having seen several accounts of the circumstances attending the death of Lieut-General Polk, none of which were exactly correct; and I being with him at the time of his demise, and cognizant of all the facts attending this sad calamity, I suppose a correct and accurate account of the circumstances will be interesting to the public and particularly to his family.

I being at the time in command of this brigade, then occupying the most prominent position on Pine ridge.

About eleven o'clock on the morning of the 14th inst., Gens. Johnston, Hardee and Polk, accompanied by their staffs, arrived at my camps for the purpose of examining the situation, (Pine Ridge being about one and a quarter miles in advance of our main line). We went to the highest point on the ridge occupied by Capt. Beauregard's battery.

Before reaching this point, I asked the generals not to allow more than three or four persons to go with us, as a large crowd would be sure to attract the fire of the enemy. All dropped back except Gens. Johnston, Hardee, and Polk. When we arrived at the battery, I mounted the parapet and commenced pointing out the positions of the enemy's lines, batteries, &c. In about ten minutes there came a shower of minnie balls from the enemy's sharpshooters. I turned and saw that a large crowd had collected around the battery. I turned and told the generals that unless the crowd scattered, their artillery would open. I had scarcely got down from the parapet when a solid shot from the enemy's battery came over our heads. I then urged the generals to get under the hill, but none seemed inclined to do this. I then urged them to the right of the brigade line, General Hardee saying he wished to see the right of my line.

We had walked but about ten paces from the battery when a second shot came. We walked on some paces further when a third shot was fired. I looked around but did not see Gen. Polk. Something had attracted his attention, and he stopped behind. A moment after and some one exclaimed: "General Polk is killed!" Gen. Hardee immediately turned to go to him. I caught him by the arm and told him he must not expose himself. Gen. Johnston came up to us at this time, and as soon as he heard the sad intelligence, also started back. I asked him not to go, that our loss was sufficently great already, that he could do no good, and that if he and Gen. Hardee would go to my headquarters, I would have the body brought off. With much reluctance and hearts almost overcome with grief, they complied with my request, when I sent with litter bearers and had the body brought off the field.

The fatal shot was a three inch solid shot. It struck General Polk in the left side, passing through him, breaking both arms, I think, though I did not examine the wound very closely. I suppose he was walking at the time he was struck. Gens. Johnston and Hardee seemed almost overcome with grief The event was so sudden, unexpected, and calamitous that it cost them and many others great efforts to restrain their tears.

Let me here remark, that our prominent generals are constantly exposing their lives to unnecessary danger. I trust that this sad lesson may be turned to good account by those who survive. I subscribe myself, respectfully, your obedient servant.

W. S. Dillworth
Colonel