POLK, LEONIDAS
\pˈɒlk], \pˈɒlk], \p_ˈɒ_l_k]\
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(1806-1864), was engaged in the service of the Episcopal Church after 1831, and was Bishop of Louisiana from 1841 to 1861. He strongly sympathized with the secession movement, and, being a West-Pointer, was appointed major-general, and superintended the construction of fortifications at New Madrid, Fort Pillow, Island No. 10 and Memphis. He commanded at Belmont, and led a corps at Shiloh and Corinth. He commanded the right wing at Chickamauga, where it was asserted that his disobedience of orders saved the National army from annihilation. He served with General Johnston in opposing General Sherman at Atlanta, and was killed near Kenesaw Mountain in June, 1864.
By John Franklin Jameson
Word of the day
Snake's-head
- Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's head.