Raynors HCA 2015-05
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/21/2015
Broadside, 9-1/2 x 6-1/4 inches, Missionary Ridge, Tn. Sept. 30, 1863. Tanned. Some light staining and foxing. Good. A rare field press broadside printing of Confederate General Leonidas Polk's stirring and eloquent farewell to his troops in the Army of Tennessee, after he had been removed from his command by General Braxton Bragg. Polk graduated from West Point a year before Jefferson Davis, and the two enjoyed a long and close friendship. Polk left the military soon after graduation, and entered the Episcopal ministry, eventually becoming Missionary Bishop of the Southwest. Upon the outbreak of the Civil War he was appointed a general and became a commander of the Army of Tennessee. Polk eventually came under criticism, especially from his superior, Braxton Bragg. He participated at Belmont, Shiloh, Perryville, and Murfreesboro, but after what was considered a poor performance at Chickamauga, Bragg relieved Polk of his command. In this address to his troops Polk refers to the "unfortunate disagreement between myself and the commander-in-chief of this Department," defends his actions and decisions, and praises the bravery and performance of his men. "Contending with a numerous, well-appointed and merciless enemy, for all that man holds dear, you have borne unexampled privations with fortitude, fought with undaunted bravery, and ever yielded a ready and cheerful obedience to your officers....My earnest exhortation and request to you is, to fight on and fight ever, with true hearts, until your independence is achieved. Thousands of hearts may fall crushed and bleeding udner the weapons of the foe, or the passions or mistakes of friends, but the great cause must not be sacrificed, or our flag abandoned." Polk would be reassigned, and was killed during a scouting expedition in 1864. Not in Parrish & Willingham.
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