Leonidas Polk

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Leonidas Polk

The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition | 2008 | The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition. Copyright 2008 Columbia University Press. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Leonidas Polk 1806-64, American Episcopal bishop and Confederate general in the Civil War, b. Raleigh, N.C. He left the army to study for the ministry and was ordained in 1831. He served as missionary bishop of the Southwest (1838-41) and bishop of Louisiana (1841-61) and was the principal founder of the Univ. of the South, Sewanee, Tenn. (1857). In the Civil War he became a major general (June, 1861) in the Confederate army and was at first engaged in the defense of the Mississippi River. He commanded a corps at Shiloh (Apr., 1862), was promoted to lieutenant general shortly after fighting at Perryville (Oct.), and commanded the Confederate right at Murfreesboro (Dec., 1862-Jan., 1863). In the Chattanooga campaign Braxton Bragg accused him of dilatoriness at Chickamauga (Sept.) and had him relieved. Polk assumed command of the Army of Mississippi (Dec.) and fought in the Atlanta campaign until he was killed (June, 1864) at Pine Mountain, Ga.

Bibliography: See biography by J. H. Parks (1962); K. Elgin, The Episcopalians (1970).

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Polk, Leonidas

The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military | 2001 | © The Oxford Essential Dictionary of the U.S. Military 2001, originally published by Oxford University Press 2001. (Hide copyright information) Copyright

Polk, Leonidas (1806–64) Confederate army officer. The North Carolinian was ordained in the Episcopal church and became bishop of the new Diocese of Louisiana in 1841. In the 1850s he devoted himself to organizing and founding the University of the South, which would represent the southern values he accepted, including slavery. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was commissioned a major general, thanks to an old friendship with Jefferson Davis, but his career as a commander was checkered; he tended to go his own way, sometimes in opposition to orders. He clashed repeatedly with Gen. Braxton Bragg and sought to undermine Bragg's career and reputation, eventually succeeding. Polk was killed by artillery fire while observing Union positions near Atlanta.

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Free newspaper and magazine articles

Free Article The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Career of Leonidas Polk.(Book review)
Magazine article from: ForeWord; 1/1/2007
Free Article No Band of Brothers: Problems of the Rebel High Command.(Review)
Magazine article from: The Historian; 3/22/2001

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Related articles from newspapers, magazines, and more

The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Career of Leonidas Polk.(Book review)
Magazine article from: ForeWord; 1/1/2007; ; 700+ words ; ...Ministry and Civil War Career of Leonidas Polk Work Author(s): Glenn Robins...but often plodding, biography of Leonidas Polk (1806--1864), the author...Jackson asked Polk's father where Leonidas Polk was stationed, his father...
The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk.(Book review)
Magazine article from: Church History; 12/1/2007; ; 700+ words ; ...the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk. By Glenn Robins. Macon, Ga.: Mercer University...at the captivity historiography with his new study of Leonidas Polk, arguing that Episcopalians have also shaped the region...
The Bishop of the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk
Magazine article from: The Journal of Southern History; 2/1/2008; ; 700+ words ; ...the Old South: The Ministry and Civil War Legacy of Leonidas Polk. By Glenn Robins. (Macon, Ga.: Mercer University...243. $35.00, ISBN 978-0-88146-038-4.) Leonidas Polk was the most aggressive of the soumern Episcopal bishops...
War's outbreak leads clergy to leave pulpit, answer call to arms.(Saturday)(The Civil War)
Newspaper article from: The Washington Times; 5/15/1999; ; 700+ words ; Fort Polk in Louisiana may be the only Army post...named for a clergyman - Episcopal Bishop Leonidas Polk, who is known more for his military activities...become a poor preacher!" Actually, Leonidas Polk became both a good preacher and a...
Southern soldiers
Magazine article from: Military Images; 11/1/1999; ; 700+ words ; ...attached himself to the staff of General Leonidas Polk, the fighting Episcopal Bishop...ordnance expert. In August of 1862, Polk named Rawle acting chief of ordnance...William Hardee and the aforementioned Leonidas Polk. Moreover, Bragg felt that...
Huge Civil War collection goes on the auction block
Newspaper article from: Daily Breeze; 7/5/2005; ; 700+ words ; ...sword owned by Confederate Gen. Leonidas Polk -- who was killed by a well-aimed...Ga., a distant descendant of Polk -- an Episcopal bishop as well as...mother's side; her maiden name was Polk. Other items include rare Union...
CALDERA ASKS ARMY TO HARNESS 'REVOLUTION IN TECHNOLOGY'
Transcript from: Regulatory Intelligence Data; 10/20/1998; ; 700+ words ; 00-00-0000 FORT POLK, La. (Army News Service, Oct. 20...Caldera. Caldera addressed members of the Leonidas Polk Chapter of the Association of the United...during his first official visit to Fort Polk Sept. 30. Caldera said recent drawdowns...
Operations other than war
Newspaper article from: Honolulu Star - Bulletin; 2/16/1999; ; 700+ words ; ...Schofield five years ago from Fort Polk, Lt. Gen. George Fisher, then...Force Warrior. face=+2; Fort Polk factsface=-2; face=+Bold...face=-Bold; The Right Rev. Leonidas Polk, first Episcopal bishop of Louisiana...
Employers witness workers on duty
Newspaper article from: Honolulu Star - Bulletin; 1/12/2005; ; 700+ words ; FORT POLK, La. They came to see what their guys...their regular jobs. face=+2; Fort Polk factsface=-2; face=+Bold; Establishedface...after: face=-Bold; The Right Rev. Leonidas Polk, the first Episcopal bishop of Louisiana...
Aggressive, tenacious tactics of `Fightin' Joe'.(Saturday)(The Civil War)
Newspaper article from: The Washington Times; 1/25/1997; ; 700+ words ; ...Lt. Gens. William Hardee and Leonidas Polk. Bragg had his army scattered over...four days, General." To this, Polk shrugged in disbelief and Hardee...his commander along with Hardee and Polk sitting on their horses in a conference...

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