Polk Family Papers Box 10 Document 18

1861, June 19 Bishop Polk, Richmond, Va. to his wife, Mrs. Fanny A. Polk, re: his visit to Yorktown and his examination of the battleground at Bethal Church; many details about his taking a commission in the Army at the request of President Davis and others; stating that the Bishop of Ohio, at Cleveland, had said is ready to shoulder a musket in the defense of his cause, and that he (Bishop Polk) saw no reason why he might not be ready to shoulder a musket for a better cause; further stating that "I cannot ignore what I know. I cannot forget what I have learned, nor can I forget that I was educated for its service." 4pp.