Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1864-04-05
An Impressive Scene-- Bishop Meade
and Gen. Lee.

Il was beautiful evening in the summer of
1868. The sky was cloudless. The sun was
nearly setting. It's bright, slanting rays pas
sing through curtained window, lighted up the
room in which the scene now about to be rela-
ted was occurring. In plain but spacious man
sion had long lived, and was dying, the great
and good Bishop Meade, Bishop OF the Protes-
tant Episcopal Church, of the Diocese of Va
Full of years and ripe with the good works of
more than half century, that good man was
about changing time for eternity. His last battle
was fought, victory was hie, and he was now
receiving his discharge from earth's battle fields
forever. 1t was sad but beautiful scene A
calm but holy serenity lighted up his coun-
teDance. Friends were there and strangers too,
to witness the death of the good and holy mar,
and as almost breatbless they gazed on the sol
emn scene, they felt that 'the chamber where
the good man meets his fate, is blessed be-
yond the common walks oflife, quite on. the
verge of heaven
His hour had come. With holy serenity, but
feeble voice, he bid last adieu to all, both
friend and stranger, in his room, except one, and
gave to each his dying charge The exception
referred to was that great and good man, now
at the head of our forces in Virginia, General
Robert Lee. He approached the side of the dy-
ing Bishop, and sank upon his knees. He was
weeping. Bishop Meade thus addressed him !:
General Lee, am dying and from this stand
point OF time, in sight of eternity, permit me to
give you my last injunction.
"For considerable period thought this war
an unjust one, and was for maintaining the u
nion. But when saw Lincolns proclamation,
my eyes were opened, and | saw nothing re-
manned to the South, but deepest degradation
or war to the bitter end. Since that time 1 have
dons all in my power for the Confederate arms.
But can do no more. God calls and I go at
his summons. Gen. Lee, you are engaged in a
holy cause.-The cause OF hberty-the cause of
unborn millions. | see it now as / have never
seen it before. You are at the head of o mighty
army, to which millions look with untold anx-
iety and hope. You are Christian soldier
God thus far owns and blesses you in your ef-
forts for the cause of the South. Trust in God,
Gen. Lee, with all your heart, and placing his
palsied hands on the Generals head, he added
in voice never to be forgotten by the by stan
ders, s'you will never be oyercome-you can
never be overcome"
The dying man ceased to speak, and slowly
removed his hands from Gen. Lees head. He
arose from his kneeling posture, his eyes swim
ming in tears. There were no dry eyes in that
room. 1t was Jacob blessing his son-and as
he ceased to speak he ceased to live-Bishop
Meade lay there corpse. Tell me not ye skep-
tics that it is enthusiasm when / boldly assert
that | firmly believe that by that act of Bishop
Meade Gen. Lee was rendered invincible. The
dying blessings of that holy man will rest upon
him throughout this war. Yankee millions may
howl for his destructien, and all the blood
hounds from Lncoln's kennel may be turned
loose to hunt him down. Rivers of blood may
be shed and thousands of lives sacrificed; yea! !!
all our fair sunny land may be made one vast
Golgotha, but amidst all the carnage and blood,
the crash and havoc of battle, General Lee, as
with charmed life, viii stand secure. No;
Gen. Lee can ''neyer be overcome, he can s'ney-
er be conquered !" s. S.
Mont Advertiser.