Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1864-03-23
An Impressive Scene.--Bishop Meade
and Gen. Lee.

An Impressive Scene.--Bishop Meade
and Gen. Lee.
It was a'beautiful evening in the sum-
mer of 1868. The sky was cloudless.-
The sun was nearly setting. Its bright,
slanting rays passing through a curtained
window, lighteued up, a room, in which the
incident now about to be related was occur.
ring. In plain but spacious mansion had
long lived, and was dying, the great and
good Bishop Meade, Bishop of the Protes.
tant Episcopal Church, of the Diocese of
Virginia. Full Of years and ripe with the
good works of more than half a century,
that good man was about changing time for
eternity. His last, battle was. fought, VIC
tory was his, and he was now receiving. his
discharge from earth's battle fields forever.
1t was sad and beautiful scene. a calm
but holy serenity, lighteued up his counte-
nance. Friends were there and strangers
too, to witness the death of the good and
holy man, and as almost breathless they
gazed upon the solemn scene, they felt that
"the chamber where the good man meets
his fate, is blessed beyond the common
walks oflife, quite on the verge of Heaven"
His hour had come. With holy sereni-
ty, but feeble voice, he bade 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, Ger. Robert Lee.
He approached the bedside of the dying
Bishop, and sank upon. his knees. He was
weeping. Bishop Meade thus addressed
him J; "Gen. Lee, / am dying, and from
this stand point Of time, in sight of eter.
nifty, permit me to give yau my last injuno-
ton. - .
"For a considerable period 7 thought
this war an unjust one, and was for main
tanning the Union. But when I saw Lin.
colu's proclamation, my eyes were opened.
and I saw nothing remained to the South,
but deepest degradation or war to the bit.
ter end. Since that time have done all
in my power for the Confederate arms.
But I can do no more. God calls and I go at
his summons. Gen. Lee, you are engaged
in holy cause.-the cause of liberty-the
cause of unborn millions. Isee it now as
I have never seen it before. You are at
the head of mighty army, to which mil
lions look with untold anxiety and hope.
You are Christian soldier. God thus far
owes and blesses you in your efforts 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.standers, F:you uOi1 neuer be ouer.
can qever be overcome !"
The dying man ceased to speak, and
slowly removed his hands from Gen. Lees
head. He arose from his kneeliDg posture,
his eyes swimming 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 llVe-Bishop Meade lay there
a corpse. Tell me not ye skeptics that it is
enthusiasm, when I boldly assert that I
firmly believe that by that act of Bishop
Meade, Gen. Lee was rendered invinoible.
The dying blessing of that holy man will
rest upon him throughout this war. Yankee
millions may howl for his destruction, and
all tbe. bloodhounds from Liucoln's kennel
may be turned loose to hunt him down.
Rivers of blood may be shed, and thous.
ands 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, Gen. Lee, ss
with charmed life, will stand secure. No;
Gen, Lee can "nsver be overcome" he can |
''neVer be conquered" SIS.
montgomery Advertiser.