Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1865-04-26

of wagons-among them one containing tn
wife Of Brig Gen. Clement A. Evans
Marched nearly'all night:
WEDNESDAY, April 5.-The Federal
still pressing, but with little fighting.
THURSDAY, April 6,-This was not onl!
the most trying day Of the retreat, but th'
severest tax upon. the endurance of the mer
engaged, which they hcve experienced 70,
many months, The fighting was almost in
cessant. The enemy appeared to be deter
mined to bring the army to Stand, and il
these attempts captured many wagons
Gordon's corps held the rear. A battery o.
artillery was also lost. Brig. Gen. Lewis
commanding Pegram's old brigade, severe
II wounded. Oar cavalry skirmishing con
stantly and holding shs enemy a-eheck.
In the evening Gordon corps was re.
lievad BY MaAone's division. The Federals
attacked in force. Malone received theil
charges eomplaoently, and while they were
in progress, sent a couple of his tried regi
ments to the Yankee rear, who captured !
thousand men, ihcludinga Major and Brig
adler. General. - -
FRIDAY, April 7.-Heayy rain, which
prevented active operations on both sides
Roads heavy wagons and artillery stalled,
and the two armies msneuverings for po
sition. -
SATURDAY, April S.-Hen. Longstreet's
corps in the rear and Gordon's -ip4the front.
The enemy had worked their~way to the
faaks, and our rear was bat little harassed.
At night some fthe Federal cavalry reach
ed the front of our army and captured a
large number Of wagons and o portion Of
artillery at Appomattox Court House,
SUNDAY, April9. alright, clear beau
tiful day, but it opened gloomily:. Our ar.
my had reached Appomattox Court House,
on the road to Lynohburg. Thomas, with
his army, had arrived before US and effected
a jupetion with Grant; cavalry, infantry,
and artillery completely surrounded Sar lit.
tie command. We had from FIVE to. eight
Thousand prisoners; and only eight thous.
and eHeotive fighting men, with muskets,
all told. The supply of ammunition was
nearly exhausted. In this emergency Gen;
Lee determined, if possible, to cat his way
through, and if he could do no more, save
At least the remnant of his army. Orders
we're :ssaed for grand charge, and our
troops were masssd accordingly.
General Grimes division !ed'the charge,
followed successfully by two others. The
engagement commenced shortly after sun.
rise, and was continued enthusiastically IN.
til our men had broken through the Federal
lines, driven them for nearly mile and q
half aud captured several pieces of artillery
besides some hundreds of prisoners. The
old spirit of fight was unsubdued. Mean
while heavy force of cavalry threatened
our Hanks. For some cause, not stated,
General Lee issued orders to the troops te
cease firing and.withdrsw. = '. - a.
: Subsequently, an officer, said to be Gen.
custsr, Of the Yankee cavalry, entered our
lines bearing a flag of truce. Whether his
was in response to a request
from Gen. Lee, or he was the bearer of q
formal demand for surrender, inflated By
General Grant, wo are not informed. At
this time our army was in line of battle on
or near the Appomattox road, the skirmish.
ers thrown out, while two hundred and fifty
yards in trout of these, ouiau eminepce, was
a large body Of Federal cavalry. The coup
d's1 is described as magnificent. :
/" Soor after'the returu-of General Gustav
to his lines; General Grant, accompanied bJ
his staff, rode to the headquarters of. Gen.
nse, which were under an apple tree, near
the road. The interview is described as
exceedingly impressive. After the saluta'
tory fornalities, which doubtless were brief
md business Hke-Gen. Lee rendered bis
sword to Grant in token of surrender. That
officer, however, with courtesy eor wh;eh
we must accord him due res peet declined to
receive it, or, receiving, declined to retain
it, aud accompanied its return with substau
italy the following remark: ,'General Lee
keep that sword. You have won it by your
gallantry. You have not been whipped,
but overpowered, and 1 cannot receive it as
q token of surrender frcm so brave man.
Such is the report of conversation made
to Us. The reply of Gen. Lee, VIC do not
know: Both Grant and himself are said te
have beenedeepiy effected by the sOlemnity
ofsthe occasion and to-hage shed tears
This scene occurred between ten and eleven
o'clock, a. In. ''%-
When the sad event became known the
army, officers and men 'salbeitunused to the
melting mood they who had faceddsatf
10 q thousand shapes, and had seen com
rades and brothers die By theft side without
relaxing from their stsrnness-they, too
gave way to their emotions aud some among
the veteran wept like children. A copSld
cradle number swore that they never wouls
surrender, ard made their way to the woods
Generals Carey, Of this State, Rosser, o.
Virginia, With few followers cut their way
out aud escaped But the bulk OF the ar
uy-the men who, for four years have done
battle SO nobly for the cause, together Will
leaders like Lougstrees, Gordon, kershaw
and others; whose names are forever dis
tinsnished, we're obliged to accept the prof
fered terms:
These e-capitulation. with all th'
honors Of war, officers to retain their sid'
..,s.s ..l x,a.aanai 1,ronefkv and the mel