Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-08-19
General Lee During the Petersburg
Rattle.


Battle.
A correspondent of the New York
World writes as follows:
Soon after sunrise on the I'd of April,
the Federal columns, in heavy mass, ad'
yanced from the outer line OF works,
which they had carried al daybreak' TO at
tack Gen. Lee in his inner intrenchmenls
near Petersburg. When The present wrl-
ter reached the vicinity OF The army head
quarters, on the Cox road, west OF the
city, a Federal column was rapidly ad'
vancing TO charge battery posted in the
open field 10 the right o! the house and at
that time firing rapidly. General Lee was
in the lawn in front of his headquarters
looking through his glass at the column
as it moved al double quick across the
fields, 81 knowing the terrible significance
of the advantage which the Federal troops
had gained, | looked at the General to as
certain, if possible what he thought OF IT,
He never appeared more calm; and II the
affair had been review, ne could not
have exhibited less emotion OF any de-
scription. In full uniform. with his gold
hilted sword, and perfectly quiet look, he
appeared 10 be Witnessing, with simple
curiosity, some military parade.
The movement of the Federal column
became more rapid, and the battery was
soon charged; bat it succeeded in gallop'
ing off under heavy fire of musketry.
The column then pressed on, and the
Federal artillery opened heavy fire on
The hill, before which the Southern guns
there was no infanry-wilhdrew'
General Lee retired slowly with his arIIl-
lery, riding his wellknown iron grey and
one person, at least, in the company for-
got the shell and sharpshOoters looking al
The superb old cavalier, erect as an arrow
and calm as a May morning. When he
said TO an officer near, "This is a bad
business, Colonel" there was no excite
ment in his voice, or, indeed, any change
whatsoever IN its grave and courteous
tones. A slight flush came TO his lace,
however, a moment afterwards. A shell
from the Federal batteries, fred at The
group; burst almost upon him, killing
horse near by, and cutting his bride
reins. This brought decided express
sion Of fight" TO the old soldiers Iace'
and he probably felt as he did in CuIpep-
er when the disaster of RappahannocS
bridge occurred-when he muItered, Cen
eral Stewar, told me, II should now like
10 90 into charge"
The demeanor Of public men on great
occasions is legitimate matter for history
General Lees personal bearing upon this
critical occasion, when he saw himself a.
bou. TO be subjected 10 the greatest humll-
ia,ion 10 the pride of soldler-caP'ure-
admirably noble and serene. Ii was i'm
possible not TO be struck with the gran
deur of his sppearance-no other phrase
describes it; or 10 refrain from admirng
the princeIy air with which the old caVsl-
ry officer sat his horse. With his calm
and thoughtful eye, and perfect repose Of
manner visible in spite OF the resiiVe
movements of his horse. frightened by
the firing, it was hard TO believe That ne
saw there was no hope, and for himself
would have cared little if one Of the bull
lets singing around had found ii' mark IN
his breast.
OF General Lees soldiership' the wr''
Ter, who is announced as one OF General
Lees staff goes on TO say;
IfGeneraI Lee con,inu ed, OF hl' Own
choice, to occupy a PosI lion q! Pe'efs'
burg from which, as events soon showed
he could no, exlricaIe his army, 1t vii! go
far 10 rob him Of that renOwn which he
had Breviously won.
Upon the obvious view Of the situation
General Lee. in February, issued orders
for the removal Of all the stores OF the
army to DanvilIe. Government cotton
and tobacco was hauled away from Peters
burg; hundreds Of the inhabitants lett the
place; all the surplus srli!leTy was sent
10 Amelia Courthouse, and even The re-
serve ordnance train of the army was or