The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1865-05-03

o'clock p NJ, cheers began 10 arise on
our front, and couriers rode rapidly past
US crying that "Lee has surrendered ~
Then one loud and wild shout arose from
those dense thousands of armed men, and
such scene was presented as may never
again be witnessed in the world. Your
enthusiasm at home was great and un-
bounded, what then must have been the
feelings of this tired and bleeding army
when their tolls were thus unexpectedly
ended. The report could hardly be be-
lieved until Gen.. Meade himself rode
through and amongst US, and proclaimed
it amid such shouts, cheers, huzzahings,
and, | may say it without intimatlng that
the men were womanly or childish. TEARS,
such as only glad but determined and
valient army would show.
You will forgive me for indulgiug in
a little enthusiasm and glorl6cation at
this point, more on account of my COM
rades who have suffered so long. Their
Joy was unbounded, and mine could not
be otherwise. The boasted twenty years
fight in Virginia of JEFF Davis, was cul-
minated in six April days of 1868 bis
abless General outgeneraled, cornered,
and surrendered, his tired and dispirited
army, like the spaniels they likened US
to, glad TO lick the hand Cor eat the ra-
tiona) of their conquerers, and 90 home
as fast as policy would permit their de-
paEture. I will not attempt to give you
figures for the numbers taken or amounts
captured; let it suffice that it was their
all, and their Judas of a leader is now an
outcast and vagabond on the face of the
earth-auother Cain
The conutry through which we have
passed is a beautiful one, aud it does
seem as if It's inhabitants would have
taken the "sober second thought" before
they invited its desecration by an armed
foe. 1t required but little stretch of
the imagination to see many Paradise
on our route, but in every case an ideal
man might exclaim with the spirit in
the poem:
"Poor race of men, cried the plying spirit,
Dearly ye pay for your primal fall
Some flowers of Eden We still inherit,
But the trail of the serpent is over tn en-
all"
The blight that Slavery has left may
everywhere be seen, but thank Gcd, the
faunting strumpet shall no longer put to
blush the virgin maid of Liberty. Vir-
giria now alone needs rest aud she will
rebound stronger and fairer than ever
before when she could Justly claim to be
the smother of Liberty"
The contrast between our going to-
wards Lynchburg and coming back, the
inhabitants must have noticed. Then
everything useful was taken and much
that was immaterial destroyed. Now
nothing is injured, and we march almost
as if passing through our own fields. AS
we we're marching back to this point,
long columns of the Johnnys might be
seen moving parallel to US towards their
homes without insult or derision They
appear satisfied, and in most cases profess
themselves glad to get out of the scrape
on any terms. There are exceptions
however, and yesterday thirteen of them
were to be hung for. stoping on their
journey, with their paro!s in their pock-
cts, and tearing up the Railroad above
Bufksville
The weather has generally been fine,
with now and :hen rainy and muddy
day and night. The chase has been
hard but manfully borne, for we could
see the end What our destination now
is | know not, nor can [ guess, for our
news is yet too meager but it is expect,
ed, that as soon as the affairs can be ar
ranged, and with safety left to take their
own and usual course, the army will be
greatly reduced and we shal! return to
once more mingle our congratulations
with yours that the Union is forever safe,
aud Freedom 3 second time won.
Yours truly, E. o AUSTIN.
L. 3. COLE. Esq.
Large Playcards have been posted on
the dead walls of Liverpool giving the
passage from the eighteenth chapter of