Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1865-11-04
oThe Last Six Days Of Secessia."
From the Baltimore Gazette.

the above nlle, by the former Richmond
CORES ponden, Of The London Times:
October Is, 1868.
MeSsrs. EdlorS.-AtlenliOn has been
attracted TO tie article which appeared IN
your issue Of the 25th inst, copied from
ii London ForfnightIy ReUier, emit,
lied The Las, Six Days of Secessia.
The author of which is the Honorable
Frarcis Lsvley, late correspondent OF
the London Times.
is, perhaps, due 10 the Distinguish
writer to stale that during his soJouTn
amongst the people Of the South, he ever
enjoyed the reputation of fearless ana
Truthful recorder of the momenous
events which were passing around hiIn'
and that lie was honored with the respect
and friendship of many Of the most cele'
DRAFTED soldiers OF the var, including me
great commander, Lee, himself. Mr.
Lawley, however, having left the Conlea'
eracy some weeks prior 10 the 1.-THE last
six dAvs.of Secessla,' tie data upon
which he bases his article doubtless came
om others, and ii is not strange, there
fore, tina, some inaccuracies should occur,
most Of which ale Of bot Itl.e importance
and need not here be noticed. BuI Mr..
Lawley has singuIsrly failed 10 make
mention of battle whlch FOR The truth OF
history, should be recorded as one oil me
most sanguinary sruggIes OF HE WAL
considering the number of troops engag-
ed. The action OF Sailors Creek Is re-
ferred to, which took place On the 9TH
of April.
Ii is not the present purpose OF the
writer, nor is be able, TO detail the par
licuIars of this engagement. The sudden
and disastrous fate Of HE Army Of North
ern Virginia involved the loss OF notes
reports, etc. The true history, there
fore, of the last six days Of lis suffering
and agony must, if over, be made up
from tie mass Of facts stored in the mem
orv Of those who Witnessed and were IN
cuded in its humiliation. Never during
The progress OF The war was there SO
great disparity of forces as al the battle
OF Sailors Creek.
Mr.. LawIey explains, with nervous
pen. the causes which operated TO reduce
the Confederate divisions on the march.
All those Who survived the casualties OF
that disresslu period will bear testimony
to the truth of what he states on this
subject.
On The morning Of the 9Th Of April,
Lieutenant General EweI's corps. con
sisung of about 1920 men, was called
upon to support General Pickett, who,
With his division reduced 10 about 500
men, was being sore,y pressed by Shen.
dan. On reaching the ground. and
whilst deployirg his troops into line OF
battle, il was discovered lha, Gordon S
division, which formed the rear guard o.
The army, had taken another road, follow.
ing after the wagon tram, and that the
Federal forces had already occupied the
high ground in Eweit's rear, opening up
on his troops a rapid and deadly fire OF
artillery. A very brief time elapsed
when lie appearance of very heavy
force OF infantry, also in the rear, render.
ed il necessary to face about the Confed-
crate line and prepare for another conflict
on The very ground over which it had
Just passed. The Federsls advances
with spirit, and with the eviden, determi.
nation of bringing matters 10 crisis, and
thus, wilhou, being able 10 assist Pickett,
EweIl, with his small force, was compel
led to hold his ground against these over
whelming numbers in his Pickeu's)
rear. AT this critical juncture fresh
troops were brought up against Pickett
and charging mpetuousl y upon his line,
il was easily broken, never again 10 be
reformed or restored TO such order as TO
render il longer available. Ii was now
apparent 10 every one, even 10 the pr-
vare soldier, that all was lost, cave honor
The Federal army, coniden. and exuh-
ing over the prospect of success. was
now hurled upon the brave men OF Ew'
ellis corps, who. however, with an eXIbl-
ton OF yalor never surpassed, continued
TO stand at bay. and kept up a most des-
lructve fire, strewing the field with Fed
ersl dead and wounded. General Ewell
and one Of bis divisions commanders, @.
w. Lee, had already been caPIUred, and
il soon became useless longer to continue
contest in which the lives Of brave men
were being sacrificed wilbous compensa-
lion. Under these circumstances the
command was surrendered, and The battle
OF Sailors Creek ended.
In this fight the Federals engaged, ac-
cordiDg to their own confession, were two
corps of infantry and heridsn's cavalry,
nun beriDg in all 10000 men. Another