Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-11-12
MISCELLANEOUS.
IFrOm the New Orleans Cresccnt.l
The Last Ration.
BY AN Ex,coNFEDERArE OFFICER.

Few hear the immortals of Lees army
speak of the retreat from Petersburg to Ap-
pomattox Court House, the scene of the
army's apotbeosis, aud the reason for this si-
lence can be well understood Knowing
nothing aud thinking little about the coudi-
ton Of the army outside of their own com
mandS, the great body Of the men in their re-
lance on their great commander, simply per-
formed the duties imposed upon them, suf-
fered the agencies that necessarily fell TO
their lot. aud met calmly the death which
ended those duties aud agencies for many
days before the memorable 9Th Of April.
The sufferiugs Of the rank and file of the
army, on that occasion, were merclluIly dead
ened by a stupor, if not reck lessness, super,
is:A"ced r., re re peculiar hardsSS;;Ts 10 which
they were subjected. The enemy. with his
overwhelming force of splendidIy mounted
aud equipped cavalry, held, in addition, the
direct point aimed at by Gen Lee. retarding
his advance, compelling him to fight while
daylight lasted and to do his marching by
night. The want of sleep, aud during the
last four days of the retreat, the entiTe lack
Of provisions, produced in the u,en the mental
and physical condition l have mentioned.-
And although after the surrender the men
anu officers of The federal army We'd with each
other in their kindness, and exhibited a desire
to do everything IN their power to relieve the
necessities OF their late foes, the destruction
of portion OF their supply train by Gen
ROsScr and FitEhugh Lee, aud the detention
of the balance by the awful condition of the
roads, Left themselves in critical condition
and incapable Of aHordipg Lees army the
much Geeded supplies.
Great efforts were made, and successfully.
to complete rs soon possible the parolng of
the men, in order that they might be dispers-
ed from place where there was no susie
nance of any description for man or beast
Among the FIRST commands ready to leave
were the first and second Louisiana brigades,
then commanded by Col. Waggaman, and
with them portions Of the Washington Ar
tillery, Louisiana Guard Battery and Donald
sonville Artillery, all haiiing from the same
State, and naturally clustering together when
about to return once more to their dear South.
ern homes. The condition of these men was
really deplorable. Starved, worn out and
many Of them stricken with fever. they look
ed with dismay on the dismal march through
the mud to BurkesviIle Station, the nearest
point at which they could expect to find trans
PariatiOn. Col. Wasgaman and many Of the
officers did not believe half of them would
be able to perform the journey. and as der
spire the men with hopes which he himself
believed delusive, Col. W. started the brigade
commissaEy ahead to try and pick up some,
thing for man and beast on the route thew
were travelling. The commissary with no
more hope Of success than his commanding
officer, started off aud aftef travelling few
miles over tract which gave no promise Of
supplies, being rather dubious about the road
the brigade would travel, accosted an old.
gray-headed, and very ragged negro be-found
sitting at 2 cEoss+Oad, and questioned him in
regard to the road to Burkesville. The me-.
gro replied intelligently, giving him the ne.
cessary directions. and the commissary was
about to ride on, when he thought that the
darkey might assist him in his search for
something eatable. He began by asking him
if he knew where he could get feed for his
horse. After moments hesitation and a
rapid inspection of the questioner. the darkey
replied in the affirmative, and Immediately
led the way through a gate to a small clear.
ing in the piney woods Stopping in the
yard of a small shanty, he wen: in and got
the key Of a pretty good-sized corn-crib
which he opened, and displayed to the COM
missaTy's enviOus gaze forty or fifty bushels
Of the finest com IN the ear he had eyer seen