Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-10-20

protecting the left of our line of march
while Gen. Walker with his corps of artillery
and all the other available troops, was fight
ing desperately to protect our rear.
The Sabbath morn dawned brightly-all
nature smiled, and spring time gladness cover
ed the earth as if in mockery of the nation
which on that day was to die at Appomattox
Gordon moved forward-crushes Custar's
division of Sheridan's cavalry-captures and
brings q battery in cur lines-and driving on,
crushes life out of Custar and his reinforco-
ments. The cavalry on our right overcoming
all obstacles, ride freely on the LyncEburg
road. 1t seems as if victory is about to crown
our efforts.
But alas !! the Slender attacking force is
soon felt to be weak, and just as we are
gathering strength for final leap, we see
black lines as far as eye can reach. 1t is the
army of the James, sixty thousand strong,
filing across our path. We arc too late
Slowly we are forced back, through the village
of Appomattox, and our foes gather around
us on every side, save in the direction from
whence the river hens in all escape. Gen.
Lee, viewing the hopeless conflict from a
distance, dispatches flag of truce to Grant
the strife ends, and the hostile lines are drawn
back. While this correspondence was going
on, and while Gen. Lee was waiting the arri-
val of Gen. Grant, he took shelter from the
sun under an apple tree in AIcLane's orchard,
under which Col. Talcott, of the engineer
corps, had placed some rails for seat, and
fully half mile from Appomattox. Grants
arrival on the outskirts of his army was soon
announced. Lee, in full suit of grey, with
his English sword girded to his side, riding
forward on his grey to meet Grant-ho was
n warrior at whom history itself might stoop
70 iOto hotrr h.
ing chieftains was severely simple-but few
attendants present. 1t took place between
the pickets of the two armies, and lasted only
a few minutes. Grant apologzed for not hav-
ing his sword, which was behind in his wagon
tho terms were agreed upon, and Lee rode
back to his army. Commissioners on either
side were appointed to arrange details. The
surrender became known, and then-to US
for two days-a blank. Lists of our names
were made out, and two days afterwards, with
heavy hearts, we filed by, brigade at time,
before a line of captors, and deposited our
banners and arms. Gen. Lee rode homeward
on the third day-and all was sover! McLanc's
orchard, in which the tree was, under which
General Lee stood, was all cut down by relic
worshippers. So much for the apple tree
so much about the swords No pomp and
circumstance marked the last hours of the
nation, which was buried at Appomattox-
Our feelings were too deep for actiops-years
came back with these moments of sadness
hosts Of friends 'gone BEFORE" lived with us
again, aud then perished out of sight forever,
the iron reality forced itself upon us-the
future loomed up darkly before us-and the
South was bowed in anguish, Centuries and
heroes were buried at Appomattox, and there
the iron hand of fate traced across the South
ern heart in burning words, "Thus far, and
no farther, shalt thou 60"