Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-10-20
MISCELLANEOUS.
[From the Montgomery Picayune
The Famous Apple Tree.


False and erroneous statements are often
| times repeated with such assurance, that in
time they come to be accepted as truths CT
history. Experience teaches us that the only
etfectual way to controvert false statements
and to make history correct, is to notice them
before time has obscured facts, ard buried
witnesses. We of the South, particularly
owe it to ourselves and our posterity to see
every event, and even minutest details con-
nected Herewith. are truthfuily handed down
to history. Little now is left US but our deeds,
and the fame which awaits us in history
Let us guard it we'll :!
Every now and then we see in our
| changes erroneous descriptions of the sur
render at Appolnattoz, and how Gen. Lee
stood aud surrendered under an apple tree
how Gen Grant admired Lees beautiful
sword, and returned it. remarking that Lee
was too brave man to he without weapon etc.
Gentle reader, none Of these things hap-
rcned. Lee did not surrender under an
apple tree! lie did not offer his sword to
Grant! Grant did not admire the weapon
and return it II our readers will bear with
US, we will give the surrender we saw it.
it's we'll remembered that Gen. Lee hoping
to divide Grants army, had made terrible
onslaught on his (Grant's) left centre, at
"IIare's Hill" and how nearly it succeeded.
1t failed, owing to causes over which Gen.
Lee had no control. 1t is also we'll remember
ed how the army of Northern Virginia, worn
down by continuous fighting, numbering only
40 900 men, was stretched out as a shield for
the worn Confederacy, daily fighting and
defending itself, and on a line fifty miles in
extent, confronted by 1000 infantry aid
10000 cavalry.
On the I'd of April the lines around Peters
burg were broken; and 10000 of Lees
veterans left on the field or in the hospitals.
The remainder, Lee rushed towards Burks-
vile, but failing TO find the provisions for
them which.,he had ordered concentrated at
Amelia Court House, was compelled to scatter
his army to obtain food. For six long days
had the army struggled against its wolfsh
foc-for famine had now leagucd itself with
the Army of tie Potomac. Step by step, on
a retreat which cxcelled the horrors of the
retreat from Moscow, the army of Northern
Virginia fought its f1eshly foes and buoyed
up against the invisible power famine, until
scarce 10000 Of that glorious band had
strength to raise an arm or fire shot.
On the Sth of April it became apparent
that the army of Northern Virginia was soon
to pass from earth to history. The troops,
worn by continuous battle, exposure, and
irritated by the ceaseless pangs Of hunger,
fought only from instinct. The high resolve
the noble enthusiasm of former days had
died away. Hunger had paled stout hearts
aud weakened Strong arms. Wewere conquer
ed at Appomattox ere We fought. Just at
dusk cannonading in front told that the vols
was again upon our track and ahead of US
Thirty pieces of artillery moving ahead of
the army. without escort, had been captured
by Sheridan-his divisions were across our
path-and the army, worn and scattered by a
long days march, could not be concentrated
in sufficient strength to attack that night.
Gen. Lee called council of war. For
some days correspondence between the op>
posing Generals had been carried on, Grant
demanding Lees surrender, and Lee, while
insisting that Grant was not in a position to
make such demand, offering to open nego-
tiations witha view to general peace through
out the South. Gen. Lee had previously
overruled proposition to mount his infantry
on his teams and raid upon Grants rear. It
was conteuded that Grants ammunition and
supply trains were unguardcd, as everything
was bent upon cutting us off in front; and
that the destruction of these trains would
drive Grant back for want of supplies Gen.
Lee, on the other hand, thought that such a
movement would destroy his army as an army
that the men could only carry with them
sufficient ammunition for one hard fought
cngagement-that they could carry with them
only few days rations and no artillery OF
medical supplies that their power for any
permanent good to the cause would be gone,
and that such force would only prey upon
and become an enemy of the people of the
country. The only thing left, therefore, was
to cut through the enemy's lines-ioin John
ston and make peace with arms in hand. So
it was determined to cut through Sheridan in
the morning. Gordon was to direct the move
ment, and all of the End corps and parts of
Anderson's and A. Hills troops were sent
to him. The troops, when formed, amounted
to some 2. 800 infantry and about one thousand
cavalry, under Fitzhugh Lee. With good