The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-04-27
VOLUME o---NO. 43.
Lee after Gettysburg.
"a SCENE TEAT A HISTORICAL PAINTER MidHF
WELL MMoRTALIzE.o


"a SCENE TEAT A HISTORICAL PAINTER MidHF
WELL IMMoRTALIzE.o
Gen. ]. B. Imboden, of Virginia, has giveti
the annexed graphic picture of Gen. Lee the
night after Gettysburg, in the last number Of
the GALAXY: .~.5,.<e. ~,
When night closed upon the grand scetie, CTR
army was repulsed. Silence and gloom perva-
ded our camps. We knew that the day had
gone against us, but the extent of the disaster
was not known exceptin high quarters. The
carnage of the day was reported to have been
frightful, but Our army was not in retreat, and
We all surmised that with to-nlorroM's dawn
would come a renewal Of the struggles and w
knew that if such was the case those who had
not been in the fight weuld have their full
share in the honors and the dangers Of the
next day. All felt and appreciated the mo.
on that great field. These considerations made
that, to us, one of those solemn and awful
nights that every one who fought through 6tf
long war sometimes experienced before great
battle.
Few camp-ires enliyened the scene. It was
warm summers night, and the weary soldiers
were lying in groups on the luxuriant grass Of
the meadows we occupied, discussing the events
of the day, or watching that their horses did
not straggle off in browsing around About II
o'clock horseman approached and delivered
a message from Gen. Lee, that he wished to see
me Immediately. mounted at once, and, &C.
companied by Lieut.. McP Phail, of my staff, and
guided by the courier, rode about two miles to-
ward Gettysburg, where half dozen small
tents on the roadside were pointed out as Gen.
Lees headquarters for the night. He was. not
there, but was informed that would ftd
him With Gaporo1 H;1I half ,,,slo f,,,.
ther on. On reaching the place indicated,
Rickering, solitary candle, visible through the
open front of common tent, showed where
Generals Lee and Hill were seated on camp
stools with county map spread upon their
knees, and engaged in q low and earnest coma
versation. They ceased speaking as I ap.
prosched, and, after the ordinary salutatiots,
General Lee directed me to go to his headquar-
tiers and wait for him. he did not return until
about o'clock, when he came riding alone at
q slow walk, and evidently wrapped in pro.
found thought.
There was not even sentinel on duty, and
no one of his staff was about The moon was
high in the heavens, shedding food of soft
silvery light, almost as bright as day, upon the
scene. When he approached and Saw ns, he
spoke, refined up his horse and essayed 10 dis
mount. The effort to do so displayed SO much
physical exhaustion that stepped forward to
assist him, but before reached him he had
alighted. He threw his arm across his saddle
to rest himself, and fixing his eyes upon the
ground, LEANED in silence upon his equally
weary horse, the two forming striking group,
as motionless as statue. The moon shone full
upon his massive features and revealed an ex-
preston of sadness I had never seen upon that
fine countenance before, in any of the vicissi4
tudes of the war through which he had passed.
I waited for him to speak until the silence be.
came painful and embarrassing, when, to break
it and change the current Of his thoughts, Irei
markedin sympathetic tone, and in allusiou
to his great fatigue: l.E !.ss
General, this has been hard day on you.a
This attracted his attention. He looked up
and replied mournfnlly: - 80
eyes, it has been sad, sad day 10 u.s." and
Immediately relapsed into his thoughtful mood
and attitude. Being unwilling again to intruds
upon his reflection, I said no more. Alters
minute or two he suddenly Strengthened up to
his full height and, turning to me with moro
animation, energy and excitement of manner
than had ever seen in him before, he ad.
dressed me in voice tremulous with emotion.
and said:
General, never saw troops behave moro
magnifcently than Pickett's division of Vir-
ginians did to-day in their grand charge upon
the enemy. And if they had been supported,
as they were to have been-but for some reason
not yet fully explained to me, they were not
we would have held the position they so glo.
riously won at such fearful loss ofnoble lives,
and. the day would have been ours"
After moment he added in tone almost Of
agony:
"Too bad Too bad Oh, too bad n 81,
never shall forget, as long as I live. his
language and his manner, and his appearances
and expression of mental suffering. Altogether,
it was scene that historical painter might
well immortalize had one been fortunately
present to witness it. - -es y, -
In little while he ca1led.up servant from
his sleep to take his horse; spoke rnournfully
by name of several of his friends who had
fallen during the day, and when candle had
been lighted invited me alone into his tent,
where, as soon as We were seated, he remarked:
eve must return to Virginia As many Of
our poor wounded as possible must be taken
home. have sent for you, because your men
are fresh, to guard the trains back to Virginia"
A good way to expand your chest
big heart in it.
Agriculture, welded to manufactures,
gives birth to commerce.
- Paradoxical az it may seem, people who