Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1871-06-24
Lee After Gettysburg.


From J d lmboden, 10 The GalaNy.I
When night closed upon the grand
scene our army was repulSod. SIG nee
md gloom pervaded our camps, We
knew that the day had gone against
us. but the extent of the disaster was not
known excep, in high quarters. The
carnage of the day was reported 10 have
been trightful, but our army was not in
retreat. and we all surmiSed that with
tomorrow dawn would come a renew
Il of the struggle and We knew that Il
such was the case, those who had not
been in the fight would have their full
share in the honcys and the dangers the
next day. Nj l,lt and appreciated the
momcntouS consequences OF hna! defeat
or victory on that great field. These
considerations made that, 10 Us, one ot
those solemn and awful nights, that eV-
cry one who fought through our long
war sometimes experienced before
great battle. Few camr-iiroS en!ivened
the scene. |; was 4 warm summers
night and the weary soldiers were !!ing
in groups on the luNurjmt grass OF the
meadows we occupied. discussing tho
events of the dav, or watching that the
horses did not s;raggie of in browsing
around. About II o'clock hoYsoma!t
approached and delivered message
from Gen. Lee. that hc wished 10 sec
me Immediately. | mounted at once,
and accompanied by Lieut.. McPhai', Of
NV staff. and guided by the courier,
rode about two miles towards Gettys
burg. where half a dozen small tents on
the roadside were pointed out rs Gene
raj Lees headquarters for the night.
He was not there. but ! was informed
that | would find him half mile fur.
ther on. On reaching the place iudica-
ted, tlickcring solitary candle, visible
through the open front ot n common
tent. showed where Gems. Lee and I'M
were, seated on camp stools, with
county map spread upon their knees,
and engaged in 4 low and earnest con
yorsation They ceased speaking rs |
approached. and after the ordinary sal
utatiors. Gen. Lee directed me 10 90 To
his headquarters and wait for him. lie
did not return until about one o'clock,
when he came riding along at a slow
walk, and evidently wrapped in profound
thought
There was not sentinel on duty, and
no one Of his staff was about The
moon was high in the heavens, shed
ding a flood Of soft silyory light, almost
as bright as day, upon tht scene. When
he approached and saw us, he spoke,
reincd in his horse, and oSsaycd 20 dis
mount. The effort to do So displayed
so much physical exhaustion that |
stepped forward to assist him, but be
fore had reached him he had alightCd.
He threw his arms across his saddle to
rest himself and fixing his eyes upon
the ground. leaned in silence upon hi,
equally weary horse, the two forming u
striking group, as mJtlonlcss rs 4 statue.
The moon shone full upon his massive
features aud revealed an expression of
sadness had never seen upon that fine
countcnancc before, in any Of the vicis-
STUDIES ot the war through which he
had passed. | waited for him 10 speak
until the silence became painful and
embarrassing when, 10 break it and 10
change the current Of his thoughts, ]
remarked in a sympathetic tone, and in
allusion to his great fatigue:
"Gcncral, this has been 4 hard day
for YOU
This attracted his attention. Iie
looked up and replied mourntully
eyes. it has been a sad, sad day 10
us" and Immediately relapsed into his
thoughtful mood and attitude Being
unwilling again to intrudc upon his rc.
Elections, | said no more. Altcr min
ute or two ho Suddenly straightcncd up
to his full height, and tuning 10 me
with more animation, energy and OK.
citernent of manner than had ever
seen in him before, he addressed NE in
a voice tremuioIs with emotion, end
said
General, ! never saw troops behave
more magniicently than Pickctt's diyi-
sion of irginians did today IN their
grand charge upon the enemy. And if
they had been supported as they were
10 have bcen-but for some reason not
vet fully explained 10 me- they were not
we would have held the position they
so gloriou,Iy won at such fearful loss
ofnoble lives, and tic day would have
been ours.
After a moment he added in tone
almost Of agony:
"Too bad Too bad Oh, too bad. %
! shall never forget. rs long as live,
/ his language and bis manner. and his
( appearance and expression Of mental
suffering. Altogether, twas scene
that a historical painter might well i'm
mortalize bad one been fortunately pre-
: sent to witness it.
In n little while he called upa servant
from bis sleep TO take his horse spoke
mournfully by name Of several Of his
friends who had fallen during the day.
and when a candle had been lighted in.
/ vited me alone into lis tent, where, as
soon a. we were seated, be remarked:
eve must return TO Virginia. As
many of our pour wounled ss possible
must be taken home. ] have sent for
! you, because your men are fresh, 10
gnard the trains back TO Virginia"
WEEDs-I was once walking with a
farmer through beautiful field, when