Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1871-02-07
Interesting Facts in General Lees His

IcEy.
The Atlanta (Ga Iadec brings us a report
Of an address delivered recently in Georgia by
General Pendleton, who was Chief of Artillery
under General Lee, and since the conclusion of
the war his pastor and intimate friend. We
give some extracts
WHY HE DID NOT EARLIER WITHDRAW FROM
aa sae PETERSBURG,
has been asked. To my knowledge he was per-
fectly aware long before April, 1865, of the ne
cessity for such withdrawal, and had fully re-
solved upon it. Several months before, he pri-
vately expressed this to myself, as believe he
did to others in responsible positions. At any
rate [ received from him secret information to
send to designated point far in the rear all
surplus ammunition and to make arrangements
with the artillery, as the arm most difficult of
sudden movement for marching at one hour S
notice. his plan being rapidly to move back,
and form, if possible a Junction with the south
ern Confederate army, that by quick and de-
cisive combination one or the other of the Fed
eral armies might be struck with effectual force.
With this plan, however, there was interfer-
ence, which General Lee seemed it less evil
to yield to than to disregard. Its nature may
be inferred from significant remark made by
him to myself alone, the night of the 1st of
April, 1865. Contemplating the then thinness
OF his own line, its vast extent and the feeble
ness of his entire force, he said: General, if
our cause fails, Its epitaph may be written,
Died of Congress and the Newspapers -
The next morning that thin line was broken by
the numerous masses that at length adven-
tured attack, and we had to withdraw.
THE MAsTERLY RETREAT
then began. 1t has been asked why even then
so great captain could not succeed 10 eludiug
bis much less skilled adversary? The reply is
found In the utterly reduced state Of his army,
and of all southern military supplies, with the
superadded difficulties of inclement weather
and deep roads.
Amelia Court house, on the Richmond and
Danville railroad, was duly reached but sup.
plies that had been called for, and were expec-
ted there, were not forthcoming, while large
number Of persons from Richmond, only few
of whom, however, were reliable soldiers were
added to the crowd we had to provide for and
protect.
For want of animals and forage, large a.
mount of wagons ammunition, &c had to be
destroyed, and the best dispositions possible
were made for continuing with the remainder
our retreat. Detachments of the enemy were
by this time getting close They had to be
kept off with portion of our force, while the
main body and trains moved on. Thus by day
fighting had to be maintained all along, and
marching chiefly by Eight.
1t will be readily understood under what i'm
mense disadvantage this was, at every STEP
accomplished, when the vast resources of the
Federal commander are considered, the multi
tude of his troops, and the prodigious host OF
cavalry, comparatively fresh, at his disposal :
That General Lee succeeded as he did in so fal
foiling him, and in a considerable degree rem
dering such disaster as that to his rear diyis
ions at Sailors creek, between Amelia Spring,
and Farmville, is one OF the most signal evi
denees of his matcllless power as commander
WHETHER GENEAL Lee S HEART WAS IN THE
SOUTHERN CAUSE
has been called in question by some interested
In maligning that cause Let me mention al
incident which makes the truth clear as day:
Having reached Farmville, in Prince Edward
county. on the morning of Friday, April 7th
our little army crossed the Appomattox again
gaining the northern bank, and destroying th
bridges Battle order was then formed and th
enemy % approaching greeted with cannon in po
sition. Oae bridge below, however, had no
been destroyed, and corps of the Fedora
army pressed upon us from that direction
Giving my personal attention to the defenc