The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1871-05-11
Lee After Gettysburg.
IGen. j. D. Imboden In The Galaxy.

When night closed upon the grand
scene, our army was repulsed.
SILENCE AND GLOOM
prevaded our camps. We knew that the
day had gone against us, but the extent
of the disaster was not known except in
high quarters. The carnage ofthe day was
reported to have been frightful but our
army was not in retreat, but we all sur
missed that with to-morrow's dawn would
come a renewal of the struggle; and we
knew that if such was the case those who
had not been in the fight would have their
full share in the honors and dangers of
the next day. All felt and appreciated
the momentous consequences of final de-
feat or victory on that great field. These
considerations made that to us, one of
those solemn and awful nights that every
one who fought through our long war
sometimes experienced before great
battle.
Few camp-fires enlivened the scene
1t was a warm summers night, and the
weary soldiers were lying in groups ON
the luxuriant grass of the meadows we
occupied,
DISCUSSING TIE EVENTS OF THE DAY,
or watching that their horses did not
straggle off in browsing around. About
II o'clock horseman approached and de
livered a message from General Lee, that
he wished to see me Immediately.
mounted ut once, and. accompanied by
Lieutenant McPhail, of my staff, and
guided by the courier, rode about two
niles toward Gettysburg, where half Il
dozen small tents on the roadside We're
pointed out as General Lees head-quar-
ters for the night. He was not there, but
| was informed that | would find him with
General A. p. Hill, half 4 mile further ON.
On reaching the place indicated, II Kicker
ing, solitary candle, visible through the
open front of the tent. showed where
Generals Lee and Hill were seated ON
camp stools, with Il county map spread
upon their knees, and engaged IN Il low
and earnest conversation. They ceased
speaking as approached, and, after the
ordinary sautations, General Lee directed
me to 90 to his headquarters and wait
for him. He did not return until about |
O'clock, when he came riding alone ut Il
slow walk, and evidently wrapped in pro-
found thought.
There was not even seminal on duty,
AND NO ONE OF HIS STAFF WAS ABOUT.
The moon was high in the heavens, she'd
ding q flood of soft silyery light almost
Us bright as day, upon the scene. When
he approached and saw us he spoke,
reined up his horse and esseycd to dis
mount The effort to do so displayed So
much physical exhaustion that stepped
forward to assist him. but before reach
ed 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.th
two torminga striking group,as motlonIesS
as q statute. The moon ShOnc full upon
his massive features, and revealed an eX-
preston of sadness had never seen upon
that fine cOuntenancc before, in any of the
vicissitudes of the war through which he
had passed. | waited for him to speak
until the silence became painful and em-
barraSsing. when, to break it and change
the current of his thoughts, remarked
in sympathetic tone, and in allusion to
his great fatigue
General, this has been hard day on
you"
This attracted his attention. lie look
ed up and replied mournfully; "les it
has been
A SAD, SAD DAY TO US"
and Immediately relapsed into his though
full mood and attitude. Being unwilling
again to intrudc upon his reflections,
said no more. After minute or two he
suddenly Strengthened up to his full
height, and, turning to me with more an
imation, energy, and excitement of man
ncr than had ever seen in him before,
he addressed me IN 4 voice trelnulous
with emotion. and said:
General, never saw troops behave
more magnilicently then Plckett's Division
Of Virginians 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 wr
would have held the position they 80
gloriously won at such Il fearful loss ot
noble lives, and the day would have been
ourSn
After moment he added in y tone al
! most Of agony:
TOO bad |! Too bad Oh, too bad ''
NEVER SHALL FORGET
as long rs | live his language, and his
manner, and his appearance and express
sion of mental suffering. Altogether it
was scene that Il historical painter
| might well immortalze had one been for
tunately present to witness it.
| In u little while he called up Il servant
| from his sleep to take his horse; spoke
mourntully by name of several Of his
friends who had fallen during the day,
and when = candle had been lighted i'll
vitcd me alone into his tent, where, A.
| soon rs we were seated, he rcmarkrd
"Wc must return to Virginia. As
many of our poor wounded a4 possible
must be taken home. have sent lor
you, because your men are fresh, to guard
the trains back to Virginia.