The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-09

The following eloquent extract from
General Woodford's speech at the Poto-
macs Army Reunion, at Cleveland, Ohio.
last week, will be read with interest by
many who were connected with the armies
in the late war on either side:
On the morning of April /, the 9th
corps was brought up, and you commenced
the attack. Sundry delays followed, and
not until late in the afternoon were all the
combinations effected and your forces in
desired position. Then you flanked and
struck Lee upon his left and left rear. As
soon as the infantry fighting became heavy,
then the cavalry were hurled straight at the
rebel front. As the bugles rang out for
ward burst a cloud of skirmishers on
foot, who picked off the rebel gunners
and so kept down their fire, and then in
one wild charge the cavalry swept at the
rihe-pits, Jumping the abattis clearing the
bitches, and literally smashing the rebel
line.
Closely after them, yet ever swinging to
the left and westward, Sheridan pressed.
Six thousand prisoners, four guns, and
many colors were the trophies of that
day. a ...
The Sabbath sun rose. AS it kndled, in
one long line, from the Appomattox to
ilatcher's run, your assaulting columns
swept over the rebel outer works, and by
noon had reached the inner lines.
From Lee to Davis, whom the orderly
found in church, came the tidings that the
end was at hand, and Richmond, so long
and bravely held, must be abandoned
That night Lee withdrew. By daylight
lie was sixteen miles away at Chester
field. ~ a -.-.na.. .-. HE
From April 3 to 8 the record is but one.
Lee strove as best he could, turning at bay
like the stricken lion, and in defeat, as in
victory, compelling our involuntary adj
miration Of his soldierly genius and reso-
lutte will. But still your left pressed on,
and still you scourged the rebel tanks and
rear with remorseless shifting, until at last
the word came back that your cavalry had
reached Lees front and checked his re-
treat. .--.... ....
The rebels, reaching your cavalry ad-
vance, saw the serried line of Union troop
ers. Gordon gathered and massed his men
for their last charge. Tattered and hungry,
worn by ceaseless marching and fighting,
wlthno hope of victory, with little possibility
ofescape, they closed their lines with fideli-
ty Of discipline, and soldierly resolution,
to which words can do little justice-but
which each soldiers heart must recognize
and honor. AS the Old Guard closed
around their Emperor at Waterloo, SO
these men closed around the flags of
their lost cause. My heart abhors their
treason. But it warns beyond restraint to
their manhood so grandly brave, even in
disloyalty. Slowly they advanced to their
last attack. No battle yell, no crack of
the sltirmisher's rifle broke the strange
Stiffness of that Sabbath morn. Steadily,
silently they came, when Sheridan drew
back his horsemen, as parts some mighty
curtain, and there stood the close-formed
hattalions Of your infantry, the cannon
cleaning in the openings, quietly awaiting
the coming of Gordon's men.
lnstinctlyely your enemy halted. Mean
while, Lee had turned back to meet Grant
and surrender his command. Sheridan
swung his cavalry around upon Gordon's
left, and was about to charge, when Custer
reached Longstreet. Assurance of sur
render was given, and the end had come.
By the memories SO tender, so beyond
all utterance, by the brave ones gone, by
the defeats SO patiently borne, by the VIC
tories so justly won and so mercfuly used
we plead with thee, thou God of our
fathers, to keep the land thus saved.
And may the peace, which fell that Sab
bath morn so tenderly on land and flag,
long remain unbroken.