Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-05-17
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A New story of Lees Surrender.

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ry which has never been printed, and
which / know to be true, for Gen. Bah
cock, its hero, told me of it himself
After the evacuation of Richmond
there was at once swift and eager pur-
suit of the retreating rebels. Grant and
Sheridan laid most carefully the plan by
which they hoped to force Lee to an i'm
mediate surrender. They had cut of,
as far as possible, all available lines of
retreat; yet, alert and vigilant, their
troops were kept ready for any emergen-
cy.
On the 7th day Of April they were
sure that Lee was aiming to reach Dan
vile; and accordingly Sheridan with his
forces, moved rapidly forward to defeat
that purpose. Grant, with his staff and
several other officers, halted for the night
at plantation, demanding rest and re-
freshment. 1t was nearly dark they
we're iaded and worn with fierce excite
ment and the hard riding of the preced-
ing days, and cared little whether their
host was surly or kind. Supper was
speedily dispatched, guards and sentries
we're posted, orders issued for an early
break fast, and then the tired men stretch
ed themselves wherever they might for
the sorely needed repose.
During the preparation of their sup
per and once afterwards, a tall and ele-
CANT woman had been visible, but she
vouchsafed no word or look to the Yam
kee officers, and evidently sought by her
naughty and disdainful bearing to make
them feel how unwelcome was their pres
ence.
Possessing, perhaps, more vitality or
power of endurance than his compan-
ions, Gen. Babcock did not find himself
so tired and sleepy as the rest, so acting
as sentinel, he paced up and down the
| hall running in Southern fashion through
the house.
The servants had retired, and none OF
the family were visible, but through a
partly open door he caught the glow OF
a bright fire, and glimpse of a pretty
room, which awoke strong memories of
home.
You must remember that their camp
duties had been especially arduous, and
all social pleasure where ladies were, a
feature which had been denied them for
months. The General is very gallant
man, so after passing that door two or
three times, be coolly tapped on the cas-
ing. The lady whom he had noticed an
swered his knock. and with very
naughty aspect demanded his errand.-
Not a whit dasLted, the General bowed
and sometlssas ike the following colo
guy took place.
Madam. Gm afraid you will deem
me very impertiuent, but it will be my
duty to pace this hall for an hour. The
glimpse / could not help catching oi
your bright fire and cosy room, has given
me vivid picture of my own home, as
I left it so long ago. Tomorrow / ex
pect to be in battle, and though you re-
gard me as your enemy, can you but for
get it for an hour, and allow me now
and then few words, shall account il
great favor"
Bitterly hating those Northern officers
and smarting under the fall of Rich
mond, the lady came very near refnsa
but the General is handsome man, anC
his eyes were pleading for him, while ht
| spoke.
The woman couldn't resist if the rebel
could. So the door remained wide oper
and each time the General neared it, b,
was ready with some pretty speech Oh
droll jest, often winning bright replies
! and once or twice merry laugh. Hi
useful eyes now spied chess table, anc
as his watch was concluded with easy au
! dacity, he proposed to try the game
The lady consented. and they commenc
: ed.
At length the game deepened in inter
/ est; the lady's queen was in danger;-
|, , there was just one possible chance o
safety for her, but somehow the Genera
! had begun to regard the game as signif
cant of the real contest in progress, anc
/, he watched with interest to see what th,
, next move would be. The lady was il
earnest, too. With her finger she trac
ed out possible chances for escape, anc
found them worthless. Suddenly be
laughed merrily. Answering to hi
thought she incautiously said:
+" You needn't be exultant yet, sir, i
: you are almost sure of winning. Doubt
less you think you have me trapped, jus
Q as your General Grant fancies our Lee
! is securely netted. But Isee my wa,
i out, and so does Lee I'm not checkma
!. ted yet, and your army plans will prov
as futile as your hopes of winning thi
J, game See, can move so, and then, tax
: ing your pawn, Pm-whyl thought