The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1879-09-12
WAR "REMINISCENCES.
uLATIoN-AN ANEcDoTE OF THE REBEL
GENERAL.

II. L. H. sends the Boston Herald the
following Incidents as related to him by q
a gentleman who was attached to the head.
quarters of General Lee in the capacity of
chief medical purveyor of the army Of North
ern Virginia.
The remnant of the once proud army Of
Northern Virginia, worn out with the in
cesssnt fatigue and privations incidental to
their late retreat from Petersburg, lay rest.
ing under the shade of the trees in the
neighborhood of the now famous Appamat-
tox Court House, anxiously awaiting the re-
turn of their much loved chieftan, who
some hours previously had gone over to the
headquarters of the Union army to arrange
with Gen. Grant for the capitulation of the
Southern forces under his command. There
they lay the heroes of many a hard-fought
battle, thinking over the momentous events
of the past four years, realizing that their
labor had been in vain, that their suHerings
and sacrifices we've to count as nought, and
looking with blank dsmsy into the un-
"A ohOut 10 nOdfuy tnc
rebel yelP rings out once more, and for the
last time the crowd rushes to the roadside
to welcome back their venerable commander.
They call upon him for a speech. Slowly
and sadly turning toward them he replies,
Il have not to-day the heart to make you a
speech. have turned over the army to
General Grant. You will all be allowed to
return to your homes, and hope you will
be happy there Dismounting from his
horse, he remained for some time standing
under neighboring tree. His officers, in
terminged with men from the ranks, group.
ed themselves around him. Some of these
we're gray haired men, Others were boys
One youth, apparently not more than 10, a
courier attached to one of the headquarters
with eyes intently fixed upon his aged COM
mander, had sunk upon one knee to rest him
self, and thus unconsciously assumed an at.
titude of alteration, the whole forming a
picturesque group. Few words were spok
en-. Silently they looked upon the man
whom they had learned to love and vener.
ate, and with whom they were soon to par
forever. The moment was sad and solemn
Few eyes were dry, and down the cheeks o.
Lee himself tears travelled unrepressed, fol
no one in that party cared, or even thought
of concealing the great grief that oppressed
their manly hearts. The setting sun shon,
full upon them, lingering, as it were, to bic
farewell to the heroic army it had lightenet
through to many a hard-fought field, anc
upon whom the fates had decreed that i
should never shine again.
The following anecdote illustrates the dis
like with which Gen. Lee always regarde,
any departure from the rigid simplicit
which characterized the life at his head
quarters One of his inspector generals
Col. Murray, was quite advanced in life
and some friend, wishing to contribute t
his cmfort, had presented him with cush
ioned arm chair. Tents had been struc
and the baggage all packed in the wagons
preparatory to starting on the days march
all except the cushioned chair, in whic
} the colonel sat, waiting to join the genera
as he passed. A few moments later Ger
Lee rode up, regarded the colonel for me
ment, and then quietly remarked Go
Murray, would advise you, the next tim
we start on a campaign, to bring your centr
! table with you.' 1t is needless to say this
the chair was never again seen at the arm
headquarters.