National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-09-03
MISCELLANEOUS.
HPPOMATTOX.
Recoilections of the Great surrender-Aneo-
dote of Lee.

Recollections of the Great Surrender-Aneo-
dote of Lee.
" II. Il. H." sends the Boston Herald the fol-
lowing incidents as related TO him by gen.
tleman who was attached to the headquarters
Of General Loe In tho capacity Of Chief Medi-
cal Purveyor of the Army of Northern vir-
GINA:
"The remnant of the once proud army of
Northern Virginia, worn out with tho incos-
SAINT fatigue and privations incidental to their
late retreat from Petersburg, lay resting under
the shade of the trees in the noighborhood Of
the now famous Appomattox Court House,
anxiousy awaiting the return of their much
loved chieftain, who some hours previously,
had gone over to the headquarters of the Union
army to arrange with General Grant for the
C apiulation of the Southern forces under his
command. There they lay,the heroes Of many a
hard-fought battle, thinking over the moment
Gus events Of the past four years. realizing that
| their labor had been in vain, that their suf-
| feiing and sacrifices were 10 count as nought,
and looking with blank dismay into the UNI
| promising future. A shout Is heard, tho rebel
| yell rings out once more and for the last tino;
| the crowd PUSHES to the roadside TO welcome
back their venerable commander. They call
upon him for a speech. Slowly and sadly
| turning toward them, he replies i have not
to-day the heart to make you II speech. L
| have turned over tho army TO General Grant.
| You will all DO allowed TO return 10 your
homes, and hope you will be happy there
| Dsmounting from his horse, he remained for
| some time standing under a neighboring tree.
| His officers intermingled with men from tho
ranks, grouped themselves around him. Some
of these were gray-hared men, others nero
| boys. One youth, apparently not more then
| a Iuglpl N mi nj IA
| quarters, with eyes intently fixed upon his
aged commander, had sunk upon ono kneo to
rest himself, and thus unconsciously assumed
an attitude of silent alteration, the whole
forming picturesque group. Few words
| were spoken. Silently they looked upon the
man whom they had learned to love aud
vencrate, and with whom they were soon 10
part forever. The moment was sad and SOL
emn. Few eyes We're dry, and down the
| cheeks of Lee himself tears travelled unre-
pressed for no one in that party cared or even
| thought of conceaing the great grief that OPP
pressed their manly hearts. The setting sun
shone full upon them lingering as it were, to
| bid farewell to the heroic army it had lighted
| through TO many a ard-fought field, and upon
whom the tates had decreed that 1t should
mover shine again.
| The following anecdote illustrates the dis
| like with which General Lee always regarded
any departure from the rigid simplicity which
| characterized the life at his headquarters:
One ofhis Inspector Generals, Colonel Murray,
was quite advanced in life, and some friend,
wishing to contribute TO his comfort, had pre-.
scented him with cushioned camp-cha +. Tents
had been struck, and the baggage all packed
| i'll the wagons, preparatory to starting on tho
days march--all except the cushioned chair,
in which the Colonel sat, waiting to join tho
General MS he passed. A few moments later
General Lee rode up, regarded the Colonel for
n moment and then quietly remarked: Col
onel Murray, would advise you, tho next
time we start on n campaign, to bring your
centre-table with you" 1t is needless to say
that that chair was never again seen at tho
army headquarters.