The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1879-10-04
Appomattox.

sH. E. H." sends the Boston Herald
the following incident, as related to him
by gentleman who was attached to the
headquarters of General Lee In the
capacity of Chief Medical Purveyor of
the Army of Northern Virginia:
The remnant of the once proud army
of Northern Virginia, worn out with the
incessant fatigue and priyations Incl
dental to their late retreat from Peters
burg, lay resting under the shade of the
trees in the neighborhood of the now
famous Appomattox Court House, anx-
iously awaiting the return of their much
loved chieftain, who, some hours previ-
ously, had gone over to the headquarters
OF the Union army to arrange with Gen
erai 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 wears,
realizing that their labor had been in
vain, that their sufferings and sacrifices
were to count as nought, and looking
with blank dismay into the unpromising
future. shout is heard, the erehel
yell rings out once more, and for the
last time the crowd rushes to the road
side 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 speech. /
nave turned over the army to General
Grant You will all be allowed to return
TO your homes, and l hope you will be
happy there. Dismounting from his
horse, he remained for some time stand
ing under neighboring tree. His Off
GERS, intermingled with men from
the ranks, grouped themselves
around him. Some of these
We're gray haired men, others mere
boys. One youth, apparently not more
than fifteen, a courier attached to one of
the headquarters, with eyes intently
| fixed upon his aged commander, had
sunk upon one knee to rest himself, and
| thus unconsciously assumed an attitude
of silent alteration, the whole forming q
| picturesque group. Few words were
| spoken. Silently they looked upon the
man whom they had learned to love and
venerate, and with whom they were soon
| to part forever. The moment was sad
and solemn. Few eyes We're dry, and
down the checks of Lee himself tears
| travelled unrepressed, for no one in that
| lJbIty f&ICd3 vi GNtit bllOuSuI VI COncc.l-
ing the great grief that oppressed then
manly hearts. The setting sun shone
full upon them, lingering, as it were, to
bid farewell to the heroic army it had
| lighted through many hard-fought
field, and upon whom the fates had de
creed that it should never shine again.
The following anecdote illustrates the
dislike with which General Lee alway.
regarded any departure from the rigid
simplicity which characterized the life
at his headquarters: One of the In
spector Generals, Colonel Murray, wa.
quite advanced in life, and some friends
wishing to contribute to his comfort, haC
presented him with cushioned CAM
chair. Tents had been struck, and the
baggage all packed in the wagons, pre-
paratory to starting on the days march
all except the cushioned chair, in which
the Colonel sat, waiting to join the Gen
eral as he passed. A few moments latel
General Lee rode up, regarded the
Colonel for moment, and then quietl,
remarked: Colonel Murray, I would
advise you, the next time we start on
campaign, to bring your center tablt
with you" 1t is needless to say tina
that chair was never seen again at the
| army healuuarters