The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1879-06-05

est and most patriotic hopes which had
been sustained by four years of courage
that had known no failing, we enter
tanned too much respect for their feel
ings to witness the emotions born of
such a crisis, and too much regard for
their good opinion to risk giving utter
ance to hasty expressions in the midst of
such scenes. We were Oon joined by
an accomplished cavalry officer whom
common misfortune had introduced, and
while we were interchanging opinions
regarding the situation, a private soldier
from the Brigade, unable longer to en-
dure the suspense, successfully sought
Us out, and rushing up III deepest agony
Of expression. exclaimed: General, is
it true that we are to be surrendered"
We replied we feared it was so. With
manly tears bathing his bronzed cheeks
he cried Glow can | carry this news
to my mother, for my father was slain;
or TO my sister, for her husband is
killed." Brave, honest soldier, no one
to then witness your anguish could
or would have withheld his SYM
patty: no one that may hear your
story but will respect your misfortune
and admire your constancy, for
s.Tne bravest are tme tenderest,
The loving are the daring.'
Nor was this a singular instance.
The South had given her pride and her
manhood tothe cause, and around every
hearthstone relentless wal had left its
dcsolating mark.
After musing on the scene just wit
messed, our conversation was renewed,
and the officer referred to inquired
what We proposed to do? We replied:
General, you command cavalry and [
infantry. | shall go on and share the
fortunes of my men" Neither of US
could then anticipate what would be the
conditions OF the surrender. Bidding
Us adieu, the cavalier remarked as we
separated 4 was not raised a sol
der, and shortly after, with his whole
command, made his escape. Rejoining
our command, the soldiers were found
participating in all the emotions natural
to that eyentfnl occasion; but that of
pleasure at the prospect before them
was conspicuously absent. Some were
demonstratiye, while others moved
slowly and listlessly about as though
some great calamity was hanging over
them, but there was an individuality in
the actions Of all.
APPEARANCE OF GENERAL LEE on TIE
FIELD
After 4 suspense which had ripcned
into a moral certainty, General Lee, the
faultless soldier, sitting erect on his
matchless gray, and without his sword,
fine eye penetrating each command,
his expression t~houghtfully sad, but
as he must have felt that he
enshrincd in the hearts of all his
soldiers, passed by. There was no de
no%nstration on the part Of the troops.
While they knew he had done all that
mortal power and military skill could
accomplish, yet their sensations were SO
loyel-the cypress and the olive were
closely interviewed, their recollec-
ION OF the recent charge SO yiyid-it
vas hard to realize for the moment that
further struggle but involved a need
ess ~efiusion of blood, and that he had
yielded to overwhelming numbers and
esources' through no distrust of their
unsurpassed courage and fortitudc.'
md such was the feeling of the Diyis-
IN, The greater part of which had
eryei together almost throughout the !
1t has been stated in more than !,
ne history Of the war, on the /,
uthority OF what is purported {
} be Ian eye witness that. t
pom General Lees return from the /
difference with General Grant, as he >
assed, whole lines of battle broke /
INKS, and rushing up to him sobbed y
1t words Of tenderness and comfort. r
lereby endeayoring to 'lighten his y
lrden and mitigate his pain" while ST
eat tears rolled down his cheeks, as s.
dismissed them with a few a%ppropri- h
e words. While it will not be pre- Of
med here to absolutely contradict 50 o,
a picture, yet it may be insist &C