The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-08-14


for six or eight days in the continual
smoke of battle, we had little idea of
what was going on elsewhere, and when
we surrendered 1000 bayonets to Gen.
Grant we surrendered also 1,600 Feder-
al prisoners that had been plucked out of
his army during our retreat. Still, we
all had the most perfect confidence in
Gen. Lees ability and heroism and we
knew that he had done all mortal man
could do"
"Did you say to Gen. Lee when par
ting with him that you regretted you had
gone into the WARP"
"No sir. l said that before I drew
my sword again I would be sure that it
would be necessary. I did not believe
that the war was justified on either side.
It is a terrible thing and should be re-
sorted to only in absolute self-defence-
just as killing in private life. Besides, l
had fought all the time, knowing that
our plans were wrong and believing that
we could not succeed. saw our forces
scattered over a vast country and along
an endless line of sea coast, while Gen.
Grant, with the true genious Of war,
massed his energies npon point after
point and crushed us inexorably. Still
I did not, and do not regret my services.
1 fought for my people. fought stead
lily, uncomplainingly, as best I knew
how, and there never was an hour that I
would not have gladly laid my life down
to have secured the success of our cause.
No, sir, I regret nothing. I only did my
duty. The war was q grievous error
an error of both sections and for which
both sections have deeply atoued. As
for me, l only did my duty in an humble
way,as a man and as soldier, and the
same reverent devoted sentiment that i'm
PEELED me to draw my sword filled my heart
when I sheathed it forever"
THE PRAYING SOUTHERN GENERALS.
Col. P. w. Alexander, who as "P. W.
A." was the best known of Southern war
correspondents, lately gave me reminis-
cence of Gen. Longstreet. He says that
right before the battle of the Wilderness
he slept in the same room with the Gen
eral. After he had gone to bed Gen.
Longstreet came in. He undressed and
then kneeled by his bedside and engaged
in the most earnest prayer. While his
words were not audible it could be seen
that he was very much affected, was lit
orally wrestling with prayer" He re-
mained upon his knees for full half
hour, Col. Alexander watching him by
the starlight that crept through an open
window. By the way, it is notable
fact that the South-lavish, reckless,
imperious in all her ways-sent her ar
mics to the field under the leadership of
God fearing, God seeking men, while the
decorous and straight-laced North did no
such thing. It may be that the land of
sentiment believed in prayer, while the
land of cold reason put its trust in artil-
lery, and preferred that its leaders should
look to the condition of their troops
rather than indulge in petitions to the
Divine Arbiter; that, after all, is said
to give victory to the side having the
most men and the heaviest guns.
Lee, Jackson and Longstreet were men
of prayer, in the fullest sense of the
word. Bragg was baptised in the pres
sence of his army. Ewell became a de-
vout Christian. Albert Sidney Johnston
never went into battle without going
down upon his knees to the Lord of
Hosts. Gordon was a devout and prayer
loving man. Neither Gen. Grant or
Sherman or Sheridan, or Butler-but, then,
it is important, after all, to look after the
artillery.
Gen. Longstreet was leader great in
details. He never went into camp with
out seeing personally that his men were
properly disposed. His orders to his
troops were unique and in vivid contrast
to the fine rhetoric and stirring appeals
usual in such papers. He filled his or
ders with practical hints and advice. AS
for instance: Remember though the
fiery noise of battle is most terrifying
and seems to threaten universal ruin it is
not so destructive as it seems and few
soldiers are slain after all. The COM
manding general desires to particularly
impress the fact. Let officers and men
even under the most formidable fire pre-
serve a quiet demeanor keep cool !;
obey orders; fire low. Remember while
you are doing this and driving the ene-
my before you, your comrades are sup
porting you on either side and are in
turn edging on you" He had the most
wonderful Influence over his men. They
would follow him anywhere. Gen.
Toombs once said that Longstreet was
the only Southern general capable of
leading an army of 70, 600 men into Penn
sylvania.
Since the war, Gen. Longstreet has
been living in comparative quiet. Some
years ago he wrote letter advising the
South to accept the situation and make
the best of it, that subjected him to con-
siderable abuse. Latterly, however, this
has died away, and he is restored to his
old place in the hearts of his people,
since the wisdom of his advice having
been proved, he is allowed credit for pu-
rity of motive in giving it. He lived in
New Orleans for some years, and was un-
lucky in a commercial business. He
removed to Gainesville, Ga, some
years ago where he bought a sheep farm
and a large summer hotel. He was
made postmaster, without having ap-
piled, upon the death of the old post
master. His hotel is managed by his
son and nephew. His salary is about
$4,000 and he is allowed an assistant.
His health is good, but his right arm is
paralyzed, the effect of old wounds. He
is quiet, self.possessed and kindly-a
great favorite with the townpeople. He
has charming family, fair competen-
cy, a peaceful home, and will probably
end life stormy, potent and terrible to
the highest degree in placid and CRATE
full contentment. Fl. w. q.
"A new American export trade has
been started, which promises to be more
successful than the expectation of cattle,
hogs and sheep, because the margin of
profit is much larger; and that is the ex-