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

Army Of Northern Virginia, around
Which chung the proudest memories and
tho fandest hopes of the then expiring
rooeaderacy. For six weary days and
,,;,bts with varying success, its bronzed
and scarred veterans had marched and
t,,obt under great difficulties and
;nst overwhelming numbers, aud
NOW. though foot-sore and exhausted,
closed their eyes to the iniexible decree
,ba. the star of hope which had SO often
;Iiumined their dangerous pathway was
.,,n to fade into an endless eclipse.
Tbair courage remained u~ndaunted, and
tLoir devotion to the peerless chlef who
had 50 repeatedly led them to victory
-. mistaken; and thus stimulated,
their faith rose superior to unreienting
fate. and their resolution neyer faltered.
ryan while their v%igiIant and gallant
c,e VAS hcmming them III on every SIDE
the word OF command braced anew their
evnirinc energies, and their brave hearts
beat quick and responsive to the pros
pect Of a renewal of the conflict. They
reflected not upon the numbers and
strength OF their adversary, remember
inc only the cause for which they had
50 long encountered all the yicissitudes
Of the camp and the perils ofthe battle
field.
THE SITUATION AT APP0MATF0N.
On this eventful morning we hoped
t. cut through the lines OF the Federal
troops which had gained our front: Sc
cure supplies coming to u relief from
~Lynchburg: and then accomplish II
retreat. The proposition though bold
and hazardous would not have been
without aprospect of success, but for the
delay occasioned by our cumbrous wa
con train, and an interior line which
was available to the Federais, and
which enabled them tt mass a heavy
body Of infantry in our front. The
head of our column having on the pre-
caiinc day arrived near Appomattox
Court House, before sunrise we were
again in motion. Longstreet's corps
protected our rear, while Gordons com
maad led the van, with Grimes Divis-
ion in its immediate front. Having
PASSED through the village We rested on
the eastern slope OF the hill. and await
at the firing OF a cannon. the signal for
a general advance. The Division rest
ed across the road leading westwardlv
OFT OF the town, and our cavalry were
already engaged in diminishing to the
right aud front. Soon General Gordon
ordered Us to throw forward the Divis-
len at once, (Ihe duties OF Ger.
Grlmes calling him temporarily to
another point of the field which wa:
promptly done III echeHon by brigades at
Intervals Of one hundred PAGES, in the
following order:
l.. Battle A~labamians.
> Grimes North CaroIinians. his cid !
brigade /
), Cox North Carolinians.
/. Cook Georgians.
sheridan ; ~dlsmounted cavalry We're c
III our front, and to our right, hopeful '
anu eNuItant at the prospect of an early G
termination Of the conflict, and the sub d
sSantial rewards which awaited success Il
t zen one anxious to distinguish himself /
II what he clearly foresaw must be the t
list battle in which lie should be per- |
United to Participate during the war. o
AM impatient to pluck a fresh laurel to Z
grace the final triumph. But they were e
l'>diled to lind in a few hours that the al
though sore pressed and wounded, IL
Was a lion still. Ct
NAL CONFLICT OF ARMS IN VIRGINIA.. ia
h>the division with martial step as o
A''ei the hill a grand panorama was as
scented, The gray morning was cool to
ID ofaclng the country open and IN N
"",ils' The mpetuous zeal Of the 90
'''tderate color bearers could not be W
strained from bearing their cross 10.
urea battle flags too far to the front. a
'' ol'lsion had not proceeded far be- as
'S yoke 5 and Cox's Brigades were ce'
'''Sed to a murderous fire from a bat ter
> ol artillery in their front, but in vi
."' Gf hating or recoiling they pa
onr'ly charged and captured it,
nut The Division, to preserve its