Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-08

The following is from Capt. McDon-
AIDS paper read before the Southern
Historical Society;
When it was known that we had sur
rendered, there was at first some dissatls-
faction, but sympathy for Lee soon died
away with all individual sense of humili-
alton. When Harris Mississippi brigade
of Mahone's division were informed OF
the surrender and ordered to cease firing,
most of the officers and men refused to
obey, declaring that they would never
surrender. Malone went and eXpostula-
ted with them, but they would not listen
to him. Finally Lee came and made
personal appeal. For some time even
his authority was disregarded. Many of
the officers and men gathered around
him and implored him not to put upon
them gsuch disgrace. With tears they
begged him to trust himself in their
care, swearing that they could and
would carry him through safely, and
telling him that once in the mountains
he could raise another army.
But Lee told them, with broken words
and with many tears, that he could not
break his word that his honor was in
volved Finally he asked them if they
who had followed him so long, and stood
by him so faithfully were afraid to share
his fate. This appeal they could not
resist, though with heart breaking sobs
they yielded
There is hardly doubt that this brig
ade would have carried Lee out safely
had he let them try it, Malone called
them the "Invincibles." They were
often selected for quick and desperate
| xx,OeIz I will oipnln in of
| their valOr. At Farmville, when the
Federals made a determined effort TO
| break our lines, in the midst of the bat
tie courier rode up and told Malone
that part of the StOnewall Division had
given way, and that the enemy at this
point had penetrated half mile beyond
our right flank. Malone at once sped
| like an arrow down the line. In less
than twenty minutes he returned with
Harris brigade, and charging the enemy
in flank with the bayonet, killed or cap
tured nearly every one.
As soon as the firing ceased many Of
the Federals came into our lines and be-
gan to fraternize with the men. In or
| der to carry home some relic of the sur
render, they swapped knives or anything
they had for the old puder of the Con-
federates. Some of the latter, alive to
the situation, having exhausted their
stock in-trade, went about seeking to re-
plenish it, and hence there arose quite a
brisk demand for old papers. combs, etc.
The Federals seemed overjoyed at the
issue, and their hearts were running over
with kindly feeling. One man, a Colo
mel, made speech to large crowd of
Confederates He was big hearted
soldier, and, with many compliments to
Lee and his men, seemed to be trying to
take away the sting of defeat from the
creSt-falen foes. Among other things,
he said that the North loved the South,
and that the next President of the United
States would be General Lee. Finally
he said: eve are all band of brothers
now," and seemed to pause for a reply.
A grim, battle-scarred veteran responded,
in audible tones and with an oath: IF
had you out in the woods by yourself
I'd brother you"
have only to add in conclusion that
this retreat, which, in the eyes of some,
reflects somewhat upon the fame of Lee,
may yet go down into history as the tri-
umphant masterpiece of his genius
The wonder is, not that his army was
captured at Appomattox, but that it was
not captured long before it reached that
point To successfully conduct beaten
army, after the stunning defeats at
Petersburg and Five Forks, almost as he
was surrounded by overwhelming num-
bers for eight days. without food and
with little ammunition, is feat almost
without a parallel in military annals.
And when he at last resolved to cease
the struggle, it was not with corporals
guard around him, bat gallant army of
10000 If he saw fit to forget his own
glory and to consult only the interests of
common country, let us endeavor to ap-
preciate his magnanimity and give him
that praise which posterity will certainly
accord him.
1t is impossible TO estimate the hero
ism of his army on this retreat, unless
we consider the sufferings they were
subjected to, and, above all, the suffer-
ings from hunger. l know of no rations
that were issued after the 9TH except that
of parched corn. This was to Mahone's
men while halting in the road under
arms. They were not allowed to stop to
eat it, but alpeased their hunger as
they marched, not irregularly, but by
fours, every man in his place, ready for
action.
During the whole terrible retreat, Ma
hone maintained the strictest discipline,
though fighting a battle nearly every
day. How the other divisions of Lees
army behaved in those closing days of
the struggle am not able to speak, but
the conduct of Mahoue's men could not
be surpassed.