Louisiana capitolian. (Baton Rouge, La.) 1879-1881, 1881-07-02

y
the issue, and their hearts were running
over with kindly feeling. One man,
Colonel, made speech to a large crowd
of Confederates. He was big-hearted
soldier, and, with many compliments %
Lee and his men, seemed to be trying 10
take away the sting of defeat from tho
crest-fallen foes. Among other things,
lie said that the North loved the South,
and that the next President of the Unit
ed States would be Gen. Lee Finally h.
said, "We are all band OF brothers
now" and seemed to pause for re-
ply. A grim, battle-scared veteran re-
sponded in audible tones with an oath,
eff l had you out in the woods by your
self I'd brother you"
have only to add, in connection, that
this retreat which, in the eyes OF some,
reflects somewhat upon the fame of Lee,
may yet 60 down into history as the
triumphant masterpiece of his genius.
The wonder is, not that the army was
captured at Appomatox, but that it was
not captured long before it reached that
point. To successfully conduct beaten
army, after the stunning defeats at Pc
tersburg and Five Forks, almost as ne
was surrounded by overwhelming num-
bers, for eight days, without food and
with little ammunition, is feat almost
withouy parallel in military annals.
And vixen he at last resolved to cease
the struggle, it was not with a corpor-
ais guard around him, but a gallant
army of $4,000 men. If he saw fit to
forget his own glory and to consult only
the interest of our common country, let
us endeavor to appreciate his magma
nimity 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 suferings they were
subjected to, and above all the suffer-
ings from hunger. l know Of nc rations
, that were issued after the 9TH, except
that of parched corn. This was to Ma
homes men while hating in the ROAD
under arms. They were not allowed To
\ stop to eat it, but appeased their hunger
as they marched; not irregularly, but
by fours, every man In his place ready
, for action.
r During that whole terrible retreat
t Malone maintained the strictest dicip-
line, though fighting a battle nearly es-
: cry day. How the other divisions Of
t Lees army behaved in those closing days
/. of the struggle ] am not able to speak.
but the conduct of Mahone's men could
4 not be surpassed.
e 1t was not only that they fought SO
e we'll against superior numbers and witl
e foes confident of victory, but that they
ii kept this up day after day, often far in.
l. to the night, suffering terribly from hun.
o ger and fatigue and seeing Lees arn,y
n apparently going to pieces.
y To fight bravely at the pitched field,
it in the presence Of cloud of witnesses,
Y when the issue is of national pride, ano
e when, if one falls, grateful country viii
" take care of his family and honor his
J. name, is thought not only praiseworthy
n but glorious. What shall we say, thel
n of those who not only covered with Their
9. bodies the retreat Of a beaten army, BIZ,
st with their own life.blood kept alive ;
y dying cause; who unappalled by repeat
e. ed disasters, still turned, like lions a
le bay upon their pursuers, and who
y. though ready to drop from watching AIT
is marching, never gave up to the bite
OF end? This, indeed, was the achieve
n ment of heroes only.