The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-07-07
LEE IN TEARS.

The Closing Scenes In the Confederate Armv
at Appomattox.
From Capt. McDonald's Paper Read Before
the Southern Historical Society,"
When it was known that we had sur
rendered there was at first some dissatis-
faction, bit sympathy for Lee soon did
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 ring,
most Of the men refused to obey, declar-
ing that they would never surrender. Ma
hone went and expostulated with them, but
they would not listen to him. Finally Lee
came and made personal appeal. For some
time even his authority was disreparded.
Many Of the officers gathered around him
and implored him not to put upon them
such disgrace. With tears they begged
hin to trust himself to their care, swear
ing 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 accents
and many tears that he could not break his
word; that bis honor was involved. Finally
he asked them If they who had followed
him SO long and stood BY him SO
faithfully were ashamed to share his
fate. This appeal they could not resist.
though with heart breaking sobs they
yielded.
There is hardly doubt that this brigade
would have carried Lee out safely had he let
them try it. Malone called them the "Invin-
cibles." They were often selected for
quick, desperate work. will state sin
gle instance Of their valor. At Farmyille,
when the federals made determined effort
to break our lines. in the midst of the bat
tie courier rode up and told Malone that
part of the StonewaN division had given
way and that the enemy at this point had
penetrated half mile beyond our right
flank Malone at once sped away like an
arrow down line. In less than twenty
minutes he returned with Harriss' brigade,
and charging the enemy in flank with the
bayonet killed or captured nearly everyone.
tederas came our mes ana Began q e
fraternize with the men. In order to carry
home some relic Ut the surrender, they
they snapped knives or any thing they had
for the old plumber Of the confederates.
Some OF the latter, alive to the situation.
having exhausted their stock in trade. went
about seeking to replenish it. and hence
there arose quite brisk demand for old
papers, combs, etc.
Inc federats seemed overjoyed at this
ISSUE, anu t0eH 0e41& were running over
WIN kindiy feeling. One man, colonel,
made speech to large crowd Of confed-
crates. He was big hearted soldier, and,
with many compliments to Lee and his
men. seemed 70 be trying to take away the
sting Of defeat from the crestfallen foes.
Among other things he said that the North
loved the South, and that the next pres
ldent Of the United States would be Gen.
Lee. Finally, he said We are all a band
q brothers nov, and seemed to pause for
reply q grim battle-scaIred veteran re-
sponded IN audible tones and with an
cath II I had you out in the woods By
nyseh I'd brother you. 5,
have only too add, in conclusion, that
tnis retreat, which in the eyes Of some re-
hects somewhat upon the lame OF Lee, may.
yet 90 down into history as the triumphant
masterpiece Of his genius.
The wonder is. not that his army was
captured at Appomattox, but that Il was not
Captured long before it reached that point.
70 successfully conduct beaten army At
ter the stunning defeats at Pittsbure and
Five Forks. almost as he was s,rrounded