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

seemed to improve by practice, respond
ed in the old way.
The last saw of that farmer he was sit
ting on the fence, the picture of despair,
while the mule was gazing defantly at
the passing column as if to say, "it there
be any more Of you military gentlemen
who want to ride me / am respectfully
yours to command"
The morning of the surrender is well
remembered. Reports of heavy losses
of artillery and trains the night before
were rife The want of food was very
great for man and beast. and now and
then men spoke in Whispers of a surren-
der. By9 o'clock there was firing all
around the line. Our last position was
upon raised plateau wish wood-cov-
cred ridge on our left and valley flank
ing our right. In 'front.' was another
valley, reaching to the railroad junction
Lee had still an army of about 10000
rank and file, exclusive of the cavalry,
and of these at least one-half would have
dared anything at his command. That
be could have gotten away with con-
siderable portion of bis troops there is
not doubt. The soldiers were not de.
moralized. Many were eager for battle
and even the stragglers calmly expected
Lee to carry them off safely. Beng
ordered to deliver a message to one Of
Lees staff, in the search for him rode
across the Plateau in several directions,
and nearly at every point Of orr line
there was fighting.
The centred ofwhat the soldiers called
the ''bull-ring' was covered with the
various impediments of an army.
Among these were about 5000 prisoners.
The surging mass kept moving around
and around as if looking for some out
let or place of shelter. At last there
seemed to be settled conviction that
the fatal day had arrived, and still
many thought that the genius of Lee
would ye5 triumph. l saw Custer gal
lop by, holding in his hand ramrod
with white handkerchief upon it. Al
this very moment there was passing 6
Federal battery with horses and men
that had just been captured. Two ole
soldiers were standing near discussing
the situation. At the sight of Custer
one said "What did l tell you; look a
that Yankee chap with the white rag
It's all up with u.s. "Oh, that's moth
ing" the other replied; "look at tina
fine battery we have just captured
Massa Bob Il beat 'em yet"
When it was known that we hat
surrendered, there was at first som
dissatisfaction, but sympathy for LIE
soon did away with all individual sens
of humiliation. When Harris Mississippi
brigade of Mahone's division were in
formed of the surrender, and ordered t
cease firing, most of the officers and me
refused to obey, declaring that the
would never surrender Malone wen
and expostulated with them, but the
, would not listen to him. Finally lie
came and made personal appeal. Fe
some time even his authority was disrt
garded. Many of the officers and me
gathered around him and implored hil
! not to put upon them such disgrace
! With tears they begged him to tru'
himself to their care, swearing that the
could and would carry him through SAT-
i, ". and telling him that once in I'll
u mountains he could raise another arm,
But Lee told them in broken accen
and with many tears, that he could NJ
break his word; that his honor was i
volved. Finally he asked them if thu
-, who had followed him so long and stot
- bv him so faithfully, were ashamed
= share bis fate. This appeal they cou
not resist, though with heart-breakil
- sobs they yielded.
y There is hardly doubt that this b1
l. gade would have carried Lee out safe
u had he let them try it. Malone call
2. them the 'Invincib]es" They we
l. often selected for quick and despera
le work. Twill state single instance
10 their valor. At Farmville, when t
IT Federals made determined effort
Of break our lines, in the midst of the b'
m tie courier rode up and told Maho
that a part of the Stone-wall dlvisi
le had gwen way and that the enemy h
in penetrated halt a mile beyond our rig
ID flank. Malone at once sped away Ii
At an arrow down the line. In less til
st twenty minutes he returned with II;
so ris' brigade, and charging the enemy
,p flank with the bayonet, killed or C;