Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-02-16
LEES SURRENDER.

THE FINAL BREAKUP As DESCRIBED BY GEN. J.
L. CHAMBERLAIN OF MAINE IN RECENT Lee
TUBE
On the evening before the great question
was to be tried We prepared to break camp
before the dawn. The enemy was in hope
less condition, their right smashed their CEN
tire pierced. their strong works in front lost,
their principal line Of communication cut,
Petersburg in our possession, the fall of their
capital inevitable. The campaign lasted
twelve days only. The skirmishing all day
and the marching all night, aud then on the
last three days the racing and pursuit, great
ly wearied our men. The only hope of the
enemy was to push westerly by pathway
that led them along the south of the Apo
mattox river. That pathway was crossed by
many streams, and as they rushed along 1t
was only to find at every crossing some hot
vanguard. 1t was the last night of the pur-
suit. Sheridan, who was Just a little way
ahead had sent back word that he was close
upon the enemy aud likely to strike him at
any moment, and asked US to make about
eight miles more than the hard days march,
that we might keep up with his cavalry. 1t
was blackest midnight when, with flushed
faces and aching limbs We reached the goal.
Down we lay there in our blankets supper
less fevered by the heat of the march, then
chilled by the dews of the Virginia spring.
Scarcely had the first broken sleep begun
when a mounted officer splashed down the
road, bearing in his hand q note from Sheri-
dan; IF you can possibly push out your in
fAntry tonight we will have great results in
the morning"
Almost before the lingering echoes of the
halt had died away, the tired brain of the
dreamer hears the bugle note. The horses
are hurried. The men form in short ranks.
In three hours we have reached Appomattox
station. Already we can hear the sharp ring
of the hoarse artillery drowned by the surly
roar of the rebel guns. There is no mistake.
Sheridan is square across the rebel retreat,
and with that glorious cavalry alone, in which
cur first Maine was in the very front, he was
holding at bay all that was left of the proud.
est army of the confederacy Suddenly an
officer from Sheridan appears and delivers
this message Sir, Gen. Sheridan wishes
you to draw oG two columns and come to his
support. The rebel infantry is pressing him
hard, aud likely to drive him from the field. "
Such CHANGED to be my own order
Breaking from the woods We soon catch
sight of Sheridau's banner. Beneath it sat
that calm yet headstrong man, mounted on
the fiery steed that had turned the battle of
the Shenandoah. In full view of US our cav
airy was gallanty stemming the fire of the
Stonewall jackson corps. We wheel into
line of battle. Every arm of the service was
in full play. On Que side the line rolled on
the other pressed irresstibly on. As the
battle took shape we became the extreme
right of a semi circle enveloping Lee. Mean
time the other corps of infantry were com
ing up and forming a sort of semi-circle
Coming up on the rebel rear are the Second,
Sixth and Ninth corps of our army, and un-
less they can break through us within half
an hour, all is lost by them. The rebel bat
teries are drawn of from the crest and take
their ground near the court house of the lit
tie hamlet called Appomattox. We press for
ward on the south side. The die is cast We
hear the rattle of our light artillery coming
up behind, and we catch glimpses of Sheri-
| dan closing on the foe. We dash on over
swamp and stream. All is excitement,
Soon two horsemen come galoping out from
| the rebel line one of them waving a flag OF
| truce.
The aide makes his graceful salutation aud
! delivers his message Gen. LOngslreet de-
sires cessation of hostilities until he can
hear from Gen. Lee as TO proposal of sur
render" Meanwhile, of course, we still ad
vance. We have no orders to halt, but the
iring sackens on both sides. In moment
comes the order to cease firing and to halt
truce is agreed upon till 4 o'clock in the
afternoon. Four o'clock comes. No word
from Lee and Grant is heard so what have
we to do after this but to resume hostilities
The orderoame Prepare to make or receive
an attack in ten minutes" We push forward
our skirmish lines but Lee and Grant come
The final answer is not long coming now
The surrender is made by Lee. What worC
for US The sky must have been made o.
bronze that it was not rent assunder by the
uproar of shouting aud cheering that contin
ued far into the night.
We were in camp all the next day whil'
Generals Grant and Lee were arranging the
details of the surrender. But on the mex
night, about midnight was ordered to have
! my command out at o O'Clock the next morn