Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-12-14

listened. Circumstances gave 1t force and
character. During its delivery men could
he seen weeping on every side. Ncn who
had faced death on many fields, and had
fought with manly firmness from Bull Kun
TO Appoma,tox were breaking down under
the force of that terrible word surrender.
But the brave can weep as well as fight for
their country. Upon going to the division
ordnance wagons l found the lieutenant
commander weeping like child. Address
ing me, he said; 81 have fought the Yam
KEGS from the beginning until now, and to
surrender to them Is more than ] can bear
1t seems like it will break my heart Hope
was dead. The grave was ready. It's fu-
neral solemnities were too weighty fer the
brave
Night came on But what night. Such
stealing as took place | never heard or read
of before. 1t seemed like everything that
could be stolen was stolen. just before the
sun went down subatern OF the quarter.
masters department, whose condition be-
spoke an excess Of whiskey, stepped up to
me, and with much carnestncss said 81
tell you, Mr.. p, the confederaey IS gone up.
Now, JEFF Davis owes you and Inc pretty
good sum OF money. Suppose that as soon
as it gets dark we go TO the wagons, get q
horse apiece, and strike out for home. If
we don't do that we will never get cent"
| had to decline the offer OF my would be
friend.
On the next day bought horse for 81, a
bride for So, and saddle for 500. My one
dollar stccd would have borne, with the cx-
coplion Of his eyes, some resemblance to the
charger rode by the knight of La Manchn.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, the 18th. our
parole papers were announced as ready and
were all duly signed, and by the terms OF
surrender We were permitted to 60 home.
| On wednesday morning tie confederate
army was to stack arms. At sunrise the
Second army corps was paradcd for the las,
time. Eurly's division, led by Gen. Walker,
took the front. lie rode one OF the fines,
horses / saw IN the whole army, and
placed himself in the march at the head OF
the division. My place was in thc rear of
my brigade with the surgeons. But We
were now "passing under the yoke and
had become infected with the demoraiza
tion SO prevalent, | fell in Just behind Gen
Walker upon my 81 horse, no man saying
yea or nay. The malch:swas ms solemn as {
funeral procession. Not a man spoke {
word. Tie federal army, at least a portion
Of it, was drawn up between Our camp ant
the court house upon our left about ~ step
from the road, and stood at order arms
When our division had reached the left o
this line the word Halt was given. "Lef
face, forward march," followed. When tn
advancing line lad approached within /,
PAGES OF the federal line the command
Halt" was heard. The rifles were stacke,
in the customary style, and the cartridg
boxes hung upon them.
Then came the last order heard given in
the army Of Northern Virginia. Fall in
forward march" AS the column reacho
the village, where the public roads divcrgC
r every officer and man struck for home by ih
most direct route. Not woid OF chccrn
was heard from the Federal troops. Pei
hGps this was Gen. Grants orders. The
looked on in silence.
An idle myth has been invented that Ger
Lee surrendered under an apple tree" Piece
: of wood have been shown about as piece
of the identical tree. Gen. Lee surrent
: cred in the hotel at the court house. lIel
>, he and Grant met and nowhere else. Her
at Gen. Grants writing table, he signed Ii
= stipulat0ns In the afternoon. Lees nots
u were sent from where our baggage train ws
g packed by the roadside in the old field. an
p my opinion is that there was nothing baa
ing the scmblauce of an apple-trcc within
II hai-mile of the place. Small scrubby pir
Y bushes were plentiful. Everybody ought
know that ii Gen. Grant had come with
}, the confederate lines he would have lost h
d life, or if Lee had gone within the feder
!. lines he would have met with the same fat
c But the war is over and peace reigns, let
! bless God.