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

Confederate \ rniy Chaplain Describes
the Scene.

At'nnfr<l-rutc Army Chaplain Describe.
the Scene.
A series of letters detailing the "experi-
oucc and observations of an army CHAPLAIN
bsvc been running in the Methodist Protest
ant, OF Baltimore for near two years past In
recent number Of that journal We find the
close of the series, in which is detailed the
surrender Of Lee. DR.. Parvis is a North
Carolnian and n gentleman of fine literary
altainm, nts. He says:
The eventful dav, Sunday, April 3, 1865,
Hawnct upon Us. The nights r1st had
s,Tcstly rcfTesht d the war worn cOnfrderates.
The line OF march was taken up just after the
first CLEAN of light showed itself in the East
EARLY Old division, composed of two North
Carolina brigadcs and one from Virginia took
The front under Brig Gen. w alker. Fighting
was expected. The confederate sharp shoot
crs which always composed the skirmish line,
tlasi scarcely passed The court house which is
but Il small village. when they came in
contact with the federal pickets. A lively
fuslaLe eDsuel. The line of battle was
quickly formed under the eye of Gen. Cor
don. The battle soon became furious. The
first line of the federal troops was broken
and driven back with loss. | was sitting
upon bank by the roadside noting events in
any diary whcn, at $50 O'Clock, two batteries
captured Of federal artillery (eigh, guns
were driven by ne going to the rear. In /,
few moments the fire in front ceased, and
could discover our troops falling back and
taking up positions by brigades to the rear.
AT the same time white flag, borne bY Il
couple of federal officers at full speed,
came out from the court house and
TO the rear aud met Gen. Lee, where
our baggage wagons were packed al
the commencement of the action. II
few minutes another white ilal
borne by II couple Of confederate officers
was dispatched to the court house Th,
road was quickly cleared of every obstruc
ton, and guards placed along it to keeI
everybody out of it, that the flashearer
might pass from one point TO the other a
fun speed. A. this period the eXcitemcn
among the confederate troops became ia
tense, as it was well understood the con
fcdera'c army was on the point of being sur
rendered.
Many seemed anxious 10 be led forward t
Conquer or die On the field. Desperation
seemed to take ho.d on the men, or else me
were overcome by desperation. l quckl
resolved that | would rot be included in IT.
surrender. and formcd plan with chois
spirit to escape from the field an
take care Of myself. One O'Clock p. II
Was the hour at which | was t
s,iiie for liberty or safety. Unwilling 10 a,
coveriy in The matter at ~ O'clock IN.
welt to my brigade commander, told bin
The plan | had formed, and asked him if 4
thought such step ON my part would con
promise my honor in the brigade. lie n
piled: Considering the relation YOU SUI
iain TO your regiment, | think you wOu'
better maintain your honor by abiding i
fate His answer subtIurd Inc, and at ont
abandoned my plan of escape.
But numbers did escape and in no cas-
did hear Of n failure on the part Of an
who made the attempt. The first flag frol
Gen Grant to Gen. Lee came in n, s.:
O'Clock a, NJ, by my watch. These fla,
continued TO pass and repass until p Il
History often represents things strangel
History gises Gen. Grants first note on til
day TO Gen. Lee at 1890 p. M, when ha,
no doubt Gen. Lee received Gen. Grant
first note 1t $50 n. N. Win some one be
ter skilled in history than am give us
solution of this difficulty
The morning had been bright and fair. /
noon da.k and gloomy clouds gathered ov
the whole face of the sky. All nature arour
us seemed to harmonic with our feeling
Sadness and gloom was impressed upon ;
things, both animate and inanmat
Men were growing desperate, office
were breaking their sN ords in pieces TO avo
the dishonor ot surIendcring them. Mai
Gen. G. w. Pickett, who had led the storl
ing column on the third day at Gettysbur
tore up his flag aud wore it around /
shoulders. Men have feelings. They CT
not control these feelings at all times al
under all circumstances. My brigade 81
geon came to nc and urged me to preach
diiconrse to the troops. l. too, had feeling
and declined what | could only regard as
duty. My weight of feeling was too powt
ful to undertake it.
AT 4;3o p. m. the second army corps W
formed in close column to hear the terms
surrender. We addressed by Gen &c
don, who sat upon his horse in front, wi
l''S hat in his hao1, in the most moving al
i-'riessiVe sFeD to which ] have ev