Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-11-22
THE SURRENDER OF LEE.
A sketch of Interesting History by a
Confederate Army ChaDlain-EiViG
and Sad Scenes Depieted-The Last
RaffIe-NIxfhs Exploded.

Protestant.
4 series of letters. detailing the ..EX-
perience and Observations OF an Army
Chaplain,r have been running IN the
Methodist Protestant, of Baltimore, for
nearly two wears past. In recent num-
Der Of that journal we find the close Of the
series, in which is detailed the surrender
of Lee. The picturings Of so important
an historical event BY an eyewitness OF
such high character as DR.. PaTYlS VIII De
studied with more interest than the Wild
sketchings Of most Of the wOuld-be his
tOTians' of the present age. Dr. ParYls IS
North CarOlinian, and gentlemen OF
fine literary attainments-
The eYentful day, SUNDAY April =, 1860,
dawned upon us. A nights rest had
greatly refreshed the war-wOTn Conied-
crates The line of march was taken up
Just after the first CLEAN Of light showed
itself in. the east. Early's old division.
composed OF two North Carolina brigades,
and one from Virginia. took the 'front.' I'M
der BrigadieF-General Walker. Fighting
was expected. The Confederate sharp
shooters, which always composed the
skirmish line, had scarcely passed the
court house. which is but a small village.
when they came in contact with the FED
eral pickets. A lively fusilade ensued.
The line of battle was quickly formed
under the eve of General Gordon. The
battle soon became furious. The nrSt line
of the Federal troops was broken and
driven back with loss. was sitting upon
bank By the roadside noting events IN
my dairy when. at $50 CLOCK, TWO pat
terIeS captured of Federal artillery eight
guns J, We're driven by me. going TO the
rear. In 4 few moments the ire in the
front ceased. and l could discover our
troops falling back, and taking up new
positions by brigades TO the rear.
At the same time white flag. borne by
a couple Of Federal officers at full speed.
came out from the court house, and went
10 the rear and met Gen. Lee, where our
baggage wagons were packed at the CON-
mencement of the action. In a few min
utes another white flag. borne by a couple
of Confederate officers, was dispatched to
the court house. The road was quickly
cleared of every obstruction, and guards
placed along il TO keep everybody out OF
it that the flag-bearers might pass from
one point to the other at full speed. At
this period the excitement among the
Confederate troops became intense. as it
was we'll understood the Confederate
army was on the point of being surren-
dered.
Many seemed anxious to be led forward
to conquer or die on the field. Despera-
ton seemed TO take hold on the men. or
else men were overcome by desperation.
[ quickly resolved that l would not be
included in the surrender. and formed a
plan with a choice spirit TO escape from
the field and take care of myself. One
O'Clock p. IN. was the hour at which | was
to strike for liberty or safety. Unwilling
TO act covertly in the matter at u o'clock
m. went to nv brigade commander, told
him the plan l had formed, and asked him
if he thought such step on my part
would compromise my honor IN the bril-
gade. He replied: considering the rela-
ton YOU sustain To your regiment l think
Won would better maintain vOur honor by
abiding its fate" His answer subdued
me. and at once l abandoned my plan Of
escape.
But Numbers did escape. and in no case
did l hear of a failure on the part Of any
who made the attempt. The first flag from
Gen. Grant to Gen. Lee came in at $50
o'clock a. N. BIZ M watch. These flags
continued to pass and repass until 4 P.
m. History often represents things
strangely. History gives TO Gen. Grants
first note on this day to Gen. Lee at 1890
D. m. when | have no doubt Gen. Lee re-
ceived Gen. Grants first note at $50 a.
m. VIII some one better skilled in his
tory than l am give Us a solution Of this
difficulty: The morning had been bright
and fair. By noon dark and gloomy
of the sky.
An nature around Us seemed to har-
mOnize with our feelings. Sadness and
gloom was impressed up0u all things,
both animate and inanimate. Men were
growing desperate; officers were break
Ing their swords in pieces 10 avoid the
disbOnOr OF suTrendering them. Major
General G.. ". Pickett, who had led the
storming column on the third day at Get
around his shoulders. Men have feelings.
They cannot control these feelings at all
times and under all circumstances. My
brigade surgeon came 10 me and urged
me to preach discourse to the troops. /,
too. had feelings, and declined what l
could only regard as duty. Ny weight
of feeling was too powerful 10 undertake
it. At 4:20 P. m, the Second Army
Corps was formed in close column 10 hear
the terms Of surrender.
We were addressed by Gen. Gordon,
who sat upon his horse in front, with his
hat in his baud. in the most moving and
impressive speech 10 which I-have ever
listened. Circumstances gave II force
and character. During its delivery men
could be seen weeping on every side.
Men who had faced death on many fields,
and had fought with manly firmness from
Bull Run 10 App0mattOX. We're breaking
surrender.
But the brave can weep As we'll as fight
for their country. Upon going 10 the
division ordnance wagons [ found the
Lieutenant Commander weeping like a
child. Addressing me. he said: Il have
fought the Yankees from the beginning
until now. ard to surrender to them IS
more than | can bear. 1t seems like it
will break my heart" Hope was dead.
L. t. So I -.r.fsar
mites were too wclghty for the brave.
Night came on. But what a night. such
stealing as took place [ never heard or
read of before.
Ii seemed like everything that could be
stolen was stolen. Just before the sun
weRt down a subaltern of the Quarter
masters Department. whose condition
bespoke an excess of whisky. stepped up
70 NE, and with much eaTnestneSs said:
Il tell YOU, Mr.. T.. the Confederacy is
gone up. Now. JEFF Davis owes YOU and
me a pretty good sum Of money. suppose
that as soon as 1t gets dark we 20 to the
wagons, get horse apiece and strike out
for home. If we don't do that we viii
never get a cent" l had TO decline the
offer Of my would-6e friend.
On the next day l bought 4 horse for
81. bride for s. and a saddle for $50.
Nv 81 steed would have borne. with the
exception of his eyes, some resemblance
TO the charger rode by the Knight Of La
Mancha. on the afternoon Of Tuesday,
the 18th, our parole papers were an
nOunced as ready and were all duly
signed, and by the terms OF surrender we
were permitted to 60 home. on Wednes-
day morning the Confederate army was
to stack arms. At sunrise the Second
Army Corps was paraded for the last time.
FarTvrs division led BY Gen. Walker. took
the front. He rode one Of the finest horses
l saw in the whole army, and placed him.
self in the march at the head of the di-
vision.
NY place was in the rear Of my brigade
with the surgeons. But we were now
passing under the yoke" and had be-
come infected with the Generalization so
prevalent. | fell in just behind Gen.
Walker upon my 81 horse, no man saying
yea or nav. The march was as solemn a ;
a funeral procession.
Not man spoke word. The Federal
army, at least portion OF IT, was drawn
up between our camp and the court
house upon our left. about forty steps
from the road, and stood at order arms.
When our division had reached the left
of this line the word halt was given.
Left face, forward march, followed.
When the advancing line mad approached
within ten PAGES of the Federal line the
command .shalt" was heard. Then came
the order stack arms The rifles were
stacked in the customary style. and the
cartridge boxes hung upon them.
Then came the last order heard given
in the army of Northern Virginia, Fall
in. forward march, As the column
reached the village, where the public roads
diverge. every officer and man struck for