Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1883-12-01
REcoLLEcT-oNS OF The War.
THE SURRENDER OF LEE.

Rev. John Paryis, ID. d., under tle heau
of ''The Experience and Observations OF
an Army Chaplain" gives the following
account, in the Methodist Protestant, of the
surrender of General Lee:
The eventful day, Sunday, April ., 1850,
dawneL upon us. \ nights rest iiad
greatly refreshed the war-wo-n Conted-
crates. The line of march was taken up
lust after the first CLEAN of light showed
itself I'm the East. Early's old division,
composed of two North Carolina brigadcs,
and one from Virginia, took the front un-
der the command of Brigadicr-Gencral
Walker. Fighting was expected. Ihc
Confederate sharp shooters, which always
composed the skirmish line, had scarcely
passed the Courthouse, which is but 4
small village, when they came i'll contact
with the Federal pickcts. y lively fusil-
ado cnsucd.
The line Of battle was quickly formed
under the eye of General Gordon. The
battle soon became furious. The first line
of the Federal troops was broken and
driven back with loss. was sitting upon
a bank by the roadside noting events in
my diary when, at half-past eight o'clock,
two batteries captured of Federal artillery
eight guns, were driven by me, going to
the rear. In few moments the fire in
the front ceased, and could discover our
troops falling back, and ,akinS up new
positions by brigades to the rear.
At the same time white flag, borne by
4 couple of Federal officers at full speed,
came out from the Courthouse, and went
to the rear and met Gen. Lee, whore our
baggage wagons were packed mt the COM
mcncemcnt of the action. In few min-
utes another white flag, horno by Il couple
of Confederate officers, was dispatched TO
the Courthouse. The road was quickly
cleared of every obstruction, and guards
placed along it to keep everybody out OF
it. that the ilag-5carers might pass from
one point to the other ut full speed. at
this period the excitement among the Con-
federatc troops became intense, rs it was
well understood the Confederate army
was on the point of being surrendered.
Many seemed anxious to be led forward
to conquer or die OH the field. Dcspcra-
ton seemed to take hold on men, CT else
men were overcome by desperation.
quickly resolved that | would not be in
cluded in the surrender, and formed n
plan, with 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, ut u O'Clock
m. | went to my brigade commander,
told him the plan had formed, and asked
him if he thought such step on ny part
would compromise my honor in the bri-
gade. He replied: "COnsidering the re-
lation you sustain to your regiment,
think YOU would better maintain your
honor by abiding its fate" His answer
subdued me, and ut once | abandoned my
plan Of escape.
But numbers did escape, and in no case
did | hear of Il failure Oh the part Of any
who made the attempt. The first flag from
Gen. Grant to Gen. Lee came i'm at half
past s o'clock 4. m, by my watch. These
flags continued to pass and rcpass until
D. IN. History often represents things
strangely. History gives Gen. Grants
first note, OH this day to Gen. Lee, at 1870
p. M, when l have no doubt Gen. Lee re-
ceived Gen. Grants first note at half
past a. III. viii some one, better skilled
in history than am, give US solution Of
this difficulty? The morning had been
bright and fair. By noon dark and gloomy
clouds had gathered over the whole face
Of the sky.
All nature around Us seemed to harmo-
nize with our feelings. Sadness and gloom
WIS impressed upon all things, both ami
mate and inanimate. Men were growing
desperate; officers were breaking their
swords in pieces TO avoid the dishonOr Of
surrendering them. Major-General G. w.
Pickett, who had led the stOrming column
Oh the third day at Gettysburg, tore up
his flag and wore it around his shoulders.
Men have feelings. They cannot control
these feelings at all times and under all
circumstances. My brigade surgeon came
to me and urged me to preach discourse
to the troops. ], too, had feelings, aud
declined W hat l could only regard as 4
duty. Ny weight of feeling was too pow
erful to undertake it. At 4.20 p. m, the
Second Army Corps was formed in close
column TO hear the terms of surrender.
We were addressed by Geh. GorGon,
who sat upon his horse in front, with his
hat in his hand, in the most moving and
impressive speech to which l have ever
listened. circumstances gave it force and
,.i.r.tctnr nurin1 IN ipfiyerv mon f.of.{I