The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-11-29

a CONFEDERATE ARMY CHAPLAIN DESCRIBES
THE ecR<E.

series Of letters detailing the "Expe-
rjence aud Observations OF an Army Chap
fsfnv have been running in the HefhodtSl
Protestant, OF Baltimore, Tor nearly two
wears pasf. In q recent number OF thai
journal we find the close Of the series. In
which Is detailed the surrender Of Lee.
The picturings OF 80 important historical
event by an eyewitness OF such high char
aetcr a. DIR. Paryis will be studied with
more interest than the wild skctchings oil
most OF the would-be historians" OF the
present age. DIR. Parvis Is q North Caro-
iinian and a gentleman OF fiue literary at
sainmcnts. He says:
The cventiul day, Sunday, April 9, 1865,
dawned upon us. A nightsrest had great
Nv refreshed the war-worn Confedcrates.
The line OF march was taken up Just after
the first CLEAN OF light showed itself in the
east. Early's old division, composed oil
two North Carolina brigades and one from
Virginia, took the front under Brigadier-
General Walker. Fighting was expected.
The Confederate sharp-shooters, which al
WAYS composed the skirmish line, had
scarcely passed the Courthouse, which Is
but a small village, when they came in con-
tact with the Federal pickets. A lively fusil-
kdc cnsued. 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. l was sitting upon
a hank by the roadside noting events in
nv diary when, at $50 O'Clock, two bat
tories Of captured Federal artillery eight
guus) were driven by me. going to The
rear. In few moments the fire in the
front ceased, and I could discover our
troops falling back and taking up new po-
sitions 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 General Lee. where
our baggage-wagons were parked at the
commencement OF the action. In lew
minutes another white flag, borne by a
couple OF Confederate officers, was dis
PATCHED TO the Courthouse. The road was
quickly cleared Of every obstruction, and
guards placed along 1t TO keep everybody
out OF il. 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 II
was well understood the Confederate army
was on the point OF being surrendered.
Many seemed anxious to be led forward
seemed to take hold on the men, or else
men were overcome by desperation. L
quickly resolved that | would not be in-
cluded in the surrender, and formed a
plan with a choice spirit to escape from the
field and take care OF myself. One O'Clock
i. Nj. was the hour at which | was 10
strike for liberty or safety. Unwilling to
art coyertly IN the matter, at II O'Clock NJ.
n IN my hri 10 mn
tbe plan l had formed, and asked him If
he thought such step on my part would
compromise nv honor in the brigade. He
replied: "Consideriug the relation you
slstain 10 your regiment, | think you
would better maintain your honor by abid-
ing its fate" His answer subdueC me,
and at once | abandoned my plan of es-
cape.
But numbers did escape, and in no case
did hear OF failure on the part of any
who made the attempt. The first flag from |
General Grant TO General Lee came in at
500 O'Clock A. NJ. by my watch. These
Gags continued TO pass and repass until 1
u. NJ. History often represents things
strangely. History gives General Grants
first note on this day TO General Lee at
1880 l.. NJ, when i have no doubt Gene
raj Lee received General Grants first note |
ut $3.50 A. NJ. Will some one better skilled !
In history than | am give Us 4 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. |
Al nature around us seemed to harmOnize |
with our feelings. Sadness and gloom was |
suppressed upon all things, both animate |
and inanimate. Men Were growing despe- |
r1te, officers were breaking their swords |
IN pieces TO avoid the dishonOr OF surren- |
dering them. Maior-General q. W. Pick |
ell, who had led the storming column on
the third day at Gettysburg, tore up his
Gag and wore il around his shoulders. |
Men have feelings. They cannot control
these feelings nj all times and under all cir
cpmstances. My brigade surgeon came to
ne and urged me to preach discourse to
The troops. |. too, had feelings, aud de-
'zlined what ] could only regard as a duty.
Ny weight Of feeling was too powerful to
undertake it.
ut AGO p. VI. the Second Army Corps
was formed in close column to hear the
terms Of surrender. We were addressed
by General Gordon, who sat upon his horse
In front, with his hat in his hand, in the
most moving and impressive speech to
which have ever listened. Circumstances
gave it 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
hrmness from Bull Run to AppomattoX,
we're 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 ord
nance wagons l found the Lieutenant
Commander weeping like child. Ad-
dressing me he said: al have fought the
Yankees from the beginning until now.
and to surrender TO them is more than
can bew. 1t seems like it will break my
heart" Hope was dead. The grave was
ready Its funeral solemnites were too
weighty for the brave.
On the next day bought horse for 81,
q bride for 81, and q saddle for $50. My
SDe-dolar steed would have borne. with
The exception Of his eyes, some resem-
Dlance TO the charger rode by the knight
al La Mancha. On the afternoon Of Tues
day 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 go home. On Wednesday
morning the Confederate army was TO stack
arms. Al sunrise the Second army corps
Was paraded for the last time. Early's d.
vision, led by General Walker. took the
front. lie rode one of the finest horses l
saw in the whole army, and placed himself
In tue march ut the head OF the division.
Nv place was In the rear OF my brigade with
the surgeons. But we were now "passing
under the yoke and l bad become in
fceIed with the Generalization so preya-
1ent. fell In Just behind General Walker
upon my one-dollar horse, no man saying
yea or nay. The march was as solemn as