The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1884-02-08
LEES SURRENDER.
As Described by Chaplain Davis OF the
Confederate Army.

/
Confederate Army.
The eventful day, Sunday, April 9, 1865,
dawned upon us. A nights rest had greatly
refreshed the war-worn Confederates. 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 under Brigadier- General Walker.
Fighting was expected. The Confederate
sharpshooters, who always composed the
skirmish line, had scarcely passed the Court
House, which is but a small village, when
they came into contact with the Federal
pickets. A lively fusilade ensued. The line
of battle was quickly formed under the eye of
Gen. Gordon. The battle soon became furi-
GUS. The first line of the Federal troops was
soon broken and driven back with loss. was
sitting upon bank by the roadside noting
events in my diary, when, at half past eight
o'clock, two batteries captured of Federal ar
tillery eight guns were driven by me, going
to the rear. In a few moments the fire in the
front ceased, and could discover our troops
falling back and taking up new positions by
brigades to the rear.
At the same time white flag, borne by
couple of Federal officers at full speed, came
out from the Court House, and went to the
rear and met Gen. Lee, where our baggage
wagons were packed at the commencement of
the action. In few minutes another white
flag, borne by couple of Confederate officers,
was despatched to the Court House. The
road was quickly cleared of every obstruction,
and guards placed along it 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 Confed-
crate troops became intense, as 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 on the field Desperation
seemed to take hold of the men, or else men
were overcome by desperation. quickly re-
solved that I would not be included in the
surrender, and formed plan with a choice
spirit to escape from the field and take care of
myself. One o'clock PM. was the hour at
which I was to strike for liberty or safety.
Unwilling to act covertly in the matter, at
twelve NJ. went to my brigade commander,
told him the plan had formed, and asked
him if he thought such step on my part
would compromise my honor in the brigade.
He replied: Considering the relation you
sustain to your regiment, think you would
better maintain your honor by abiding its
fate" His answer subdued me, and at once
I abandoned my plan of escape
But numbers did escape, and in no case did I
hear of failure on the part of any who made
the attempt The first flag from Gen. Grant
to Gen. Lee came at half past eight o'clock
AM. by my watch. These flags continued to
pass and repass until four PM. History often
represents things strangely. History gives
Gen. Grants first note on this day to Gen.
Lee at half past twelve PM, when l have no
doubt Gen. Lee received Gen. Grants first
note at half past eight AM
The morning had been bright and fair.
By noon dark and gloomy clouds had gath
cred over the whole face of the sky. All ma
ture around us seemed to harmonize with our
feelings. Sadness and gloom were impressed
upon all things both animate and inanimate.
Men were growing desperate officers were
breaking their swords in pieces to avoid the
dishonor of surrendering them. Major-Gen.
G.. w. Pickett, who had led the storming
column on the third day at Gettysburg, tore up
his fac and wore il around his shoulders
Men have feelings They cannot control
these feelings at all times and under all cir
cumstances. My brigade surgeon came to
me and urged me to preach discourse to the
troops. I. too, had feelings and declined
what l could only regard as a duty. My
weight of feeling was too powerful to under
take it,
At half past four Pm. the Second Army
Corps was formed in close column to hear the
terms of surrender. We were addressed by
Gen. 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 battlefelds, and had
fought with manly frmness from Bull Run
to Appomattox, were breaking down under
the force of that terrible word, surrender
Rpt tho braua oo,, ,yoa,, oc xron oa Eu1x3 E.