Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1884-03-06
LEES sURRENDER.

udO SEodCly I6lIeSASO In0 WOTn-OuL GOu- |
federates. The line of march was taken |
up Just after the first CLEAN of light |
showed itself in the east. Farly's old |
division, composed of two North Caro- |
lima brigades and one from Virginia, |
took the front under Brig. Gen. Walker. |
Fighting was expected. The confederate |
sharpshooters, who composed the Skin |
mish line, had scarcely passed the Court !
House which Is a small village, when |
they came in contact with the Federal |
pickets. A lively fusillade ensued. The |
line of battle was quickly formed, under
the eye of Gen. Gordon. The battle soon
became furious. The first line of Federal
troops was soon broken and driven back
with loss. was sitting upon bank by
the roadside noting events In my diary, |
when, at $50 o'clock, two captured bat
teries of Federal artillery-eight guns
were driven by me going to the rear. In
a few moments the fire in the rear 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 Courthouse,
and went to the rear and met Gen. Lee
where our baggage wagons were packed
at the commencement of the action. In
a few minutes another white flag, borne
by couple of Confederate officers, was
dispatched to the Courthouse. The road
was quickly cleared of every obstruction,
and guards placed along it to keep every
body out of it, that the fag-bearers might
pass from one point to another at full
speed. At this period the excitement
among the Confederate troops became
intense, as it was well understood the
Confederate army was on the point of be-
ing surrendered. Many seemed anxious
to lead forward to conquer or die on the
field. Desperation seemed to take hold
Of the men, or else the men were over
come by desperation, l quickly resolved
tina ! would not be Included in the sur
render, and formed plan with a choice
spirit to escape from the field and take
care of myself One o'clock p. m. was
the hour at which was to strike for lib
erty or safety. Unwilling to act cOvertly
In the matter, at II O'Clock a. NJ. l went
to my brigade commander and asked
him if he thought such a step on my 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 it's fate" His answer
subdued me, and at once abandoned my
plan of escape.
But numbers did escape, and in no
Il
any who made the attempt. The first
flag from Gen. Grant to Gen. Lee. came
at 8 o'clock a. m. by watch. These flags
continued to pass and repass until p. m.
History often represents things strange
ly. History gives Gen. Grants first let
ter on this day to Gen, Lee at 1890 p. M,
when have no doubt Gen. Lee received
Gen. Grants first note at $50 a. m.
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 harmon
ize with our feelings Sadness and gloom
were impressed upon all things, both an
innate and inanimate. Men were grow
ing desperate; officers were breaking
their swords to pieces to avoid the dis
honor of surrendering them. Maj Gen
G. w. Picket, who had led the storming
column on 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 brig
ade surgeon came to me and urged me
to preach discourse to the troops. l
too, had feelings, and declined what
could duly regard as duty.
At 4:30 p. M. 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 manner and impressive
speech to which 1 ever listened. Cir
cumstances gave it force and character
During his delivery men could be seer
weeping on every side. Men who haC
faced death on many battle-felds, ant
had fought with manly firmness from
Bull Run to Appomattox, were breaking
down under the force of that terribl
word, surrender. But the brave cal
weep as we'll as fight for their country
Upon going to the division ordinanc
wagonsI found the Lieutenant command
er weeping like child. Addressing me
he said: at have Fought the Yankees fror
the beginning until now, and to surren
der to them is more than l can bear.
seems that it will break my heart" Hop
was dead. The grave was ready. 1t
funeral solemnities were too weighty 70
the brave.
Night came on. But what a night
Such stealing as took place / never rea,
or heard of before. 1t seemed as if ev
erything that could be stolen was stolen
Just before the sun went down a subal
tern of the Quarter-master's department
whose condition bespoke an excess c
whisky, stepped up to me and wit
much earnestness said: 81 tell you tn
Confederacy is gone up. Now, JEFF Ds
Wis owes you and me pretty good sur
of money. Suppose that, as soon as
gets dark, we 60 the wagons, get hors
apiece, and strike out for home? If W
don't do that we will never t cent.
had to decline the offer of my would b.
friend.
On the next day bought horse 70
81, a bride for So, and a saddle for SCI
My 81, steed would have borne, with tn
exception of his eyes, some resemblanc
to the charger rode by the Knight of L
Mancha- On the afternoon of Tuesday
the 18th, our parole papers were al
nounced as ready, and were all dull
signed, and by the terms of surrender W
we were permitted to go home. On Wee