The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-09
THE LAST GASP.
Tho Colonel Who Didn't Recognize Gen.
eral Lees Authority to Surrender.
Washington National Tribune.

Washington National Tribune.
General Sheridan tells very inter.
esting story about the last campaign
against Lee, and the incidents of the
surrender. 1t will be remembered that
he headed off Lee at Appomattox Court
House and captured eleven trains OF
supplies that were waiting for him
there. When Lee found out that he
had no stores or ammunition for his
army, and that his retreat was cut off,
he sent flag of truce which Custer re-
ceived and conducted to Sheridan. The
two armies laid on their arms waiting
for Grant, who was on his way to the
front.
In the meantime Sheridan and some
of his staff started to ride over toward
Appomattox Court House, when they
were fired upon by a regiment of reb-
els, half concealed among some under
brush. The general and his party
waived their hats toward the place
where the shots came from, and made
all sorts of demonstrations to silence
the unexpected and mysterious attack,
but to no purpose. Finally the confed-
crate officer who brought the flag and
Major Allen, of Sheridan's staff, rode
over to see what the matter was.
They found a South Carolina regi
ment, whose colonel, in a grandiloquent
tone, informed them that the war
wasn't over, and that he and his regi-
ment did not recognize the authority of
General Lee to make terms for peace.
"Be Gawd, sir,' exclaimed this gallant
Johnny. "South Carolinians never sur
render!"
The officers rode back to General
Sheridan, who, with his party, had re-
tired under cover, and reported to him
the situation. The general called Gus
ter and told him there was one regi-
ment over in the brush which hadn't
got enough of it, and it would be well
for him to 90 over there and "snuff it
out" Custer ordered his bugler to
sound ssforward," and at the head of
the regiment dashed across the interval
which lay between the two armies,
which were drawn up in long lines and
stood at rest. 1t was beautiful Sun
day morning. perfect spring day
and the sight of that regiment, with
Custer's long tawny hair as their BAN
ner, dashing at full gallop across the
fields, evoked cheer from both armies.
Meantime Sheridan had reached the
court house, where he met General
Gordon, recently senator from Georgia,
and General Wilcox, who had been his
classmate at West Point, but whom he
had not seen for many years. Wilcox
has since been a doorkeeper of the
United States senate.
While this party were sitting on the
steps of the court house, chatting famil-
iarly over the situation, heavy musketry
was heard in the distance. Gordon
looked up in anxiety and alarm and
asked one of his aides co ride over in
that direction and find out what it
meant. "Never mind, general" said
Sheridan. ats all right. l know
what it means. Custer is over there
having some fun with South Caro-
linian who never surrenders." Gordon
insisted upon sending tho officer to stop
the fight, but before he got there the
doughty colonel had presented Custer
with very much battered sword. 1t
was the last gasp of the army of North
ern Virginia.