The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1884-02-28

the troops. l, too, had feelings, and
declined what l could duly regard as
a duty.
At 4: 80 p. m. the second army
corps WAS formed in a close column
to hear the terms of surrender. We
were addressed by General Gordon,
who sal upon his horse in front with
his hat in his hand, in the most NOV
ing and impressive speech to which
| ever listened. Circumstances gave
it force and character. During his
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. But
the brave can weep as we'll as fight
for their country. Upon going to
the division ordnance wagons
| found the lieutenant com
mander weeping like child.
Addressing me he said: 1 have
fought the yankees from the
beginning until now, and 10 surren.
der to them is more than 1 can bear.
1t seems like it will break my heart. "
Hope was dead. The grave was
ready. It's funeral solemnities were
too weighty for the brave.
Night came on. But what was
night ? Such stealing as took place |
never read or heard of before. 1t
seemed that everything that could
De stolen was stolen. inst before
the sun went down subaltern of
the quartermaster's department,
whose condition bespoke an excess of
whisky, stepped up to me and with
much earnestness said: II tell you
the confederacy is gone up. Now,
Jeff Davis owes you and he a pretty
good sum of money. Suppose that,
as soon as it gets dark, we go to the
wagons, get horse apiece and strike
out for home? If we don't do that
we'll never get cent" l had TO
decline the offer of my would-be
friend.
On the next day bought a horse
for 81, bride for S. and saddIe
for $50. My 81 steed would have
borne, with the exception of his eyes,
some resemblance TO the charger
rode by the knights Of La Mancha.
On the afternoon of Tuesday, the
18th, our parole papers were an
nounced as ready, and were all duly
signed, and by the terms of surren-
der we were permitted to go home
On Wednesday morning the confed-
crate army was to stack armes. At
sunrise Second army corps was para
ded for the last time. Early's divis-
ion, led by General Walker, took the
front. He rode one of the finest
horses l ever saw in the whole army,
and placed himself in tho march at
the the head of the division.
My place was in the rear of nv
brigade with the surgeons. But we
were now passing under the yoke
and | had become infected with the
decentralization prevalent. I fell in
just behind General Walker upon
my 81 horse, no man saying yea or
nay. The march was solemn as O
funeral procession. Not u man spoke
word. The federal army, at least q
portion of it, was drawn up between
our camp and the courthouse on our
let, ABOUT forty steps from the road,
and stood at order arms. When oar
division had reached the left of this
line the word ''halt" was given.
LEFT face, forward march, followed
When the advancing line had APP
preached within ten PAGES of the
federal line the command shalt was
heard. Then came the order s'stack
arms The rifles were stacked in
the customary style aud the cartridge
boxes hung upon them.
Then came the last order l heard
given in the army of North Virginia
Fall in-forward march" AS the
columns reached the village where
the public roads diverge, every off,
Ger and man struck for home by the
most direct route. Not word OF
cheering was heard from the federal
troops. Perhaps this was General
Grants orders. They looked on in
silence.
An idle myth has been invented
that General Lee surrendered
under an apple tree" Pieces of wood