The Dawson journal. (Dawson, Ga.) 1878-18??, 1884-02-28
LEES SURRENDER.
How the Confederate Army
Finally Succumbed the
Apple Tree Myth.

/
! TChaplain Davis in Catholic Herald]
The eventual day of Sunday, April
9, 1865, dawned upon us. A nights
rest had greatly refreshed the worn
out confederates. The line of march
was taken up just after the first
CLEAN of light showed itself in the
east. Earlys old division, composed
of two North Carolina brigades and
one from Virginia, took the front
under Brig General Walker. Fight
ing expected. The confederate sharp
shooters, who composed the skirmish
line, had scarcely passed the court
house, which is 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 General Gordon.
The battle soon became furious. The
first line Of federal troops was soon
broked and driven back with loss.
| was sitting upon bank by the
roadside noting events in my diary,
when at s: 80 o'clock, two captured
batteries Of federal artillery-eight
guns-were driven by me going to
the rear. In few moments the fire
in the rear ceased, and / could dis
cover our troops falling back, and
taking up new positions by brigades
TO the rear.
AT the same time a white flag,
borne by 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 packed at the com
mencement of the action. In a few
minutes another white flag. borne by
4 couple of confederates off GERS, was
dispatched to the courthouse. The
road was quickly cleared of every
obstruction, and guards placed along
it 30 keep everybody 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 con-
federate army was on the point of
being surrendered. Many seemed
anxious to be led forward to couqr er
or die on the field Desperation
seemed 10 take hold of the men, or
else the men were overcome by des-
peration. l quickly resolved that 1
would not be included in the surren-
der, and formed plan with choice
spirit to escape from tho field and
take care of myself. One o'clock
p. m. was the hour at which | was to
strike for liberty or safety. Unwilling
to act covertey in the matter, at II
o'clock a. m, went to my brigade
commander and asked him if he
thought such a step on my part would
compromise my honor in the brig
ade. He replied: considering the
relation yon sustain to your regi-
ment, / think you would better main
tain your honor by abiding its fate -
His answer subdued ne, and at once
1 abandoned my plan of escape.
! But numbers did escape, and in
no case did l hear of failure on the
part of any who made the attempt
The first flag from General Grant to
General Lee came at S o'clock a. m.
by watch. These flags continued tc
pass and repass until 4p. m. Histo
~ often represents things strangely
History gives General Grants frs
letter on this day to General Lee al
II: 30 p. m, when ! have no doubt
General Lee received General GRAM,
first note ut 8 80 a. m.
The morning had been bright anc
fair. By noon dark and gloomy
clouds had gathered over the Who'll,
face of the sky. All nature around
us seemed to harmonic with GU
feelings, Sadness and gloom wer,
impressed upon all things, both ami
. mate and inanimate. Men wer,
growing desperate; officers wer'
breaking their swords to pieces (,
avoid the dishonor of surrenderin.
, them. Major General 6. w. Pickett
who had led the storming column
on the third day at Gettysburg, tor,
up his flag and wore it around hi
shoulders Men have feelings. The,
cannot control these feelings at al