The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1884-10-08
FoR THR cLARIoS.i
LAST DAYS or HlRRIS' BRIGADE
The Surrender Homeward Bound

:. After the sun was well up its refs
e tions revealed to US long columns
n mounted infantry. We had heard
the disaster near Farmville to Ge
/ Ewell's corps, his capture and losse
q Still it did not dishearten US. We we
It solid, intact and hopeful, and with i
6 abiding faith that Gen. Lee would reat
# place of safety, and where ratiol
q would reach US. We knew if ratiol
e arrived, we would receive our share,
$ we marched and traniped the veal
q way. Not once did We anticipate Il
y conclusion that was reached the nel
J, day, the 9th. The aHimus of Harri
: Brigade, indeed of Mahone's entil
: division, on the day of the surrende
. was, as it was a month prior thereto, {
ever, in its most triumphant career. @
e this day rear-guard action ensued an
t ended as usual in the enemy's repulse.
, This was the last shot of Harri
, Brigade, and the last of the eomman
, who was killed, fell in this action
5 prisoners were taken, but no subsistence
Our prisoners were in as sad plight a
we, for they had marched ahead of
! rations and forage We had nothing t
, give them, and in one bond, of suffering
! we were united. Our brigade ha
fought on April 2, 4, and 8, and eacI
action redounded to their credit A
rear-guards and not two hundred strong
they had added new laurels to corone
that will never fade Nothing coult
make an impression on their-ranks, anC
though weakened and weary, conscious
ness of duty well done bouyed them NJ
for the increasing sterner duties.
i With the first streaks of dawn, Apri
9th, was born day fraught with eEenti
thateyen to this day, have hardly resolved
or settled themselves intodefnite shape
The North and South do not yet under,
stand each other, and if the whole mat
ter could have been settled by the
soldiers of active service of either side
hearty hand-elasp and shake would
have ended the matter of disagreement
of the two sections, and a far better
| feeling established, that would have re-
bounded more to the credit of the now
united country, than all the attempted
endorsements of the reconstruction laws.
A nations dying throes were here wit
messed. A cause dear to thousands of
hearts forever lost. While thousands
of beings hitherto held in bondage were
set free to go whittier soeyer they pleased,
do as they wished, and subject no longer
to wish, will nor command of master
Truly ali end unseen; but now after a
lapse of nearly one score years, who
would wish it otherwise?
Without the least thought to prepare
US for the end SO nigh, we marched
laboriously along and crossed the rear
of Gordon just after his fight, and formed
on his right. The fury of battle had
cat great swaths in the underground,
round shot, shells, broken guns, great
splotches of blood, some corpses, deserted
limber-chests, and worn-out animals be-
streWed the path. As we crossed to take
position Confederate battle flag was
picked up by the roadside. 1t was
furled. Wasit ominous? 1t seemed so.
The remnant of the 18th Mississippi
regiment took it in charge, and it was
torn to pieces at the surrender. As we
formed in line, we naturally looked
around for the foe, and soon glimpsed
the boys in blue in every copse and
woodland, while the hill-tops were
crowned with artillery. We lay down
after stacking arms, expecting to be torn
to pieces with cannon. Once we sprang
to arms as the Federals moved from one
position to another and advanced theif
skirmishers somewhat. That skirmish
line alone was far stronger than our
feebleline; but that we would fight was
no question. For some time we strained
our visions to ascertain why the Federals
did not attack. The sounds of battle to
our left had died away, and the stern
aspects of war had settled quietly
down.
A rambling soldier came to us and
spread the rumor that the army was cut
of, and had surrendered. He was not
believed and berated soundly for being
the bearer of evil tidings. He was
ordered undef4 arrest, and the men
calmed down. The second time the re-
port came down the line, a hundred
throats denied the charge. Officers and
men were wroth with passion, and sharp
epithets were hurled upon the news
bearers. The safety of the tale-bearer
was placed in jeopardy, and the private
soldiers had to be restrained by their
officers. In obedience to an order from
Gen. Malone, Gen. Harris rode over to
his headquarters, as he rode off, he, speak
ing to the officer, said, s'I'Il be id
if do" When he returned, look was
sufficient. Alasi we read that the
tidings were too true In response to
an inquiry, be said, at is true, but,
Frank, don't tell the men," His face
bore the traces of anxiety and care.
Thought was changing with thought in
rapid succession, and his mind was in
turmoil of contending emotions. But
the fact leaked out directly, and the
clamor of the men was at its height.
The import of the news we would not
understand. Rash enterprises were
broached. An active officer Of vim and
daring that would have brayed the
restrictions of discipline, could have
raised band of turbulent spirits, who
would have forced a way through the
enemy's line to the mountains, and there
continued the struggle as best they
could. Rash utterances were frequent,
but finally feeling of hoplessness came
stealing over many The influence was
felt, it.beeame contagious; reaction set
in and the inevitable was accepted.
Why the army had surrendered was a
mystery to us. Our spirits were I'M
broken; true, we were weary, and some
Whist despondent, but the ultimatum
came unaWares, and we could not under
stand.
Reflection is balm to the mind; it
calmed the hardy, turbulent spirits, and
then thoughts of hOmein far-off Mississip-
pi came quietly and soothiDgly, and the
fate of war was accepted with the deter
mination to act in good faith with what
would befall US. That our surrender
would collapse the whole cause, would
enforce the surrender Of Johnston,
Hood, Maury and Kirby Smith, was
never thought Of. It was not considered; j;
the idea, Il broached, was considered
preposterous, and wrenehed from the
mind as unclean. In little knots the
men discussed the result, aud By midday
every thing was quiet As the Federal
commands came up in successive posi-
ton their cheers of three times three,
would break out. It was one grand
Jubilee Of JOY and glory to them; one of
sorrow and gloom, OF defeat to rs. In
this frame of mind, some contented.
some dissatisfied, we rested quietly by
our little fres, destitute of any food TO
appease the appetite.
Night came and passed, and with it
came hopes Of the morrow, for arequisi-
tion had been made for rations on the
Federal cOmmissariat It came, consist
ing Of four hard taeks apiece No
meat. II was the best that could Be
done. a drove Of beeves in charge Of 4
| Federal detail passed Earnestly We