The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1885-04-29
STRANGE EMOTIONS.

oOAAChGcA VI LCC anu Tic clU VI the
war.
STRANGE EMOTIONS.
| The culraination of hopes long de-
ferred through years of defeats and
drawn battles burst upon grim Wis
aged veterans, whose hearts throb-
bed with a joy that honorable pride,
the absence of further peril, a speedy
return to homes, waiting loved ones
and the triumphant unity of our
country alone could give. The cri-
sis of the stupendous reality reached
and passed, the reaction was sudden
and profoundly emotional. The
scenes and incidents resulting from
the suspension of hostilities between
lines of hostile troops, while waiting
several hours for the arrangement of
terms and details between Grant and
Lee, were Of the most memorable
character. None seemed more deep
ly affected than the trained officers
and old veterans oftEe regular army.
We recall with distinctnes5 the emo
tons Of fearful JOY of General Al
fred Gibbs, then in command of the
Regular Brigade, First, Second, Fifth
and Sixth United States Cavalry.
The noble man was wholly broken
up, ehoked with every word and
finally wept Ike a child. The con-
duct OF this officer was by no means
exceptional; the eyes of the best and
bravest moistened and the strongest
and stoniest hearts were moved by
generous impulses that went out to
and sought opportunities to frater-
nize with the rank and file Of the
equally brave men, whose cause, a
cause for which they had made
such frightful sacrifices, had gone
out forever in smoke and fame now
ended.
THEN FOES, NOW FRIENDS.
The visible dividing line between
ecstatic JOY and nameless grief sepa-
rated the blue and gray, for the
hours We waited in arms and an
nouncement of the surrender, and
when this was accomplished, both
armies went into camp side BY side.
The line was crossed intercourse be-
tween all was free and cordial. Food
was given to the hungry, drink to
the thirsty and comfort to those op-
pressed with the natural ehagrin
felt by the surrendered men and Off
GERS, one of whom said to the writer
and others, Tou can return to your
Northern homes of peace in honor
beneath the flag you fought under.
We now have no Confederate flag /:
it is lost our pride is grievously
wounded and our homes are full of
sorrow, and. overcome with sup
pressed emotions that seemed, as be
thought, to unman him for the mo-
ment. he turned awny from Us to re-
cover his self-possession.
HONORABLE TERMS.
The terms Of surrender, the "only
terms other than that of 'uncOndi-
tional" surrender, then made by
Grant were OF the most cousiderate
and honorable character. Noformal
surrender Of the sword of Lee was
exaeted, no parade OF eaptives thro'
the open ranks of victorious troops,
the retention Of side arms by officers
with the horses of the whole COM
mand and all material that could be
converted to the utilities of peaceful
pursuits were conceded them. The
arms and munitions of war onlv
were required to be turned in and
with simple paroles of honor all
were fastened to their homes, with
thousands of merry good-bves to
you, 'Johnnies, and as many re-
turns of f"God bless you, sYanks 2"
EoMEwARD BOUND.
We turned homeward on the 11th.
The command was well on the road
in the morning, with Burksville
Junction as our objective point, when
Grant and Lee, riding side BY side,
the former accompanied By a few
members of his staff, passed our
headquarters at brisk trot. Both
were in uniform neither wore
swords. Both were superbly mount
ed on bay horses In appearance
and elegance OF figure and horse
manship Lee had the advantage.
Both were enthusiastically admired,
and better than this, all the cavalry
was heartily glad to follow both to
Richmond, with Grant in command.
-Philadelphia Times.