The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-07-23

q Confederate Lieutenant Describes the Cir
cumstancos of Lees Surrender.

Charles
was first lieutenant OF Company b. First
Regiment Engineer Troops of the Army Of
Northern Virginia. and / was present on the day
of Lees surrender. | believe | was witness Of
some occurrences on that day that have not else
where been fully detailed, and that are interest
ing. Our regiment had halted on the side OF the
road about sunrise of that day General Lee,
with his staff. was on horseback in a deep cut in
the road, almost under the point where | was
standing. when a courier from General Gordon
reported that his corps was so reduced that he
was unable to hold his ground against the force
on his front unless speedily reinforced.
General Lee turned to Colonel Talcott. the
commander of our regiment, and ordered him
TO supply fresh ammunition and move mis- com
mand to an open Hill on the left of the road in
the direction of Appomat;ox courthouse and
across a small branch called, ! believe Apo
mattox run, and take position the crest OF
the hill facing a skirt of timber into which
large force of Federal cavalry appeared to be
moving. With all haste we proceeded to execute
tho order and soon found ourselves IN line OF
battle on top Of an open ridge, with heavy tim
Der about one hundred yards IN front. from Whlch
we every moment expected a destructive IRE
from an enemy we'll posted under cover OF the
woods The outlook was anything but pleas
ant Thkra we were, with loaded guns,
standing at a make ready but with warning
from the commander not TO fire until the cavalry
scouts of our army had passed into the lines, a
few of whom scurrying through the woods
soon as we saw Yankee officer on dun horse
leading his cavalry We might expect hot work.
The suspense was terrible
Soon man on horseback came out of the
woods: he was bareheaded and had on no coat
but had a drawn saber in his hand and to all
appearances seemed to be a confederate cavalry
, man making his escape. He rode straight to the
colors, and when within about seventy five feet
OF the line he was hailed and told to pass
around, pass around, or you will get shot" Still
T~ats 0Ivarv hn old
arms and surrender" or your army has sur
rendered.
In an instant hotheaded sergeant exclaimed:
"Thats id Yankee; shoot him" The words
ran down the line like flash. The man seeing
his danger, and not having presence Of mind to
6ismOunt and surrender himself, wheeled his
horse, and putting spurs into it attempted to
fy Before any orders to the contrary could be
given, and in less time than it can be told, vol
ley was poured into him. Horse and rider rolled
to the ground. Struggling to free himself the
rider to his feet, and Keeling and staggering
he again approached the colors, exclaiming:
''You oughtn't have fired; it's a flag of truce
and when within few feet of the line he fell
dead on his face Poor fellow, his was a sad
fate. Under the excitement of the occasion,
and propably knowing what was happening on
the lines, he was either rushing forward to
spread the news of the surrender, or, as some
though, he had ridden forward to claim the
honor Of capturing an entire regiment by HIM
self; and, as he had no white flag and carried
naked sword, this might have been his nten-
ton.
confederate officer dashed up rapidly from anoth-
er part of the line and ordered the firing to cease
as flag of truce had gone in. What did it all
mean! was the anxious inquiry. We could not
believe that the hour was at hand and some even
ventured the opinion that the force in our front
had sent in the flag Soon our artillery posted
right to move to the rear
Groups of federal and confederate officers were
seen riding and collecting together on friendly
terms, and the meaning was soon explained. A
federal colonel approached our line, and, inQnir-
ing the name of the regiment and the command
ing officer, informed him that General Lee had
surrendered. Then for the first time we were
convinced that all was over. Many head was
bowed in sadness that the cause was lost and for
ever doomed; but still there was feeling of re
lief when we reflected that we had done all that
was In our power to do, and blood and courage
were now at an end.
1t was hard to realize that it could be possible
that General Lee would surrender, and even to
the last moment some hoped it must be mis-
take; but this only lasted a few moments, as the
inevitable truth was too apparent in all that was
taking place. We learned that the troops in
front of US were those of General Chamb eran
] think, and for while some anxiety was ex
pressed as to what would be melted out to US for
the death of the poor fellow who lay there on
the ground. No notice seemed to be taken of
this, however, and soon the regiment was or
dered back.
Returning down to the road and recrossng
the creek we filed into farm lot on the edge of
the road, in which was an empty building. AS
we entered the lot General Lee was standing
near the door of this house. with few officers
near, and two Of General Grants staff officers.
He was holding an order book in his hand, in
which he WAS engaged in writing, and when he
had finished writing he gave the paper TO Gen.
Babcock, who saluted and rode back toward the
courthouse.
During his absence General Lee procured a
camp stool and took his seat under large apple
tree which stood little to the side of the house
and few feet from it, and engaged in converse
ton with the other officer General Custer. l
believe. While waiting the return Of the officer
he was annoyed by numbers of federal officers,
who claiming to be quartermasters and com
missaries, would inquire of him in person as to
the condition Of the federal prisoners who were
IN his train. Many evidently came out of curl
osity to see and have word with the Con
federate leader. Some appeared to be civilians,
but all on the same errand, until there was
scarcely room tc move Calling an officer,
General Lee ordered the grounds to be sur
rounded with guard, all intruders turned out,
and no one to be admitted except by order of a
staff officer.
AS the guard was taken from our regiment,
which was Immediately on the ground, other
body Of troops being near, we, of course were
in the ring and saw all that was there occurring.
Several attempts were made by federal officers
to pass in and occasional high words We're
passed at the idea of a surrendered army posting
guards, but all to no purpose You cannot
pass had to be obeyed, even though uttered by
tattered rebel guard. Some silently waited on
the outside thinking that Babcock or Custer
would give the password but no, indeed; Fall
back" accompanied by wave of the hand, was
all they received from these officers, and, with
disappointment on their faces, they obeyed the
order and moved away. Two of them evidently
were determined hot TO be outdone in this man
ner, and, riding down the road, took position
near the creek, where they knew the party must
pass on their way to the court house.
On the return of General Babcock short CON
sultaton was held, and General Lee then
mounted his gray horse, and, believe. accom-
panied Colonel Marshall, of his staff and,
escorted by the two federal officers, rode toway
the court house Dressed in full uniform with a
handsome sword at his side, he rode out as none
but Lee could ride as calm and serene to all
outward appearances as though on a review.