San Marcos free press. [volume] (San Marcos, Tex.) 1877-1892, 1888-11-22
The ..i.AsT CHARGE.
shrrican's Own Story Of tho End Of tho
War ut Appomattox

shrrtfan,s own Story Of tho End Of tho
War ut Appomattoxr
Beyond us. In low valley (ncar Apo
mattoy court house, after my flank move
mcnt). lay Leo aud tho remnant OF his
army. There did not appear 10 DO much
organization, except In tho advanced
troops under Gen. Gordon. whom We had
boon fighting, and a rear guard under
Gen. Longstroet. still further up tho val
ley. Formations wero Immediately begun
10 make bold and sweeping charge down
tho grassy slope. whom an aide dc.camp
from Custer, filled with excitement, hat In
band, dashed up to me with the message
from his chief: LEO has surrendered Do
not charge; tho white flag Ii up" Orders
wero given TO complete tho formation but
not TO charge.
Looking to tho left. TO Appomattox
courthouse, largo group was seen near
by the lines Of Confederate troops that
had fallen back TO that point. Gen Gus.
ter had not come back. and surprising that
he was with tho group ut thoc house.
moved on n gnllop down the narrow
ridge, followed by my staff. The court
house was perhaps three fourths Of mile
distant. We had not gone fur before
heavy fro was opened on us from skirt
of timber to tho right. and distant not
much over 800 yards halted for q mo.
ment, and, taking off my hat. called out
TINT tho flag was being violnted. but could
not stop the firing, which now caused us
oil to take shelter Ia y ravino running par.
allel to the bridge VIC were On. and down
which we then Travelled.
+ AS we approached the court house n
gentle ascent had to be made. was IN
advance, followed by sergeant carrying
my battle flag Within 100 TO $50 yards
from tho court house and Confederate
Zines. some of tho mon In their ranks
brought down their guns to an aim ON us,
and great effort was made by their officers
to keep them from firing. halted, and
hearing some noise behind. turned In the
saddle, and saw Confederate soldier at.
tempting to tako the baltic flag from the
color boarer. This the sergeant had no
idea Of submitting to and had drawn his
saber to cut tho man down. word
from me caused him to return his sabor
and take the flng back TO tho staff officers,
who were some littlo distance behind. !
remained stationary moment after thCsc
events. then. calling stnf officer,
directed him to 80 over to the group OF
Confederate officers and demand what
such conduct meant. Kind apologies
were made and we advanced. The supe-
rior officers met were Gen. J. d. Gordon
and Gen. Cadmus NJ. Wilcox, the latter
nh old army officer.
As soon as tho first greeting was over,
furious firing began In front of our own
cavalry from whom we had only fow
minutes before separated. Gen. Gordon
seemed to DO somewhat disconnected by
IL. | remarked to him. Gen. GOr}on.
your men fired On me us WINS coming
over hero. and undoubtedly they have
done the same to Mcrritt's and Clusters
commands. We might just as well let
them fight IL out" To this proposition
Gen Gordon did not nccedo. | then asked
"Why not send staff officer and hive
your people cease iiringP They nro vio
lating tho hagi" lie said. Il hnvo no
staff officer 70 send" replied, Il will
lot you have ono OF miilo, and calling for
Lieut.. Vanderbilt Allen directed him to
report to Gen. Gordon and carry his
orders. Tho orders were to 20 to Gen.
Goary, who was In command Of Il small |
brigade Of South Carolina calvary, md |
ask him to discontinue tho firing. Lieut..
Allen dashed of with the message, but. |
on delivering 1t to Gen. Geary was taken |.
prisoner. with tho remark from that DIN.
cor that no did not caro- for white flags, |
TINT South Carolininns never surrendered. |
1t was about this timo that Merritt.
getting inpatient at tho supposed trcach.
crons firing, ordered charge of II portion
Of his command. While Cons. Gordon /
and Wilcox were engaged in CONVERSE
ton with me cloud of dust, n wild hur-
rah. flashing of sabers. Indicated o
charge and the CALCULATIONS of my staff
officers were heard. "LOokl Merritt has
ordered charge" Tho flight of Geary's |
brigade followed; Lieut.. Allen was thus /
released Tho Inst gun had been fired |
md tho last charge made in the Virginia
campaign. -North American levicw.