Evening journal., 1888-06-06

Lee in front OF Richmond There he had
again the honor to receive the thanks of his
great commander, Gen Lee. Senator q. b.
Vance describes the occurrence which drew
forth this compliment as follows; During
the Confederate retreat from Petersburg to
Appomattox, when everything was in the
most extreme confusion, the soldiers stray
Cling hopelesSly along, thousands of them
deliberately falling out OF ranks and DEPART
ing for their homes, tho Generalization each
moment increasing, and tho Federal
army, immense in numbers, superb
in equipment and flushed with suc-
cess, pushing them closely, a stand
was made to save the provision trains upon
which the very life Of the army depended.
Some artillery was placed in position. and
Gen. Lee, seated on his horse upon n COM
manding knoll, sent his staff 70 rally the
stragglers, now mixed in apparently hope
less and inextricable confusion, upon a line
Presently there came before Gen. Lees
earnest gaze marching column in regular
order. 1t was a small but entire BRIGADE its
commander at its head. 1t promptly tool,
position on the line Gen. Lee had DESIGNATED
As it filed into its appointed position. very
near Gen. Leo, a smile Of momentarv iov
passed over the features Of that officer He
called out 30 one Of his aides: What troops
are thosef 'Cox's North Carolina brigade.'
was the reply. Then it was that, taking of
his hat, with infinite courtesy and good
feeling, Gen Lee said: God bless gallant old
North Carolina"
But the crowning deed Of the brigade and
the last act Of its general was at Appomat-
tox II was in accordance with the fitness OF
ltof f1,ak krtr~a II.
won this invocation from Gen. Lee shonld
have made, as it did make, the last CHARGE M
Appomattox, its commander still at its head
Gen. Cox has given me a particularly inter
esting account of this occasion. On the
morning Of April the remnant Of the once
proud Army Of Northern Virginia. after six
days OF retreat and constant fighting, worn
out and discouraged, had reached Arpomat-
tox court house. 1t hoped 70 cut through the
Federal army there, secure supplies on the
way from Lynchburg and tnen continue the
retreat southwestward. This plan would pos
sibly have had a show Of success but for tbe
presence Of cumbrous wagon train and its
attendant delays and exposure However.
the column. with Grimes division in the van
and Longstreet's corps guarding the rear.
formed on a slope Of hill and awaited the
signal for general advance The Confed-
crate cavalry were already skirmishing TO the
right and front Gen. Grimes was called
temporarily to another part Of the field
and Gen. Cox was thus for a time in com
mand Of the division, which Gen. Gordon
ordered him b. s.isow forward Thedivision
moved forward, ui the slope Of bill. The
color beare were i.hpetuous, and they bore
iheir cross / 'rred r-gs too far TO the front.
Before the divislc.i had proceeded far Cookies
and Cox's brigades were exposed to a mur-
derous artillery fire from battery in frcnt;
but they did not halt, and, charging
promptly, captured it. The entire division,
in order to maintain its alignment, united in
the charge at double quick, and thus formed
a perfect line before engaging with small
arms The Federal cavalry attacked fiercely,
but they were not supported by infantry and
were forced to retire Gen. Cox at this