Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1888-09-21
THE LAST OHARGK.
Sher1daRss OWN gG@rY of the End of she
War at ApPomatsox.

sher1daRss Own ge@rY of the End of She
War at ApPomat9ox.
[Fronr an Article In the North American Review.
Beyond us, in low valley near Apo
mattox Courthouse, after my flank move
ment) lay Lee and the remnant of his army.
There did not appear to be much organi
zation, except in the advanced troops under
Gen. Gordon, whom we had been fighting,
and rear guard under Gen. Longstrset,
still further up the valley. Formations
were Immediately begun to make a bold and
sweeping charge down the grassy slope, when
citement, hat in hand, dashed up to me with
message from his chief: s'Lee has surren-
deredl Do not charge; the white flag is upl'
Orders were given to complete the formation,
but not to charge. #E
Looking to the left, to Appomattox Court
House, o large group was seen near by the
lines of Confederate troops that had fallen
back to tnat point. General Custer had not
come back, and, supposing that he was with
the group at the Court House, I moved on q
gallop down the narrow ridge, followed by
nay staff. The Court House was perhaps
thIee-fo9rths of mile distant We had
not gone far before a heavy fire was opened
on us from a skirt of timber to the right, and
distant not mach over three hundred yards.
I halted for O moment, and, taking off my
hat, called out that the flag was being vio-
lated, but could not stop the firing, which
now caused US all to take shelter in ravine
running parallel to the bridge we were on,
and down which we then travelled. AS we
approached the Court-H gentle ascent
had to be made. was in advance, followed
by q sergeant carrying my battle flag.
Within 100 to $50 yards from, the Court
House and Confederate lines, some of the
men 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.
I halted, and, hearing some noise behind,
turned in the saddle, and saw Confederate
soldier attempting to take my battle-fag
from the color-bearer. This the Sergeant
had no idea of submitting to and had drawn
his sabre to cut the man down. A word
from me caused him to return his sabre and
take the flag back to the staff officers, who
were some little distance behind. re-.
manned stationary a moment after these
events, then, calling staff of6cer, directed
him to 60 over to the group of Confederate
officers and demand what such conduct
meant. Kind apologies were made and we
advanced. The superior officers met were
Gen. J. B. Gordon and Gen. Cadmus II.
Wilcox, the latter an old army officer. As
soon as the frst greeting was over, furious
firing began in front of our own cavalry
from whom we had only few minutes be-
fore separated. Gen, Gordon seemed to be
somewhat disconnected by it. remarked to
him, "Gea. Gordon, your men fred on me
as was coming over here. and undoubtedly
they have done the same to Merritt's and
Clusters commands. We might just a. well
let them fight it out" To this proposition
Gen. Gordon did not aceede. I then asked,
seWhy not send staff officer and have your
people cease fringa They are violating the
fseln He said, t'I have no STAFF officer to
send" I replied, ST will let you have one
of mine," and calling for Lieut.. Vanderbilt
Allen directed him to report to Gen. Cor
don and carry his orders. The orders were
to 90 to Gen Geary, wis was in command
of a small brigade of South Carolina cavalry
and ask him to discontinue the firing
Lieut.. Allen dashed OF with the message, hnt
on delivering ii to Gen. Geary Was taken
prisoner, with the remark from that Officer
that he did not care for white flags, that
South CaroIinians never Anrrendered. fs-s
It was about this time that Merritt, getting
impatient at the supposed treacherous fixing,
ordered q charge of a portion of his oom-
naand While Gems. Gordon and Wilcox
were engaged in conversation with. me q
cloud Of dust, wild hurrah, q flashing .ei
sabres, indicated q charge and the ejacula-
tious of my staff officers were heard, saaook
Merritt has ordered a charged" The flight oi
Geary's brigade followed; Lieut. Allen was
thus released. The last gun had been fired
and the last charge made in the Virgins
campaign.