Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-12-19

AFTER LEES SURRENDER.

"A rather tall and middle aged man,
somewhat bald. of pleasant address,
stands behind the desk and greets the
guests on his arrival at the Norvell-
Arlington Hotel Mt Lynchburg, Va.
His name is r.. Stockwell Terry, and
he has the reputation Of having killed
tho last Union soldier who foil in the
war. a4 Ye tfu 4a t
The circumstances attending and fol-
lowing this event are peculiar and dra-
matte, and repeat them as they were
related to me not long ago by ono of
Terry's friends.
When the war broke out Terry was a
rather adventurous STRIPPING Of sixteen,
and together with two other Lynchburg
boys, Claytur and Smith by name, (thc
latter, by the way, now the partner of
a Massachusetts man, George De Witt,
formerly Of Greenfield, and leading to-
bacco manufacturers in Lynchburg, left
home and joined Mosby's noted band Of
troopers.
At the time of Lees surrender. at
Appomattox, and the final proclamation
of peace, Terry was for several days de-
tailed with squad upon some special
duty in the interior, and had heard
nothing of the collapse of the Confed-
Grey aud the cessation Of hostilities. He
found himself, on returning from this
expedition, in the vicinity of his home,
and, partly because Of u little affair of
the heart, and partly for other reasons,
asked and obtained u few days leave Of
absence to visit Lynchburg,
AS he logged along on the outskirts
of the city, he was astonished to see
standing before him in the forest road
over which he was tra Yelling, and but
u few yafda ahead "a horse which had
formerly boon his, but which had been
captircd byItho e1emy some months be-
fore. 1t was hitched to tree, and its
rider was evidently not far of.
z Terry-urged his horse, and was soon
at the side Of his old charger. The lat
ter recognized his voice, and commenced
to whiony and make loud domonstra-
tons OF joy in spite Of every effort Of
Terry to silence him. Tho soldier IN
the woods evidently heard him. and was
fastening to learn the cause Of the com
motion, for justy as Terry united tho
bride rein by which the horse wal
hitched, and started tahead leading BIZ
prize, tho brushwood parted few yards
ahead Of him and . Union soldier, car
bne in hand, appeared. Driving the
spur deep into the flank of his mare, be
dashed up the Lynchburg road expect.
ing to arrive in few minutes within
the Confederate lines. Out into the road
after him rushed the cavalrymaD, who,
leyoling his gun, fired after the fleeing
trooper. The bullet whizzed by Tcrry't
head aud sped by on bloodless mis-
sion; the Confederate turned in his sad.
die, and perceiying his pursuers stand
ing 10 the road preparing 10 fire again,
brought his ready rife to his shoulder
and, with a precision acquired by long
experience, returned the shot.
Crack and then one quick glance
sufficed for Terry lie saw the soldier
staggcr and fall, but at the same time
saw number of Federal soldiers rush
out from the woods, doubtless to dis
cover the cause Of the firing. On went
Terry at the top Of his bent, and as he
urged bis painting beast up the ascent
leading into Lychburg he turned again
and saw several mounted men, evident
ly comrades of isluckless victim, press
ing after him in hot pursuit
AS he neared The city be began q
have serious misgivings. No Confeder
Fate guard barred his way, and his anx
ious eye deserted the Federal flag float
ing from the Court House, signal o
conquest. But retreat was impossible
and with the daredevil courage TO
which be was conspicuous he determineC
to press on and trust to fate.
Through the payod streets Of the war
Scared city rushed pursuers and pur
sued, the foam dripping from the horses
and their flying hoofs striking fire iron
the finty surface. At the door of hi
future father. in-law, Terry dismounted
and in the house sought refuge. Scarce
" had he time TO make a hurried expls
ffiati0n1 bei9repa tuinult afesc Without
and angry voices. emphasized vita sou
curdling oaths, demanded "the d.
. rebel be dragged out and hung" ~
Il was Que Of those terrible exigchcit
which try mems souls, bat tho mast
Of the house was quick TO act Turnin
his bcleaguercd guest over to the otht
members Of the family, be rushed % th
door and found himself face TO face wit
{ the comrades Of the dead man and mo
u Of enraged soldiers, who had learned
the affair and crowded into the stree