The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1891-05-28
A PATHETIC APPEAL.
An Incident of Gen. Jol.nston's Surrender.

never be known to the public REFER, OF
course, to personal incidents that seem
amusing now, but which at that remote
time were full of tragic and pathetic
meaning to us. recall one day that I
went over to Sherman's headquarters to
talk over the preliminaries of the proposed
surrender. OF course, it was my wish
to secure the best terms I could; I want
ed to spare my people all unnecessary
humiliation. 1t occurred to me That if
Sherman's feelings could be worked
upon-if his heart could be touched-I
would be able to secure more advantage
Gus terms from him. Accordingly, on
this particular occasion, 1 asked him if
upon the following day I might bring
John G. Breckinridge o7er.to talk with
! him.
"And who is Breckenridge ?" asked
Sherman.
"'He is our Secretary of War; said I.
"'No, sir said Sherman, harahly; 4
shall allow no civilian to interfere in this
matter. We are to conduct this affair
upon basis of war and as between SOL
diers.'
"'But,' said I, determined to bring
Breckinridge's eloquenceto my assistance,
| sour Secretary of War is major. general
in our army
"'Very we'll then,' said Sherman, T
should be glad to talk with Gen. Breckin-
ridge. but intend that no civilian shall
have to do with this matter
Next day Breckinridge and I started
for sherman's headquarters. Now Breck.
inridge was man who had been used to
his ten or twelve drinks per diem. Cir
cumstances over which none Of us had
any control had finally cut off all sup
plies. Breckinridge was simply perish.
ing for want of drink. recall how, as
We toiled along in the heat, poor Breck.
inridge sighed dolorously, and kept
reiterating his pining for keg of fine
old Kentucky sour mash. At last in
sheer despair, he reached around and
whipped out Of his pocket long, thin
plug of green tobacco. That, too. was
rare luxury at that particular time. A
friend had given it to him only the day
before. He bit off an ample chew, and
as we trudged along on our way, he
solemnly masticated the cud, as though,
forsooth, he hoped thereby to allay the
cravings of his parched fauces. When
we reached the headquarters Sherman
was not there, but presently he came in
with set of saddle-bags over his arm.
he was as cheerful as q breath Of early
spring.
"Gentlemen,' said Sherman, 4 have
brought some hospital supplies. Will
you honor me, Gen. Breckinridge, by
sampliug this brandy?"
"Breckinridge made no answer. I
shall never forget how deftly he got his
hands up to his lips, gathered that tobac.
co out of his mouth, and hurled the
odious quid into an obscure corner.
Upon my word, twas pathetic.
"'You say when,' said Sherman, tip
ping up the bottle and pouring out the
cool, delicious beverage.
"But, bless you! Breckinridge was
not the man to 'cry enough No, sir, he
just let Sherman fill the glass to the top,
and then at one prcdigious draught he
drained off the amber liquid. The effect
was instantaneous all at once he was
the Breckinridge of old. And eloquent ?
Never before had the man pleaded for bis
fellows as John G. Brecdinridge pleaded
for his fellow. Confederates that day.
Antiquity was ransacked for instances
illustrating the beniguity and mercy OF
conquerors to conquered; the realms OF
poetry were invaded, and bits of tender
verse were utilized to soften the auditors
proud heart; history. biography, philos.
ophy-yes, every art was employed to
gain the speakers end; it was q master
piece of scholarship, Of oratory, of elo.
quence, of pathos.
"Sherman was visibly affected. With
his hands thrust down into the pockets
of his trousers, be paced restlessIy to and
fro. never saw man more deeply
moved. BE stroye to but could not
conceal his agitation. When finally
Breckinridge ended and sat down, sher-
man said not word for several moments,
but continued to pace the floor nervously.
Breckinridge reached around, dew forth
the plug of green tobacco, and bit of
another chew. The silence, so long un-
broken, became painful.
"At last Sherman turned to the saddle
bags, picked them up, produced the
brandy bottle again, and poured out q
noble horn of the fiery substance. As
deftly rs before, Breckinridge put bis
hands to his lips and made away with
his quid of tobacco. But no, the brandy
was not for him this time; Sherman
tossed down the coveted draught him
self.
"The draught was fiery it rasped
Sherman's throat and brought the water
into his eyes. But, pulling himself
together, Sherman looked straight al
Breckinridge and said:
"'General, you find virtue in this
brandy that do not find. Itwas hop
ing it might give me, too, the errudition
the eloquence, the tenderness and the
power with which you have wrought
upon me. Gen Breckinridge, believe
that ii were to give you another tum'
bleful of this brandy, you would be in
spired to efforts so godlike that before
sunset 1 should surrender the Unior
arms to you, instead of demanding the