Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-08-16
CONTRAST OF FORCES
LEE HAD BUT 10000, WHILE GRANT
HAD MANY TIMES THAT NUMBER.
A Conference Between the Virginia Deie-
CATION and Gen. Breckinridss ne
called by Speaker Bocock's DEATH

Since the death Of the Hon. Thomas >.
Bocock there have appeared in the COL
umns of the State press many ren'i ia.
cances of the distinguished statesman. nc
authenticity of the following Is voucneu
for. the story coming from no less nita
sonrcc than DIR. J. ID. Pendleton, clerk OF
the Virginia Senate: <,osE
some time during the earlier part OF $500
General John G. Breckenridge 'nen oe'io-
torv of War OF the Confederate STATES, ~,
vited the Virginia delegation Ia ,ne a.. w. W.
~ Representatives to meet MN ~ Ia n
Department for the purpose o, no os 80.
conference with them on ma.se ,,; ~ in
;onnortanoo. in which they we're 'itaiiy in-
iS,ad Nr Bocock was then speaker
~ az Uouso of Representatives OF the
Corfederate Congress and accompanied the
delegation.
LEES FORCES AND GRANTS.
cho.t,v afterwards Mr.. Bocock and some
fr;ends were invited TO supper at the TX.
change Hotel TO be given by the Sherin ot
ona ~ fhe ,lpper counties, but the sheriff
,gbo Ind been lighting "thc tiger" had lost
10 thousands OF Confederate shucks."
and failed to put in an appearance. MIR; DO
cock and DR.. Pendleton were present, now
ever. and few other invited guests; MI.
Bocock was fine talker. and while tho
evening waned entertained the gentlemen
with an account Of the visit OF the VIZ
gina delegation in Congress TO Seere-
tary-of- War Breckenridge in his Office
~ the War Department. General
Ereckinridgs said that General Robert
i. Lee had written to President Davis
s,atlng that he only had on his rolls about
a. 900 men tit for dutv; that General
Grants forces were Of such superiority in
numbers that he could make united
attack along his nes's) entire line from
Richmond to his right flank in Dinwiddie
county and yet havo a sufficient force 10
turn his flank and attack his rear. Ihese
considerations made one OF two things I'M
perative-either TO have reinforcements or
retire with his army from the State OF Viz
ginia and surrender the Confederate capi-
tai.
HOW MATTERS STOOD.
Asto endorsements the Secretary OK
planned that tho trans Mississippi troops
refused TO leave their State. LOUISIANA
was in possession of the enemy and no aid
could be expected from that quarter, ana
Governor Brown. of Georgia, was raising
trouble about having Georgia troops leave
the State while 1t was invaded by the
enemy. to say nothing of the desertlons
from General Joe Johnston's army while
retreating before Sherman's victorious
march to the sea.
when General Johnston was told this
bv me-" said DR.. Pendleton, who was In
the city several DAYS last week, he de-
clared that the statement of his men de-
sertinc was without foundation OF TACT
General Breckenridge then asked the
dsIegation what advice they had to oher.
Mn. pocoCK's ADVICE.
Mr.. Bocock. who acted as spokesman,
asked General Brecknridge what proper,
ton of the Army of Northern Virginia did
the Virginia troops CONSTITUTED ;.
To this General Breckenridge replied
that the ereater portion of General Lee )
army were Vlrginians.
llr. Bocock then asked to what point
did the Confederate Goyernment propose
10 remove and make stand, and General
BRECKENRIDGE replied: 10 some point IN
Northern Georgia" az this seemed 10 be
the most eligible rallying-ground.
Speaker Bocock then proceeded to give
! his reasons in opposition TO the proposed
evacuation Of Virginia. and, among other
facts. cited the statement Of the Secretary
concerning the action Of the trans-MiSsls-
sipul troops and tho dosortion of the
| Cieorcians as the Confederate army fell
back in their State and left their homes
| in the hands Of the enemy. he claimed
that the same reasons would obtain among
the Virginia troops, and that II would be
| impolitic to surrender tho state to the
| Federal troops without another struggle
KNEW WHAT WAS COMING.
The next day Senator'S Il. NJ. L. Hunter
and Allen T. Caperton met General Brock
inridge and he laid the same condition Of
| Affairs before them. Whatever advice
! 49, ma I, "a e,ivan in those dark DAVIS o.
| tLe Confederacy ia not stated, but it Il
| certain that tie struggle, forlorn as i
was. was continued, and that the know
| ledge of its utter hopelessness was wei
| known to General Robert f. Lee and th'
| Confederate Government in the early par
Of 1865 several months before the decisive
| day of AppomattoX.