The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-05-29
The Inst Soldier Who Was Shot.

Visiting tho historic field OF Arpomattox
some years ago tho writer was shown over the
country by a man living in that town. who had
been an eye. witness OF many Of tho scenes OF
that closing day oftlie war as it was practically.
"Isuppose tho last shot" no said-"at least
the last cannon shot OF Lces army-was fired
from my front door step. There had been
some mistake about the flag OF truce. 1t was.
rs I remember 1t. IN old towel or napkin
taken out by some ono Of a group OF officers
who were sitting under that apple tree yon-
der" and hero the gentleman pointed to an
orchard on the easterly side OF tho Appomat-
tox Creek. Gen. Lee and his staff were sit
ting there. and he had already received
the communication from Con. Grant which
caused him to reach the determination to
capitulate. There was a part Of tho Federal
army coming through those woods yondcr.
and little battery OF two pieces was
brought up and the guns unlimborod and
PLACED ready for action right here. exactly
n T9ns of ThS ed Sy
mined to check their advance. for they. too.
had received no intination OF cessation OF hos
tlities. The guns. were loaded and fired once.
and then one of them was, loaded more
aim. tho gunner discharged it at what seemed
could be nred the iiax u truce, was seen. and:
of course. the engagement ended. | was told
aiterwArd that this was the last cannonadins
years later to hear Gen. Cham berlain narrate
an Incident which happened under his eye at
ApGomuttox; lie was loading his brigade. he
said. through tho woods. advancing to take po-
stion to threaten Lees army which was On
tho crest of q hill on the other side Of the Ap.
flag of truce. OF n sudden no saw a battery OF
two guns drawn up In front of Il brick house.
the ouicct being plainly to check his aivance
an aide camo to to . him i from Gen Custer
sent cut Ey Gee Cen Lee and that hat hostIit ies
would he SUSPENDED; While he was receiving
this news the Confed attacked with their
hattory. but did no damage not having range.
Then. he said. one of the guns was again dis
charged. and the ball decaIitated young Of
,wo years. Tha shock nured no one 'ns osc
na Tai the
doned their guns and made their way back to
6! Cen Lees ca,En: That o'Iicer wa. undouLted-
The writer bens anxious to discover the
truth CONCERNING the traditionarX; apple tree
tie APPLE tree stood t M Hx w led hs wr sta
tIramEh the orchard tor place where . con,
f siae t IT, nolow was IN the ground ana then
49, IT is ,So bad. perhops." no said. ito spoil
iee came up with his army my and enrsmpcI on
that ridge you see yonder Just back OF that old
farmhouse. and. by the way. that was the
home of Dan Sweeney. who used to be famous
in the, Moth as negro minstrel. Lee had
hoped to get around by, another road so as to
get int" LynchburG. which Is practically an
impregnabte town. but he found that this could
not be done. sheridan had cut off his retreat
by all the roads. Gen. Lee had also received
saw sheridan:s army beyond him he. realized
the truth OF that suggestion l saw him ride
down with his staff until they came nearly to
I'D right here alongside Of the orchard. Then
they disinounteda and went into Il he orchard.und
som body made n rough seat for Gen. Lee out
81 ;cnce rails. He was sitting under an apple
tree. that ono thcrr. near the bank: lie
At last one Of the officers sta ted out from tho
group with white cloth tied to n stick as it
seemed to mo. by and by there came from the
Union army group OF officers who met Gen.
l;"p and his stan IL the field lust this; side OF
come to arrange with him for the meet ny
with Gen Grant in the afternoon. Gen. Lee
th"n returned to the orchard and sat for Il
while under the apple tree. Then he and his
the army
. After the surrender was announced in the
afternoon somebody started the story-l never
could find out who-thHt Grant had met Lee in
apple tree. has been made. That evening
saw scores and scores Of Union soldiers in the
orchard. In some way they had selected
particular tree. and before morning there was
not even a fibre Of its roots left In getting the
see here. and | have always left it Just rs they
did on that night l suspect that the story
originated from he fact that tho flag Of truce
was sent out while Gen. Lee was sitting under
that other apple tree nearer the road