The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-11-14
WAYNEsBoRo. a.. March %. 1892

Hon. Robert L. Rodgers, Historian of The Con-
federGte Veterans association, Atlanta, Ca:
DEAR SIR received your favor to-day, with
request TO send to you an account of the trans
actions of my receiving the first demand for the
surrender of Gen. Lees army before reaching
Appomattox. l remember having written to
you last year that would write it for your use
as matter OF history. did 80 in pencil at the
time, and laid it away, and have not referred
TO it since. have now disnterred it from lot
or old papers in my office, and send it without
any further polish or correction. / wish you
would readit to Capt. j. W. English and see II
his memory and mine agree about it. have
been often importuned to write this before, but
have refrRined from doing it because so many
heroes" have appeared since the war ended
who never handled a sword or gun then, and
have been 30 Judlctously lauded by the press
that did not care to have the appearances Of
being on the list. But let us refer now to the
scenes which were the closing acts of the go-
rious southern confederacy as the closing his
II was night, April Z. 1865. We had crossed
the river, near Farmvile, and had taken up a
position about, as near as | remember, q mile
from the crossing, which the confederates had
attempted to burn, but unsuccessfully. Gen
Miles, commanding federal brigade made a
a mad attempt to throw the confederates into
confusion on their left by flank movement
perhaps that was his purpose, but it was a very
unfortunate move. forllis lines were in few
minutes nearly cut to pieces and his brigade
placed hors de combat The federals soon ap-
peared in force, but made no further advance
furious picket firing and sharpshooting be-
gan OH DOLu 6ldeS, WINE Inc wounded aud dead
federals lay between the two lines.
Malone g division was now the rear guard at
this point of Gen. Lee army. Gen. Lees
forces were reduced now to their minimum
strength, but f1ercer, more determined body
OF men never lived. They simply waited for
Gen. Lees orders.
About O'Clock p m. a flag Of truce appeared
In front of Gen Sorrel's brigade Gen. Wrght's
old brigade), Of which the writer OF this account
was the adjutant general. courier was sent
TO division headquarters to announce 1t. Col.
nuln nWala -, I-A
assigned temporarily to the command of Gen
Sorrel's brigade Gen. Sorrel having been
almost mortally wounded near Petersburg. In
a short while Col Iayioe was ordered to send
staff officer to answer the flag of truce The
writer was assigned to this duty, and proceeded
To the temporary earthwork's at the confed-
crate front lines. AS the top of the earth
works was reached number of federal
sharpshooters fired.at me, and two balls passed
through the uniform coat wore and one ball
wounded a confederate soldier in the hand who
had risen up with others from behind the works
out OF cur osity to see what was going to take
place. That ended the truce business for that
afternoon. After nightfall, and after every
thing on both sides had lapsed into silence,
plckets were put in front of our lines about 100
Yards Capt James w. English. one Of the
bravest. coolest, most faithful and vigilsnt Off
GERS IN the confederate army. was In charge of
the line in front of our brigade. had selected
him for the reason that knew he would not
tail me If depended on his courage and faith.
Col. Tayloe knew nothing of our command or
Its officers. and the responsibility rested on me
to select the right men in the crisis there was
now on US. We apprehended night attack.
About O'Clock at night, as the moon was
about to rise, Capt. English reported that flag
OF truce was again offered on the federal line on
our front. 1t was reported again at our division
headquarters, and l was again sent out to
answer it as before. put on an army revolver,
put aside my sword, and advanced about fifty
yards from our pickets, halted and called for
the flag Where stood there were scattered
around several federal dead and wounded.
One of the latter asked Inc to do something
Ior him. told him would very soon, making
This promise only TO encourage him, for could
really do nothing, for lack Of authority as well
as lack OF means. | asked his name, and was
rather astonished when he said he was Gen.
niles adjutant general. and that his name was
boyd, as now remember It. A response TO
my call in front took my attention, though l
remember that the wounded officer said he had
been shot through the thigh.
advanced some distance and met q very
handsomely dressed federal officer. We stopped
IN front OF each other. about seven or eight
Ieet apart. soon recognized the fact that my
worn confederate uniform and slouched hat,
even In the dim light, would not compare favor
ABLY with his maEniicence. but as am six feet
nigh drew myself up as proudly as l could
possible, Of being perfectly satisfied
with my personal exterior. The officer
SPOKE first; introducing himself as Gen.
After had introduced myself he felt in his
SIDE pocket for documents, as / thought but
ae document was very nice looking silver
marked that he hoped would not think 1t was
an unsoldieny coul tesy il he offered me some
very fine brandy. | will own up now that |
wanted that drink awfully. Worn down, hun
cry and dispirited, it would have been a gra
clous godsend il some old confederate and
could have emptied that flask between us in
mat dreadful hour of misfortune. But | raised
myself about an inch higher, if possible, bowed,
end refused politely, trying TO produce the
tilculous appearance OF having Toasted on
champagne and pound cake not ten minutes be-
Iore. and that had not the slightest use for as
ptbeian adrink fine brandy"
lie was true gentleman, begged pardon, and
placed theflask in his pocket again, without
iouchng the contents in my presence If he
Iia1 takena drink, and my confederate oifacto-
res mad obtained a Whit of the odor of it, it is
possible that | should have "caved" The truth
u, had not eaten two ounces in two days and
mad my coat tail then full of corn, waiting TO
parch it as soon as an opportunity might pre-
sent itself did not leave IL behind me, because
mad nohldy could trust it with.
as an excuse which felt ought to make for
IeIusing lis proffered courtesy, rather hauRh-
Wy said that had been sent forward only to
receive any communication that was offered.
quo could not properly accept or offer any
eourtesiel. In fact, If had offered what l
Sonld, it would have taken my corn.
ne theI handed to me q letter. which he said
Ian ~ 70 Gan md bad