Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1893-09-23
GEN. LEE IN 1851.
A Confederate Soldiers "Reminiscences of
the Southern Chief.

tne southern CncI'
met Gen. Lee first at his residence
in Franklin street, Richmond, in 1861.
His face was cleanly shaven except a
very full black mustache. He was tall
and slender and erect, and reminded me
of n French officer of the highest type.
/ was on the college campus at Hamp-
den Sidney, Va, in May, 1861, with
number of students at play, when Pres
ident Atkinson, who had just returned
from Farmville, rode up and said:
Young gentlemen, northern troops
have crossed the Potomac into Virginia
at Alexandria. Ellsworth's zouaves
tore down the Virginia flag on jack
sons hotel. jackson shot Ellsworth and
the zouaves have killed Jaclsson-the
war has begun" The boys raised and
l heard for the first time the "rebel
yell" 1t was arranged that afternoon
that the students of the college and
theological seminary should form a
company with DIR. Atkinson as captain.
The company was ordered first to
Richmond, and sooK after, with Col.
John Pegram, to Rich Mountain in the
wilds of West Virginia. AtRich Noun
Ian in front and by Gen. Rosecrans in
the rear, and after n severe engagement
the Hampden Sidney boys were surren-
dered by Col. Pegram to Gen. McClel-
Ian, who treated them very kindly,
paroled them and told them to go back
to college and finish their studies.
/, however, made my escape without
being paroled. | was sick when the
surrender took place. The next day
typhoid fever set in and was sent to a
private house. Here / met n federal
sergeant who engaged for fifty dollars
in gold, in advance, to take me out of
the lines Before day the next MORN
ing he was at the house, and, taking
me in his arms, laid me in the bottom
of his wagon and covered me with hav.
He then drove me to the outer picket
post, where there was great excitement
and anger, owing to the fact that two
of their men had just been shot by
"bushwhackers." Aswe drove up thev
were breathing out threatenings and
slaughter against confederates. One
of them jumped up on the front seat
and asked the sergeant where he was
going. He said: 'Foraging." What
had he in his wagon? He said: Moth
ing" After few pleasant words the
sergeant said he must go on. He then
drove over into the woods, and, taking
me in his arms, laid me down, express
ing the greatest regret at leaving me
there in the woods Ito die" Cutting
off one of my buttons as memento,
and kissing me on the cheek, he drove
away. The thought of escape and free
dom was far superior to disease. | sat
p-stood-wallled-l for joy
came up with confederate wagon,
took the cars ut Staunton and reached
Manassas in time to witness the close
of the first battle of Bull Run.
After had served for some time in
Mosby's independent command, known
to the fedcrals as "guerrillas," / was
offered the adjutancy of regularly
organized regiment. The question
then arose whether, as my company
| was paroled had right to go into
service before it was exchanged The
question was referred to Gen. r. L.
Lee, whom l sought in Richmond. II
was on Sunday morning. Gen. Lee
was in his parlor. When was stating
my case he interrupted me by saying
| that this seemed to be matter OF
business. Its my rule never to tran.
sact matters of business on the Lords
day, except in cases of necessity OF
mercy" told him that had to leave
the city next morning at six o'clock
and he then allowed me to proceed
Though had been received in kindly
and courteous manner, yet felt all the
time that Gen. Lee was preoccupied
Now and then he seemed engaged il