The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-09

'''Nafb'h. a ~ WIZ
mains"
In the terrible fight at Fishers Hin. Col
onel Pendleton was MORALLY wounded.
and died the mex day just before ne
completed his oath year. or him General
Ewell. who had succeeded General jack
son. wrote: ut would be difficult. without
personal knowledge 10 appreciate Colonel
Pendleton's great gallantry. his GOODNESS
and clearness os judgment under every
trial. his soldier-like and cheerful per-
iormance of every duty. on one occasion
/ expressed a wish TO recommend him to a
vacant brigade, but he declined. thinking
his services more valuable on the stan.'
Upon the monument to Hoche at Yer
sailles is recorded the date OF each pro-
motion and the date OF his death at the
age OF twenty-nine. No better inscTip-
ton might be asked for this gallant young
Nirginian, who, without military educa-
ton, save that gotten on the field Of bat
tie, was able to make himself the friend
OF the greatest lieutenant OF the war.
and TO connect his name with the inn
perishable history OF the Second corps Of
the Army Of Northern Virginia.
v.
Petersburg and AppomnttoI.
The end Of the drama Is always the
examination OF the interests in the play.
fAVAn ItltlSDulB belfIdl IFIultlOn
wrote the following graphic account of the
battle of the Crater: July 3lst. At day
light yesterday the enemy sprung a mine
on a projecting point Of our line, blew
up a battery Of four guns and engulfed a
number Of men, how many is not exact
ly known-perhaps over a hundred. . : .
The Yankees had 1t all their own way for
a while, and rushed into the gap by hun
dreds. Before a great while, however.
- anaa. - ~.
who commanded the brigade there stationed.
formed his men and held the Yankees at
bay. Dispositions were prompt
ly made for a charge upon the Yankees to
drive them back. This brought on a flu
rious cannOnade. from l suppose a hun
dred guns on their side. Our
men behaved most gallantly, and drove
back the Yankees at a run, killing a
large number. capturing over four hun
dred, and recovering all Of our line, ex-
copt the chasm, which could not be at
once approached, and was filled with
crowd Of the enemy, negroes as well as
Whites. A pause now ensued, and ar
rengemcnts were made on our side for
another charge to regain the remainder
Of our works that they held. ! came out
10 examine another battery some three
or four hundred yards TO the left Of
where l ave been. On the way l met
Colonel Weisigcr, who had commanded
Mahone's brigade I'm the charge, and been
wounded. l got him TO mount my cou-
rlers horse and thus 10 get 10 a hospital
or his quarters. When the second charge
was made | was again on the lines.
our officers and soldiers acted
most nObly. General Lee. as usual. de-
Iected with judgment, com
manded. / doubt whether another army
IN the world could achieve such a victory
With such { ehock 20 begin with"
h following is the account OF the
surrender at Appomattox: Longstreet.
Gordon and PendletOn were, as will be
remembered, the commissioners Of sur
render. Fighting was going on, but not
very severely. so that conversation was
practicable. General Gordon had with me
an interview; told me Of discouraging
intelligence from the South and .f a con-
ference which had been had between
other responsible officers and himself, and
announced their joint wish that, if my
views agreed Wit theirs, l should con-
vey TO General Longstreet, as second in
command, and then. If he agreed. to
General Lee. our united judgment that
the cause had become so hopeless we
thought II wrong longer to be having
men killed on either side, and not right,
moreover, that our beloved commander
should be left 10 bear the entire trial
Of initiating the idea OF terms with the
enemy. My judgment not conflicting with
those expressed, II seemed to me duty
to convey them TO General Lee. At first
General Longstreet dissented, but on
second thought preferred that himself
should be represented with the rest.
General Lee was lying alone resting at
the base Of a large pine tree. l approach
ed and sat by him. To a statement OF
the case he quietly listened. and then.
courteously expressing thanks for the
consideration Of his subordinates in de-
string TO relieve him in part Of existing
burdens, spoke in these words: Il trust
il has not come 10 that. We certainly
have too many brave men 10 think Of
laying down our arms. They still fight
with great spirit. whereas the enemy
do not. And. besides, If l were TO init
mate 10 General Grant that l would listen
TO terms, he would at once regard # as
such an evidence Of weakness that he
would demand an unconditional surren-
der. and sooner than that / am resolved
10 die. Indeed, we must all determine TO
die at our posts My reply could only
be that every man would no doubt cheer
fully meet death with him in the dis
charge of duty, and that we were per-
fectly willing that he should decide the
question.
Less than twenty-four hours after this
General Grant himself sent General Lee
Il note asking the surrender Of his army.
At l o'clock 4. NJ. of the 9th General
Pendleton found General Lee dressed
in his neatest style. new uniform, snowy
linen. &C" To an expression Of surprise
General Lee explained: Il have probably
TO be General Grants prisoner, and
thought / must make my best appear
ance." General Lee had resolved if an
attempt to cut through the enemy's cor
don and push on next morning should
prove unsuccessful he must then make
the best terms possible and surrender his
WORKOUT little army. Having briefly
expressed to me his views writes Gen
eral PendletOn, "he desired me, worn and
weary. TO get some rest. and closed by
directing me, in the morning be gov
erned by circumstances
'In the morning" as the biographer
writes. THE circumstances were more
hopeless than ever. The brave little army
found itself surrounded and intercepted
on all sides by an immense force, and
though a gallant resistance in front by
cavalry. artillery and infantry succeeded.
not only In checking the enemy's advance,
but actually drove it back and captured
two guns and a number Of prisoners. #
was evident TO all hat prolonged fighting
could only result in the absolute destruc-
ton Of the eight thousand men who had
been reported for duty that morning.
General Lee, therefore. requested an in
terview with General Grant. and towards
l o'clock the two commanders met and
agreed upon terms Of surrender.