The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-09
SCENES AFTER SURRENDER,
fle Remnant Of General Lees Army Re-
turning 10 Their homes.
IBVs OF LlHCOLpS ASSASSINATION,
"A Came 70 the Veterans Like Thunder
Clap - Ex-Governor Csmsrens inr"
Paper on THE Interesting sabjsc'.


Thu skies were ss dark and threatening
=. the fortunes OF the Confederacy when
Thursday. April l3. 1866. the emaciated
veterans of Lees army looked their iast
upon the flags they had followed so stead
lastly. and turned their weary Footsteps
homeward. The first numbing snock Oh
defeat had passed away; the pride VI .i,e
sojdiers had been soothed Of It's Wouhus
~ the resnectful bearing OF the victors,
and by the consciousness that their uuty
han been discharged faithfully ana 10
the utmost limits OF human endurance;
the Conversations OF the situauoh-the
blsssedness Of peace. the JOY or reunion
with loved ones; the anucipauons Oh
daye and nights unbroken by war MORT
clamors. the visions OF physical rest ana
comfort-began, though slowly. to dawn
upon faculties at first paralyzed py the
audiences and completeness OF the dis
aster. They had borne themselves win
dignity and fortitude during the trying
ordeal OF surrender. and now, as the W
vereinc groups struck out towards every
point OF the compass with that ions,
swinging stride which had given them the
goal In many a strategetic race the sou
faces relaxed into smiles almost as pa,
thetic as the tears which lately stanneu
them. and they took heart OF hope AGAIN.
Once clear of the field, which was AT
once the crown and grave OF thei' NM
tary service, candor compels me 10 s.a'e
that the controlling idea IN every Hiino
was how to satisfy the craving LOT Ioou'
which. after ten days OF practical starva-
,ion had prown into a passion. The lit
tie that the Federals themselves on snort
rations by reason of the unfortunate ac-
tivity OF F'itz- Lees cavalry mad been
able TO supply had only served TO tantai-
,ze rapacious appetites. Officers had Jared
hrfr
banding army there were as many nun
erv '.begrars on horseback" as on foot.
Al division headquarters last council
was held 10 determine upon the routes
md dispositions for the last march. Inc
men were foraEers by instinct ana py
practice and they streamed OF in broken
attachments without waiting for instruc-
tons; they could be trusted TO find the
shortest way home and TO secure sub
s!stence without plumber Organizations
were not preserved but each detachment
was composed of men having the same
distinction. and was generally accofnpa-
ncd by one or more subordinate officers.
The field and staff of the Virginia COM
mands in the division, with courers ana
orderlies of the various departments,
made a formidable cavalcade. perhaps
Of one hundred horsemen. much too large
20 travel by one road through country
ill-stocked with provisions so II was de-
cided TO break up into several parties
and to travel by circuitous ways toward
the cities of Eastern Virginia, which were
our common objective points. Each of
these squads was well-mounted and well
armed large enough to protect itself
against marauding parties, yet small
enough not 70 tax Unfortunately the re-
sources of hospitable farmers on the way.
The major general rode at first with his
wagons and escort and was destined TO
en- nit sraahnotarc herOra
settling down in his temporary home
at Clarksville. a skirmsE not recorded in
any annals of the war but which shall
be rescued from oblivion hereafter. The
br'iCadier next splashed off through the
mud, shouting back a cordial God bless
you! Take care of yourselves" Lastly.
the adjuiant-general, the writer formed
his squad. and heading for Pamplins
depot. struck or into the comparatively
unmarried counties OF Charlotte and
LunenburgAthe longest way home, but
the most alluring. by reason of the pros
pect which II offered OF bounteous sup
plies for man and beast.
But before entering upon the details OF
q Journey which formed the boundary be-
tween two epochs of life let us diGress
sufficiently TO follow the fortunes OF the
Brigadier for one night only. ! have the
story from the Hon. Drury A. Hinton.
tnen a gallant ulIr-Ee-callD, now a IedTH-
ed Judge OF the Supreme Court Of Vr'
ginia. and hive neither added to nor
subtractod from his version OF the cpl
sode. though / repeat from memory.
Might" said the Judge. was already
fast approaching. when, after long, mo-
notonous trot through barren fields and
past dilapidated homesteads. We drew
near 10 a landscape, of which not even
the low-hanging clouds and gathering
,fcfa ct,atli r "a
Trim fences enclosed fat meadows. al
ready green with the tender heritage of
early springtime, and here sleek kline
were cropping lazily their evening meal,
while moving slowly toward the place OF
milking. On gently-sloping hills focks
OF plump sheep were luxuriously brows-
ing. A lane OF lordy oaks led TO snug
and roomy mansion. and by a barnyard,
peopled with waddling ducks, unwieldly
geese. comely chickens. and plethoric
pigs. Tho cribs were tall and broad. and
from the crevices OF the logs protruded
great yellow ears OF corn, while the
barns overlooked with golden oats and
mahogany tobacco Verify a picture OF
abundance to make the mouth OF the
hungry traveller water. To complete II
there stood In the wide doorway vener-
able man of hale complexion and rofund
cOrporosity. whose every feature gave
evidence OF years of good cheer.
mo need to go further! The general
sent a look OF inquiry to the surgeon
which ne answered with a glance Of
approval. Then confirmatory winks from
quartern.aster, commssary, and all the
lesser fry. The aid was meanwhile al
ready started on his mission. for meme
so bland of manner or smooth of tongue
as he. to the owner OF all this plenty.
The compliments of General Weisiger Of
Lees army We're presented. with "a re-
quest for entertainment for the night.
The old gentleman demnrred somewhat.
lie had never seen n live general. The
trappngs of war were sadly wanting
10 the strangers at his gates. He was
by no means sure that Lee had surrend-
cred. He had heard OF Yankee spies GO
ing through the country imposing on the
simple folk with lying stories. Then,
again. IL the Confederates had been over
come he might get In trouble for giving
aid and comfort TO the fugitives. But
II this should be southern general--a
real one-a paroled prisoner In trouble
and want. IL would break his big heart
10 have refused him food and shelter
So wayered the old mans mind until
appeared upon the scene his portly dame
who cut the matter short In favor of
hospitality. The travellers dismounted
their steeds were led away TO long un-
accustomed stalls and provender, and
themselves indicted to spacious diu-
ing-room redolcnt with appetizing odors.
Once seated. the guests yielded them