The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-05
A CONFEDERATE RECOLLECTION
Gen. Custer at the Final surrender

From the New York Sun.
Every war has it's ideal hero, and the
conflict between the states was no ex-
ception to the general rule. for there was
not only one but many heroes.
There were. however. two. one wearing
the blue and the other the gray, around
whom clustered halo of chivalrous dar-
ing and romance, which will ever cling
to the names of Custer and Stuart. 1t is
of the former of these two that we pro-
pose to relate a characteristic incident.
The fight of Sunday, April 2, 1865, viii
never be forgotten by any eX-cOnfederate
who was encamped in front of Fort Har-
rison on the north side OF the James
river, eight miles from Richmond, Va.
For several days before a heavy can
nonading heard in the direction of Pc
tersburg had indicated that something un-
usual would soon break the monotony
which had reigned supremely in the con-
federate camp on the north side for nearly
four months. But whether another
bloody struggle to capture the fort
would be made or whether another re-
treat would be sounded was soon decided
in favor of the latter.
About sunset on the day In which we
are writing orders were issued to cook
three days rations, and be in readiness
to march at midnight. orders were also
corps lay in front of us only a quarter
of mile distant and for IT to have been
appraised of our departure would have
meant disaster to the small force of only
5000 men in their front.
Silently, but quickly, at the appointed
hour the line was formed and the march
taken UP in the direction of Drewry' 5
Bluff, about two miles distant. This point
was soon reached. and here pontoon
bridge was laid, and the troops marched
over by twos to the south side.
It was now nearly daybreak, and after
marching a short distance the line was
halted in the woods and the troops stacked
arms and prepared to take a short rest.
Scarcely, however, had they lain down
before there was an explosion that seemed
to shake the solid earth itself. 1t is need
less to say that ere its sounds had died
away every confederate was on his feet
and with his musket in his hand, Tor
every one supposed that the enemy was
upon us. Not so, however. II was merely
the blowing up of the confederate IRON
clad at Drewry's Bluff, to prevent its fall
ing into the hands of the federal navy ad-
Vancing up the river.
Day was now at hand, and, of course,
sleep was out of the question Also, II was
now become a question of speed between
the two detachments of the union and con-
federate armies respectively, the former
straining every nerce TO prevent the con-
federates from overtaking the main army
under Lee and the latter using their ut
most endeavors to do so.
The race was kept up without fntermis-
sion for three days and nights. Our
troops never slept over two hours at a
time during that period. Their ratlons
were exhausted, and they devoured every
thing eatable which came in their way,
without so much as subjecting 1t to the
suspicion of fire. Fresh pork with the
blood streaming from it and chickens
with the feathers and entrails alone SUD
tracted were eaten with as much gusto
as the small boy munches a ginger snap.
But in spite of every exertion the boys in
blue gained upon and at last overlook us
about IL o'clock a. M, on April 6tn' IL
was not the infantry, however, but a de-
tachment of cavalry under Gen. Custer.
Preparations were at once made to re-
ceive the charge which we knew would
follow.
The battle began by a vigorous Smelling
of our wagon train, to which no reply
could be given, as we were without artil-
Ier.v The confederate infantry was mass
ed behind a HILL which completely shut 1t
out from the federal commander A
heavy skirmish line was thrown out on
the hill in order to deceive MN, ana azure
him into the trap. -
AS every one now knows, Gen. Custer
never would take dare He at once
formed his lines for charge, and on they
came How gayly the trumpet sung. How
merrily the boys rode to their death, as
on they came at a swift trot amid the
booming of cannon, the rafting of sabres,
and the heavy thud of their horses feet.
Arriving at the top of the hill, they were
met by an appalling infantry fire, and
many a gallant trooper bit the dust.
The action was short, sharp, and decis-
i've. and Gen. Custer soon recalled his
troops 1t was in vain to throw small
body of cavalry against a solid mass of
veteran infantry.
Rut the end was near-only matter OF
a few hours-for at p. m. the union in
fantry arrived, the battle of Sailors creek
followed. and Gen. Sheridan took 5000
prisoners
SO much as a background to the picture;
go much as the setting for the incident we
now give and which ever after endeared
the memory of Gen. Custer 70 every one
who was witness to II.
THE morning after the battle the pris-
oners were ordered to fall in line. soon
! Cen Custer and his staff appeared on the
scene. and this was the signal for an out
hurst of uproarious applause. The sky
was fairly darkened with the caps thrown
in fhe air, and the band played Yankee
| Doodle" and altogether 1t was sight to
! sadden the captive confederates, more es-
Decfally as they beheid eighteen of their
battle flags, which had been torn with
shot and shell on a hundred battlehelds,
! now adjoining the train OF the conqueror.
Cen Custer seemed to realize this. and
with a delicacy of feeling and. magnaninl-
itv of shirt which only true chiyalry can
aDpreciate. as soon as the applause had
subsidized and the band ceased, he turned
10 its leader and said Give the boys
(meaning the prisoners) Dixie.
AS the sweet strains of the. confederate
war SOM rolled in waves of liquid meloey
through the air, Gen. Custer took on his
! hat and waved Ii as a signal, and the APP
nlalse was deafening. The union huzza
| shook notes as well as hearts and hands,
| across the bloody chasm.
Years afterward, when the chivalrous
| Custer rode calamity to his death in his
| last charge it sent a thrill of pain through
| out the length and breadth Of cur lana,
ING and unseIfsh OF men had persisted, nor
ean a. he doubted had he been spared, he