The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-04-08
A BIT OF HISTORY
The Last BuEls Commaad Before Lees
GnrreutIsr.

Tue lAAAt na6N NV"ANANN UeASA0 49,
Surrender.
The bugter who blew the last
charge" of the clv!l war lives in Mary
Vile. Mo. He talks Interestingly OF that
gnaI rush at Appornattox and the truce
that speedily followed. His hardened
lips sounded the inspIrIting cavalry
Command that practically ended the
bloody conflicts of four years and re-
suited in ultimate peace and the per-
petutity Of the union.
When the war broke out Nathaniel
EIsson enlisted In the Second West Nir-
Finia cavalry. He rode under the flag
ofthat gallant regiment through many
a perilous struggle, and the year 1865
found him under Clusters command. in
that part Of the field where hostilitles
were formally ended.
We had been pursuing Lees re-
treating army all day on the Sth of
April, 1865" said Mr.. Slssou, TO the st.
Louis Globe Democrat correspondent.
"On that day we had captured a train
Of cars bearing supplies for Lee, and
sent out from Richmond. We also
made quick work OF a belRted wagon
tPain, and tired after SO vigorous a
day OF foraging went into camp.
After lying on our guns all night,
we were called early, and before day.
light were In the saddle, ready for the
events Of the most glorious day Of the
war. The trouble began at an early
hour. We advanced and met the enemy's
sEIrmlsh line, brushing them before US
easily. In a short time we were nd-
vancing, apparently on Lees wagon
train, but instead, we soon found our
selves headed through Lees army, Then
the last bugle command OF n hostile ma
ture was blown, and we were charging
st Them.
"Aa We rode on two, of General Cor
donS aides rode out. They carried n
rag of truce, That practically ended
the war"
This historic nag of truce. mentioned
by Mr.. sisson. was the dirty towel so
humorously referred to by General Cor
the ConfederRcy." The towel, though
soIled as badly as the drying apparatus
in a country printing Office was so
much cleaner than any OF the apparel
worn worn by the march-stained men.
that Il seemed white in comparison. The
display Of so dirty a rag was the signal
Of triumph for the north, and a silent
declaration that the country was re-
united.
"a federal officer rode out to meet the
truce-bearers. continued Mr.. SisAOn.
Meanwhile Custer rode at the head OF
his charging column, entirely Ignorant
Of this promised truce. The aides spur
red their horses and overlook Custer.
who ordered the column to halt. The
moving line stopped and the dashing
Custer rode back to General GOrdon's
headquarters.
While terms of surrender were being
discussed a squad Of Confederate cRvai-
~ dashed into the front OF the Union
ranks. Gordon FASTENED to send them
command to cease hostilitles but found
hlmseR without nm aide. He dispatch
I'd willing federal soldier, who bore
Gordon's order to end attack This was
Inc gallant southern generals last. oil
vial direction OF the war. and Il was ex-
ccuted by soldier from the opposing
ranks.
Custer came back from Gordon's tent
alone. As he passed we heard him tell
3eneral Kapehnrt, unCOvering his head
Tho while. that General Lee was treat
ing for capitulatIOn. Those Of us who
heard Il set up a cheer. II was carried
down the line and across the valleys.
until the very hills shook with the
shouts Of Joy from the throatB Of thou
Hhnds OF the boys IN blue, who realized
mat the war was over" I'D
BuElcr SlgsOn does not claim that he
blhw the last order of tho war. but his
regimcntal historian gives him the crcd-
II for II. and facts bear out the state
inent The bugler who sounded the
mai charge before Lees surrender Is n
WeIl-to-do citizen, and was formerly n
partner OF Ex-Governor AOrehOuse In
Inc real estate and loan business.