The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-04-13
CAPT. WISE AND GEN. LEE.
The Former Not with tho Latter on the
9Th. 9th or 10Th of April, 90.

i-hilot OF Inc Times.
Sir:-I have jast read in The Times
OF the 18th. -FOUR editorial John ;.
Wise on Gen. Lee" and 1 wish
to make plain statement OF facts en-
dorsing your criticism OF Mr. Wise's
memory, etc.
| was in the Confederate army from
the beginning 2ith April, 81, 10 the sur
render. / joined Co. a, J3rd Va. Regi-
ment, ArmistcadS Brigade. Picketts d.
vision. and | was with my Company con-
tinually up to the end day or February.
1855. | was then transferred To Company
G. 2rd Va. Cavalry. l reported 10 my
new Company on the 2fth OF February,
1865, at camp near Richmond. Va. We
who were not mounted were sent In haste
10 the High Bridge Prince Edward coun-
ty. near Farmville. to protect that struc-
ture from the raids Of the enemy. 1 was
detailed on the lst day Of April TO go
home in Halifax county, Va, 10 get
horse. In seven days | was ordered 20
report TO Gen. Anderson as courier
reached home on the same day. NV
father gave me a horse and equipments
On the eth day Of April ] started to my
command ! stopped at Randolph sta
ton, near stanton River Bridge. TO see
Col. b. S. Farenholt formerly of my
old regiment. who was IN command at
that post. ] met Major r. Y. Gaines.
assistant quarter master ut his head
quarters who informed me that Rich
mond had been evacuated and Gen. Lee
and his army was near Farmville. Va
Col. Farenhot and Major Gaines both
knew me- and told me that they had been
ordered 10 establish line Of couriers and
find out the position Of Gen. Lees army
and report "a Cen. Walker, Danville. Va.
Col. Farenholt ordered me TO take eight
men with me and report TO Gen. Walker
from kcysville station. He also gave me
an order TO impress horses and equip
ments for four Of my men and report TO
Major X. Y. Gaines AT Mossingford sta
ton as quick as possible This delayed
mo until the morning 81 the Sth then
reported TO Major Gaines who gave mo
instructions how 10 proceed. We passed
through Charlotte G. H.. and took the
road 10 Farmviile.
on the morning Of the 9th ] met Major
w J. Johnson. commlssdry Of Gen. Fitz
Lees Division riding very lave horse
and could not 90 out of a very slow walk
7 told the Major who was - my or
ders. lie informed me that Gen Lee
had surrendered that morning and he
was bearing "a dispatch 70 Mr.. jefferson
Davis. Danville Va. informing him Of
the fact He asked me 10 take the dis
patch and carry il 10 brakes Branch. the
nearest telegraph office. as quick ~ T
could go. 7 lost no yne. hut had to
leave the main road 10 avoid the enemy g
cavalry. ! reached brakes Branch about
T. NJ. that day. I sent the dispatch to
Gen Walker Sunday evening". The oper-
ator took his instrument and left on a
hand-car for Halifax county That night
the bridge across Stanton river was
burned. ] spent the night with Mr.. 2.
Sigu an old friend Of my fathers Early
next morning I started home BY way Of
Randolph Station.
I reached Clark's Ferry about II 4. VI.
/ noticed 4 party Of five or six soldiers.
with a white flag. on the Halifax side
OF stanton river. They came over I'm
a far boat and as ! rode I'm the boat 7
met Mr. William y. Coleman. OF Danvile.
Va. tie introduced me 10 Lieutenant
Wise John s. WISE and others who were
with the white flag. told the party that
General Lee had surrendered the day be-
fore
Lieutenant Wise told me his mission
and asked me to go with him. ! rode back
10 the station and found Col Farenholt.
made NY report TO him and was told
20 90 home. This was Monday. The 10Th
day OF April. 1865. Lieutenant John ).
wise was NOT with General Lee on The
Sth. 9th or 10Th OF April. 1866.
The white flag party left the ferry after
n 4. VI. April 10Th. and had 90 ride some
forty miles 10 reach the place they told
me they were going.
enclose the original order from Col
onei Farenholt 90 show that the dates /
have given are correct
WA. G. MORTON.
clover. Va. April II. iNa,
The order referred TO above IS yellow
with age. and bears every stamp Of orisi-
nality. 10 IS dated kpril g. 49,, and reads
as follows.
CORPORAL VIM. q. Morton.
You are authorized 20 impress cavalry
horses and equipment wherever YOU can
ind them 20 Doe used temporarily IN es-
tabllshlng a line of scouts and courlers
between Keysville Station and General
Lees army All persons from whom
horses or equipments may be taken, VIII
be directed 10 call on captain y; .
Gaines \. Q. NJ. 40 Massingiord Slalloh'
Obo viii give receipts for same.
By command
b. J.. FARENHOlF,
Colonel Commanding.
Roanoke station. April Z. 1866.
As soon as equipped report 10 captain
Gaines az MassingfOrd Station