The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1899-02-10
LAST CHARGE AT APPOMATTOX

LAST CHARGE AT APPOMATTOX.
Gen. w. r. Cox.)
Soon after the civil war I prepared
a careful and accurate account of the
Virginia at Appomattox. This was
published in the public press of the
state, while the participants in this
charge of Grimes division were
living and could testify to the facts if
questioned. So far as I am informed,
they passed unchallenged.
The present statement is prepared
from my Recollection of facts, pub
llshed as before stated. Owing to the
disaster to u army at Sailors Creek
and the hasty Abandonment of our
wagon train and supplies, the army
was organized into two corps, command
respectively, by Longstreet and Cor
oon. On April eighth our poorly clad
and starving soldiers marched on to-
ward Appomattox with but little inter-
ference. 1t was h Of Lee to
move on to Danville and join forces
with Johnston, who was then retiring
before Sherman in North Carolina,
Grant anticipated his purpose and by
e OF railroad facilities and interior
lines was enabled to mass a large part
OF MS troops in our front. On the
seventh Grant had written and pro-
posed Lees surrender, which was de-
clined, and again on the eighth he re-
W the offer to which Lee replied
on the ninth, and agreed to meet him
at ten O'Clock to ascertain the terms he
would propose for upon their charac-
ter depended the nature of his decis-
Ion. On the evening of the eighth. to
rest MS weary and worn troops Lee
ordered a halt near Appomattox Court
House. Before day Gordon moved his
corps with Grimes division in front
through, and halted it on an elevation
beyond the village. While resting on
our arms some of my men. notably
privates J. c. Scarborough and W. III.
PACE, were parching corn in little i'm
provised fires, when skirmishing in our
front began. Here I received orders
from Gordon to throw forward the di-
vision. which was done in echelon by
brigade at intervals of one hundred
PAGES. With a spirit which knew nc
abatement, the troops sprang forward
with glorious ealon. Soon we were en-
gagged with cavalry, mounted and dis
mounted, supported by artillery, which
a1ter a hot We swept from
before US, after the loss of some of nv
men,, chiefly from artillery. The only
support on my left was Wise's brigade,
then reduced to a mere skeleton line.
very soon we engaged infantry troops.
n after some captures a Federal Off
Ger was brought to me, from whom
learned that Ord's whole corps was in
my front. In the Gordon
aa1 sought Gen. Lee and acquainted
MIN with the overwhelming force in his
front, whereupon I halted the division,
when Capt. London, of Grimes staff.
rode up and said: General Grimes
directs you to detire." AS I sought to
retire l discovered there was great
danger of my command being sur
rounded an dcaptured. 1 therefore d.
rected my aide, Lieutenant James s,
Battle. to summon the regimentaI COM
manders Of my brigade and meet me.
while still Withdrawing, at their CEN
ire. l unfolded TO them my purpose,
Wnicn was. while still retiring, to face
the brigade about, charge with the
rebel yelP' TO the top OF an elevation
beyond which the enemy were adyanc-
ing, there halt, fire by brigade, face
ABOUT and double quick to the rear,
rms precaution was given because
amidst the confusion of battle. troops
do not always catch the orders, and
TO make this movement a success. 4,
. mad TO be executed with celebrity and