Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-09-24
APPOMATT0X ECHO.
THE LAST voLLEY ON THAT MEMO
RABLE FIELD.
ECHO.
STATEMENT OF GENERAL GRIMES.
+, WAS Fired by Cox's Gallant Moth
Carolinfnns-A stirring Heminfs-
cepce-Less We Forget Letter
from MOsby.

To the Editor OF the Charlotte O.. 9
Observer:
In the Confederate Veteran for August
Captain William Kaigler, OF Dawson, Ca
insists that the last yolley al Appomat-
tox was fired BY the sharpshooters of
Evanss Division under his command,
ana not by North Carolinians. The clos
ing incident of the greatest Of modern
wars is OF such historic Importance. and
Is so creditable to those participating
therein, that It is not surprising that they
should be proud Of II and claim as much
of its glory as truth permits.
In the Veteran for November. 1898, Cap
tain Kaigler first claimed this honor for
his command, and in the veteran for
February. 1899, he IS answered and con-
tradicted by Captain James l. Nets, Of
Wilmington, who quotes statements (sus-
tanning him) made by several North Car
DINA officers, among them being General
w. r. Cox, whose brigade they say fred
the last volley at Appomattox. In his
last communication Captain kaiglcr says
that General Cox is liable to be mistaken,
because his statement 'is only from re-
collection after thirty years have
elapsed" In this Captain Kaieler Is him.
self mistaken for this statement Of Gem
oral Cox is exactly the same written by
him and published. in 1873. in Moore's
History Of North Carolina.
1t was my privilege TO be an active
participant In that memorable morning
scenes az AppOmattoX as one of the
stan Of Major-General Bryan Grimes. and
Il fell to my lot TO carry the last order
on the field of battle Immediately pre-
ccding the surrender. All the incidents
OF that historic occasion are stu fresh
I'm my memory, and as on eyewitness
unhesitatingiy testify that the last vol
lev AT App0mattoX Courthouse was fired
by Cox North Carolina Brigade Of
Grimes's Division. But, to put the mat
ter beyond all doubt. and TO cite the
best evidence possible | Will ask your
readers to consider what was said about
this controverted question by the wit
ness best qualified to know-General
Bryan Grimes-who planned and COM
manded the last charge at AppomattoX.
I enclose, therefore. the following ex-
tract from ~rlmes's own report, or state
ment published in 1879. and never Ques-
toned before his death. As stated by
him. he was given by General Gordon
the divisions Of Walker and Evans In
addition to his own division, which was
composed Of Phil Cooks Georgia Brigade
Battles Alabama Brigade. Grimes's old
Brigade and CoX's Brigade It is pro-
per TO state that General Grimes was not
In the rear but was with the line OF bat
be. and narrowly escaped being killed
All soldiers know how hard It is Tor
IN unmounted officer at one end Of a
long line of battle to know what is done
nj the other. Hence, II does nor dis
parage Captain Kaigler's veracity or
sourage TO assert that he. who was on
The extreme left, could not know what
was done on the right as well as mount
ed officers who were riding all along the
line and had fun opportunity OF seeing
all that was done.
This statement Of General Grimes's (who
died I'm 1850 Is so clear and explicit that
1t should be accepted as conclusive of
the facts mentioned and being Of pecu-
liar historic value. should be carefully
read and remembered.
Hs. . II. 4. LONDON.
Pittsboro n. c.. September 18th.