Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1901-05-11

,n tho extreme right " the line. mounted
Nh horseback. aHd ~ a position nearest
tnt rebel soldiers who were approaching
our riIht.
An hut il was most impressive sight
most striking picture, To see that Whol g
army in motion to lay down tho symbols
III war and strife. that army which had
fought Tor four terrible years after a
fashion hut infrcqUcutly known in war.
''A: such a time ana under such Cundi-
tiuuS | thought il cmincnuy hitting 10
Snow some token Of our feeling and 4
therefore istruCtcd my subordinate OIL
ccr> to come To the position 81 salute in
IN, udnud. OF arms. as each body OF the
Conf, drIatcS passed before MS.
/ 'it WAS not q present arms. however.
! not a present. which then ~ now was
I the highest possible honor 70 hc paid even
| to 4 President. Ii was The carry arms
as II was then known, with muskct hcli
hy the right hand and perpendicular to
ne shoulder. ! may best describe II as
Il marching salute i'm review.
when Gen. Gordon came opposite nc
| had tile bI-iC blown and the entire
lima came 20 attention. preparatory -
successfully ANA ~ regiments as Cor
don 5 columns should pass before our
/ front, each in turn.
The general was riding in advance OF
his troops. mis- chin dropped to his breast,
down-hcartcd aud detected in appearance
almost beyond description. At The sound
Of that muChinc-like snap of arms. how
ever. Con. Gordon started. caught i'll
mcmcn. its significance. ana instantly a.
summed the finest attitude Of soldier.
lie Wh"t lCi ...S horse facing me. touching
him gently with the spur 50 that the an
imal slightly reared. ana as he wheeled.
horse and rider made one motion. the
horS, : head swung down with a grace
ful bow and Gen. Gordon droppcd his
sword-point to his tee in salutation.
'hy word OF mouth the general sent
back orders I" tn rear that his own
troops take inc same position If the man
uIl in the march past as did our lire.
That WIS done and a truly imposing sight
was the mutual salutation and farewell.
AT Il distance IF possibly y feet from
or line tho ConfcdCratcS halted and
turned face toward us. Their lines were
formed With the greatest care, with cv-
thercup1n began the furmality OF surrcn
der.
"Eayonots were affixed to muskcts.
arms stacked and cartridge boxes unSlung
and hung upon the stacks. Then. slowly
and with a reluctance that WAS appeal
incly pathetic. the torn and tattcred bat
Il" flags We're either icanCu against the
stacks or laid upon the ground. The emo
tinu Of the conquered sOldicry was really
s1d To witness. Some Of tho men who
had carried ana followed those ragged
standards through the four long wears Of
strife rushed. regardless of all discipline
from the ranks. bent about their old flags
and pressed them to their lips VITA
burning tears.
And it can well hc imac ined. too, that
there was no lack Of motion on our side.
hut the Union men were hold steady III
demonstration by word or ny motion.
There was, though. a twitChing of the
muscles of their faces. and. he ii said.
their battlc-hronzod checks were not alto
gCthcr dry. our men felt the import OF
the occasion. and realized fully how they
would have been affected if defeat and
surrender had been their lot after such a
fearful struggle.
Nearly an entire day was necessary
for that vast parade to pass. About 27ooo
stands ot arms were laid down, with
Ia, hN.r,I H.
olt.ridgCS We're DESTROYED. and the arm;
loaded on cars aad sent off to Win nS-
EVERY token Of armed hostilitics was
laid aside IN the defeated men No Off
ccr surrendered his side arms or horse if
private property. only Confederate prop
terms OF surrender. dated April O. 1865.
and stating that all arms. artillery and
public nropcrtyc were to he packed and
stacked and turned over to the officer |
duly appointed to receive them
-. Ara right here | wish 10 correct again |
that statement 50 often attributed to me, |
from tho hands Of Gen. Lee on that dav
his sword. Only recently. nj a banquet in |
Newton. Mass. of the Eatahdn Club. |
cou1osed Of sons and daughters of my |
own beloved state. il was said in press
dispatches that letter had been read |
from me in which made the claim that |
] had received Lees sword. never a
make that claim. even as I mover d'd re- |
coive that sword. As | have said no |
officer was required or even |
sked to surrender his side arms il they |
were his personal property. AS a. mattcr
of fact Gen. Lee never gave IN his sword |
although If ! am not mistakcn.t there
was some conference hctwccn Cen Grant !
and some Of the members Of his staff /
ripon that very subject just before tn.
final surrender. was not present a.
that conference. however, and only knew
Of It by hcarsav.
.Ruf. as ! was saving. every token of
armed hostili'ies having been laid asid"
and the men having given their words of
honor that they would never serve again