The Savannah morning news., 1901-11-06

week, did these fragments of Lees
Army exist on hopes deferred-Yet
ready at any moment, and to the last
moment, to obey the command of their
noble chieftain
Our first and greatest disappoint-
ment was experienced al Amelia Court
House, where we met the rear of the
Petersburg wing of the army on the
second days march, and where We had
reason to believe that ratio,,s would
be issued. Gen. Lee had ordered sup
plies TO be sent from Danville to this
point, but decentralization had seized
the railroad officials as it had the
quartermaster's department and the
trains loaded with provisions had run
by our army for whom they were in
tended, and carried this precious
freight to Richmond. Added to this
depressing calamity was the fact that
our delay and wait upon the commits
slariat. had permitted the Corps of
Meade's infantry and Sheridan's caval-
~, to get on the line of retreat. So
our famished and faded. though I'M
dismayed columns, were forced to head
for Farmsville. and in that direction
the tagging men and animals wended
their weary way in a last effort to
reach the advantageous protection of
the hills about Lynchburg.
There was no rout, no panic, at any
time: only an utter exhaustion of the
animal power in man and beast, and
the locomotion became of necessity,
Slow, sad and painful. Horses stag
gered and fell no longer able to re-
spond to the overtaxing demand upon
their strength and endurance. Men
relied and nodded as they tramp
ed dny-n ~
superhuman strain upon their weak
ened physical powers, and there would
be none with heart to disturb them.
Yet. after a brief respite, and sum-
moning up thoughts of home and loved
ones. and captivity ending in Federal
prison, and by dint of will, the tired,
chafed feet and legs would tardily re-
spond to escape capture.
Fight at Sailors Creek.
At Sailors creek. on April 6, in che
afternoon, having the entire day
marched in parallel line near the en-
envy. ready at any moment to repel an
attack, the end came to our valiant
command. The troops had thrown up
a light protection and were awaiting
an assault of the enemy and the ex-
pected command to commence firing.
The writer was that day assigned the
duty of moving the brigade wagon
train, and had received orders from
headquarters, in the event he could not
reach given point, to release the ami
mails and set fire TO the wagons. Real
izing that we could not reach the point
named / sought for and found the
commander of my old regiment then
Col. McGlaShan, to consult with him
feeling that if the last day had come
| preferred to be with the command
ana share with them whatever might
be in store for us. I soon found him
with his regiment Cor what was left
of it,, lying on the ground behind a
line Of rails. We took a
scat on the obstruction, and
related to him my expert
"nce and what l most feared. ! did
not want to be captured and incarcer-
ated in a Federal prison. To avoid this
result wanted to remain with him and
his boys and help to force our way out
If 1t became necessary. Fortunately
for me, he would not consent to it. say
ing my post OF duty was where I had
been ordered to go. Our interview was
necessarily limited one. Receiving
no encouragement I left him, of course
hoping TO meet them again. Before /
reached my portion of the wagon train
the enemy renewed their advance fir
ing began, charge after charge of in
fantry was made on our lines only to
be swept back, until the ammunition
was exhausted and the heavy force of
Federal troops surrounded and over-
powered the weakened line, and their
capture became inevitable. Realizing
/ could no longer be Of service to them
/ determined to escape capture that
day and regain the right wing of the
army that had continued on toward
A aof fxNxy Y.-f
After bidding farewell to Col. Nc
Glashan and the boys l hurried to the
line of wagons to be destroyed or aban-
doned. 1t was not difficult to imagine
what the days close would bring.
reached the point aimed for, ordered
the teamsters, or what were left, to
cut loose their animals from the wa
CONS and take care of themselves. Can
ister shrapnel and minnies were
whisting through space. hunting the
poor Confederates. The men obeyed
with alacrity and I have not met one
since. AS l stood for a moment reflect
ing over my next move, my friend. ].
d. Campbell, of the Tenth Georgia In
fantry, gallant soldier, Joined me.
A Nap on the March.
Campbell and five others, members
of our headquarters guard whom we
had met in the wood, remained to-
gether. concluding TO tramp a while.
then, when presented an opportunity
lie down and rest and sleep for short
time. about thirty minutes. volun-
teered to take the first watch, more to
awaken than to guard them. The time
expiring / aroused the sleeping party.
Strange as it may seem, have no
recollection of what occurred after we
took up the march again. All L know
is that I awoke from a refreshing sleep
to ind myself by the side of fence,
near road, entirely alone, somewhere
near midnight. Somewhat startled,
stepped into the road and listened.
There was not a sound-no evidence of
habitation, but a rail fence and a good
road. Where had my companions
gone? Why had they left me? were
questions that presented themselves to
my mind. They must have gone to-
wards the West. so ! took that direc-
ton. hoping to overtake them. l fol-
lowed the road until I reached Apo
mattox river at Highbridge. and. to
my establishment, there saw
hundreds of camp fires. and heard the
rumbling of wagons crossing on pom
toon bridge to the opposite side, High
bridge having been made impossible.
Here was a portion of the pursuing
army. Believing that I had to cross
that pontoon bridge if l reached the
other side of the stream, ! resolved