The age-herald., 1901-11-12

 Boston, said:
 It is unnecessary for me even to refer to the series of events which followed the abandonment of Richmond and pre- ceded the surrender of Appomatox. It is | sufficient to say that the equalization of the Army of Northern Virginia had be- come inevitable. Not the less for that, the course thereafter to be pursuer as concerned further resistance on the part of the Confectionery was still to be decid- ed. It is well known that. in the face of disaster, Jefferson Davis had not for an instant given up the thought of con- tinuing the struggle. To do so was cer- tainly practicable. Foreign opinion for instance was on this point settled; 1t was assumed as certainty of the future that the defeat of Lee in the field, or even the surrender of all the Confederate armies, would be but the close of one phase of the war and the opening of an- other phase-the final phase being long. fruitless effort to subdue a united people Tn region so vast that it would be im- possible to penetrate every portion of 1t, much less to hold it in subjection As a historical fact the scales on April g, 1865, hung wavering in the balance; mere
 
 trey were to incline. Thus. on the morn ing of that momentous day, it was an absolutely open question, an even chance, whether the course which was actually pursued would be pursued or whether the leaders of the Confederacy would. adopt the policy which President Kruger and Gems. Botha and De Wet have in South Africa more recently adopted, and are now following.
 Lees Heavy Burden.
 The decision rested in the hands of one man-the commander of the army of Northern Virginia. Fairly reliable and very graphic accounts of what took place at General Lees headquarters in the early morning hours of that day have either appeared in print or been told in conversation, and to two of these &C., counts l propose to call attention. Ap- parently the second of the interviews de- scribed followed close on the first, not more than couple of hours intervening between them. Of the first I find this account in a book recently published by John Sargent Wise, entitled "The End of an Era"
 John Sargent Wise is the son of Henry A. Wise, once prominent in our national politics. Governor of Virginia in the later fifties, he was subsequently, a brig adler general in the Confederate service Though in 1865 but a youth of 19, John u already been wounded in battle. At the time now in question he chanced to have been sent by Jefferson Davis, then on his way from Richmond to Danvile, with dispatches to Lee, and while seeking Lees headquarters he came, in the early morn ing of April g. across his father, Gov ernor and General Wise, in bivouac with his brigade The father was then nearly 60 years of age, but the son found him lying on the ground asleep among his men. A typical Southern 'f1re-eater' of the extreme type. Henry A. Wise was an out and out secessionist and Confed- crate. Aroused by his son from his un- easy slumber, almost the first wish he ex- pressed was to see General Lee and he inquired impetuously of his whereabouts. The son knew where the Confederate headquarters were, and the two started together to go to them.
 Vivid Picture of the Scene.
 John s. Wise has described wildly the aspect of affairs as they passed along: "rhe roads and fields were filled with stragglers. They moved, looking behind them, as if they expected to be attacked and harried by a pursuing foe. Demoral- ization, panic, abandonment of all hope, appeared on every hand. Wagons were rolling along without any order or sys- tenn. Caisson and Timber chests without commanding officers, seemed to be float ing aimlessly upon a tide of disorgan- ization. Rising to his full height casting a glance around him like that of an eagle, and sweeping the horizon with his long arm and bony forefinger, my father eXclaimed This is the end! It Is impos- sible to convey an idea of the agony and the bitterness of his words and gestures" Then follows this description of the in- terview which ensued:
 We found General Lee on the rear portico of the house that I have men toned. He had washed his face in a tin basin and stood drying his beard with a coarse towel as we approached. General Lee exclaimed my father my poor, brave men are lying on wonder hill more dead than alive. For more than a week they have been fighting day and night without food, and, by God sir. they shall not move another step until somebody gives them something to eatr
 " Come in, general said General Lee, soothingly. They deserve something to eat and shall have it. and, meanwhile, you shall share my breakfast He dis armed everything like defiance by his frankness.
 Tt was but few moments. however, before my father launched forth in a fresh denunciation. of the conduct of General Bushrod Johnson in the engage ment of the 9th. I am satisfied that Gen. eral Lee felt as he did; but, assuming an air of mock severity, he said: General, are you aware that you are liable to coJrt-martial and execution for insubor- dlnation and disrespect toward your com manding officer?
 My father looked at him with lifted eyebrows and flashing eyes, and ex- claimed: Shot. You can't afford to shoot the men who fight for cursing those who ran away. Shot! I wish you would shoot me. If you dons some d. Yankee probably will within the next twenty-four hours
 Growing more serious, General Lee in- | quired what he thought of the situation " Situation?' said the bold old man. There is no situation Nothing remains. General Lee but to put our poor men on your mules and send them home in time for spring ploughing. This army is hope lessly whipped and is fast becoming de- moralized. These men have already en- dured more than I believed flesh and blood could stand and I say to you sir, emphatically, that to prolong the struggle Is murder. and the blood of every man who is killed from this time forth Is on your hands. General Lee
 This last expression seemed to cause General Lee great pain. With gesture Of demonstrance and even of impatences he protested: Oh. general, do not talE so wildly. My burdens are heavy enough. what would the country think of me if I did what you suggestT
 No Country Save Commander. " Country bed-!' was the quick re- ply. There Is no country. There has been no country, General, for a year or more. You are the country of these men,