The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1902-04-17

Mr. c. b. Fleet, OF Lynchburg, publishes
the following letter in the Petersburg
Index Appeal:
Lynchburg Va April ., 1902.
have seen recently an extract from the
Petersburg Index-Appeal in which the
claim is made..th last cannon shot at Ap-
pomattoxwas fred by Johnson Battery.
This is a mistake, and as will show, n
natural mistake, but nevertheless mis-
take.
The last shot at Appomattox was fired
by the fredericksburg Artillery. This
battery was commanded at the time by
Capt. John g. Pollock. IL had been sue
cessiyely in Lindsay Walkers and Pc
grams Battalion. A. p. Hills Division
and later Corps up to October 1864,
when, upon the fall Of Fort Harrison il
was transferred TO the north side OF James
River, put into Longstreet's corps and,
along with Capt. Marmaduke Johnson's
Battery, formed into battalion of which
Johnson, promoted to Lieut.. Col, was
given command The battery served on
the extreme left OF Gen. Lees army
through the winter of lS64-5, falling
back with the army at the evacuation OF
Richmond, was engaged ae Farmyille,
April 9TH and again on the morning OF
the 9th
Now you can see how readily the mis-
take may have occurred. JohnsOns Bat
terry being mistaken for Johnsons Bat
talon. My impression is Johnson's Bat
terry was not engaged that morning,
though am not certain as to that. We
took position in front Of house which
have since learned was that OF Mr.
George Peers, clerk of Appomattax
county. In front of us were infantry and.
back ofthem. cavalry. The latter we were
anxious to have charge US, because we
were unable to reach them firing at our
highest elevation, owing to the fact that
the ammunition furnished us from Rich
mond was so inferior. We had heard Of
the boasting OF Sheridsn's cavalry and
were anxious to get them in our range
to give them an idea OF the quality oithe
Army Of Northern Virginia proper. They
didn't charge, however, and presently a
courier dashed up and Immediately after
wards the lieutenant OF the battery gave
order cease firing" | was astounded
and "a the Lieutenant turned of, we con-
tinued firing. still hoping to induce the
cavalry to charge us. Then another
courier came dashing up and the lieu
tenant said, drawing his sword, "Ser-
geant II you don't cease firing will sabre
your gave the order cease firing
and Immediately the gun on my right,
No of our battery was discharged-the
very last shot from Gen. Lees army.
Fifteen or twenty years after that day
went to AppOmattox for the first time
since the surrender. After looking some
time, finally located our position just
in front ofMr Peers house. Mr. Peers came
out of the house just at that time, and
| told him thought that was the posi-
tion our battery had on the morning Of
Lees surrender. He replied There wasa
battery right in this yard and Capt Farms
worth, of the Federalarmy, who was on
Gen, Charberlin's staff, and who came
here a year or two ago looking over the
field. told me that battery fired the last
shot from Lees army"
Not word had been said byme to Mr..
Peers as to this claim. Now with this cor
rohoratiye evidence from the other side,
can there be any doubt as to the truth
Of this claim for the FrsdArjcksburg Ar
tilery? En- PEASANT, let me AZ, ,,st
this battery fired the first she !, az -
battle Of Gettysb6FeS {. b. FLEEE
Commander Garland R6oes- eseel.np,O Y. y. ::
Formerly Sergeant Fredericksburg Art'y.