The National tribune., 1902-09-18
LAST SHOT OF THE REBELLION.
A Texan Claims to Have Fired 1t.


A Texan in Washington tells the Post
that the last shot of the rebellion was
fired by Capt. s. II. Barton. now n pros
perous ranchman in Western Texas. He
SAYS:
When a line Of the Confederate cav
airy was slowly retiring from the field on
the plains of Brazos Santiago. in Texas.
where the blue and the gray had met in
deadly encounter for the last time, Il SOL
dier turned in his saddle. and. throwing
his gun to his shoulder. fired. 1t proved
to be the last shot of the last battle, and
it was certainly the last shot of the long
war. Barton was Captain in the Con
federate army and was held in high es-
TEEN by his superiors and loved by the
brave Texans he led.
He now lives at Del Rio. in Western
Texas, where he owns one of the most
desirable small ranches in the State and
considerable town property. Capt. Bar
ton is sure that he fired the last shot at
war, and L believe him, for he is perfect
ly truthful man and would not misrepre-
sent n matter of that kind in the least,
not even to have his fame spread over 40
pages of history.
The story of that last battle. which
was fought ON the 18th of May, 1863, af-
ter the war was ended and peace was de-
clared, has escaped the attention that it
merits, for it was an affair of no little
Importance. Gen. Egbert Brown, who re-
Gently died at West Plains, Mo-, was in
command of the Federal troops in South
ern Texas, and he was doubtless well in
formed concerning the termination of hos
tilities. Gen. j. Z. Slaughter, who COM
manded the Confederate troops encamped
at BraZOs Santiago, had heard rumors of
the surrender of the armies commanded
by Lee, Johnston and other Generals,
but he had received no official notice of
these facts from the War Department.
Cen. Brown, under a flag OF truce, in
formed the Confederates of the state of
affairs about Washington and Richmond,
at the same time inviting them to come
in and lay down their arms, as the war
was certainly over.
Gen. Slaughter refused to act in the
affair of such Importance until he was
better informed. Thereupon Col. Barret,
at the head of a considerable force, was
dispatched to break up the enemy's camp.
A hot battle ensued. and, curiously
enough, most of the fighting was done
on the old field of Palo Alto, where Gen.
Taylor achieved his victory over the Mex
leans nearly 20 years before. The French
soldiers encamped on the southern shore
Of the Rio Grande weie in sympathy
with the SOutherners, and they kept Gen.
Slaughter posted as to the movements of
the Federal troops. Several spirited en-
counters occurred, and the loss sustained
by some Of the colored regiments must
have been severe.
while the battle ragged the Confed-
crates were frequently informed by some
bold cavalrymen in blue that the war was
over; one daring fellow shouted: Lee sur
rendered month ago; the war is ended;
why don't you go home?
when the engagement was hottest,
Gen. Slaughter, received dispatches, and
the French sent him a bundle Of news
papers. Fully satisfied that the cause
for which they were fighting was forever
lost, he ordered the firing to cease. At
that particular moment neither side could
have claimed any advantage, but both
armies began to retire from the field at
the same time.
'As Capt. S. Fl. Barton. in command of
the rear guard, was slowly riding away a
stray ball struck young man by his
side, and he fell from his saddle. That
was certainly the last man killed in the
long war. Capt. Barton has been unable
to recall his name. L thought that was
hard luck said the old soldier. The
young man had served four years and
never got a scratch. The last bullet that
came our way killed him. Prompted more
by spite at fate than bitterness toward
the enemy, / turned in my saddle and
fired toward a dark blue line, which
hope was out of range. That was GER
tainly the last shot of the great war;"