Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1903-03-13

Munford remained in the field SOME
days afterward as the following cor
irespondence shows;
Lyachburg, April 18th, 1860.
Brig. Gen. Mackenzie commanding
Cavalry Brigade. sends his compliments
to Gen. Munford and requests that he
report to his headQ uarters II posslOle.
Lieut. Gen. Grant also requests Co.
Munford to reports to Gen. Mackenzie.
| THOS. LITTLE,
lst Lit. 5th Penna Cavalry.
''Old Tom as he was called, did not
know Gen. Fifz Lee had surrendered
on the 18th, when he wrote the follow
ing;
Headquarters Lees Cavalry Division,
| April 18th, 1860.
Brig. Gen Mackenzie,
Commanding Cavalry Brigade U.
s. A., Lyncbburg.
| GeneraI:--I have the honor to en-
close copy of paper sent me last
night by Lit. Little, commanding de
tachment, it places me in an emDar
RAISING position. and must decline to
accept your polite invitation until l
can ascertain my status. 1t is only
| necessary for me to say that l will
obey orders, when l am certain they
are by proper authority. l beg leave
to state that my command succeed
ed in driving the Federal Cavalry from
the AppomattOx and Lynchburg r. K.
in our front on Sunday, that appre.
hended the disaster which befell our
army and moved back rapidly into the
main body of my command, leaving
only heavy skirmish line to cover my
retreat. l was in the rear when your
| flag of truce was noticed by the officer
in charge of my covering party. AS
soon as L was apprlsee that there was
truce, | went to the front and asked
| to communicate with Gen. Il. E Lee,
Gen. DevIn commanding U. S. forces.
"could not allow me to communicate
| with him" and after some little parleY,
| | withdrew. | was at no time within
your lines, nor did expect to surren
der my command or myself. If l un
derstand from you that l was included
| il the surrender, l most respectfully
ask that you will first show was sur
| render before can submit, l have not
been able to see or communicate with
any officer who knows the terms OF
Gen. Lees capitulation. Please state
/ in your reply who was included. Many.
| | know escaped into my command
Many are away on details and from
other causes. Let 1t be understand at
once and our people know how to act
and what to expect. The love of our
| cause. backed by the proud and brave
! hearts of my command, will be sui
| ficient apology for my declining to
comply with your polite invitation.
until l am satisfied that Gen. Lee in
! cluded my command, who cut their
way through your lines and are far
| from being in a condition to be captur-
/ ed, shall follow our old flag and de
| fend i t until we are free. My men do
not believe they could have been sur
rendered. If you will furnish me with
satisfactory evidence, will submit to
| the powers that be, otherwise l shall
| not ask or expect any favors. Ii this
paper should be sent to Gen. Lee it
would obiyate many difficulties. My
desire is to act IN good faith but will
take the risk until it is made clear.
! Your Obedient servant,
| THOMAS 7. MUNFORD,
| Brig. Gen. Commanding Division.
| (This will be handed by Lit. Tesh
bearing flag of truce
Headquarters 24th Army Corps In the
| Field.
| Burkeville Va, April Il, 1865
Brig. Gen. Thos. T. Munford, Com
| manding Division.
| General-YO communication OF
the 18th inst to Brig. Gen. Mackenzie
has been referred to me as the senior
officer of the commission appointed
by Lit. Gen. Grant to arrange the
terms of surrender of Gen. Lees army.
In reply L have the honor to state that
by the agreement entered into by the
officers appointed on each side, 1t is
provided that 1.-The surrender of the
Army of Northern Virginia shall be
construed to include all The forces Ope-
rating with that army on the S'h inst,
except such bodios of cavalry as actu
ally made their escape previous to the
surrender" The question therefore.
as to the actual escape of your COM
mand is left to your decision. l am
sir, very respectfully, your obedient
servant, JOHN. .GIBBoN.
| Mai Gen. of Volante ers.
p. S.-A printed copy of the agree
ment in regard to the surrender is
enclosed. }. G.