The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-09-23

moved on. i ne pen CaUuOL truly Ce-
scribe the hardships of that retreat.
The enemy were at our heels when we
entered Farmville about the eth. This
little village is nestled down among a
range Of high hills and is center Of
culture and refinement. We crossed
the stream on the west Of the village
when the bridge was in flames and the
enemy were knocking it to pieces
with their artillery. Reaching the
high hills on this side we marched
along the ridge, with the artillery in
our rear plunging shells through our
ranks, and heavy line of infantry
and cavalry, on each side of US, pour
ing storm Of bullets into us. Our
wagons had been set on fire and were
in flames when we passed them \
mile or so on we found full force Of
Yankees posted directly in our front.
But the men who had stood BY the
Confcderacy to that day did not lose
heart or stop in their march Each
man took his place as he came up and
VIC brushed them from our pathway
and trudgcd on through the night
The Sth broke upon us in perfect
quiet. Throughout the day not a
hostile gun was heard and an unbrok-
en- calm settled over the scene. 1t
was balmy spring day. The trees
were putting forth their foliage. All
was profound peace. Through the
night the half sleeping soldiers stag
gered along, footsore and famishing.
In the early morning Of the 9th the
sullen roar of artillery in our front
gave promise OF hot work. There was
no hesitation or faltering in the SOL
diers Of General Lee, but as eyer, they
were ready and willing to follow him
even unto death. Coming through q
confused park of artillery and wagons,
Appomattox burst upon our view and
We took our places in the last scene of
tho war. The remnant Of the grand
army, which had withstood the shock
of many battles and covered itself
with glory, was all in view. Who
that gazed upon that scene will ever
forget it? The struggling village,
now made historic, stretched along
the hillside in front of us. The hills
beyond darkened with the hosts Of
the enemy taking position for the last
act. From the left of the road bey ond
the village, the sharp crack of the RI
fle and the roar Of the canno came to
our ears. AS we went down the hill
to tako our place in line Of battle,
General Custer rode rapidly to our
rear escorted by number of our Off
GERS and bearing flag of truce. We
reached the valley; filed out to the
left of the road, formed line of bat
tie and moved forward to the support
of those who were engaged in battle.
We had advanced but few PAGES
when we were halted, conference.-the ed
by file right, and halted in grove
somewhat to our rear and left. Our
guns were stacked and this was the
end Of our service. The new nation
had ceased to exist and this was the
death of our high hopes. In this last
line Of battle Orr's Rifles had sixty
six guns and Company &c" but three,
hardly enough to make one stack.
The half-famished men fell upon the
ground to rest, but sleep did not come
to the griefstricken throng. An in
expressible gloom overshadowed the
speeohless crowd who thought upon
their sorrows in silence. Even the
Yankees who struggled in among US
seemed to be in sympathy with us, for
not word of unkindness was uttered
By one of them. Thus ne rested IN
til the 18th, during the formslities of
the surrender, without morsel to
eat, when We marched on the village
and stacking our arms passed through
the army Of General Grant and were
on the tramp homeward.
So was enacted the greatest event
in American history, but there is lit
tie that is striking in the relation Of
it. The troubles that have crowded
in the years since then have made it
look long way back. The recollec-
tion comes over us like dream, and
we can scarcely realize that we were
present. Blu. the endurance, heroism
and triumphs Of that noble army will
grow brighter on the pages Of history
as the passions engendered by the