The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1903-09-23
AT APPOMATT0X.
(Abbeville Medium.)
An Old Reb.

We had the honor to be ldier in
the army of Northern V ...inia, to
share in it's dangers and triumphs for
four years, and to be at the post of
duty on the memorable 9th of April,
1850. AS we gaze on our faded pa
role, received that fay, thoughts Of
the glorious past crowd out the vexa-
tions of the present and we pre-
1t as precious heritage for our chill
dren, the evidence of service willing
ly rendered in the sacred cause of
freedom. To have followed the lead
OF General Lee in his career Of glory
IS distinction which dwarfs other
triumphs in the life of an ordinary
mortal. To have stood ae defence
between the enemies of ones country
and her liberties, even in the humble
position OF private, is an honor not
lightly to regarded. To have lived
In the he, ,1.v age of the Republic is
something to be proud Of.
Thlrty-eight years have gone today
since that eventful date. AS the
scenes then witnessed fade into the
distance it seems like dream. Time
has blotted out some of the memories
that clustered around that sad oooa-
sion, but there are Impressions left
that cannot be lost while life lasts.
After campaign of terrific energy in
the summer of 1864, the army Of
Northern Virginia found itself in the
winter Of .hst year guarding the de-
fences around Richmond and Peters
burg. Months OF severe fighting and
insufficient Tations had not cooled the
ardor of that band of heroes. HALF
clad and half.fed, in a thin line of
sentinels, they guarded the capital
from the onslaughts of the enemy.
Finched by hunger and shivering
amid the SHOWS of Virginia winter,
they stood upon their posts of danger
and duty, unawed by the hosts that
gathered around them for the final
struggle. Unsheltered from the 10y
winds that swept over the bleak hills
about the fated cities, they did not
grow weary of Watching through the
long rights of the dismal winter. No
word of dependency found utteranco
in that heroic army as the soldiers
huddled around their dreary camp6res
and talked of what the future might
have in store for their country. They
had staked their lives upon the issue
and stood ready for the sacrifice.
Early spring found the unparalleled
army unwavering in its firm resolve to
fight it out to the bitter end. Increas-
ed activity among the enem y indicated
q great movement about to be inaugu-
rated and the last of March saw the
beginning of the maneuvers termina-
ting in the sad scenes of Appoma attox.
The writer was member of Orr's Ri.
fes, and on the 31st Of March partioi-
pated in the brilliant engagement at
Gravelly Run, on the extreme right
Of the lines about Petersburg. After
this followed the battle of Sutherland
Station, and then the retreat of the
army. Ou Sabbath, the End Of April,
Petersburg WAS taken. The artillery
firing WAS inoessant and continued un.
til darkness came on. The Appomat.
tox river was crossed and the rem.
nants Of the army were soon on the
march. Magazine after magazine
along the fo,tificstions were blown up
and the earth shook with tho cxplo-
sions. The sombre heavens were
lighted ',p with the glare Of burning
warehouses, out all through tho weary
night the worn and haggard soldiers