The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-19
GEN. JOHN 3. GORDON.
Gen. Horatio c. Kings Personal Re-
miniscences of The Lamented
Georgia Soldier.

oCOiS'a
think that the death ofn other cheif-
tain of the Confederate Army, rave that
of his great commander, Gen Lee, has
produced a more profound impression
and deeper regret than that ot Leuten
ant General John b. Gordon No soldier
ever fought for his convictions more zeal
ously or brilliantly than he, and through
out all the four years of terrible warfare
he was always the knightly officer and
the humane aud courteous gentleman.
His il Illuence alter the close of the strug-
gle cannot be Oyrrestimated At the
surrender at AppOmattox the depression
OF the vanquished Was indescribahle
The feeling was general that the United
States had no place Tor the men VINO lOr
four years had put forth the most iercu-
lean efforts TO destroy the Union aud
that they must find refuge beyond lis
borders. " hen their arms were stacked
and their torn and To them sacred battle
flags were folded and laid upon the mus
kets, General Gordon, sitting on his
horse. called his men around him and
with that persuasive eloquence which
was his great gIit, he cOnnseed them not
their homes, rehabllltate their iarms and,
accepting the arbtrament OF war, renew
their lOya to the Union and the old
flag. In his fascinating memoirs, recent
ly published he thus mOdestly describes
the incident: II said 10 them that through
the rlits in the clouds then ab we us
could see the hand of Almighty God
stretched out TO help us in the impending
battle with adyersity; that lie would
guide us in the gloom and bless every
manly effort 10 bring back to deaolated
home The sunshine aud comfort OF iOrmer
years. As 10 the thought OF their leaving
the country, that must be abandoned
lt was their duty ~ patriots To remain
and work for the recuperation oil our
stricken section with the same courage,
energy and devotion which they had
fought for her in war | urged them tO
enter cheeriully and hopefully upon the
tasks imposed by the fortunes II war.
Obeyiug the laws and giving, a. ! knew
they would. the same 10y support 10
the general government which ihey had
yielded 10 the COniederacy. ! closed with
"a prophecy that passion would speedily
die and that the brave and magnnnlmOus
soldiers of the Union Army "hen dis
banded among the people. would come
promoters Of sectional peace ami irater-
nifty"
This spirit animated him throughout
his lie and believe he did more by word
and pen and deed than any other south
ern man 70 assuage the feeling oi AMI
mostly and restore real harm ny and
traternal good will between the North
and South.
shall never forget an incident that Oc-
CURED in 1853 at "a great banquet given
AZ DemonicO's, which was attended by
three hundred or more citizens. prumi-
nent both in political and business cir
cles. General Gordon was one OF the
speakers and with surp8sslng elCqurnce
referred To the closing day at Appomat-
tox and 70 the magnificent magnaninity
Of General Grant in the terms Of surrender
in according To the conquered legiOns
their side-arms and all other personal
property, including their horses, 50 nee
cssary 70 the tilling of their devastated
fields, aud especially in Issuing q, 900
rations 10 the haistaryed men who lees
than an hour before had assalled the
Federal lines with believing cannon aud
smoking muskets. | was called upon a
few minutes later and, among other
things, said that IL gave me great pleas
ure TO state that iL Wasf from the p!ethOric
wagons OF the First Cavalry Division,
which | had conducted to the front, that
these ratiOns for the most part were Is
sued. With chivalric impulse, be ran On
where stood clasped his arms about
nv neck and held me 10 close embrace
while the hall rang with wildest cheers.
Tears gathered in the eyes OF those un-
used u weeping and it was several min-
utes before the storm of emotion sub
sided.
IL is not generally known that General
GOrdon's daughter is united in marriage
to q Northern gem leman and that they
reside in the upper part OF Maine. la No
yember last while he was returning from
a lecture in upper New York and en- route
to speak at the Soldiers Home in Maine,
met him on the train and pass,d several
hours in delightful conversation. de
looked irail aud feeble, but when aroused
he spoke with all his old time energy and
fire. As expressed some surprise that
Yankee" he gave an amusing sccountoi
the approaches OF the young gentleman
and how at last she broke the iii )rma-
ton to him that she loved this NOrtl ern
gentleman and desired him for husband
"What," said the general in feigned SUI
prise, mary YankeeP
"Well, father" was her reply You
have been preaching reconciliation be
tween the North and the South ever since
the war, and am simply carrying out
your teachings"
General Gordon's death feel as agreat
personal loss. and SO it must be To the
thOusGn IL of Union veterans with whom
be has been brought into close relation
chip. The country can nj afford to loee
such men. who stand for the highest and
best things in the life and progress of th-
nation. | cannot ufrain from laying
Tho tribute on the bier o. this kDightly
soldier and chivalrous general.
H0RATIO C. KING
Brooklyn, January II, 1904.
Brooklyn, n. Y, Eagle.
Gen. King has frequently visited here
Ia recent years and ia Will k1nwn and
much apI re lated by our people. He has
many friends in this city and 10 always
welcome visitor.
Gen King is a warm advocate Of the
establishment OF National Park on the
battefelds In Spotsylvania county, and
il president OF the association having
that object in view.