The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-11
DIDN'T AGREE WITH FATHER

s UIUN AGHEE WILT TRl7E
The passin kaway of Miss Mildred Lee
brings TO mind an incident OF our late
Civil War. which has historic value be-
cause it sheds light upon the character
Of some Of the parties Ia this unhappy
conflict In order that this incident may
be fully understood and appreciated, It
4 Is necessary to state in detail all the
facts and circumstances which lead up
to it.
a. During the winter of 1864 and 1866
it was apparent to all persons connected
with the war that our resources We're
exhausted. and that with the opening Of
spring the final struggle must take place.
General Lee knew that his attcnuntcd
lines would not be able to resist the
heavy columns thrown upon them by
General Grant In front of Petersburg.
To escape capture in the trenches, his
plan was to withdraw his army unite
with General Johnston, who was falling
back in front Of General Sherman. strike
first one and then the other. in final
conflict for victory.
(2) But the greatest difficulty TO be
overcome was the absence of the neces-
eary transportation to get his army away.
he was unable to move the ordnance,
commlssary and quartermaster's stores
for the supply Of his army during field
campaign. #
Colonel Archer Cole, OF Florida. an
old army officer. was head of the trans
portation department Of the army. head
quarters on Bank Street, Richmond.
Major General Johnson. Of Alexandria.
Va; Major William H. Gibbons. OF sa-
vannah, Ga. had charge of the pur-
chasing and manufacturing departments:
Major Robert Archer, of Powhatan:
Major j. G. Paxton. OF Lynchburg; Cap
tain Walter Coils. Of Pittsylvania, with
DIR. Joh: r. Page, as surgeon, had
charge of the horse infirmaries and re-
cruiting stations Captain George E. Tay-
Tor, of Richmond, was purchasing agent
The writer was inspector of field trans
portation, headquarters. Richmond MY
duty was to visit and inspect camps.
recruiting stations. infirmarics. factories
and repair shops; also TO collect ana dis
tribute all captured and abandoned prop
erty and report 10 the department. I'm
servicenbc vehicles and animals were
ordered turned in for repairs and treat
nient animals with fatal and malignant
diseases like CHAMBERS, were ordered TO
be killed and serviceable animals returned
to the service in the field.
During the latter part of 1864 and 1863
] was sent around to make thorough
inspection, and report the conditions.
notably Danville. Va, rotten with CLAN
ders and farcy; moro than fifty animals
had to be shot. All the infirmarles and
recruiting atakaes We're seriously infected
with these diseases: SO much SO that In
spite of every precaution my own saddle
horse, splendid thoroughbred charger.
contracted the disease and had to be
shot before my return TO Richmond The
number OF serviccable animals, out OF
tho thousands inspected, were not suffi-
Client to fill the gaps IN transportation, TO
say nothing Of new equipments neccs-
sary On the receipt OF my reports. Cen
eral Iawton. the OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
made application to Congress- at once to
appropriate $4,000 in gold, which should
be used in purchasing mules III Mexico
10 supply the necessary transportation
I 10 save General Lees army from capture
at Petersburg
: Tho eKlgencIes OF the case required
prompt action, and the bin was passed In
secret session, without delay. The money
was placed to tho credit of Colonel Cole,
whose plan WAS to eject competent and
Trustworthy men and start them sngly
for Mexico, with SIS, 600 each to be car
rled In a belt around their waist for the
purchase of mulcs for tho army. Several
had been dispatched. when the collapse
came.
On the evacuation OF Richmond the
balance Of this fund was divided among
the officers OF the department., who Were
10 follow General Lee, and take the best
care OF 1t possible until we could find
or establish headquarters elsewhere,
when the necessary orders would be
given,
Upon the surrender Of General Lee NJ
AppomattoX the officers belonging Ia
the Generals staff did not surrender with
his army, but set out at once to JOIN
(,epor-1 Insarh Johnston who Stfg
falling back IN front OF General sherman
on Greensboro, Il. C., which was the
principal supply depot for tho Confed-
crate armies Among many others were
Major Isaac II. Darlington, provost mar
sim or Richmond; Dr.. William a. Car
rIngton, medical directors Major John
Blair IIoee OF adjutant generals DEPART
rrent. Colonel Tom Williams. conpltSsalN
department.; Major George Johnson. Will
500 OF this Gplli Captain george ~
Taylor, $1,000 gold, and Others with like
sums belonging to this fund.
The day after we reached Greensboro
General Johnston made terms al;d anr.
rendered TO General Sherman, The nex'
day we broke camp and all the parties
named. except CAPTAIN Taylor who fol-
lowed President Davis turned olr face.
homeward- Afajor johnson. with his
81 900, Major iIoge and Colonel Williams
came ON 10 my homo, Major Johnson
however did not communicate 10 amy o.
lie other parties that he had this money
After resting several days the other gen.
tlemsn went on 10 Richmond, leaving
Major Johnson at my house,
Such was the condition Of the country
the lawlesgncss and violence abroad II
4 The land, this whole section being over
run by ,narauders, bnmneGs and desert
crs piilaging. and carrying on every
thing OF any value, that the first r0nslh'
Grafton with us was. low f4Is iiesnaEt
could be best safegnarted. Until times