Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1905-08-25
The CLOSING DAYS OF
R. B. LEES ARMY.
EDITOR CITIZEN:

1t you have space in your valuable
paper | will give you my recollec-
tions of those days. l was member
of Company ID, Ninth Regiment,
Virginia Cavalry, Beale's Brigade,
W. Ii. +. Lees Division. l reached
my home near White Stone from the
surrender of Lees army about the
18th of April, forty years ago.
will take you to the 9th of that
memorable April, 1865. We made
our camp little before sunset. We
haltered our chargers to the trees of
the forest and removed our equip
ments from their backs. For the
last time We drew our forage and
ratlons, with brandy; made our last
camp fire; cooked the last time;
sung the last camp songs, when that
old country brandy began to take
effect. 1t was truly a merry time.
Some spoke by talent, some sung by
note, some danced to any figure that
could be called.
An amusing incident occurred on
that occasion. / had my canteen
filled with water. A tipsy soldier
seized it and put it to his mouth
and drank without removing the
stopper. On handing it back to me
he declared be had a plenty. Early
next morning, the 9TH, the bugle
sounded the saddle-up call for the
last time. The command moved on.
We were soon skirmishlng, falling
back all day.
About dusk l was sent by Gen.
Lee to see if l could gain any infor-
nation as to the move of the Fed
erals on a certain road. / soon found
| was unable to reach thei point the
General had ordered me. 1t was my
luck to take prisoner, but almost
impossible TO return. | was in dan
ger. / ordered the prisoner to throw
down his arms and urged him to
double quick. He threw off his car
fridge box and struck that old army
trot. He travelled about two miles
under a forced march. / began to
feel was safe from the Federals.
The prisoner and exchanged few
words in regard to the armies. In a
few minutes l was catching myself
to keep from falling from my horse
with sleep. ] looked around, the
prisoner was gone. Well, thought
he was good fellow.
j travelled on looking for the COM
mand and found it Just LITTLE be-
fore daybreak. They were dismount-
ed, resting by their horses, without
fire, forage or rations. In short
time orders were issued to mount the
last time. ] heard that order given
on the morning of the Sth. The
command moved on. We were soon
engaged in shedding blood. At in.
tervals the Federals pushed us close
and fearlessly; many were killed anl
wounded on both sides, and much
destruction was done to our wagon
train. After dark our command
halted in the main road and re-
mained there mounted all night.
Balls were flying from almost every
direction.
| was cold, hungry, tired and
sleepy. | obtained permission to
leave the ranks short time. Look
ing around / came upon a group of
soldiers. They had small fire and
were resting SO nicely l thought if |
just could get a little nap of sleep |
would be all right. Though it was
rather risky l dismounted, backed
myself up close to the fire, pulled
my cape over my head and was
asleep at once. A little chunk with
tire on its end tilted over the FIRE
and resting against my back it soon
burned to the flesh. | jumped up
and first thought | was shot. One
of the soldiers said: "You are afire!"
and then he put it out. returned
to the ranks with one more plague
added to my troubles. The holes in
the clothes would all get opposite
each other and let the cold in. 1T
was truly disagreeable. Then came
the 9th.
About daylight Gen. w. II. F.
Lee formed his division for battle by
fours, position of sabre at front cut.
Our lamented General, r. l.. Il.
Beale, led his brigade to victory his
last time. Gen. Beale received a
wound in that charge, though he
performed an heroic deed in captur
ing three pieces of artillery, one
captain and few privates.
Then for short time Gen. w. II.
+. Lees division struggled like a
giant in his wrath, bale were flying
thick and the rebel yell was shouted
over and over. The thick smoke