The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1906-02-07

burg by surprise.
Tue army Of Lac was, however, at
Petersburg In ulme, and there held
Grant at bsy for nine months Of the
summer ard winter of .64 and IS.
AS far as the Ooofedera5es were con-
cerned, the annals of the ssipe Of
Petersburg might well be termed the
annals of starvation, exoosure and
misery. True to It's colors the army OF
Les was starving to death. The com.
missary general reported that the
army of northern Virginia was living
literally from hand to mouth" Beet
sold for So per pound and -four at 81 900
barrel. At one time, pleading witt
his government for food, Lee said thai
for three days his men lad been ir
line OF battle and had not tasted m"at
Ia the early spring Of 1865, If or
nine months Of persistent effort, Grant
with 113 600 men well fed, clad auo
armed, broke through the lines de-
fendeu by Lees force Of $4,000 Veter.
ans, half 81 arved, ragged. and most or
them shOeless.
Then came the end at Appomattox
when on April 9, 1866. the remnan.
of this opce magnificent army, now
numbering less tnan %, 900 (lf which
only Is 900 were carrying arms) sur
rendau, and the Confsdercy was nc
more. .
Upon this worlds stage no more pa
theLic scene, 40 more heroic incident
has ever been witnessed. With what
pride the generation yet unborn shall
claim decent from those who, true tC
tneir sense of duty, which Lee him
self said was 1.-The sublimest word in
the English language" fought under
the banner of this immortal soldier
and died on those victorious fields, or,
in surviving, stood true to his colors
at Appomattox.
In his farewell address to bis army,
be said: You will take with you the
satisfaction that proceeds from the
consciousness of duty faithfully per-
formed: and I earnestly pray that a
merciful God will extend to you His
blessing and protection, With an uu.
ceaslng admiration OF your constance
and devotion your country and g
grateful remem Of your kino and
genoror Jnsideration of myself, l bid
you an Ii sctionate farewell"
Soon after the surrender be accept
cd the presidency of Washington col
lege at Lexington, Va. He had refrs
cd large profers Of money for his ser.
vices or the use of bis name for vari-
GUS enterprises. He declined them all,
saying he felt it his duty to live With
bis people and to endavor In educating
the youth Of the South to do all IN his
power to aid In the restoration OF
peace and harmony and the acceptance
of the policy Of the State or general
government.
Though war In all ages and with all
people arouses that which .is worst 10
human nature, and though bloodiest
and bitterest Is internecine war, 1t
seems difficult to believe even after
the lapse of 80 short a time as forty
years that for the part this noble man
took in obedience to his conviction Of
duty Andrew Johnson, then presi.
dent of the United States obtained
his Indictment for treason. Against
this unwsrranted and ignoble act the
great soldier Grant arose and stayed
the hand of malice and persecution.
1t seems equally incredible to conceive
that within two months CT the death
Of Lee. which took place on October
IL, 1870, speaking to q resolution
which lad for obi ,st the return OF
Arlington to the family Of Lac, Char.
les Sumner said In his place In the
senate: "E oquent senators have
already characterized the proposition
and the traitor 1t seeks to commem
crate. I am not disposed to speak III
G:n. Lee. 1t is enough to say that
he stands high 10 the catalogue of
those who have imbued their hands
in their country's blood. I hand him
over to the avenging pen of history
AS az and soldier 'the avenging
pen Of history" has already written
this Of LIE. In nobility OF character,
in moral grandeur, attested by his hu
manity, he lived THE model for al:
future times" Io the annals Of war
his place is with the greatest.
The second ec'ion, which we will
publish next week, will show where
"the avengrng pen OF history has
placed the immortal leader Of the
Confederate armies, whose name will
shine in the pages Of history long
after the fanatic Sumner has been for
go1ton.
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