Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1906-08-17
CHAPTER l.

tillerv swung slowly into posi-
ton a few miles west of Apo |
L mattoX Court House. YEARLY,
but with spirit still, the batteries park
ed their guns in 4 field facing a strip
of woodland: The guns were few in
number now. but they were all that
were left OF those jhat had done battle
on a score OF historic fields.
Lee had been forced out of his works
at Richmond and Petersburg week
beik<x Ever since, with that calm
cours; "a which had sustained him
throughout the later and losing years
Of the war, he had struggled and bat
fled in an effort to retreat to Inc
Roanoke river. He had hoped there TO
unite the remnant of his army with
what was left of JohnStOns force ana
to make there final and desperate
stand.
In this purpose he had been bati1ed.
Grants forces were Oh his SOutnern
flank. and they had steadily pressed
him back toward the james river on
the north. In that direction there was
no thoroughfare for him. Neither was
there now in any other. Continual bat
Ting had depleted his army until 1t
numbered now scarcely more than TO-
600 men all told, and starvation had
weakened these so greatly that only
the heroism of despair enabled them 10
fight or to march at all.
h1
there in front of AppomattoX Court
House was only a feeble remnant or
that which had fought so long and so
determinedly. Gun after gun had Deen
captured. Gun after gun had been
dismounted in battle struggle. Gals
son after caissOn had been blown up
by the explosion of shells striking
them.
Captain Guilford Duncan, at the head
of eleven mounted men, armed only
with swords end pistols, paused before
entering the woodlands in front He
looked about in every direction, and'
with an eye educated by long expert
ence in war. he observed the absence
of infantry support
He turned TO Sergeant Garrett, VINO
rode by his side. and said sadly:
Garrett, this means surrender. Cen
eral Lee has put his artillery here TO De
CAPTURED. The end has come"
Then. dis Mounting, he YEARLY threw
himself III the ground, chewed ana
swallowed a few grains OF corn-the
only rationa he had-and sought Drlef
respite Of sleep. But before closing his
eyes ia turned to Garrett and gave the
command:
Post IL sentinel and ORDER him to
wake us when Sheridan comes.
In minute the captain was asleep.
So were all his men except the sentinel
posted to do the necessary waking.
That came all too quickly, for at this
iuncture in the final proceedings or
the war Sheridan was vigorously car
ryinc out Grants laconic instruction
TO .'press (llings." When the sentinel
walked the captain, Sheridan's lines
were less than fifty yards in front and
were pouring heavy volleys into the
unsupported Confederate artillery park.
GuilforG Duncan and his men were
moved to 10 excitement by this situa-
ton. Their nerves had been schoOled
TO steadincss and their minds to calm
Under any conceivable circumstances
by four years Of vastly varied fighting.
Without the slightest hurry they
mounted their horses in obedience 10
Duncan's br.ef command. He led them
at once i9+o the presence of Colonel
Cabell, VII battalion OF artillery lay
nearest 70 him AS they sat upon their
horses in the leaden hailStorm with
countenarccs as calm as if they had
been entering Il drawing room Duncan
touched his cap to Colonel Cabell and
said:
Colonel, am under nObody's orders
here. have eleven men with me, all
of them, as you know, as good artll-
lerymen as there are in the army. Can
you let us handle some guns for you"
mo" answered Colonel Cabell. Il
have lost so many guns already that
| have twenty men to each piece"
Then, after moments pause, he
added:
you, captain, cannot fail to under
stand what all this means"
81 quite understand that, colonel"
answered Duncan, but as was in it
lat the beginning of this war, | have
a strong desire to be in it at the end
VI it,
The coloners cannon were firing Wig
-ously by this time at the rate OF
< or eight shots to the minute from
III gun, but he calmly looked over
little party on horseback and re-
pded:
lou have some good horses, and
is April You will need your
IS in your farming operations. You
better take them and your men
! here. You can do no good by
hyIng. This fight is a formality pure
hd simple, preliminary to the final
hrrender."
"Then YOU order me to withdrawn
lsked Duncan.
"Yes, certainly, and peremptoruy II
ou wish, though you are not under my
command answered Colonel CaDell.
FIT is the best thing you can do FOR
Yourself, for your men, for your horses
and for the country"
Il Duncan Immediately Obeyed the or
4 der, in a degree at least. He promptly
withdrew his men to the top of little
\hillock in the rear and there watched
the progress of the final fight. His