The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-04-15

From the Boston Post.
 When the 44th anniversary of Lees sur render. which occurs on Friday next, comes around, there is one man in Boston to whom the day will bring many memo ries Of a past full of glory and sorrow. He is Charles E. Williams, once col onel in the Confederate army the man upon whom fell the responsibility Of guarding the rear of the shattered army of General Lee as it was slowly retreating toward Lynchburg, and who, in the words of General Custer, was partly instru- mental in bringing about peace
 The only survivor of the gallant band of brave men who led the forlorn cause of the stars and bars, MT Williams tells a vivid story of the happenings that marked the doom of the rebellion, and describes events that never before found their way into print. Al others immediately concerned have passed away" he says. and I want to record my "reminiscences before the last survivor of the civil war will have to answer to taps
 The Colonel's Story.
 Following is the account given by Col onel Williams:
 It was early morning of April ?, lS65, that the Confederate army, after having withstood the fearlessly fierce assaults of the federals for so many weary months began to withdraw from the inner lines of the defensive earthworks around Petersburg, into which it had been driven the previous day. and taken up It's line of retreat, which led to its final over throw one week later.
 A ration of one small slice of salt pork and two crackers was issued to officer and man alike, and that trying ordeal be- gan which was destined to reVolutionlze the American republic, lift 1t to the zenith of nationalities and cement its entirety so
 Qf mt n dissolve it.
 For six days there was incessant march, ing or fighting, with nothing to eat save what was individually procured along the line of retreat from the impoVerlsnea farm houses.
 Limb by limb had Lees army been seg- regated until it became but stalking sneetre of it's former self, nor were any surprised or regretful after the first shock of assured surrender had swept over their devoted souls.
 Assigned to Guard the Rear.
 A brigade of the cavalry branch of Lees army, of which l was an officer, had been especially assigned to guard the rear or the retreating columns of infantry, slow ly making their way toward Lynchburg.
 The battles of Highbridge, Farmvllle and that which followed on the succeeding day. known as "the battle of the road had been fought, in which engagements at least one-third of Lees troops had been killed, wounded or made prisoners.
 I had received orders, signed by General Longstreet, to keep my regiment close upon the heels of the in'antry, then slow ly moving by way of Buckingham Court house, as the federal cavalry, under Gus ter, was threatening both Hanks Of his force.
 In obedience to that order l pressed for ward to within half mile of the moving i,,fo kpaninR a vigilant eye on my own rear lest the fed- erals might attack US from that quarter. After a slow and painful march, during the night of April ', daylight found us within few miles of the village Of Ap- pomattox.
 The Flag of Truce.
 The rear guard of Longstreets corps had been halted for the purpose of allow ing his men few hours of rest and sleep, when l was notified that white flag was being borne toward us, over the road we had so recently passed. When the bearer had approached within few hundred yards Of where I sat on my horse DOT rowed the semblance of what had once been a white handkerchief from brother officer, and rode back to meet the federal bearer of the flag. whom l found to be an officer of equal rank of my own.
 But a few words sufficed to acquaint me with the object of his mission Having Saluted eacH -olher, lho Acuci aA colonel remarked: q am delegated by General Custer to inquire if a safe es- cort will be granted by which he may bear a message from General Grant to General Lee"
 This was indeed startling, especially to an officer but % years of age, but an swered by saying 'T would escort his flag to my picket line and communicate with my superior officer" I knew General Longstreet was not far away and that .. might readily find him.
 Agreed on Place and Time.
 Wye rode together to the picket line. immediately wrote a hurried note, ad- dressed 1t to General Longstreet, and sent it off by a courier. Meanwhile we sat on our horses engaged In pleasant conversation.
 Shortly after I received word from I,ongstreet ordering me to escort the flag bearer through my lines to the rear of