The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1910-05-05
APPOMATTOX ANNIVERSARY.
At This Time Confederate Veterans
Are Reminded OF the Surrender OF
General Lee at Appomattox-Repro-
duction of Lees Classic Farewell to
the Army of Northern Virginia.
Charlotte Observer. April 9th.

| the Army OF Northern virginia.
Charlotte Observer, April 9th.
The hearts of many Confederate
veterans will swell during the days
that are passing now as they look
back forty-five years upon the scenes
OF war and think OF the surrender of
the peerless Robert E. Lee at Apo
mattox. Forty-five years ago today
the heads of the people throughout
the South, who had hoped and suffer
ed through the four years OF the
fiercest struggle in history, were
bowed as the news of surrender OF
the Army of Northern Virginia was
heralded. Indeed it was a season OF
agonizing anxiety.
Saturday was the anniversary OF
the signing of the terms OF surrender
between General Ulysses S. Grant
and General Lee and tomorrow the
date when the remaining forces OF the
thin gray line that constituted the
Army of Northern Virginia marched
upon the field, stacked arms and
marched away empty handed with
permission of the victorious army to
return to their homes, and there be-
gin anew the battle OF life marking
the end of one era and the commence
ment of another.
1t is fitting that the reunion OF the
Confederate veterans should be held
this month. Many veterans from all
over the State will attend the reun-
ion on April 1928 at Mobile, Ala.
Following is the letter which Gen
eral Lee addressed to his men on this
day forty-five years ago. 1t is re-
garded as one of the classics OF mill
tary history. There are several honor
ed veterans in Charlotte who recOllect
it's reading under the most trying
circumstances before Appomattox
court house. The letter follows:
Headquarters Army of Northern Vir-
ginia,
April 10, 1865.
After four years of arduous service
marked by unsurpassed courage and
fortitude, the Army OF Northern Vir-
ginia has been compelled to yield to
overwhelming numbers and re-
sources. l need not tell the survivors
of so many hard-fought battles, who
have remained steadfast to the last,
that I have consented to this result
from no distrust of them, but, feeling
that valor and devotion could &C.
complish nothing that could compen-
safe for the loss that would have at
tended the continuance of the contest,
| have determined to avoid the use
less sacrifice of those whose past SER
vices have endeared them to their
countrymen.
By the terms OF the agreement Of
ficers and men can return to their
homes and remain there until ex-
changed. 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 increasing admiration OF
your constaucy and devotion toyour
country and grateful remembrance
of your kind and generous considera-
ton of myself, | bid you an affec-
tionate farewell. R. E. LEE,
General.
There are many of the old soldiers
who make it a custom April 10 of
each year to read this letter of Gen
eral Lee to his men. 1t is the COM
mon heritage of the Southland, and
along with the achievements of those
who wore the gray will go down in
history as the requests of fathers to
sons.
These are days when all Of the old
soldiers are turned back to the fields
of Virginia. After stacking their
arms, April 10, the warriors and vic
tors of q hundred engagements turn
ed homeward, and then took up the
battle of life, the adjustment of con-
ditions imposed by the war, which in
handicaps and vastness of RESPONSE
biltiy, far surpassed the actual clash
of arms. The South today is the sur
vival of the two great conflicts.
Two great names are indelibly as
ISOLATED with the Lost Cause, those
OF Gen. Robert Edward Lee and Gen.
Thomas Jonathan 'Stonewall'' Jack
son, the latter doubly dear to Char
lotte people by reason of the ties
which bind him to the city in the per-
son of his widow, Mrs. Jackson, whom
a gracious providence grants to
make her home in the city.