Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1911-02-03
The Eve OF Appomattox


In Harper's for February, Major
A. r. II. Ransom gives an interesting
account of the scene at General Lees
Headquarters the night before the
surrender when he was still determin-
ed to strike one more blow.
"When / arrived at headquarters,
General Lee was in a tent, sitting
with General Longstreet on some
bundle of rye straw-the ground
being wet from the rain, at the up
per side of the tent, with one candle
for light. / made my report, and
the general told me to wait, as he
wished to see me. He asked me if l
had had anything to eat, and 1 told
him no. He said he was sorry, he
had nothing to offer me. He gave me
a bundle of straw and told me to sit
near the door. 1t had been raining
all afternoon, and was quite wet.
L was also very tired, so put my
foot drought the bride rein of my
mare standing outside. and lying
down on the bundle of straw, was
soon asleep.
81 was awakened by voices, and
looking up, saw the colonel had left
in charge of the troops at the bridge
standing in the tent. He reported
that the rations had not arrived, and
the starving and discouraged troops
had all deserted in the darkness, leav-
ing their arms in the trenches. Gen.
Lee heard him to the end of his ac-
count, and then with wave of his
hand dismissed him. Turning to Gen.
Longstreet, he said: This is very
bad. That man is whipped. 1t is the
first time have seen one of my Off
GERS who had been whipped. 1t is
very bad The conversation between
the generals was then resumed in low
tones and again fell asleep. must
have slept for some length of time
when 1 was awakened by Gen. Lees
voice, speaking in loud tones, louder
than l had ever heard from him. He
was saying, Gen. Longstreet, l will
strike that man blow in the morn
ing Gen. Lee sometimes spoke of
Gen. Grant as that man, and of the
fedreal army as those people.
General Longstreet replied in low
tones, giving the strength and posi-
tion of the enemy, and concluded by
saying. But you have only to give
me the order, and the attack will be
made in the morning. Again the con-
verastion was resumed in low tones,
and / fell asleep. must have slept
for an hour at, leafs when again l was
awakened by the loud, almost fierce
tones of Gen. Lee, saying, Il tell
you, Gen. Longstreet, / will strike
that man blow in the morning.
Gen. Longstreet again reccanted the
ending as before, Gen
eral, you know you have only to give
the order and the attack will be
made, but l must tell you l think it
will be useless waste of brave
lives.''
thinking l had been present long
enough at such an interview, cough
ed and got up from the straw, and
drawing back the flaps of the tent,
looked out inio the darkness. Gen,
Lee said: Capt. Hanson, l beg your
pardon. 1 had forgotten you. Go now
and get something to eat and some
rest. l will see you in the morning.
81 found my poor mare lying fiat
on her side in the rain and fast asleep
1t was past midnight and very dark,
but / reached our camp, though
neither nor my mare got anything
to eat that night.
"The morning came, and 1 listened
for the sound of our attack, but all
was still. There was no attack; our
days were oyer.'