Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1911-02-01
THE EVE OF AppoMArrox.
How the Night Before Lees Surrcn-
der Was Spent.

In Harper's for February, Major A.
X. III. Ransom gives an interesting ac-
count OF the scene at Gen. Lees head
quarters the night before the surren-
der. when he was still determined to
strike one more blow.
when | arrived at headquarters
Gen. Lee was in Il tent, sitting with
Gen. Longstreet on some bundles OF
rye straw (thc ground being wet from
the rain), at the upper 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.
lie asked me II had had anything to
eat. and told him no. He said he
was sorry he had nothing to offer me.
lie gave me q bundle OF straw and
told me to sit near the door. II had
been raining all afternoon. and | was
quito wet. ! was also very tired, SO
| put my foot through the bride rein
OF my mare standing outside, and ~
ing down on the bundle OF straw, was
soon asleep.
II was awakened by voices, and
looking up, saw the colonel | hadelcft
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,
leaving their arms in the trenches.
Gen. Lee heard him to the end OF his
account, 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 officers who had been whipped
1t is very bad. The conversation be-
tween the generals was then resumed
in low tones, and | again fell asleep,
] must have slept for some length OF
time, when | was awakened by Gen.
Lees voice, speaking in loud tones
louder than had ever heard from
him. He was saying, Gen. Long
street | will str'.ie that man a blow
in the morning. Gen. Lee some
times spoke Of Gen. Grant as that
man. and Of the Federal army as
those people.
Gen. Longstrcet replied in low
tones, giving the strength and condi-
'tioh OF his command, and the
strength and position OF the enemy.
and concluded by SAYING, 'But Won
nave only to give me the order, and
the attack will be made in the morn
ing. Again the conversation was
resumed in low tones, and fell
asleep. must have slept for an
hour at least. when was awakened
by the loud, almost fierce tones of
Gen. Lee, saying, 4 tell you, Gen.
LonSstrcct, | will strike that man a
blow in the morning. Gen. Long
street again recounted the Difficult
ties, ending as before, General, YOU
know you have only to give the or
der and the attack will be made. but
| must tell you think it will be a
useless waste of brave lives
"Thinking | had been present long
enough at such an interview, |
coughed and got up from the straw,
and drawing back the flaps of the
tent, looked out into the darkness.
Gen. Lee said: Capt Ransom, | beg
your pardon. | had forgotten YOU.
10 now and get something to eat
and some rest. will see you in the
morning..
u 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.
lhough neither | nor my mare got
anything to eat that night.
The morning came, and Iisten-
ed for the sound OF our attack, but
all was still. There was no attack;
our lighting days were over"
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