Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1911-01-27
THE EVE OF APPoMATTox.
How the Night Before Lees Surrender
Was Spent.

In Harper's for February, Major A.
R. H. 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 I arrived at headquarters,
Gen. Lee was in a tent, sitting with
Cen. Longstreet on some bundles of
rye straw (the ground being wet from
the rain,) at the upper side Of the
tent. with one candle for a light. I
made my report, and the general told
me to wait. as he wished to see me.
He asked me II had had anything to
eat. and I told him no. He sai6 he was
sorry. he had nothing to offer me.
He gave me a bundle Of straw and
told me to sit near the door. It had
been raining all afternoon, and was
quite wet I was also very tired, so
I put my foot through the bride rein
Of my mare standing outside. and ly-
ing down on the bundle Of straw, was
soon asleep.
"I 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, leaving
their arms in the trenches. Gen. Lee
heard him to the end Of his account.
and then with a wave Of his hand
dismissed him. Turning to Gen. Long
street, he said: This Is very bad.
That man is whipped. 1t is the first
time I have seen one Of my officers
who had been whipped. 1t Is very
bad The conversation between the
generals was then resumed In low
tones, and I again fell asleep. !
must have slept for some length OF
time, when I was awakened by Gen.
Lees voice, speaking in loud tones.
louder than I had ever heard from
him. He was saying, Gen. Long
street, I will strike that man a blow
in the morning Gen. Lee sometimes
spoke Of Gen. Grant as that man.
and of the Federal army as those
people,
Gen. Longstreet replied In low
tones giving the strength and condi-
ton Of his command, and the strength
and position of the enemy, and con-
cluded by saying But you have only
to give me the order, and the attack
will be made in the morning. Again
the conversation was resumed in low
tones, and I fell asleep. I must have
slept for an hour at least, when I was
awakened by the loud, almost fierce
tones Of Gen. Lee, saying, I tell you,
Gen. Longstreet I will strike that
man a blow in the morning. Gen.
Longstreet again recounted the diff
culties, ending as before, General, you
know you have only to give the or
der and the attack will be made, but
must tell you I think 1t will be
useless waste Of brave lives
Thinking I 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 into the. darkness. Gen.
Lee said: Capt. Ransom, beg your
pardon. 1 had forgotten you. Go
now and get something to eat and
some rest. will see you in the morn
ing
'T found my poor mare lying fiat
on her side in the rain and fast asleep.
It was past midnight and very dark,
but I reached our camp, though neith-
er nor my mare got anything to eat
that night. - &c..
1.-The morning came, and I listen
ed for the sound Of our attack, but
all was still. There was no attack;
our fighting days were over"