The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1911-02-08
THE EVE OF APPOMATTOX
How the Night Before Lees Surren-
der Was Spent.

In Harper's FOR February. Major A.
Il. II. Ransom gives All 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 l arrived at headquarters.
Gen. Lee was in a tent, sitting with
Gen. Lonsstreet on some bundles of
rye straw Ghe ground being wet from
the rain), at the upper side Of the
tent, with one candle for a light.
made my report, and the general told
me to wait, as he wished to see me.
He asked me if l had anything to
eat, and l 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 I was
quite wet. l was also very tired, so
put my foot through the bride rein
or my mare standing outside. and w.
ing down on the bundle Of straw. was
soon asleep.
L 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 discourage 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. Longstreet he said: This is
very bad. That man is whipped. 1t
Is the first time L 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 L again fell asleen.
L must have slept for some length of
tlme, when was awakened by Gen.
Lees voice, speaking in loud tones.
louder than l had ever heard from
him. He was saying, Gen. Long
street L will strike 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. Longstreet replied in low
tones, giving the strength and condi-
ton of his comm ana. ana the
strength and position of tho enemy
and concluded by saving. Est you
have only 10 give me ,ho order and
the attack will be made III the morn.
lng.' Again the conversation wa
resumed in low tones, and / fell
asleep. 1 must have slept for Al
hour at least, when L was awakened
ny the loud, almost ferco to-.s n
Gen. Lee, saying - tell You. Ger
i-on-stree, 7 vlu strike that man
bio" i' rhe morning cen. Lons
street again re>,un.ob the di.icul-
ties, ending as before, General. YOU
know you have only to give the or
uer ana the attack Will be made, but
| must tell you 1 think it will be a
useless waste Of brave lives
Thinking 1 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. I beg
your pardon. 1 had forgotten you.
Go now and get something to eat
and some rest. will see YOU in the
morning.
Il found my poor mare lying fiat
on her side in the rain and fast
asleep. 1t was past midnight and
very dark, but l reached our camp.
though neither I nor my mare got
anything to eat that night.
>''The morning came. and l listen
ed for the sound Of our attack, but
all IVES still. There was no attack,
for fighting days were over"