The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1912-04-23
should
CHAPTER XXXVIl.
The EurIlnu Of the Elans.

TIC TuIllnS OF the Tags.
The close Of the long and bitter
struggle had come; to those who
had cast their fortunes with the
South II seemed almost as the end Of
the world. had thought to write Of
those last sad days, to picture them
in all their contrasting light and
shadow, but now | cannot. There
are thoughts too deep for human ut
terance, memories too sacred for tho
pen. ] rejoice that I was a part OF
ii; that to the lowering Of the last
tattered battle-fag l remained CON
slant to the best traditions OF my
house. cannot sit here now, beneath
the protecting shadow OF a flag for
which my son fought and died, and
write that I regret the ending, for
years Of peace have taught us of the
South lessons no less valuable than
did the war; yet do / rejoice today
that, having once donned the gray,
wore IT until the last shotted gun
voiced lis grim -vs.aSs 20 the North.
1t Is hardly more than 2 dream now,
sometimes vague and shadowy, again
distinct with living figures and his
toric scenes. | require but 10 close
my eyes 10 behold once moro those
slender lines of ragged, weary, hun
CRY men, to whom fighting had be
come synonymous with life. | pass
again through the fiery rain Of those
last fierce battles, when in despera-
ton we sought to check the uu-
numbered blue legions that fairly
crushed us beneath their weight
saw it all; l held part in it all.
Upon that April day which Witnessed
the turning of the last sad page in
this tragedy, | stood without the Nc
Lean house, ankle deep in the tram
pied mud of the yard, surrounded by
group OF Federal officers. Within
was my commander, the old gray
hero of Virginia, together with the
great silent soldier OF the North
Few about me spoke as we waited
in restless agony. No one addressed
me, and l think there must have been
look in my face which held them
dumb.
! know not how long waited.
standing beside my horse, with head
half bowed upon his neck, seeing the
figures about me as in a dream At
last the door was flung open, and
those within came forth He was in
advance OF them all IN that pale,
stern, kindly face, and within the
depths of those sorrowful gray eyes.
l read instantly the truth-the Army
OF Northern Virginia was no more.
Yet with what calm dignity did this
defeated chieftain pass down that
blue lane. his head erect his eyes
undimmed dauuless I'm that awful
hour of surrender as when he rode
before his cheering lesIons of fighting
men only as ho came TO whore
stood. and caught the look OF suffer
ing upon my face. did he once raltor.
and then / noted no more than tho
slight twitching of his lips beneath
the short gray beard
Captain Wayne" he said. with all
his ola time courtesy. or shall hayc
TO trouble you to ride to General
HIS division ard request him to
cease firing at once"
] TUNED reluctantly away from him.
knowing fun wei. iu my heart was
bearing my last order. and rode at
hard lrOt down .hc road between long
lines OF waiting Federal infantry
scarcely SO much as saw them. for my
head was bent low over the saddle
pommcl, and my eyes wore blurred
with tears.
The sun lay hot and golden over
the dusty roads ana fonceless folds.
The afr was vocal with blare of trum.
pets and roll OF drums. while every.
where tho cyo rested upon blue lines
and long columns of marching troops.
] formed one OF q little gray squad
moving slowly southwark "a nero
fragment OF Che lighting men of the
Couiedcracy. making their way home.
ward as best they might AS the