The Big Sandy news. [volume] (Louisa, Ky.) 1885-1929, 1913-03-14

cHAPTER xxxvli.


The close Of the long and bitter
pIUlggio had come; to those who
~ cast their fortunes with the
GDuth 4 seemed almost a. the end Of
- world. ] had thought to write OF
tIoss last sad days. to picture them
u al their contrasting light and
a1adow. but now cannot There
- thoughts too deep for human ut
tesunco, memories too sacred for the
~. ! rejoice that was . part Of
that 70 the lowering Of the last
q ltored hattIe-nag remained con-
c1nt to the best traditions Of my
hIase. ! cannot sit here now. beneath
~ protecting shadow OF nag for
WhIch my son fought and died. and
wI3to that ] regret the ending. for
yteFn Of peace have taught US Of the
G01th lessons no less valuable than
"a the war: yet do rejoice today
olat. having once donncd the gray. !
wore Il until the last shotted gun
voiced liz grim message TO the North.
4 Is hardly more than dream now.
sometimes vague and shadowy. again
distinct with living figures and his
Iofic scenes. require but TO close
NJ eyes 20 behold once more those
slender lines OF ragged, weary. hum
~ men. 70 whom fighting had be-
rome synonymous with life. pass
again through the fiery rain Of those
last fierce battles. when In despera-
Jon We sought 70 check the un-
numbered blue legions that fairly
crushed Us beneath their weight.
saw Il all: held part in It all.
Upon that April day which Witnessed
he turning OF the last sad page in
This tragedy. | stood without the Nc
Lean house, ankle deep In the tram
rled 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 mo spoke as we waited
IN restless agony No one addressed
me. and u. ,k 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
flgurcs about me as In dream. Al
iaht 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,
! read instantly the truth--the Army
Of Northern Virginia was no more
Yet with what calm dignity did this
d6loatod chieftain pass down that
blno lane, his head erect. his eyes
undimmed- dauptless In that awful
hour OF surrender as when he rode
before his cheering legions OF lighting
men Only as he came to wher ]
stood. and caught the look Of suher-
ing upon my face. did he once falter
md then noted no more than the
digit twitching Of his lips beneath
ne short gray beard.
Captain Wayne" he said. with all
his old-time courtesy. Il shall have
to trouble you to ride to General
HIlls division and request him to
cease ering at once"
turned reluctantly away from him
knowing full well In my heart was
bearing my last order. and rode at q
hard trot down the road between long
NJ , OF waiting Federal infantry.
VI cely 30 much as saw them. for my
hd was bent low over the saddle
% lel. and my eyes were blurred
with tears.
The sun lay hot and golden over
TIE dusty roads and fenceless fields
The air was vocal with blare OF trum'
pets and roll of drums, while every
where the eye rested upon blue lines
nnd long columns OF marching troops
/ formed one OF little gray squad
moving slowly southwark mere
fragment OF the fighting me- OF the
Gonfederacy, making their WY home
ward as best they might. AS the
ronds forled left them, for here oui
paths diyerged, and II CHANGED ! wal
he only one whose hope lay west
ward.
Silently, thoughtfully / trudged OF
FOR an hour through the thick rec
dust. My horse. sorely wounded Il
ar last slzirmish. limped psinfully be
hind me, his bridle-rein flung care
Iessly over my arm. Out yonder
v,ere the sun pointed the way win
streams Of fire. I was to take up M
anew. Life! What was there left !.
mo IN that word7 A deserted, despoil
ed farm alone awaited my coming
hardly remembered race, scarcely
f.'tnro hope. The glitter Of a passin'
troop Of cavalry drew my mind for a
i.siant to Edith Brennan, but
crushed the thought Even were sh
free. what had now to place at he
nroud feet. penniless, defeated
1bmo|oao mani At . cross-roadu
Iodoral picket halted mo, and arou'
q auflo|cntly % hand him thc pape
which entitled mo to safe pass.z
f<hroprh the lines h handed n