Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1913-03-28


1865. The church bells Of Rich
mond had rung out the summons
to divine service.
At St Paul's Episcopal church the
usual large and aristorratic congrega-
ton listened attentIvely to the earnest
discourse OF the Rev. Or. Minnigerode.
Jefferson Davis. the chief executive or
the southern Confederacy. occupied his
pew in the middle Of the central aisle,
nearly opposite the now vacant one
belonging to General Robert E. Lee.
An orderly In uniform entered the
church somewhat prrcipitately. yet
without disturbance. and delivered
telegram to Mr.. Davis. who quietly
rose and went out. The occurrence
was noticed. but attracted no special
attention among congregation VINO
during the four years past had grown
accustomed to sudden alarms and I'M
timely notice of threatened attacks. 1t
was the day after the battle OF Five
Forks.
The dispatch was from General Lee,
announcing his withdrawal from Pc
tersburg and the consequent necessity
for the immediate evacuation OF Rich
mond. Immediate evacuation" meant
getting out by 8 o'clock that night.
The news spread as only such news
can. Women prayed. men wept and
cursed and defed: children wondered,
negroes rather enjoyed the excitement,
especially after the issue Of procla-
nation to the effect that all who wish
ed might come to the commissary de-
partment and get free provisions.
As for the soldiers, they had their
orders from General Lee: Troops were
to leave their lines everywhere at D
o'clock that evening and take up the
line of march for Amelia Court House,
a small Virginia village on the Rich
mond and Danville railroad, some for
ty miles southwest of Richmond.
Early in the afternoon Colonel ROD
ert Ellingham hastily dismounted from
his horse In front Of house In FRANK
lin street and sprang up the front
steps. Before he reached the door II
few open and Gertrude. freshly dress
ed in white lawn. extended both hands
In eager welcome. Beside her, In black
civilian clothes, stood what looked like
the ghost of Kerchival West. In the
background appeared another familiar
phantom of the far past-none other
than DR.. Ellingham of Charleston, now
white haired and more aged looking
than the lapse of years alone should
have called for.
"Sister, KcrchivaI, old boy! Uncle"
painted Bob. full Of excitement were
you prepared for the news? What do
you think you'll do?"
"Kerchival and I are going to De
married right away" answered Ger
trude, with the astounding imperturba-
bility of one who had arranged and
settled everything.
"Marriedr gasped Bob. instnctively
clutching the air, as If for support
"Now-at such time? Don't you
know that i am under marching or
ders and that President Davis and
the cabinet are to leave for DanV1lle
by the evening train and that the Fed
eral army will be occupying Richmond
by this time tomorrow"
Eyes, Robert. We were In church
this morning when the news came.
Kerchival and have figured 1T all out
and the doctor agrees with us-that as
Richmond has fallen and kerch1Val
has been released from Libby on pa
role and uncle Is here from Charleston
the only way for us two to guard
against separation again is to get mar
ried now so that l can be with-With
my husband. whatever happens. SO
we have sent for the Rev. DR.. Min
nigerode, and, now that you are here,
the ceremony can be performed and
you be off to join General Lee IN half
an hours time. for suppose he will
need you now more than ever"
To Re Continued