The Oskaloosa herald., 1915-04-15
APPOMAITOH APR!9. '6S
Robert Kissick Gives Brief Address
on That Eventful Occurrence.

The following address was given by
Adjutant Robert Kissick, OF Phil
Kearney Post, G. A. R., before the
r. and Comrades of the Grand Army,
in celebrating the 50th anniversary of
the surrender of Lee, April 3, 1866.
The Address.
Never before, in the history OF the
world, had so many thrilling and i'm
portant events taken place, concern
ing a nation, as happened In our own
during a single fortnight of April,
1865. Among these thrilling and i'm.
portant events being the fall OF
Petersburg and Richmond, the sur
render of Lee and the assassination
of President Lincoln.
On Sunday, the End, Petersburg
fell. Great was the CONSERVATION in
Richmond. jefferson Davis and 9th
ers OF the Confederate Government
fed South; Lee at once evacuated
Richmond and was in full retreat to
join Johnston's army, then confronted
by Sherman in North Carolina, when
the Union army took possession Of
Richmond on the next day. Sheri-
dan was sent by Grant in pursuit of
Lee, and soon threw large force of
Infantry and Cavalry across his path,
way, near Appomattox Court House.
while another force was coming up in
his rear Escape was impossible.
Lee was compelled to surrender to
Grant on Sunday the 9th of April.
Soon after all the other Confederate
armies surrendered. At last the
Confederacy was dead; the Union
saved. The great drama, which had
cost hundreds of thousands OF lives
and billions of treasure, was ended,
and peace was lowering over a strick-
Ell land. The soldiers of the great
Union army Of million men were
now anxious to lay down their arms,
return to their homes, and the peace
full pursuits of life. Their mission
had been accomplished, and they
might we'll exclaim, in the language
of the poet Longfellow: ..,..
Sail on. o Union, strong and great!
Sail on, nor fear to breast the sea.
Our hearts, our hopes, are all with
thee;
Our hearts. our hopes, our prayers
,s our tears,
Our faith triumphant DER our fears,
Are all with thee-are all with thee
But before these veterans were
3 transformed from soldiers to citizens
of the land their valor had saved
General Grant in noble and eloquent
words of praise, for both the Twins
and the dead, babe them farewell IL
these words:
Soldiers Of the Armies of the
United States: By your patriotic de
votion to your country in the hour o
danger and alarm, your magniticen
fighting, bravery and endurance, yoi
have maintained the supremacy o
the Union, and the Constitution, over
thrown all armed opposition to thu
enforcement of the laws, and of tn
proclamation forever abolishing slaN
ery-the cause and pretext of thu
Rebellion-and opened the way to tn
riRhtful authorities to. restore order
and inaugurate peace on perma
nent and enduring basis on ever
foot of American soil. Your marches
sieges, and battles, in distance, durs
ton, resolution and brilIiancy OF re
suits, dim the luster CT the world
past military achievements, and vii
be the patriots precedent in dc
tense of liberty ard right, in all tim
to come. In obedience to you
countrys call, you left your families
and volunteered in her defense. Vic
tory has crowned your valor, and Sc
cured the purpose Of your patriot
hearts; ana with the gratitude of you
countrymen, and the highest honor
great and free nation can accorC
you will soon be permitted to retur
to your homes and families, consciou
of having discharged the highes
duty of American citizens.
achieve these glorious trIumphs, an
secure to yourselves, your fello'
countrymen, and posterity, the bles
ings of free institutions, tens {
thousands of your gallant comrade
have fallen, and sealed the priceless
legacy with their blood. The grave
of these, a grateful nation bedew
with tears, honors their memories
and will ever cherish and supper
their stricken families" T..
And now on this 50th anniversar
of the surrender of Lee, let us all r
joice, with exceeding gladness, tn;
the result at Appomattox, April
1866, has made the United States I'll
foremost nation of the world.
Oskaloosa, Iowa, April 8, 1915.