The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-04-12
FIFTY-TWO YEARS
FROM APPOMATTOX
Mr.. c. Nj. Miller Reviews The
Fall of Richmond.

years from AppomattoX. The capitula-
ton of the 9th of April, 1865. occurred
on Sunday. date deeply burned in the
memory of every Confederate soldier, in
whatever cline he may be living.
The writer of this article, formerly q
member of the End Company of Rich,
mond Howitzers; Cutshaw's Battalion Of
Artillery, End Corps, Army of Northern
Virginia, one year ago wrote for your
publication recollcctions of the evocu-
ton Of the breastworks early Sunday
morning, April 2nd, 1865, fronting Rich
mond and Petersburg. That narrative
traced the hard fought campaign of one
week, closing at point on the public
road in the direction of Lynchburg and
only few hundred yards beyond little
group of antiquainted looking buildings
known as Appomattox Courthouse,
rescued for obscurity and forever fixed
upon the worlds nap by an accidental
concentration of opposing armies
stripped for battle that Sunday morning,
April 9th 1865.
Al this never to be forgotten view
upon an elevation of the ridge road, my
messmate, a soldier and a gentleman,
Mr. John B. Mordscai, destined to
survive the war to meet death a few
years later IN a duel at Richmond
fought in an affair of the heart, shocked
me by a whisper in the ear of his be-
lief that a surrender was pending. From
that sickening moment this article is
designed to refer to P sudden revolution
neither historians pen nor painters
brush can ever WITTY for posterity.
Col. Charles Marshals, who seemed
from the beginning to the end of
hostilues on the staff of Genl. Lee as
Secretary, and who subsequently left
the impress of his ability upon the
Baltimore bar, stated to this writer
that Genl. Lee was confident his army
could clear a way out, as it had done
three days before in the murderous en-
counter at Sailors Creek, but was
equally confident it would be a needless
sacrifice Of life. consequently decided
upon an interview with Genl. Grant
looking to a surrender. Actuated by
this humane decision. flag OF truce
was sent through to the Federal officers
commanding on that immediate front.
In a brief while a Union General, under
flag Of truce, was shown the way to
the Confederate Commander. Genl
Lee stated that his exchange of views
must be with Genl. Grant and asked
where ne could be found. A young
member of the Federal Generals staff
quickly stated that he knew precisely
where Genl. Grant was stationed, right
over there, and said, | viii gallop over
and bring him. Col. Marshall lifted
clutioning finger and said; beware how
you enter those woods, a Texas com
mand is holding that line. A word to
the wise was sufficient. However, with
less venture, Genl Grant was soon
found and after an exchange of polite
civilities, the two Commanders, with
their military attendants, withdrew to
a convenient residence where approved
terms were reduced to writing.
By this time, not long after sunrise,
or early IN the morning hours, the last
sound of firing in the wide circle toward
LYnchburg had died away, and while
strong men wept along the lines Of
Lee, distant cheering could be caught
from the massed columns of the army
of Grant, brave men weeping while
their brave opponents rejoiced in the
funeral of the Confederacy.
That afternoon the jaded remnant of
the once invincible army of Northern
Virginia was formed in a compact
square on the low land fields east of
the county road; with such pieces of
artillery as had been left packed mus
kets stacked in rows with bayonets up
and flags of the different commands
dropped over the stacked arms. By
that hour of the day, the Federal Com
mander had up in position not less than
one hundred and fifty thousand of the
best armed and provisioned troops ever
marshaled upon this Continent. The
worn out following of the Confederate
Commander, by continuous battles
against superior numbers, had only a
fraction over nine thousand that morn
ing in condition for action. To that
rather over nine thousand. the disabl-
ed, sick and other followers in the
wake Of a winding retreat of nearly one
hundred miles, the bulk for surrender
was, perhaps, over twelve thousand.
Gen. Lee, to avoid such demonstrations
as his appearance might excite, remain
ed in his tent, and commissioned Genl.
John B. Gordon, of Georgia, to act in
his stead during the ceremonies of the
capitutatlon, most distinguished
compliment to Genl. Gordon, the young
est Lieutenant General both in years
and term of appointment. Soldiers
will remember Genl. Gordon succeeded