Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1921-06-10
WAR "reminiscences.
(By j. w. Bakery
The Hampton Roads Conference.-The
treat from Petersburg.


treat from Petersburg.
Boissevain, Va. May %.
Some weeks beforas the retreat
from Petersburg the Hampton Road.
Conference was held. President Lin
coin was there. Alexander II. Steph-
ems headed the Southern delegation.
Ny oldest sister lived in a hundred
yards Of Mr.. Stephens. If | was cali
ed upon, under oath. to name the
best man | have ever known, Mr..
Stephens would be my man. His
patience and kindness to all people.
white and black, resembled nothing
so much rs the weakness of material
affection. Could / say more? Pres.
Lincoln greatly admired him. They
were old friends. in Congress togeth-
er. President Lincoln was prepared
to concede a great deal-if I were
to say how much some ignoramus
would rise up and call me a liar,
and as my fighting days are over
had better keep my mouth shut.
Could Mr.. Stephen have acted on his
own judgment the war would have
endod that day. But his hands were
tied. He was told to do nothing un-
less it was based on the independ-
| ence Of the Southland that was
the only thing President Lincoln
could not concede. No greater nor
better men, in all time, ever met to
council. When Abe Lincoln was kill
ed then we were wounded unto
death. l heard eff his death on my
way home from Appommattox and
few regretted it more than |.
have always been sorry for our
fellows who fought at Five Forks,
They had no chance. They were
greatly outnumbered and fighting
tha infantry in front. Sheridan's
cavalry (no better soldiers) poured
it into them from the rear. About
this time often met Gen. Lee. Then
| wondered how old Atlas felt carry.
ing the world on his shoulders.
After the Five Forks fight we
hustled to get away. and the only
| way for US was between the rivers
as Gen. Grant held the direct roads
to Appommattox. We had to cross
the river on bridge at Petersburg
and preparing for that | scarcely
left my saddle for thirty six hours
When | did my horse, with his sad.
| die on laid on the ground and ate
| from a gum cloth. After eating if !
touched him with my heel he would
strike a lope. He was a true child
of the desert with Arab blood in his
veins. o the fun and pleasure of il
if l could ride him today.
Let us 60 back little. A day OF
two before the Hampton Roads Con.
ference, General Lee and an old and
| trusted friend met by appointment,
in Richmond. There General Lee told
his old friend that he could not hold
his position unless he could get fifty
| thousand more men. That he did not
| know where the men were to come
from. and if he had them he could
not feed them. so the only thing tc
do was to make peace-make peace
on the best terms we could get. blu,
to make peace.
The friend asked him, "why he did
not let it be known what he though,
Of conditions" General Lee answer
ed, "if the soldiers knew what he
| thought and peace was not made
he could not hold his army together
| for a single week"
| Some people will say this canno,
be true. Suppose we wait until the
taps sound for the last Great Pa.
rade. Truth will be there and then
We shall all know. l will risk nv life
l on the facts as stated ehove