USA > Texas > The Confederate capital and Hood's Texas brigade > Part 29
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"The contrast between the two commanders was very striking, as they sat ten feet apart facing each other.
"General Grant, then nearly forty-three years of age, was five feet eight inches in height, with shoulders slightly stooped. His hair and full beard were a nut-brown, without a trace of gray in them. He had on a single-breasted blouse made of dark blue flannel, unbuttoned in front, and showing a waist-coat underneath. He wore an ordinary pair of top boots, with his trousers inside, and was without spurs. The boots and portions of his clothes were spattered with mud. He had a pair of thread gloves of a dark yellow color, which he had taken off in entering the room. His felt, sugar-loaf, stiff-brimmed hat was thrown on the table beside him. He had no sword, and a pair of shoulder straps was all there was to designate his rank. In fact, aside from these, his uniform was that of a private soldier.
"General Lee, on the other hand, was fully six feet in height. and was quite erect for one of his age, for he was Grant's senior by sixteen years. His hair and full beard were a silver grav and quite thick, except that the hair had become a little thin in front. He wore a new uniform of Confederate gray, buttoned up to the throat, and at his side he carried a long sword of exceedingly
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fine workmanship, the hilt studded with jewels. It was said to be the sivord which had been presented to him by the State of Virginia. His top boots were comparatively new. Like his uniform, they were singularly clean, and but little travel-stained. On the boots were handsome spurs with large rowels. A felt hat which, in color, matched pretty closely that of his uniform, and a pair of long buckskin gauntlets lay beside him on the table. "Colonel Marshall afterwards explained that when their head- quarter wagon had been pressed by our cavalry a few days be- fore, and it was found they would have to destroy all their bag- gage, except the clothes they carried on their backs, each one naturally selected the newest suit he had. This was why he and his chief wore such fine torgery, while with us our garb scarcely rose to the dignity of the 'shabby genteel.'
"At a little before 4 o'clock, General Lee shook hands with General Grant, bowed to the other officers, and, with Colonel Marshall, left the room. ' While his horse was being bridled the general stood on the lowest step and gazed sadly in the direction of the valley beyond which his army lay. He smote his hands together in an absent sort of way: seemed not to see the group of Union officers in the yard who rose respectfully at his ap- proach, and appeared unconscious of everything about him All appreciated the sadness which overwhelmed him, and he had the personal sympathy of every one who beheld him in that supreme moment of trial. The approach of his horse seemed to recall him from his reverie, and he at once mounted.
"General Grant now stepped down from the porch, and mov- ing toward him, saluted him by raising his hat. He was fol- lowed in this act of courtesy by all of our officers present. Lee raised his hat respectfully in acknowledgment, and rode off to break the sad news to the brave fellows whom he had so long commanded."
General Grant sent the following dispatch to Washington:
"Hon. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, Washington:
"General Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia this afternoon, on terms proposed by myself. The accompanying ad- ditional correspondence will show the conditions fully. "U. S. GRANT, Lieutenant-General."
"While the interview with reference to the surrender was tak- ing place between the two commanders, a strange scene was transpiring between the lines of the two armies, and occupie I the period of the armistice. An informal mingling of officers of both armies gave the streets of the village of Appomattox Court House a strange appearance.
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"Between the skirmish lines of the two armies, there was a great suspense, for it was felt that great interests were at stake between them. Skirmish line confronted skirmish line, lines of battle confronted lines of battle, cannon confronted cannon.
"Eager hope hung on the interview between the opposing great commanders of the two armies. It might end in resump- tion of hostilities, in fiercest battle, in terrible carnage. Peace might follow this interview. The two armies were plainly visi- ble to one another, the Confederates skirting a strip of woods in rear of the town. Through the vistas of the streets, might be seen their wagon trains. The minutes passed but slowly. The approach of every horseman attracted an eager look. Two o'clock was the time appointed by Grant for the resumption of hostilities. It arrived, and the Federal skirmish line commenced to advance. The Confederate pickets were in plain sight, and stationary. A moment more, and the crack of the rifle would indicate the resumption of carnage. But a clatter of hoofs was heard, and a flag of truce appeared upon the scene, with an order from General Grant that hostilities should cease until further orders."
"After the interview, General Lee returned to his own camp, where his leading officers were assembled awaiting his return. He announced the result, and the terms. They then approached him in order of rank, expressing satisfaction at his course, and their regret at parting, shedding tears on the occasion. The fact of surrender, and the terms, were then announced to the troops, and when General Lee appeared among them he was loudly cheered."
When the news reached the Texas brigade, in the rear of Longstreet's corps, details of the men were busy throwing up in - trenchments. A messenger was dispatched to tell them to de- sist from their work.
"What for?" said one. "We had our orders to throw up this line."
"Yes, but now it is useless. General Lee has surrendered."
Leaning upon his pick, he coolly looked at his informant.
"I don't believe that yarn. You can't come any such stuff over me."
"Well, its true, nevertheless. General Lee had no other al- ternative. Grant's army is surrounding us, and he thought it better to surrender than to try and cut our way through."
The brave fellow threw himself back, dropped his hands de- spondently, and exclaimed:
"I'd rather have died than surrender, but if 'Marse Bob' thinks that is best, theu all I've got to say is, that 'Marse Bob' is bound to be right, as usual."
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Gradually the truth broke upon all the soldiers, and great was their chagrin when these "high mettled victors of the Army of Northern Virginia learned that they must 'yield to overpowering numbers,' -- that after all their marches, battles, victories, hard- ships and sufferings; the cause they loved better than life itself must succumb to superior force."
The next day General Lee published to the troops the fol- lowing order, the last that emanated from this peerless soldier, which will go down the ages as a touching memento of that sad day at Appomattox Court House:
"HEADQUARTERS ARMY NORTHERN VIRGINIA, } "April 10, 1865. 1
"After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overpowering numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devo- tion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuation of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past serv- ices have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of agreement, officers and men can return to their homes, and re- main there until exchanged.
"You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty performed: and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection. With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and get- erous consideration of myself, I bid you an affectionate farewell.
"(Signed R. E. LEE, General."
The calm dignity of General Lee amid the trying scenes that followed when his men heard his noble farewell address and crowded around to shake his hand, -how they were thrilled by his simple words: "Men, we have fought through the war to- gether; I have done my best for you; my heart is too full to say more,"-the tender partings of comrades who had been bound together by common hardships, sufferings, dangers and victories. and now this sad blighting of cherished hopes, can only be ap- preciated by those who witnessed that scene, which is forever dagnerreotyped upon the memories and hearts of that remnant of Lee's splendid army.
"General Gordon testifies that in the deep agony of spirit with which Lee witnessed the grief of his soldiers at the surrender, he
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exclaimed: 'I could wish that I was numbered among the slain of the last battle,' but that he at once recalled the wish, and said: 'No; we must live for our afflicted country.'"
One of his officers relates, that during those hours of terrible suspense, when he was considering the question of surrender, he exclaimed from the depths of a full beart:
"How easily I could get rid of this and be at rest. I have only to ride along the lines, and all will be over. But, " he quickly added, "it is our duty to live, for what will become of the women and children of the South if we are not here to sup- port and protect them."
Language fails to describe that most painful scene at Appo- mattox Court House which was to follow the reading of General Lee's farewell , the parking and stacking of the arms these brave men had carried so long, and with which they had done such effective work.
Think of it a moment, you who have only known the bless- ings of peace. Imagine that fair April morning, when the out- side world seemed so bright with new life, and nature assumed her most enchanting garb. See the long line of Federal solliery in blue uniforms, with sabres gleaming, bayonets glistening in the sunshine, their step firm and buoyant, their evolutions per- fect according to the rules of military tactics. Watch those reg- iments of tattered, worn Confederates, who wore the consecrated gray, marching up with weary step, sad brow. depositing their armis, their artillery, the flags under which they had so often moved to victory, and then, with bowed heads, failing limbs, wringing their hands in agony, going back in humiliation and distress, their faces bathed in tears they were not too proud to shed.
Then, when their paroles were signed. the tender, sad parting with comrades who had shared their lives, their hardships. their triumphs; the brotherly embrace, the mingling of sobs. and the pledging of eternal friendship for those united together by no common tie, -these all stir the profoundest depths of sympathy. Their victors saw no cause for demonstrations of exultaat joy, and "deported themselves with a consideration for the feelings of the vanquished, worthy of all praise."
The history of the ages does not chronicle such a scene of bit- ter grief, nor does it show a fairer record than these battle-scarred heroes made after returning to the ranks of private life, aiding in the development of their desolated Southern land, which now shines forth as the pure gold of an advanced civilization.
Women in their distant homes waited and watched for news from their loved ones. When there was no more wanderings
AND HOOD'S TEXAS BRIGADE.
away from her side again, to camp or batte-fell thea ber : ity asserted itself. Gladly did she help bear the bar lens ci fat, and rising above the lisalvadoiges of the situation sought to inspire the drooping spirits with hope in the darkest hour of her country's gloom. The necessity for exertion was the stien- lant of every life, and brooding care and tender appreciation :: s reward.
The smoke and explosions at Richmond were plainly seen and heard at my retreat in the country. I knew I was within Federal lines. The came the news of General Lee's surrender. Where was the Texas brigade? A messenger arrived. bearing the ti. dings:
"APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, April 12, 1855. "I am safe and well and will be with you as soon as paroled, which will be within a day or two."
I draw the veil over the meeting -- when the strong man slowly rode up the long lane, sadly dismounted, and with great sobs rack- ing his frame and tears streaming down bis checks, exclaimed, "All is lost !" No tear dimmed my eye. They had all been expended during those horrible days of suspense. Life was spared, and strength would be given to assimilate ourselves to the changed condition of affairs.
After the disbandment of "Hoods Texas Brigade," its mem- bers dispersed to their homes; and many of them have occupied the most exalted positions of trust and honor in the gift of their appreciative States.
They united together, a few years after the surrender, as "Hood's Texas Brigade Association." Every year. on June arth, the anniversary of the battle of Gaines' farmi, where they first dis- tingnished themselves by turning the tide of battle in favor of the Confederate: they meet in friendly ression at some ap- pointed place in the State. They enjoy the hospitalty of the people, who vie with one another in thus honoring the brave: talk over their old battle anl war experiences, in i especially en- joy the companionship for a brief period of those to whom they vowed fraternal fellowship amid the shock of disaster and the baptism of sorrow at Appomattox. The sons of the defenders of the Alamo have proven themselves worthy le-cezlants of their illustrious fathers, and maintained the reputation they so grandly made in their immolation upon the altar of their com try so many years ago.
" General Lee sent the following official announcement to Fr.
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dent Davis, who was anxiously awaiting news from the army a' Danville, which was the last made to the Confederate Presiden :.
"APPOMATTOX COURT HOUSE, April 12, 1865. . His Excellency, Jeferson Davis:
"MR. PRESIDENT :- It is with much pain that I announce t your Excellency the surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia. The operations which preceded this result will be reported in full. I will. therefore, only now state, that, upon arriving at Amelia Court House, on the morning of the ith, with the ad- vance of the army on the retreat from the lines in front of Rich. mond and Petersburg, and not finding the supplies ordered to be placed there, nearly twenty-four hours were lost in endeavoring to collect, in the country, subsistence for men and horses. This delay was fatal, and could not be retrieved. The troops, wearie: by continued fighting and marching for several days and nights. obtained neither test nor refreshment, and on the morning of the 5th, on the Richmond and Danville railroad, I found, at Jeters- ville, the enemy's cavalry and learned of the approach of bis infan- try and the general advance of his army toward Burkville. This deprived us of the use of the railroad and rendered it impractic- able to procure from Danville the supplies ordered from the adis- cent country. Our route to the Roanoke was therefore changed. and the march directed to Farmville, where supplies were ordered from Lynchburg. The change of route threw the troops over the roads pursued by the artillery and wagon trains west of the railroad, which impeded our advance and embarrased our move- ments.
"On the morning of the 6th General Longstreet's corps reached Rice's Station, on the Lynchburg railroad. It was followed by the commands of R. H. Anderson, Ewell and Gordon, with orders to close upon it as fast as the progress of the trains would permit or as they could be directed on roads farther west. General As- derson, commanding Pickett's and B. R. Johnson's divisions. became disconnected with Mahone's division, forming the rear of Longtreet. The enemy's cavalry penetrated the line of march through the interval thus left and attacked the wagon trains moving toward Farmville. This caused serious delay in the march of the centre and rear of the column, and enabled the enemy to mass upon their flank. After successive attacks An- derson's and Ewell's corps were captured or driven from their positions. The latter general, with both of his division con :. manders, Kershaw and Custis Lee, and his brigadiers, were taken prisoners.
"Gordon, who all the morning, aided by W. F. Lee's caval-
.
HON. GEO. T. JESTER.
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ry, had checked the advance of the enemy on the road from Amelia Springs, and protected the trains, became exposed to his combined assaults, which he bravely resisted and twice repulsed, but the cavalry having been withdrawn to another part of the line of march, and the enemy massing heavily on his front and both flanks, renewed the attack about 6 a. m. and drove him from the field in much confusion. The army continued to march dur- ing the night, and every effort was made to reorganize the divisions which had been shattered by the day's operations, but the men being depressed by fatigue and hunger, many threw away their arms, while others followed the wagon trains and embarrassed their progress. On the morning of the 7th rations were issued to the troops as they passed Farmville, but the safety of the trains requiring their removal upon the approach of the enemy. all could not be supplied. The army, reduced to two corps, un- der Longstreet and Gordon, marched steadily on the road to Ap- pomattox Court House, thence its march was ordered to Camp- bell Court House, through Pittsylvania toward Danville.
"The roads were wretched, and progress slow. By great efforts the head of the column reached Appomattox Court House on the evening of the 8th, and the troops were halted for rest. The march was ordered to be resumed again at i a. m .. on the gth.
"Fitz Lee with the cavalry, supported by Gordon, was'ordered to drive the enemy from his front, wheel to the left, and cover the passage of the trains, while Longstreet, who from Rice's Station, had formed the rear guard, should close up and hold the position. Two battalions of artillery and the ammunition wag- ons were directed to accompany the army; the rest of the arti !- lery and wagons to move towards Lynchburg. In the early part of the night the enemy attacked Walker's artillery train near Appomattox Station on the Lynchburg railroad and were re- pelled. Shortly afterwards their cavalry dashed towards the Court House till halted by our line. During the night there were indications of a large force massed on our left and front. Fitz Lee was directed to ascertain its strength and suspend his advance till daylight if necessary. About 5 a. m. on the 9th, with Gordon on his left, he moved forward and opened the way. A heavy force of the enemy was discovered opposite Gordon's right, which moving in the direction of Appomattox Court House, drove back the left of the cavalry, and threatened to cut off Gordon from Longstreet; his cavalry at the same time threat- ening to envelop the left flank. Gordon withdrew across the Ap. pomattox river, and the cavalry advanced on the Lynchburg rond and became separated from the army. Learning the condi- tion of affairs on the lines, where I had gone under the expecta-
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tion of meeting General Grant, to learn definitely the terms Le proposed in a communication received from him on the Sth, 2 the event of the surrender of the army, I requested a suspen- sion of hostilities until the terms could be arranged. In the ::- terview with General Grant, in compliance with my request, terms having been agreed on, I surrendered that portion of the Army of Northern Virginia which was on the field with its arius, artillery and wagon trains, the officers and men to be paroled, retaining their side arms and private effects. I deemed this course the best under all the circumstances by which we were surrounded. On the morning of the 9th, according to the re- ports of the ordnance officers, there were 7, 592 organized infan- try with arms, with an average of 75 rounds of ammunition per man. The artillery, though reduced to 63 pieces, with 93 rounds of ammunition, was sufficient. These comprised all the sup- plies of ordnance that could be relied on in the State of Virginia. I have no accurate report of the cavalry, but believe it will not exceed 2, 100 effective men. The enemy was more than five times our number. If we could have forced our way one day longer, it would have been at a great sacrifice of life, and at its end, I did not see how a surrender could have been avoided. We had no subsistence for man or horse, and it could not be gathered in the country. The supplies ordered to Pamlin's Sta- tion from Lynchburg could not reach us, and the men deprived of food and sleep for many days, were worn out and exhausted.
"With great respect, your obedient servant, (Signed)
"R. E. LEE, General."
A few days after the surrender, General Lee, attended by fre members of his staff, rode into Richmond over the pontoon bridge at the foot of inth street, and thence to his residence on Frank- lin street. As he descended from his horse, a large number of persons pressed forward and shook hands with him. In a few moments the general made his way into his house, the crowd dis- persed, and thus quietly passed from the theatre of action and public observation, the great and famous commander of the Army of Northern Virginia.
General Lee illustrated in his own noble bearing the remark he made to one of his officers at the surrender: "Human virtue should be equal to human calamity," and gave to the world a bright example of firmness under trials such as have rarely come upon one of his sensitive nature. He bore himself with Romaa firmness until his very heartstrings burst asunder, and his pure spirit went to its rest.
Major John W. Daniel, in an eulogy delivered in Richinos .? , January 30, ISgo, in memorial of Jefferson Davis, President of
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the Southern Confederacy, said: 'I shall make no post-mortem examination of the Confederacy, in search of causes for its fail. When an officer during the war was figuring on prospects of success, General Lee said to him, 'Put up your pencil colonel: if we follow the calculations of figures we are whipped already.
'Twenty millions on the one side, seven millions (and more than half of them slaves) on the other; a great navy; arsenals, armies, factories, railroads, boundless wealth and science, and an open world to draw upon for resources and re-enforcement upon the one side, and little more than a thin line of poorly armed and half-fed soldiery upon the other, pitted one man against two -a glance tells the story of the unequal contest.'
"That President Davis made mistakes I do not doubt, but the percentage of his mistakes was so small in the sum of its ad- ministration, and its achievements so transcended all proportions of means and opportunities, that mankind will never cease to wonder at their magnitude and their splendor.
"Finances went wrong. Some say finances always go wrong in failures; but not worse in this case than in the revolution of 1776, when Washington was at the head. So far did they go wrong then, that not even success could rescue the worthless paper money of our fathers from repudiation and oblivion, and even to this day, the very worst fling that can be made at the Confederate note reaches a climax in the expression, 'It is not worth a continental.'
"Blame Jefferson Davis for this or that; discount all that critics say, and then behold the mighty feat which created, and for four years maintained, a nation; behold how armies without a nucleus were marshalled and armed; how a navy-small, indeed, but one that revolutionized the naval warfare of all nations, and be- came a terror of the seas -- was fashioned out of old hulks, and picked up in foreign places; see how a world in arms was held at bay by a people and a soldiery whom he held together with an iron will, and hurled like a flaming thunderbolt at their foes.
"In his cabinet be gathered the foremost civilians of the land: Benjamin, Toombs. Hunter. Seddon, Reagan, Memminger, Mal- lory, Walker, Randolph and Breckenridge.
"To the leadership of his soldiers, whom did he delegate? If some Messonier could throw upon the canvas Jefferson Davis in the midst of those chiefs he created, what grander knighthood could history assemble? Lee and Stonewall Jackson, Joseph E. Johnston, Beauregard and Albert Sidney Johnston, Early, Ewell, D. H. and A. P. Hill, Longstreet, Gordon, Anderson, Rhodes, Hoke, Ramseur, Hood, Pickett, etc.
"What cavalry leaders? Stuart, Hampton, Forrest, Ashby, Fitzhugh and Barney Lee and others.
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