[Footnote 1: The Hon. Charles Francis Lawley, in the London _Times_.]
They did not "quail," they fell. It was not fear that made them drop themusket, their only hope of safety; it was weakness. It was an army ofphantoms that staggered on toward Lynchburg--and what had made themphantoms was hunger.
Let others describe those last two days in full. For myself I can not.To sum up all in one sentence. The Army of Northern Virginia, which hadfor four years snatched victory upon some of the bloodiest battle-fieldsof history, fought, reeled, fired its last rounds, and fell dead fromstarvation, defying fiercely with its last breath, gurgling throughblood in its throat, the enemy who was hunting it down to its death.
Call it what you will, reader--there was something in those men thatmade them fight to the last.
XXVI.
THE LAST COUNCIL OF WAR OF THE ARMY OF NORTHERN VIRGINIA.
On the night of the 8th of April, within a few miles of AppomattoxCourt-House, took place the last council of war of the army of NorthernVirginia.
It was in the open air, beside a camp-fire, near which were spreadGeneral Lee's blankets; for throughout the retreat he had used no tent,sleeping, shelterless like his men, by the bivouac fire.
To this last council of war, none but the corps commanders were invited.Thus the only persons present were Gordon and Longstreet, commanding theskeleton corps of infantry, and Fitzhugh Lee, the cavalry of the army.
Gordon was stretched near Fitzhugh Lee, upon the blankets of thecommander-in-chief; Gordon, with his clear complexion, his penetratingeyes, his firm lip, his dark hair, and uniform coat buttoned to hischin--the man to fight and die rather than surrender. Near him layFitz Lee, the ardent and laughing cavalier, with the flowing beard, thesparkling eyes, the top-boots, and cavalry sabre--the man to stand byGordon. On a log, a few feet distant, sat the burly Longstreet, smokingwith perfect nonchalance--his heavily bearded face exhibiting no emotionwhatever. Erect, within a few paces of these three men, stood GeneralLee--grave, commanding, unmoved; the fire-light revealing every outlineof his vigorous person, clad in its plain gray uniform, the gray beardand mustache, the serene eyes, and that stately poise of the head uponthe shoulders, which seemed to mark this human being for command.
All these persons were composed. Their faces were haggard from want ofrest, but there was nothing in their expressions indicating anxiety,though some gloom.
"It was a picture for an artist," said that one of them who describedthe scene to me afterward. The ruddy light brought out every detail ofthese martial figures. By that fire on the roadside had assembled forthe last time General Robert E. Lee and his corps commanders.
The council was brief.
General Lee succinctly laid before his listeners the whole situation.
His army was on a strip of land between the James River and the enemy.He could not cross the river--if he could not break through the enemy inhis front the army was lost. General Grant had understood his situation,and a correspondence had taken place. He would read General Grant'snotes and copies of his own replies.
By the light of the fire, General Lee then proceeded to read the papersalluded too.
Grant had opened the correspondence. "The result of the last weekmust convince General Lee," he wrote, "of the hopelessness of furtherresistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia." He therefore"asked the surrender" of that army to prevent bloodshed.
Lee had written in reply, requesting Grant to state the terms.
Grant had stated them on this 8th of April, and Lee had replied at oncethat he "did not intend to propose the surrender of the army of NorthernVirginia, but to ask the terms of General Grant's proposition. To befrank," he had added, "I do not think the emergency has arisen to callfor the surrender." But he would meet General Grant on the next morningto discuss the whole affair.
There the correspondence had terminated. What was the opinion of hiscorps commanders?
Their replies were brief and informal. The scene was august but simple.What was determined upon was this---
That the army should continue its march on the next day towardLynchburg, breaking through Sheridan's cavalry which was known to be infront; but in case the Federal infantry, a very different thing from thecavalry, was found to be "up," then Gordon, who was to lead the advance,should inform the commander-in-chief of that fact, when a flag of trucewould be sent to General Grant acceding to the terms of capitulationproposed in his last note to General Lee.
Fitzhugh Lee only stipulated that if he saw that the Federal infantry inhis front, rendered surrender inevitable, he should be allowed to go offwith his cavalry to save the horses of his men.
This was agreed to, and it will be seen that Fitz Lee availed himself ofthe conmmander-in-chief's permission.
So ended that last council of war, by the camp fire.
With grave salutes and a cordial pressure of the brave hands, the famoussoldiers took leave of Lee.
As they disappeared he drew his blanket around him and fell asleep bythe blazing fire.
It was the night of April 8th, 1865--three years, day for day, from themoment when these lines are written.
XXVII.
THE NIGHT BEFORE THE SURRENDER.
Throughout that strange night of the eighth of April, 1865, I was in thesaddle, carrying orders.
Those who saw it will remember how singularly brilliant it was. Themoon and stars shone. The light clouds sweeping across the sky scarcelyobscured the mournful radiance. All was still. The two armies--onesurrounded and at bay, the other ready to finish the work beforeit--rested silently on their arms, waiting for that day which wouldbring the thunder.
Every arrangement had been made by Lee to break through the force in hisfront, and gain Lynchburg, from which he could retreat to the southwest.
The column of infantry to open the way was about one thousand sixhundred men, under Gordon. The cavalry, numbering two or three thousand,was commanded by Fitzhugh Lee. The artillery, consisting of three orfour battalions, was placed under that brave spirit, Colonel Thomas H.Carter.
For the tough work, Lee had selected three braves.
I saw them all that night, and read in their eyes the fire of anunalterable resolution.
You know those men, reader. If _you_ do not, history knows them. Itwas their immense good fortune to bear the red cross banner in the lastcharge on the enemy, and with their handful of followers to drive theFederal forces back nearly a mile, half an hour before Lee's surrender.
I had just left General Fitzhugh Lee, near Appomattox Court-House, andwas riding through the pines, when a sonorous voice halted me.
"Who goes there?" said the voice.
"Surry, Mordaunt!"
For I had recognized the voice of the general of cavalry. We have seenlittle of him, reader, in this rapid narrative; but in all the long hardbattles from the Rapidan to this night, I had everywhere found myselfthrown in collision with the great soldier--that tried and trusty friendof my heart. The army had saluted him on a hundred fields. His name hadbecome the synonym of unfaltering courage. He was here, on the verge ofsurrender now, looking as calm and resolute as on his days of victory.
"Well, old friend," said Mordaunt, grasping my hand and then leaningupon my shoulder; "as the scriptures say, what of the night?"
"Bad, Mordaunt."
"I understand. You think the enemy's infantry is up."
"Yes."
"Then we'll have hard work; but we are used to that, Surry."
"The work is nothing. It is death only. But something worse than deathis coming Mordaunt."
"What?"
"Surrender."
Mordaunt shook his head.
"I am not going to surrender," he said. "I have sworn to one I love morethan my life--you know whom I mean, Surry--that I would come back, ordie, sword in hand; and I will keep my oath."
The proud face glowed. In the serene but fiery eyes I could read theexpression of an unchangeable resolution.
"Another fri
end of ours has sworn that too," he said.
"Who?"
"Mohun."
"And just married! His poor, young wife, like yours, is far from him."
"You are mistaken; she is near him. She went ahead of the army, and isnow at the village here."
"Is it possible? And where is Mohun?"
"He is holding the advance skirmish line, on the right of Gordon. Look!Do you see that fire, yonder, glimmering through the woods? I left himthere half an hour since."
"I will go and see him. Do nothing rash, to-morrow, Mordaunt. Rememberthat poor Old Virginia, if no one else, needs you yet!"
"Be tranquil, Surry," he replied, with a cool smile. "Farewell; we shallmeet at Philippi!"
And we parted with a pressure of the hand.
I rode toward the fire. Stretched on his cape, beside it, I saw thefigure of Mohun. He was reading in a small volume, and did not raise hishead until I was within three paces of him.
"What are you reading, Mohun?"
He rose and grasped my hand.
"The only book for a soldier," he said, with his frank glance and bravesmile--"the book of books, my dear Surry--that which tells us to do ourduty, and trust to Providence."
I glanced at the volume, and recognized it. I had seen it in the handsof Georgia Conway, at Five Forks. On the fly leaf, which was open, hername was written.
"That is _her_ Bible," I said, "and doubtless you have just parted withher."
"Yes, I see you know that she is here, not far from me."
"Mordaunt told me. It must be a great delight to you, Mohun."
He smiled, and sighed.
"Yes," he replied, "but a sort of sorrow, too."
"Why a sorrow?"
Mohun was silent. Then he said:---
"I think I shall fall to-morrow."
"Absurd!" I said, trying to laugh, "Why should you fancy such a thing?"
"I am not going to surrender, Surry. I swore to Chambliss, my oldcomrade, that I would never surrender, and he swore that to me. Hewas killed in Charles City--he kept his word; I will not break mine,friend."
My head sank. I had taken my seat on Mohun's cape, and gazed in silenceat the fire.
"That is a terrible resolution, Mohun," I said at length.
"Yes," he replied, with entire calmness, "especially in me. It is hardto die, even when we are old and sorrowful--when life is a burden. Mencling to this miserable existence even when old age and grief have takenaway, one by one, all the pleasures of life. Think, then, what it mustbe to die in the flush of youth, and health, and happiness! I am young,strong, happy beyond words. The person I love best in all the world, hasjust given me her hand. I have before me a long life of joy, if I onlylive! But I have sworn that oath, Surry! Chambliss kept his; shall Ibreak mine? Let us not talk further of this, friend."
And Mohun changed the conversation, refusing to listen to myremonstrances.
Half an hour afterward I left him, with a strange sinking of the heart.
Taking my way back to the Court-House, I passed through the littlevillage, rode on for a mile, and then, overwhelmed by fatigue, lay downby a camp fire in the woods, and fell asleep.
I was waked by a single gun, sending its dull roar through the graydawn.
Rising, I buttoned my cape around me, mounted my horse, and rode towardthe front.
As I ascended the hill, upon which stands Appomattox Court-House, acrimson blush suddenly spread itself over the fields and woods.
I looked over my shoulder. In the east, on the summit of the forest, thenewly risen sun was poised, like a great shield bathed in blood.
Such was the spectacle which ushered in the ninth of April, 1865, atAppomattox Court-House.
XXVIII.
THE LAST CHARGE OF THE OLD GUARD.
I rode on rapidly to the front.
It was the morning of the ninth of April, 1865. Since that time threeyears, day for day, nearly hour for hour have passed; for these linesare written on the morning of the ninth of April, 1868.
Gordon had formed his line of battle across the road just beyond thecourt-house--and supported by Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry, and Carter'sartillery on his right, was advancing with measured steps to breakthrough the enemy.
It was a spectacle to make the pulse throb. The little handful was goingto death unmoved. The red light of morning darted from the burnishedgun-barrels of the infantry, the sabres of the cavalry, and the grimcannon following, in sombre lightnings.
Gordon, the "Bayard of the army," was riding in front of his line. Thehour and the men had both come. Steadily the old guard of the army ofNorthern Virginia advanced to its last field of battle.
THE LAST CHARGE]
Suddenly, in front of them, the woods swarmed with the enemy's infantry,cavalry, and artillery. The great multitude had evidently employed thehours of night well. Grant's entire army seemed to have massed itself inGordon's front.
But the force was not the question. Gordon's one thousand six hundredmen were in motion. And when Gordon moved forward he always fought, ifhe found an enemy.
In five minutes the opponents had closed in, in stubborn fight, and thewoods roared with musketry, cannon, and carbines.
Then a resounding cheer rose. The enemy had recoiled before Gordon, andhe pressed forward, sweeping every thing in his path for nearly a milebeyond the court-house.
On his right Fitzhugh Lee's horsemen thundered forward on the retiringenemy; and Carter's guns advanced at a gallop, taking positions--Starketo the left and Poague to the right of the road--from which they openeda rapid fire upon the Federal line of battle.
I had accompanied the advance and looked on with positive wonder. Amiracle seemed about to be enacted before my very eyes. Gordon'spoor little skirmish-line of less than two thousand men, with thehalf-equipped horsemen of Fitzhugh Lee, on their broken-down animals,seemed about to drive back the whole Federal army, and cut their waythrough in safety.
Alas! the hope was vain. In front of the handful were eighty thousandmen! It was not Sheridan's cavalry only--that would have speedily beendisposed of. During the night, General Grant's best infantry had pressedforward, and arrived in time to place itself across Lee's path. WhatGordon and Fitzhugh Lee encountered was the Federal army.
Right and left, as in front, were seen dense blue columns of infantry,heavy masses of cavalry, crowding batteries, from which issued at everyinstant that quick glare which precedes the shell.
From this multitude a great shout arose; and was taken up by theFederal troops for miles. From the extreme rear, where Longstreet stoodstubbornly confronting the pursuers, as from the front, where Gordonwas trying to break through the immense obstacles in his path, came thatthunder of cheers, indicating clearly that the enemy at last felt thattheir prey was in their clutch.
The recoil was brief. The great Federal wave which had rolled backwardbefore Gordon, now rolled forward to engulf him. The moment seemed tohave come for the old guard of the army of Northern Virginia to crownits victories with a glorious death.
The Federal line rushed on. From end to end of the great field, brokenby woods, the blue infantry delivered their fire, as they advanced withwild cheers upon the line of Gordon and Lee.
The guns of Carter thundered in vain. Never were cannon fought moresuperbly; the enemy were now nearly at the muzzle of the pieces.
Gordon was everywhere encouraging his men, and attempting to hold themsteady. With flaming eyes, his drawn sword waving amid the smoke, hisstrident voice rising above the din of battle, Gordon was superb.
But all was of no avail. The Federal line came on like a wave of steeland fire. A long deafening crash, mingled with the thunder of cannon,stunned the ear; above the combatants rose a huge smoke-cloud, fromwhich issued cheers and groans.
Suddenly an officer of General Lee's staff passed by like lightning; waslost in the smoke; then I saw him speaking to Gordon. At the few wordsuttered by the officer, the latter turned pale.
A moment afterward a white flag fluttered--
the order to surrender hadcome.
What I felt at that instant I can not describe. Something seemed tochoke me. I groaned aloud, and turned toward the cavalry.
At fifty paces from me I saw Mordaunt, surrounded by his officers andmen.
His swarthy face glowed--his eyes blazed. Near him, General FitzhughLee--with Tom Herbert, and some other members of his staff--was sittinghis horse, pale and silent.
"What will you do, general?" said Mordaunt, saluting with drawn sabre.
Fitzhugh Lee uttered a groan.
"I don't wish to be included in the surrender," he said. "Come, let'sgo. General Lee no longer requires my poor services!"[1]
[Footnote 1: His words.]
Mordaunt saluted again, as General Lee and his staff officers turnedaway.
"We'll go out sword in hand!" Mordaunt said. "Let who will, follow me!"
A wild cheer greeted the words. The men formed column and charged.
As they moved, a second cheer was heard at fifty paces from us. I turnedmy head, and saw Mohun, in front of about fifty cavalrymen, among whom Irecognized Nighthawk.
Mohun; Or, the Last Days of Lee and His Paladins. Page 51