Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 14.djvu/568

 562 Southern Historical Society Papers.

Meade's column being two or three miles behind us; and when that morning some one came back to us and brought a summons of sur- render, the division was about to mob him. An hour or two later, when there was no longer any doubt, I saw the tears streaming down the face of the chivalrous Colonel Coward, of South Carolina. Some proposed that if I thought it Jwnorable, and would lead them, that they would try to cut their way out. Some few did leave, but I had their names surrendered as though they were present. I did not see Pickett's division at all, nor Kershaw's but once.

On the morning of the surrender a body of about two hundred troops passed, and in answer to my question, of " what troops they were ? " the reply came from the leader, a Captain Butts, " Kershaw's division." The artillery, at all times and under all circumstances, rendered the most gallant and efficient service. I have not spoken of it, because you are better able to treat of it. Whilst lying at Ap- pomattox Courthouse, arranging the details of our surrender. Gen- eral Meade, whose army laid just in rear of my division, sent a request that I would pass him through my lines on his way to pay his per- sonal respects to General Lee. He soon appeared at the head of a brilliant staff, and as these were the first Yankees who had ever ridden by us, except in a hostile attitude, the cavalcade drew large numbers of my men to the road-side to get a near view. Riding by the Gen- eral's side, and chatting with him, he directly said, pointing to a group of my men standing on the road side, in hearing distance, " those fellows are complimentary to me."- I asked him " what was that? I did not hear what they said." He replied, "they just now said I looked like a Rebel." I answered, "that I did not suppose gentlemen on his side of the question thought that a compliment; " to which he replied, " Oh ! yes we do ; any people who have made such a defence as you have, we can but respect and admire." He then went on to speak in warm terms of our fortitude, endurance and courage, and expressed his astonishment that we had stood out so long. He also expressed his regret that, at General Lee's request, all intercourse between the opposing armies was forbidden, saying, " that the Yankee army had only the kindest feeling for us, and would gladly meet us as friends." I told him that our men had, or thought they had, cause for a different feeling, and that whilst they had arms in their hands, and our defeat was yet fresh, it might be better to keep aloof from any general intercourse. We directly met General Lee in the road, and at his invitation General Meade rode with him to his tent.