Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 16.djvu/73

 Diary of Major R. C. M. Page. 67

the artillery and troops encamped near Wytheville. No enemy reported anywhere near. The artillery had been fitted out with ser- viceable horses and harness, and was in good condition. Five more caissons would have made it perfect. The movements had been made only to practise. Now, however, we were all to march as rapidly as possible to join Lee's army.

April ?th, 1865. Moved through Wytheville going east, colors flying, in following order : Lynch, Burroughs, Douthat, King, four batteries of four guns each. " The best battalion of artillery ever seen in that part of the world," remarked one of Lee's inspectors, as the column moved by. It was among the last flickers of life before the rapidly dying Confederacy was to enter into eternal rest. Marched to Dublin, Pulaski county, Virginia, and camped on the road-side.

April 8th, 1865. New river too high to cross, so we had to remain in camp to-day.

April oth, 1865. Arrived at English's Ferry, New river. Five wagons attempting to ford, only one succeeded in crossing. Of the other four, the mules of one wagon swam back to where they entered and got out. The remaining three were washed away. The teams and all hands drowned, except one negro, who re- mained on top of some hay. Twelve mules were drowned and twenty-five men, including teamsters and sick and wounded sol- diers. There was a boat, but too frail for transporting artillery. In an ambulance was General Early ill with pneumonia. Before crossing over in the boat he desired to see General Echols, to whom he remarked that "it looked like getting Southern rights in the territories!" Moved the artillery up the river and camped near Newbern, Pulaski county, Virginia.

April loth, 1865. Crossed New river at Cecil's Ford, and marched by horrible road all night to the turnpike near Chris- tiansburg, Montgomery county, Virginia.

April nth, 1865. Joined General Echols near Christiansburg at 4 A. M. Captain Semple, being dismounted, asked me to bend down from my horse as he had something to tell me. " Lee, with his whole army, has surrendered," whispered he into my ear. Did not believe it thought there must be some mistake. Moved on to Christiansburg, and parked the guns in a field southeast of the town. They were never moved again by Confederate soldiers, for the news of Lee's surrender was true.

April izth, 1865. Council of war was held. Vaughan cut mat-