Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/148

 136 Southern Historical Society Papers.

We expended daily from twelve thousand to thirty-six thou- sand rounds of ritie cartridges ; our supply was not great. The enemy poured a constant stream of lead into our lines, and Gibson gave every man who would bring in so much lead paroles of twenty-four hours to visit Mobile. A number of enterprising fellows eagerly pursued this traffic and greatly enjoyed the re- ward. This garrison, with those of Tracey. Hunger and Mobile were included in the general capitulation of the department.

We evacuated Mobile on the morning of April 12. The mayor of the city was sent with a white flag out to the fleet to say that Mobile was ready for their peaceable occupation without any injury to person or to property. We marched to Meridian, where the band of Gibson's Louisiana Brigade, then the only Confederate band in the world, on the night of May 13, gave me their last sad serenade. Many ofificers of the regi- ments which had been serving with me waited on me in a body and gave me their last farewell.

Next day 'we scattered over our own Southern country seek- ing our homes, and at once addressed ourselves to those peace- ful duties ^^'hich have regenerated the Southern States and crowned the Confederate name with honors even more noble than any ^\•e had won in war.

Charlottesville, Va., August 6, 1894.