Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 39.djvu/163

 Memoir of Richard H. Anderson. 151

right flank, near Hatcher's Run, where Gen. Grant pierced the Hnes at Petersburg. Anderson's left rested on the Run. He struck Grant's advance at Gravelly Run and gained some suc- cess, but was eventually forced to retire. 'At Church Crossings a part of his corps under Pickett was badly cut up.

The retreat from Petersburg had now commenced. On the 6th of April, 1865, Anderson fought for the last time; the sur- render of Lee's Army at Appomattox followed on the 9th.

From early in 1862 to the end of the war Anderson's career was so large a part of that of the Army of Northern Virginia that to tell of it in detail would involve the necessity of writ- ing a history of that grand army. He had a place in all of the important events of those memorable campaigns and the responsible and arduous duties devolving on him ^were always so discharged as to add lustre to his fame and glory to his country's banner.

After Gen. Johnston's surrender Anderson returned to his old home and began life as a planter. He did not succeed, and eventuallv was made Agent for the South Carolina Railroad at Camden in that State. This was distasteful to him and in fact he was not suited to the position, still his needs were press- ing ; his resources exhausted and his family dependent; he was thankful for even this.

A few months before his death he was appointed State In- spector of Phosphates. This was more congenial to his taste and habits and promised to yield him some comfort in his declining- years. At least the people of his native State appeared to realize that they owed to one who had sacrificed so much for them some recognition of his great worth and valuable services and better provision for his old age was contemplated and doubtless would have been made, but the wires fla.shed the news that on the 26th of June, 1879, R. H. Anderson had departed this life suddenly in the town of Beaufort, S. C. He had fallen in all his vigor, instantly without notice ; yet those who knew him best know that for him the messenger. Death, had no terrors and that he rests from his labors. He was in the