THE BLUE AND GRAY

FROM HAWKINS COUNTY, TENNESSEE

1861-1865

by Sheila Weems Johnston


HOW LEE'S ARMY SURRENDERED

General Chamberlain: As we stand there in the morning mist we see the rebel army, breaking camp, and then slowly and reluctantly forming ranks for the last time. And now they move, the great mass breaking into a column of march; General Gordon with the Stonewall Jackson corps, commanded by Heath. On they came, the rebellion battle flags, with the diagonal cross and thirteen stars. The head of the rebel column comes opposite our right, and at the bugle signal we come to "carry arms." The rebel commander, General Gordon, at the head of the column, observes this little courtesy and drops the point of his sword and gives the command to "carry." Not a sound from the trumpet nor a roll from the drum, but in stillness as if indeed the dead were passing there - thus they moved then they stacked arms and took off their cartridge boxes and laid them on the pile. Lastly, painfully they furled their battle flags and laid them in the dust, some kneeling down over them and kissing them with burning tears. And then the star spangled banner was left alone on the field.

“"Now, at the age of eighty years, I sometimes feel that if it were possible I would like to go back and on each grave of those immortal dead place the most lovely flowers, as an humble token that their lives and brave deeds are not forgotten by their comrades or their descentants." --Written by George D. Ewing, Pattonsburg, MO., CONFEDERATE VETERAN, XXX , 1922, P. 48. He took part in the Battle of Blue Springs and was speaking about the men killed in this battle.

Visitors Since March 1, 1999

Updated September 20, 2009

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Copyright © 1999-2009 by Sheila Weems Johnston

If you can read this, thank a teacher..and since it is in English, thank a soldier.