THE BLUE, RANK AND FILE, AT APPOMATTOX.

Extracts from a paper read before the California Commandery of the Loyal Legion, by Major Henry T. Lee, Fourth New York Heavy Artillery. Copied

from the Pacific American:

Major Lee states that the sketch was written in the hospital immediately after Lee's surrender, while the impressions of "that glorious campaign" were still fresh and strong, and for the sole purpose of preserving them, so far as possible:

I offer no philosophic history of the grand event, no military criticism of the strategy and tactics of the campaign, but simply a running story of those glorious days from a mud-crusher's point of view. The times of which I wrote were days of fierce enthusiasm and fiery excitement; they were red hot days. In March, 1865, there was very little of enthusiasm in the Army of the Potomac. Even the war correspondents had failed to discover among the troops and report to their papers that wholesale "longing for the gory battlefield," in which they had dealt so largely on the eve of other campaigns. As for the rank and file, we had sized up our duty in about this way We went where we were told, if we could conveniently get there, and we stayed where we were put till it evidently was time to leave.

Since Gettysburg, when the grit of the Army of the Potomac won that glorious victory, whose unfading laurels so many generals' heads ache to wear, up to the commencement of the last campaign there had been no enthusiastic impulse in the long-suffering Army of the Potomac.

To be sure the accession of General Grant to the command, and the constant arrival of new troops, with their innocent eagerness to "know how a battle feels," had at the outset of the Wilderness campaign somewhat quickened the general pulse. But Virginia pines make tough breast works, and men fighting under the shadows of their ancestral homes are sturdy opponents, and Gen. Lee was the greatest defensive general the war developed.

So whatever enthusiasm the army might have had was pretty well battered out of it by the time Gen. Grant's tremendous left had finally forced Lee back upon his stronghold in Richmond, and we sat down before it to wonder how much better off the Union cause really was than it had been when our army under McClelland occupied nearly the same position just three years before. *** But all this time Sheridan, the left hand man of Grant, the Left handed, was at work, and at the Five Forks struck the enemy a blow that made him reel from Dinwiddie to Richmond. And then along the whole line we all went in, and on the 2d of April fairly unearthed the fox.

From that time on there was enthusiasm enough in the Army of the Potomac. On the morning of the 2nd we were slowly feeling our way back from the Five Forks, whither we had gone the night before to support Sheridan, when, like a military Gilpin, came tearing along a gallant German of our division staff, shrieking at the top of his voice, "By ze right flank -vile righeet-queek-queek-tubbel queek-ze enemee have left ze vorroucks!'

So up and ho! for the South Side road, whose engines have so often mocked us with their taunting

whistle as they carried new life to the heart of the Rebellion. It has run its last train for the Rebels, boys; we'll run it now for the Union! So over the breastworks, once so dreaded; through the log villages, where the grey-backs hived; down into the hollow, thick with grapevines; through the brook over the swamp, up the hill, and into the very arms of the Rebel rear guard, who, from their ambush on the verge of the South Side road, in true traditional style, "welcomed with bloody hands to hospitable graves." full threescore of the Irish Brigade. Ah! the bitterness of it! to know that "some one had blundered."

We fall back across the brook, lie still and rest a while; two miles on the "queek, queek, tubbel queek," with that tough fight on the top of it, entitles us to rest, and soon the artillery comes thundering up, connection is formed to right and left, and this time over we go in fine style, and the stars and stripes flash at a hundred points along the South Side road. "The South Side" ours, Petersburg taken, Richmond gone up, fifteen thousand of Lee's Army already out of the fight, the rest scouring off as fast as their legs will carry them, and the Army of the Potomac with Sheridan and Ord close upon their heels. Lee's Army in full retreat, wi h their backs toward Richmond. Three cheers for us, boys!

Don't we feel sorry for the Rebs? Yes, of course we do; just precisely as they would for us, for in these four years of hand-to-hand fight we have learned to know each other well. Don't we glory in their pure American grit, as they fight us so grandly in this their very last ditch?

So stick to it, boys, if the work is hard, and then, for home and laurels! So on we go, by Jetlersville, Amelia Court House, High Bridge, Sailor's Creek and Farmvilie, Grant's inevitable and irresistible Left still reaching out and stopping them when they would have made for Danville, till finally on the ever memorable Sunday, the 9th of April, it went clean 'round them at Appomattox Court House, shut the road to Lynchburg, and Gen. Lee most sensibly concluded that it was time to throw up the sponge on behalf of the Southern Confederacy.

I suppose it is seldom given to men to feel that very ecstacy and delirium of joy which rushed over the Army of the Potomac when Lee surrendered. We had been expecting it; the most inveterate grumbler had given in, and all we thought and talked about was the surrender of its probable time and circumstance.

Since daybreak there had been a furious galloping to and fro of gilded aids, who seemed to carry the fate of armies on their shoulder straps, and whose heads were evidently bursting with missions of infinite importance. In vain we strove to check their mad career; in vain were canteens and whisky flask s waved in their very faces as they dashed madly by. And then we knew that the end was near.

Then Gen. Meade himself, preceded by a score of buglers vociferously sounding, and followed by general and staff officers innumerable, rode rapidly to the front. Still, there was slight contingency of doubt. Of course the power of the rebel army as an army was forever broken, but might not the Johunies get off in squads and bands, and thereby force us to

hunt them for an indefinite length of time through those mysterious mountains, for whose fastnesses Gen. Lee had so earnestly longed.

All these, and many other considerations of equal weight, were we anxiously discussing that Sunday morning as we lay massed, with arms stacked, not a half mile from Appomattox Court House.

But hark! To our attentive ears a sw lling tumult comes from the direction of the Court House. Soon we distinguish the joyful clang of bugles, the beating of armed hoofs and the fainter cheer of human voices. What makes our cheeks so pale, our eyes so bright, our hearts so still? So we stand, an army turned to stone, and with compressed lips and solemn, eager faces, look earnestly and steadfastly toward the west. The noise of voices swells and deepens, the bugle's victorious din splits the very air, the clang of sabres swells the tumult, and a thousand thundering hoofs shake the ground.

Out of the dark pine woods, down the rock-strewn road, like a regiment of whirlwinds they come; Meade, bareheaded leading them, his grave, scholarly face flushed with radiance, both arms in the air and shouting with all his voice: "It's all over, boys! Lee's surrendered! It's all over, now!" Close behind tears along his own proper staff, striving with all their might to distance the confused crowd of general and staff officers, who, in defiance of all order, ride in point of precedence as their horses and horsemanship deci le, all yelling and cheering and waving their hats and swords. Behind them two squadrons of cavalry bring up the rear, and behave, as do all, like devils possessed.

They sweep around and into the open space where the bulk of the Second Corps lies. In an instant they are engulfed in the living sea. The men listen for a moment to the words of their leaders, and then up to the heavens goes such a shout as none of them will ever hear again. And see! The air is black with hats and boots, coats, knapsacks, shirts and cartridge-boxes, blankets and shelter tents, canteens and haversacks. They fall on each other's necks and laugh and cry by turns. Huge, lumbering, bearded men embrace and kiss like schoolgirls, and then dance and sing and shout, stand on their heads and play at leapfrog with each other.

The standard-bearers bring their war-worn colors to the center of the mass and unfurl their tattered beauties amid the redouble shouts of the maddened crowd. The band and drum corps seek the same cen ter, and not a stone's throw apart, each for itself, a dozen bands and a hundred drums make discordant concert such as before the continent never heard.

All the time from the hills around the deepmouthed cannon give their harmless thunders, and at each hollow boom the vast concourse rings out its joy anew that murderous shot and shell no longer follow close the accustomed sound.

But soon from the edges of the surging mass, here and there, with bowed heads and downcast eyes men walk slowly to the neighboring woods. Some sit down among the spreading roots and, with their heads buried in their hands, drink in the full cup of joy till the whole being feels the subtle influence of the sweet intoxication, and others in due and ancient form, on bended knees, breathe forth their gratitude

and praise, while others still lie stretched among the little pines, and cry and sob and moan because their na ures cannot contain the crowding joy.

And still from the vast multitude, seething and swaying on yonder gently sloping hillside, the deafening din of voices, drums and trumpets still goes on. For a brief moment now and then, the clamor rounds itself into the grand swelling strains of "Old Hundred," "The Star-Spangled Banner," or "Marching Along." And the waving banners keep time to the solemn movement; but the ecstacy is still too intense for method, and each voice and trumpet, drum and banner, rejoices for itself again.

Surely never was such rejoicing as this. The quick leaping blood expands its vessels. Our hearts swell and lighten infinitely, and lift us clear away from earth and sense, and we dwell for a moment in the elysium of perfect joy.

After years of desperate struggle and frequent defeat, the fierce, tumultuous joy of victory floods our souls with its volcanic flame, tempered and steadied and purified by the glowing fires of patriotism. Who ever paid greater tribute to the valor of the Confederate soldier than is given out in the foregoing? It is fitting that permanent and general record be made of the profound sensation the surrender of Robert E. Lee had upon the most powerful army then marshalled on the earth. Pity the people. so forgetful and so narrow as not to pay homage to the heroism that was loyal and steadfast under such trials! Confederate heroes will appreciate the courteous references to our side throughout the foregoing.

GEN. LEE'S BIRTHDAY IN NEW YORK.

The fifth annual dinner of the Confederate Vet

eran Camp of New York was given at Scottish Rite Hall, January 19th, in honor of the memory of Gen. R E. Lee. About one hundred and seventy five were seated at the fire tables. In response to "The Day We Celebrate," and "The Star Spangled Banner," two of our Northern friends responded. The most interesting feature of the evening was the presence of Mrs. Jefferson Davis, who occupied, with Mrs. Gebbart, of Cumberland, Md., and Mrs. Gillen, of Mississippi, a box in the gallery of the hall. She was greeted with cheers, again and again, as (leaning heavily on a cane) she walked slowly to her seat, while the orchestra played Dixie.

During the evening many of those present paid their respects to the widow of the Confederacy's President. Many other Southern ladies were present

COL. A. G. DICKINSON.

Col. A. G. Dickinson, commander of the Camp, presided, and seated with him at the principal table were Col. Albert Stickney, Gen. Martin T. McMahon, Congressman elect H. C. Mineo, Isidor Strauss, Dis trict Attorney Fellows, H. W. Knight, Post Commander of U. S. Grant Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and Rev. G. S. Baker. Among others were Charles A. Deshon, President Southern Society, H. R. Gardeer, Judge R. A. Van Wyck, Gen. H. M. Nel son, Col. W. W. Tayleure, and Dr. C. C. Fite.

Col. Dickinson made an address, welcoming the guests and giving a history of the Camp, etc. A toast, in honor of the memory of Gen. R. E. Lee, was drunk in silence, which was responded to, in the absence of Col. Mosby, by W. S. Kelly. Other speeches were res onded to by District Attorney Fellows, Col. Albert Stickney and Walter S. Logan. During the dinner Southern airs were played by the orchestra. "Dixie' and "Old Kentucky Home" were sung by the company. In the address Col. Dickinson

said: This camp of old soldiers has existed for the last four years with one object in view beyond all o hers, viz.: To be kind and charitable the one to the other, to provide assistance to those who are unfor tunate, and aged, to close their eyes in death, and then to provide for them a suitable burial place and mark the spot with a little marble slab, to tell who they were, and what they had been. This assemblage of scarred veterans comprises to their view, as true patriots as have ever written their names in a country's history. They have not formed this camp with any thought of wrong, or with any intention to injure any man. They do not assemble to brood over their disappointments, or to criticise our Government, either State or National. In their meetings th-y neither discuss politics nor religion, but they meet because they wish to perpetuate memories that are dar to them. They have united for purposes of benevolence and kindness; they wish to make the Society strong enough to lean upon when they are aged and weak, and need protection and care, and they all feel that their lives as soldiers, when they were young, adventurous, and ambitious, was the most in portant period of their existence. They love to recall happy memories of the bivouac, of the tented field, and to tell of the prowess of their commanders and their comrades, and to relate stories of adventure, particularly those that were humorous in their character, and worthy of being treasured as "good stories." They like to be amused with their old war songs, and to recall the peculiarities of both the whites and the blacks, as they were before the war. In a social point of view, this is particularly interesting to our old soldiers, aud where is the Southern man "with soul so dead" that he could fail to appreciate such an object? The gallant soldier of the North looks upon our Confederate Veteran Camp with chivalrous admiration, and would laugh to scorn the soldier of the Confederate Army who feared that he might be censured at the North, in his business connections or otherwise, for preserving recollections and incidents of which he should be proud.

And now, comrades, it has been your pleasure to honor me again by recalling me to the command of your Camp. I was your first commander, and I have by experience learned what is pleasant about this. position and what is serious and trying. But our troubles are our secrets, our pleasures belong to our friends. It is with our pleasures that we have to deal this evening, and the one that is most prominent in my mind and heart is to announce in behalf of the Camp our sincere welcome to the noble matrons, and their daughters, of the Southern States who are present here to night, and who participated in our joys and our griefs, as well as the perils and misfor tunes of those eventful days that tried our souls. When I look upon their dear faces or come into their presence the very air seems purer that I breathe, and the most chivalrous and romantic feelings are rearoused as I bow at the shrine of a true divinity. Self-sacrificing and devoted woman of the South, your name as emblazoned upon the pages of history is without parallel, and all high-toned, noble Americans must render to you the meed of praise, which belongs to your modesty, your heroism, your virtues, and your accomplishments.

But I must depart from this delightful theme or I will encroach upon the toast "To Woman," whereas my only object is to bid a hearty welcome to all our guests, who have done us the honor to meet us upon this great occasion. I say great, not on account of the dinner, not by reason of the fact that noble, honorable, and brave men, of all sections, have met us at this banquet, but because of the day we celebrate. It is the natal day of the immortal Lee, that selfsacrificing and devoted hero and patriot, who gave tone and character to every action of his life. As gentle and as sweet as a child in his domestic life, the friend of all humanity, he enshrined himself in the hearts of all his countrymen, and won through the gifts that had been conferred upon him by nature's God all the admiration that could be bestowed upon a mortal. This is not a solemn occasion-on the contrary it is one of rejoicing. Our whole country is united by indissoluble bonds of peace, ment, and happiness.

content

Our guests, who are assembled here to-night, represent collectively the highest order of intellect, of morality and truthfulness. A quarter of a century has done its work well; the atmosphere has been purified, and the faithful servants of this great republic have been recognized and rewarded. Our representatives have been called to important and to high places. It is the principle of our people, whose inalienable rights no man will ever be bold enough to gainsay, to place in commanding positions our best men, whether born in the North, South, East or West. "In union there is strength," and I rejoice that to-night we see in this assemblage a collection of men and women actuated by patriotic love of our common country.

We are now under the same government, the same flag; we have the same laws, we read the same Bible, and worship the same God. And we are the same people, with the same hopes, the same aspirations, and the same destiny.

The attractive card of the Livura Manufacturing Company gives notice of a "toilet luxury fragrant with the attar of roses" which the VETERAN commends. They have moved from Nashville, Tenn., to 111 Duane Street, New York, but the address has not been changed in this number.

Comrades recently inaugurated a movement at Amelia Court House to perfect the rolls of the various companies that went from the county. Major C. R. Irving, the Senior surviving officer of his rank, was called to the chair, and John A. Gills was made 3ecretary. Committees were appointed, and plans were formulated. A monument association may possibly grow out of the movement,

TO THE VETERAN: Annapolis, M. D., January 22d, 1895. The ex-Confederates living in this vicinity. met to-day and organized a Camp, naming it "The George H. Stewart Camp of Confederate Veterans," with Louis Green, Commander; Eugene Worthington, Lt. Commander, and James W. Owens, Adjutant. A resolution was adopted recognizing the CONFEDFRATE VETERAN, published by S. A. Cunningham, of Nashville, Tenn., as the official organ of this Camp.

FOIBLES OF FANCY AND RHYMES OF THE TIMES.

Dr. Orion T. Dozier, of Birmingham, Ala., sent the VETERAN a neat and beautiful book with the above title. A hasty glance at the titles of the poems was at once given and the volume laid aside. It reappears, and a more careful perusal is much to the credit of the author. He does not expect to become "famous" by the book, but to continue his vocation "at the same old stand." The author's education was abridged by the war, which began when he was fourteen. Four years then in the Confederate Army put him under the necessity of paying court to Mammon and that prevented fond "worship at the shrine of Minerva and the Muses." While the Doctor has never had opportunity for literary pursuits, he has occasionally written verses for his own amusement, or to please friends. This volume comprises such of these as he rescued from a fire that burned his office two years ago and what he has written since. Dr. Dozier dedicated the volume "To the ex-Soldiers of the Southern Confederacy."

The book has a clear frontispiece in the author's picture. Its departments are "Campaign and Patriotic, Song and Sentiment, Humor and Dialect." The first piece is on the Stars and Bars, facing in colors the first Confederate flag. He concludes the volume with verses in a dialect on "Kickers."

"An' I dont care one fiddlestick
For what dese kickers say,
I've paid de printers for de job
So let 'em kick and bray."

Copies of the book will be supplied by the VETERAN at the owner's price. Cloth $1, paper 50 cents.

THE HERO IN GRAY, BY R. B. STRATTON.

"The Hero in Gray" is the title of a book written by a blind Confederate soldier who has adopted this nieans to try and make a support for himself and family. The book is richly worth fifty cents to any one who takes an interest in Confederate matters. The author and book are endorsed by Garland Rhodes Camp of Confederate Veterans.

THE AMERICAN LIFE ANNUITY COMPANY.

On back-cover page of this VETERAN there will be seen the extraordinary notice that $10,000 insurance was paid "forthwith" to the widow of the late Col. W. L Clarke. See facsimile of her receipt. The VETERAN has mentioned heretofore the high financial standing of President Mr. Edgar Jones, of the Annuity Company. No financier in the State ranks above him. The Secretary of the company, Mr. J. Claude Martin, has been engaged in the active management of a life insurance corporation the past twelve years, and he has made the science of insurance a specialty, so that patrons may rest assured of faithfulness and accuracy in their transactions. Apply to Mr. Martin or to any other representative of the company.

W. R. Dougherty, Coldwater, Miss: Please correct in the VETERAN from January statement that Major A. S. Vandergriff instead of Major Smith commanded the Fifth Alabama Battallion at Seven Pines.

Appeals for help are made through the VETERAN, and responses are just such as might be expected from a noble people. So quick and cordial is attention given that it will not fail under any circumstances, if possible, to warn against imposition.

Such appeals are having grave consideration, and pathetic as are the circumstances, the VETERAN considers that much harm may come of sending petitions to the entire South for individual benefits. The precedent is bad, and request is now made of comrades who expect to attend the reunion at Houston to formulate some plan, whereby aid may be rendered quickly, in isolated and extreme cases of need, through a committee appointed by the U. C. V. For instance, if a comrade is in distress, and located away from a camp or friends who might help, this committee could supply his needs temporarily from a fund that could be created from all sections, and then let all contributions be sent through committees who would keep accurate account. The VETERAN has not only given the time, but has incurred expense in helping where there was much merit. beyond all doubt, but it has exercised its influence in securing donations to be sent direct. It now asks for co-operation by comrades, so that after the Houston meeting, public appeals will never be made, except to supply funds in such way that donors may know the extent of charity to applicants.

Each State can certainly supply its afflicted, and as a rule State Relief Committees are suggested, while it might be well to have a small fund to be used by the general U. C. V. Committee suggested.

The death roll of those who take deepest interest. in the VETERAN lengthens rapidly. A mere mention of their names would occupy much of its space each month. Now and then the record includes those whose services were expected to continue far beyond. what can be realized.

The VETERAN has already told of the unstinted zeal of Mrs. Sarah E. Brewer, in behalf of the cause of causes to the Southern people.

Mrs. Brewer was reared in Tennessee, but in early life she was bereft of patrimony, bereft of health, and was a widow. By going to Cuba as a governess, her occupation, about that time, suddenly ended, and, in desperate straits, she secured advance payments from boarders, which enabled her to get a start in

I have never seen a woman of more sterling, noble qualities than she had. As Mr. Davis affectionately said of her once: 'Had Mrs. Brewer been a man she would have made a great and honorable name in the world.' As a woman, she labored for the good of those who needed her care, dispensed a wide charity, not for ostentation or the praises of mankind, but for the love of humanity. No one could know her without feeling respect for her integrity of mind. * It would have given me mournful pleasure to follow her dear remains to their last resting place."

Judge Nathaniel Baxter, a father of Veterans, deserves extended notice here. Recently he retired in usual health, and on Sunday morning messages were sent to his sons in different parts of the city that he had fallen asleep. The writer was favored with apartment in private car by Judge Baxter to the Birmingham reunion, on which occasion the Judge was especially agreeable. He told many stories of interest. One is here given about Jas. K. Polk when going to Washington as President of the United States. Mr. Baxter was a young lawyer at the time, and he rode near the head of a long procession to Nashville, and he happened to have change for the President's toll at the turnpike gates, as the keeper could not change Mr. Polk's bill. Long afterward, Mr. Polk called at his office, saying he wanted to pay what he owed him. Mr. Baxter was embarrassed, not having expected reference to be made of the trifling amount, and so was Mr. Polk, but he added: “It will relieve me very much if you will accept, for I don't owe another cent in the world."

When the reunion at Birmingham was over, the venerable gentleman tarried to visit the locality near Elyton, where fifty-seven years before he had enjoyed a rest, while a volunteer for the war in Florida. Those who know the upright, kind hearted man, are ever anxious to give expressions in his honor. He was of North Carolina stock, but born in Tennessee, in 1812. The life of fourscore and two years went out as peacefully as the setting sun.

A Grand Encampment of the Texas Volunteer Guard, will be had at Houston, May 20 to 24. There will be given six prizes in Infantry aggregating $850, two in Artillery, $150, two in Cavalry, $150. Prizes are to be given to bands $100, Drum and Fife Corps, $50, and in Zouaves, $0, for one company, and if there be two entries, $100 for the first prize. Railroads convey the Military free.