I hope someday there isn't a book with a similar title about what we are going through now.
Posted on 04/12/2020 5:30:40 AM PDT by Bull Snipe
The Army of Northern Virginia passes into the History of our Country.
From an account by General Joshua Chamberlain
"The arrangement of the soldiery was as follows: The Third Brigade on one side of the street in line of battle; the Second, known as Gregory's, in the rear, and across the street, facing the Third; the First Brigade also in line of battle.
"Having thus formed, the brigades standing at 'order arms,' the head of the Confederate column, General Gordon in command, and the old 'Stonewall' Jackson Brigade leading, started down into the valley which lay between us, and approached our lines. With my staff I was on the extreme right of the line, mounted on horseback, and in a position nearest the Rebel solders who were approaching our right.
"Ah, but it was a most impressive sight, a most striking picture, to see that whole army in motion to lay down the symbols of war and strife, that army which had fought for four terrible years after a fashion but infrequently known in war.
"At such a time and under such conditions I thought it eminently fitting to show some token of our feeling, and I therefore instructed my subordinate officers to come to the position of 'salute' in the manual of arms as each body of the Confederates passed before us.
"It was not a 'present arms,' however, not a 'present,' which then as now was the highest possible honor to be paid even to a president. It was the 'carry arms,' as it was then known, with musket held by the right hand and perpendicular to the shoulder. I may best describe it as a marching salute in review.
"When General Gordon came opposite me I had the bugle blown and the entire line came to 'attention,' preparatory to executing this movement of the manual successively and by regiments as Gordon's columns should pass before our front, each in turn.
"The General was riding in advance of his troops, his chin drooped to his breast, downhearted and dejected in appearance almost beyond description. At the sound of that machine like snap of arms, however, General Gordon started, caught in a moment its significance, and instantly assumed the finest attitude of a soldier. He wheeled his horse facing me, touching him gently with the spur, so that the animal slightly reared, and as he wheeled, horse and rider made one motion, the horse's head swung down with a graceful bow, and General Gordon dropped his sword point to his toe in salutation.
"By word of mouth General Gordon sent back orders to the rear that his own troops take the same position of the manual in the march past as did our line. That was done, and a truly imposing sight was farewell.
"At a distance of possibly twelve feet from our line, the Confederates halted and turned face towards us. Their lines were formed with the greatest care, with every officer in his appointed position, and thereupon began the formality of surrender.
"Bayonets were affixed to muskets, arms stacked, and cartridge boxes unslung and hung upon the stacks. Then, slowly and with a reluctance that was appealingly pathetic, the torn and tattered battle flags were either leaned against the stacks or laid upon the ground. The emotion of the conquered soldiery was really sad to witness. Some of the men who had carried and followed those ragged standards through the four long years of strife, rushed, regardless of all discipline, from the ranks, bent about their old flags, and pressed them to their lips with burning tears.
"And it can well be imagined, too, that there was no lack of emotion on our side, but the Union men were held steady in their lines, without the least show of demonstration by word or by motion. There was, though, a twitching of the muscles of their faces, and, be it said, their battle-bronzed cheeks were not altogether dry. Our men felt the import of the occasion, and realized fully how they would have been affected if defeat and surrender had been their lot after such a fearful struggle.
"Nearly an entire day was necessary for that vast parade to pass. About 27,000 stands of arms were laid down, with something like a hundred battle flags
"But, as I was saying, every token of armed hostility having been laid aside, and the men having given their words of honor that they would never serve again against the flag, they were free to go whither they would and as best they could. In the meantime our army had been supplying them with rations. On the next morning, however, the morning of the 13th, we could see the men, singly or in squads, making their way slowly into the distance, in whichever direction wasmen, singly or in squads, making their way slowly into the distance, in whichever direction was nearest home, and by nightfall we were left there at Appomattox Courthouse lonesome and alone."
“Never lose a war”—Holmes Alexander
Honor and respect. Commodities sadly missing in today’s society.
Unless to the Americans. In Europe the cost of losing a civil war was forfeiture of your titles, properties, and in many cases your head along with the property and heads of most of your relatives and friends. In the U.S. stack your arms, go home, and we will forget about it.
an interesting point. Both Generals Chamberlain and Gordon were not professional soldiers. At the start of the war, Chamberlain was a collage professor and Gordon was a lawyer.
Today is also the anniversary of the start of the war in 1861.
And on this day the war began four years earlier in Charleston, harbor.
And both went on to become Governors of their states, Maine and Georgia respectively.
“Today is also the anniversary of the start of the war in 1861.”
Perhaps you are a distant relative of Wilmer McLain?
Who supposedly said, "The war began in my front yard and ended in my front parlor."
A touching account of the end of the war. I’ve never come across this, in decades of reading about the Civil War.
Wilmer MacLean, the gentleman farmer in whose house the commanding generals met to sign the armistice.
This account is from a May 1901 article in the Boston Journal.
It is similar to the account found in Chamberlain’s 1915 book “Passing of Armies”
I hope someday there isn't a book with a similar title about what we are going through now.
only time will tell
“I hope someday there isn’t a book with a similar title about what we are going through now.”
I hope you are right — but there is an excellent chance there will be!
I went to App Courthouse They told us, When Lee road through the union ranks alone they saluted him as a show of respect.
” “Never lose a war”—Holmes Alexander”
Yes, losing that battle was and has been monumental. While many did not lose their heads, they lost practically everything else. Walking away had to be exceedingly painful and depressing — especially when they made it back to their homes hundreds or even a 1000 miles away. That must have been one hell of a walk!
There were certainly many smart and brave people who stepped out from nowhere to become heroes. Real heroes (for me anyway). Read the book Rebel Yell — the real story of Stonewall Jackson. While some who read this comment may have have another view, I’m not certain anyone can read that book and not be greatly impressed by the man — even if they disagree with his cause. https://bit.ly/2xnboRh
Thanks for the link. You described me to a “T”: “greatly impressed by the man — even if they disagree with his cause”.
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