Though in her towers, reached her last hours, Rocks proud Rebellion's crest The world may sag, if but my nag Get in before the rest! With bloody flank, and fetlocks dank, Sure it shall speed, the land to read, The shot I send strike the world's end; His long race run, the long war done, Above his bier, prone on the pier, The vultures fleck the dawn. Still, rest his bones where soldiers dwell, He fell the day that Richmond fell, And took the first dispatch! LEE'S FINAL ADDRESS TO HIS SOLDIERS Dated April 10, 1865, the Day After the Surrender at Appomattox After four years of arduous service, marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources. I need not tell the survivors of so many hard-fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but, feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that would have attended the continuation of the contest, I have determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen. By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes and remain there until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a merciful God will extend to you His blessing and protection. With an increasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration of myself, I bid an affectionate farewell. R. E. LEE, General. THE CONFLICT ENDED BY CHARLES DEVENS From an Address Delivered at Charlestown, Mass., June 17, 1875 The conflict is over! Day by day the material evidences of war fade from sight; the bastions sink to the level of the ground which surrounded them; scarp and counterscarp meet in the ditch which divided them. So let them pass away, forever! To-day it is the highest duty of all, no matter on what side they were, but, above all, of those who have struggled for the preservation of the Union, to strive that it become one of generous confidence, in which all the States shall, as of old, stand shoulder to shoulder, if need be, against the world in arms. Towards those with whom we were lately in conflict, and who recognize that the results are to be kept inviolate, there should be no feeling of resentment or bitterness. They join with us in the wish to make of this regenerated Union a power grander and more august than the founders ever dared to hope. All true men are with the South in demanding for her, peace, order, good and honest governments, and encouraging in her the work of rebuilding all that has been made desolate. We need not doubt the issue. With the fire of her ancient courage, she will gird herself up to the emergencies of her new situation. Standing always in generous remembrance of every sec tion of the Union, neither now nor hereafter will we distinguish between States or sections, in our anxiety for the glory and happiness of all. Together will we utter our solemn aspiration, in the spirit of the motto of the city which now incloses within its limits the battle-field and town for which the battle was fought: "As God was to our fathers, so may He be to us." SECOND REVIEW OF THE GRAND ARMY BY FRANCIS BRET HARTE I read last night of the Grand Review I think they said was the number,- When, lo! in a vision I seemed to stand And the streets of the city were white and bare, No footfall echoed across the square; But out of the misty midnight air I heard in the distance a trumpet blare, And the wandering night-winds seemed to bear Then I held my breath with fear and dread; To the phantom bugle's warning: Till it reached the Capitol square, and wheeled, Whose face was turned to the sleeping camp, And I saw a phantom army come, The martyred heroes of Malvern Hill, The patriot graves of the Nation. |