“Good-by, Booth; I'm dying. Send word to my folks at home--tell them I faced the music, and was shot with my harness on. Remember me to the boys.” “Good-by, Giles.” Booth jumped ashore as the gang plank was being pulled on board, and hastened back to the regiment. Poor Taylor was a corpse before the boat reached City Point. His body was taken to the cavalry corps hospital, and buried in the grave the head-board of which attracted my attention. CHAPTER XII. _Doleful Tales by Deserters from Lee's Army--President Lincoln's Visit to the Front--A Memorable Meeting--The Fort Steadman Assault--Lincoln on Horseback--At the Head of the Column--Wan ted to Get Off and Pull Down his Pants._ [Illustration: 9191] ESERTERS from the Confederate army at Petersburg came into the Federal lines with doleful tales of hunger and hardships. The “bull pen” near Meade's headquarters was filled with Johnnies who had run away from Lee's army. They had seen the handwriting on the wall, and were convinced that they had been fighting for a lost cause; the hopelessness of the struggle had struck home to their hearts--and stomachs. In March, 1865, before Grant began the movement on the left of Petersburg, a number of rebels came through the lines and surrendered. “We can't stand another campaign,” said a rebel deserter at the bull pen. “We can't march and fight on quarter rations of meal and only a smell of meat.” “Do you think the Confederacy is gone up?” “Shuah's yo born, but Bobby Lee's game. He'll fight till the last ounce of powder is used up.” “What's the use?” “No use, except to show his fidelity to the cause.” “He has shown that already.” “So he has, and he's in a mighty bad way.” In the latter part of March the signs began to indicate that a general break-up was at hand. Dispatch bearers were seen on all sides, dashing away with messages from army headquarters to corps commanders in the lines in front of Petersburg. Horses were being shod, army wagons overhauled--the thousand and one things betokening a move were noticed in the camps. At Meade's headquarters it was understood that Grant intended to begin hammering again on or about the first of April, and the boys were satisfied that there would be no April fool business about it. President Lincoln visited Grant's headquarters, and was present when the Federal army moved “on to Richmond” for the last time. The President arrived about March 22, and he did not return to Washington till after the fall of Richmond, which city he entered the day after Jeff Davis fled. Lincoln was at City Point when Sheridan arrived after he had whipped Early out of the Valley. And here, too, came Sherman, the hero of the March to the Sea.