The Tree of AppomattoxAltsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
History
The Tree of Appomattox
Altsheler, Joseph A. (Joseph Alexander)
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Juvenile fiction
And the Army of Northern Virginia, although but a fragment, was
dangerous. In these its last hours, reduced almost to starvation and
pitiful in numbers, it fought with a courage and tenacity worthy of its
greatest days. It gave to Lee a devotion that would have melted a
heart of stone. Whenever he commanded, it turned fiercely upon its
remorseless pursuers, and compelled them to give ground for a time.
But when it sought to march on again the cavalry of Sheridan and the
infantry of Grant followed closely once more, continually cutting off
the fringe of the dwindling army.
Dick saw Lee himself on a hill near Sailor's Creek, as Sheridan pressed
forward against him. The gray leader had turned. The troops of Ewell
and Anderson were gathered at the edge of a forest, and other infantry
masses stood near. Lee on Traveler sat just in front of them, and was
surveying the enemy through his glasses. Dick used his own glasses,
and he looked long, and with the most intense curiosity, mingled with
admiration, at the Lion of the South, whom they were about to bring to
the ground. The sun was just setting, and Lee was defined sharply
against the red blaze. Dick saw his features, his gray hair, and he
could imagine the defiant blaze of his eyes. It was an unforgettable
picture, the one drawn there by circumstances at the closing of an era.
Then he took notice of a figure, also on horseback, not far behind Lee,
a youthful figure, the face thin and worn, none other than his cousin,
Harry Kenton. Dick's heart took a glad leap. Harry still rode with
his chief, and Dick's belief that he would survive the war was almost
justified.
Then followed a scattering fire to which sunset and following darkness
put an end, and once more the Southern leader retreated, with Sheridan
and his cavalry forever at his heels, giving him no rest, keeping food
from reaching him, and capturing more of his men. The wounded lion
turned again, and, in a fierce attack drove back Sheridan and his men,
but, when the battle closed, and Lee resumed his march, Sheridan was at
his heels as before, seeking to pull him down, and refusing to be
driven off.
Grant also dispatched Custer in a cavalry raid far around Lee, and the
daring young leader not only seized the last wagon train that could
possibly reach the Confederate commander, but also captured twenty-five
of his guns that had been sent on ahead. Dick knew now that the end,
protracted as it had been by desperate courage, was almost at hand, and
that not even a miracle could prevent it.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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