Sent Lynch on to Wytheville with Giltner's cavalry.
Marched with Douthat's battery to-night by an old road to Wytheville, and all the artillery and troops encamped near Wytheville.
No enemy reported anywhere near.
The artillery had been fitted out with serviceable horses and harness, and was in good condition.
Five more caissons would have made it perfect.
The movements had been made only to practise.
Now, however, we were all to march as rapidly as possible to join Lee's army.
April 7th, 1865.—Moved through Wytheville going east, colors flying, in following order: Lynch, Burroughs, Douthat, King, four batteries of four guns each.
The best battalion of artillery ever seen in that part of the world, remarked one of Lee's inspectors, as the column moved by. It was among the last flickers of life before the rapidly dying Confederacy was to enter into eternal rest.
Marched to Dublin, Pulaski county, Virginia, and camped on the road-side.
April 8th, 1865.—New river too hig
, Virginia.
April 11th, 1865.—Joined General Echols near Christiansburg at 4 A. M. Captain Semple, being dismounted, asked me to bend down from my horse as he had something to tell me. Lee, with his whole army, has surrendered, whispered he into my ear. Did not believe it-thought there must be some mistake.
Moved on to Christiansburg, and parked the guns in a field southeast of the town.
They were never moved again by Confederate soldiers, for the news of Lee's surrender was true.,
April 12th, 1865.—Council of war was held.
Vaughan cut matters short by calling on General Crittenden for his opinion.
My opinion is that the war is over, said he. It was determined to disband the artillery, allowing officers and men (the horses and mules were distributed among the latter) to join such commands as they chose.
The following order, now in my possession, was received:
headquarters Department S. W. Va. & E. T., Christiansburg, Va., April 12th, 1865.
The artillery of this depart
