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as well to have things stated as they actually occurred, if they are stated at all. And without meaning for a moment to intimate that
Major P. would have it otherwise, I think the following statement will be corroborated by every man who was within hearing of
General Gordon's voice when he gathered around him that Sunday afternoon the torn and battle-scarred remnant of that noble body of men (the Second corps) who had followed
Jackson,
Ewell,
Early and himself through such trying scenes, to make to them a farewell address.
Seeing amongst the number some men without muskets, and supposing them to be of those who had wilfully thrown them away, he ordered them off, saying his remarks were only for those who had held out to the last; but when told that they were artillerymen he recalled them and apologized, saying he had something special to say to them.
After mentioning many deeds of which the men then around him should justly feel proud, though it had all gone for naught, he said he wanted particularly to “commend the men that day under the command of
Colonel R. F. Hardaway of the First battalion
Virginia artillery” (composed of the old Rockbridge battery, Dance's Powhatan battery, one company of the
Richmond Howitzers, and Griffin's Salem battery) “who in the beginning of the war in
Virginia had fired the first guns from the army” --meaning the Howitzers at Big Bethel in May, 1861,--“and to day,
after firing the last shots from the Army of Northern Virginia, had retired in as good order as though they were leaving the parade ground,” meaning this last to apply to
Griffin's battery, which was stationed just in the village; and if any artillery was fired after this battery ceased firing the sound was not heard within a mile of Appomattox Courthouse, or within
General Gordon's hearing.
Respectfully,
