276 NortH Carorina Troops, 1861-’65.

fused to believe him, and ordered him and some others under
guard to accompany the command until their story was ver-
ified. But it was not long before all were fully convinced of
the truth of their statements; for the roads were soon filled
with soldiers returning from Lee’s army. I shall never forget
the feeling that came over me when fully impressed with the
fact that Lee had surrendered. Until then I had never permit-
ted myself to doubt the ultimate success of the Confederacy ;
and, as to the Army of Northern Virginia, I believed that
under ‘“Marse Robert,” it was simply invincible. I appre
hend that this feeling was shared by most of the Confederate
soldiers, hence their endurance, courage and devotion under
the sorest trials and in the darkest hours of the cause. With
Lee’s surrender, all hope fled, and thereafter, obedience and
the discharge of duty were purely mechanical. Swift upon
the heels of the news of this terrible disaster, and on the even-
ing of the same day, came the rumor that Sherman was in pos-
session of Raleigh, and that Johnston was retiring before him
towards Greensboro. Madame Rumor was not a lying jade
that time. About nightfall, weary and hungry, depressed
with the gloomy outlook, and after a hard day’s work, we
halted and went into camp near Warrenton Junction. Gen-
eral Baker had not yet come up, and Captain Webb was in
much doubt as to what course to pursue.

Let me narrate the events of the succeeding day in the
words of Captain Webb himself. I quote from his diary:

“Friday, 14 April: About daylight this morning, the
bugle sounded reveille, and as soon as the weary men could
be got in line, and the horses hitched, without breakfast, we
started for the Junction, about four miles distant, intending
to feed at that place. I pressed on ahead of the column, to
see if I could hear anything of General Baker, and at that
early hour I found the road filled with stragglers, all reiter-
ating and confirming the news of yesterday. Nothing could
be heard of the General. The column came up in about an
hour and halted, horses fed, and men got breakfast. About
the time we were ready to move again, a solitary horseman
rode up to the depot, in whom I recognized Brigadier-General
M. W. Ransom. He dismounted and hitched his horse, while

BaKER’s COMMAND AT WELDON. OTe

I went forward to meet him. He confirmed the report of Gen-
eral Lee’s surrender, having himself been there and witnessed
it. I told of my situation, the reported occupation of Ral-
eigh by Sherman, and that, surrounded by the enemy as I
was, I hardly knew what to do with the stores and men under
my charge. He replied that he knew nothing of Sherman’s
position, but hardly thought he was in Raleigh, that, being a
paroled soldier, he could not give me any advice in the prem-
ises ; but that his brother, Major-General Robert Ransom, was
at his house only about four miles away, and, as he was not
paroled, I could consult him. This I concluded to do, and
countermanding the order to resume the march, we mounted
and rode off. We found General Robert Ransom at his
house. He was home on sick furlough, and I entered at once
into the matter which had brought me to his presence. Gen-
eral Matt was present, but took no part in the discussion.
After some reflection, General Robert remarked that under
the circumstances he could see no good in holding out longer,
explained the difficulties of reaching Johnston if Sherman
occupied Raleigh, and that he thought it best to remain where
I was, and send a flag of truce to Sherman at Raleigh, offer-
ing to surrender upon the same terms accorded*Lee’s army.
At the conclusion of General Robert’s remarks, General Matt,
forgetful of the fact that he was paroled and could give no
advice, sprang to his feet, and exclaimed with flashing eye
and extended arm, ‘‘Never, under no-consideration surrender
until there is a force in your front sufficient to compel it.
But what am I doing. I am a paroled prisoner and have no
right to speak in this manner,” and walked out of the room.
There was that in his manner, looks, and ringing tones, which
settled the question for me. Bidding both “Good-bye,” I
mounted my horse and rode back to Warrenton Junction.
Upon arriving there I found a considerable number of the
men in a state of disquietude and disorder, amounting to al-
most total demoralization. They had broken into one of the
cars containing supplies of food, were wantonly wasting the
supplies, and were preparing to break open other cars. Spring-
ing from my horse and making my way to them, calling my
bugler as I went, I had him sound the assembly and told them