I warn you now, this is a long email.

I realize it's been a few weeks since I've sent out any of my Civil War (ahem, excuse me, War Between the States) stories/notes/jokes, but, hey, I've been busy. But I'm back now, ready to flood your server with stories from the Late Unpleasantness. I know how they must brighten your day; their poignancy, their interest, their humor. How you must have missed them. But I'm afraid this time, there can only be sorrow. This time, there is only tragedy.

You see, it was on this date, one hundred and thirty-three years ago, that General Robert E. Lee was forced to surrender the Army of Northern Virginia.

The exploits of the noble force and its equally noble commander have been detailed in many places by many gifted authors; here, I respectfully offer to you an excerpt from Douglas Southall Freeman's 4-volume biography, "R. E. Lee," describing Lee's encounter with his men while riding to his headquarters, immediately after surrendering the army to Grant:

"Lee came toward them as erect as ever, but with none of the composure that usually marked his countenance. The men started to cheer him, but somehow their cheers froze in their throats at the sight of him. They hesitated a moment, and then without a word they broke ranks and rushed toward him.

'General,' they began to cry, 'are we surrendered?'

The question was like a blow to the face. He tried to go on, by they crowded about him. The road was full of frenzied, famished faces. He had to halt and answer his soldiers. 'Men,' he said, 'we have fought the war together, and I have done the best I could for you. You will all be paroled and go to your homes until exchanged.' Tears came into his eyes as he spoke. He attempted to say more, but his self-mastery failed him. Moving his lips in a choking 'good-bye,' he again essayed to ride on.

Each soldier reacted to it in his own fashion. Some wept. Others were dazed, as though they did not understand how the Army of Northern Virginia could surrender. To others, it was as the very end of the world. Some blasphemed and some babbled, but all who could crowded to say farewell to Lee. Catching hold of his hands, they looked up at him and cried the more. In a confused roar, half-sob, half-acclamation, they voiced their love for him, their faith in him, their good-bye to him as their commander."

One other thing, I think, illustrates the reciprocal affection between commander and commanded, and also somehow captures the finality, the importance of the moment. Consider Lee farewell message, his "General Order Number 9," addressed to the army the next day:

"After four years of arduous service marked by unsurpassed courage and fortitude, the Army of Northern Virginia has been compelled to yield to overwhelming numbers and resources.

I need not tell the brave survivors of so many hard fought battles, who have remained steadfast to the last, that I have consented to this result from no distrust of them; but feeling that valor and devotion could accomplish nothing that could compensate for the loss that must have attended the continuance of the contest, I determined to avoid the useless sacrifice of those whose past services have endeared them to their countrymen.

By the terms of the agreement, officers and men can return to their homes an remain until exchanged. You will take with you the satisfaction that proceeds from the consciousness of duty faithfully performed; and I earnestly pray that a Merciful God will extend to you his blessing and protection.

With an unceasing admiration of your constancy and devotion to your Country, and a grateful remembrance of your kind and generous consideration for myself, I bid you all an affectionate farewell.

(Sgd) R. E. Lee
Genl."

As you go about your business today, reflect upon the tragedy of those who gave their lives in a defeated endeavor, and mourn for the brave men who fought and died for their homeland.

TP