Bellefonte, Pa., May 28, 1915.
AT CLOSE OF WAR.
Rode Into Confederate Lines With Of-
ficer Who Brought Flag of Truce
From General Lee on Appo-
mattox Field.
MONG the most interesting stories
told of the surrender of the Con- !
federate armies at Appomattox
court house, fifty years ago—April 9,
1865—are the eyewitness accounts of
Gen, Edward W. Whitaker, who was
the chief of staff to General Custer at
that time, and who has been a resi
dent of Washington since 1872.
gadier general by brevet, he was at
that time a lieutenant colonel, and the
first Union officer to enter the Con-
federate lines before hostilities were
suspended.
That was April 9, 1865, and General
Whitaker is the man who accompanied i
Captain Sims, the Confederate officer |
who broughé out the flag of truce to
the point at which were located Gen-
eral Longstreet and General Gordon,
who were in active command after the
departure of General Lee.
Whitaker was sent with Captain Sims
to ascertain if the flag of truce meant
“unconditional surrender.” General
Custer sent word by his chief of staff
that unless the flag did mean uncondi-
tional surrender he would be unable
to stop a charge that was about to be
made, as he was not in scle command.
Having received favorable assur-
ances from the Confederate generals,
General Whitaker took the flag of
truce and at their request rode out to
stop the charge of the infantry line of
battle, thereby braving the fire of his
own side, waiting for the word to en-
gage the enemy.
Resented Yankee’s Presence.
“I recall hearing a soldier shout,
‘What is the Yankee doing here with
his arms on? General Whitaker said,
discussing those historic days with a
reporter for
“The flag of truce,” he said, “was a
fringed honeycomb towel. It is now
on exhibition at the New National mu- |
seum.”
“Lee had gone to the rear to seek
Grant,” the general continued. “The
flag was sent out from the Confeder-
ate lines, in charge of Captain Sims,
by direction of Lee, the object of the
flag being to enable General Long-
street and General Gordon to secure
a cessation of hostilities pending nego-
tiations between the commanders re-
garding the terms upon which Lee
would surrender.
“The sloping open fields of Appo
mattox, glittering for miles with the
arms of forces composed of the flower |
of two of the finest armies that were
ever marshaled on earth, seemed de
signed by nature for the stage upon |
which should be enacted the last scene
in the great drama of the Civil war.
“It was there that the most stirring
incident in the bitter struggle oc
curred, culminating in the announce:
ment to a tern and bleeding nation
that peace again was restored.
“It was there that Grant and Lee
agreed upon terms for the surrender
of the Army of Northern Virginia that
showed the former to be as magnan-
imous as a ccnqueror as he had been
relentless as a foe.
“And it was there that the death
knell of slavery in the United States
of America was sounded and the foun-
dation of a new nation laid whereon
should arise the substantial structure
of the government of today, contrib-
uted to equally by the North and the
South.
Last Charge on Enemy.
“Our division was composed of three
divisions of cavalry, with a battery of
light artillery to each brigade. We
pressed down upon the enemy and re-
ceived the fire from battery after bat-
tery of artillery without stopping to
return it. General Custer, riding at
the head of the column was looking
for a favorabie upening for a charge.
Our movement along the flank of the
enemy was slow at first, but the fire
of their batteries had nettled our
horses into a half trot, when suddenly
an officer rode out from the Confeder-
ate line waving a large towel in his
hand. He said he was Captain Sims
of Longstreet’s staff, and came by di-
rection of General Lee, who asked a
suspension of hostilities.
“In an instant General Custer said
to me: ‘Whitaker, take this towel, go
with this officer to General Lee, with
my compliments, and say I cannot stop
this charge, as I am not in sole com-
mand on this field, unless he an-
nounces an unconditional surrender.’
I took the towel and asked Sims to
show me the shortest cut to where he
had left Lee. I remember vigorously
swinging the old towel and the relief
I felt on entering the Confederate
lines without being fired on.
“At the point we entered, only a
short distance from where we had left
Custer, a battery of artillery was post-
ed, and as we passed the guns I no-
ticed a pile of shells on the ground in
the rear of each gun, and every gun-
ner in position ready to give up a
warm reception at the command,
‘Fire.’ On reaching the road, columns
of Confederate infantry were moving
in perfect order, and I recall hearing
a soldier shout, ‘What is that Yankee
doing here with his arms on?" I had
fclded the towel out of sight as soon
as | reached the Confederate line.
Lee Had Gone to Find Grant.
“When we arrived at the place
where Sims had left General Lee we
found only Generals Gordon and Long-
street, who explained that General Lee
had galloped off to the rear to find
Bri- !
General |
the Washington Star. |
General Grant immediately after Sims
had started out with the flag of truce,
and had left them in command. 1
stated to them the message from Cus-
| ter to Lee and told them that I must
‘ have an immediate reply. They said
i there was no doubt of surrender, as
we had cut off their line of retreat the
night before, and that they were per-
sonally satisfied of the uselessness of
further resistance. I expressed regret,
: that so many good men had been
| killed the night before and that morn-
| ing, whereupon they said that General
| Lee would not believe that the Union
. infantry was across the Lynchburg
pike until the repulse of Gordon’s
i charge, which had been made that
: morning by his orders.
| “While we were talking firing was
heard to the east of where I had left
Custer, and at my suggestion en offi-
| cer was sent with orders to stop it. I
noticed that the guns that were mov-
ng past us as we talked had smoke
corning from their mouth, indicating
that they were the same that had been
used so vigorously on our column a
| short time before. I protested against
the moving of these guns, and was as-
' sured that the object was to water the
horses in a small creek near by. At
. this moment General Ord’s infantry
' line of battle was seen closing in on
us from the west, and I was begged to
i announce the surrender of the army to
that line.
First Notice of Surrender.
“lI saw that there was no time to
lose, so I pulled out the old towel
| fantry line and said to General Cham:
berlain of Maine that Lee's army had
| surrendered. The line halted at once
; and a shout went up from right to
i left, followed by a scene that words
f2il to describe. I then galloped back
across the field to General Custer to
make the same announcement. It was
in this way that the infantry histo-
rians claim that the surrender wan
first made to them.
“In conclusion, let me say that of all
the battlefields of the Civil war—and
I had the honor of being in eighty-one
battles—Appomattox was the most
raagnificent.”
Worthy of All Respect.
The survivors of the great war
formed an element inextricably inter-
woven with all that was best in the
i last two generations of Americans.
| They were the leading citizens, the
pillars of society in every hamlet from
Maine to California. Respect for their
uniforms and tattered battle flags was
taught to our youth by precept and ex-
ampie.
Heirs Got Three Cents More.
Once a tightwad went to the store
to get a piece of rope. The store-
i keeper sold his rope at eight cents per
pound. Mr. Tightwad said as he only
wanted to tie up a calf he would take
five cents worth. He got the rope.
That evening his folks found him hang-
ing in the barn dead.
Useful Cement.
To make cement for stopping leaks
ard hcles in iron pipe, etc. secure
nbout two pounds of iron shavings or
borings from a foundry; add one
ounce of powdered salammoniac and
one ounce of sulphur. Mix with water
to a paste and use at once, as it hard-
ens very fast. This will resist heat
and water and will be found useful
for many purposes. Steel wool or
shavings may be secured from any
paint or drug store.
Came Together.
| George and Robert are twins. One
! day when they were about eight a
little playmate neighbor boy of about
{ the same ago came running up to
where they were playing in the yard
; with this startling exclamation: “Oh,
say, I got a little brother at my
bouse; he came last night.” “Huh,
that’s nothing,” said George, “I
| brought my brother with me when I
came.” :
Old Valencian Industry.
The making of glazed tiles or “azu-
i lejos” is the only ancient Valencian
industry. which has retained its im-
portance through the centuries up to
the present day. These wall and floor
tiles enter into the construction of
nearly every modern building through-
out the region, and the local consump-
tion alone is sufficient to keep the
factories running.
Some Results of Fatigue.
It is known that fatigue shows
itself by certain chemical changes in
the body, all of the sustaining ele-
ments being consumed rapidly, and a
kind of intoxication of the cells tak-
ing place, because they cannot carry
off the waste products rapidly enough.
The battery has become clogged and
does not reverse properly.
The Word “British.”
“The United Kingdom of Great Brit-
ain and Ireland” has, since January 1,
1801, been the official title of the po-
litical unity composed of England,
Scotland and Ireland. In this sense
the word “British” applies to Ireland,
but in no other. Politically the “Brit-
ish Isles” include England, Scotland
and Ireland.
Remembered That.
Jock Robinson, having been making
merry with some boon companions,
finally took his leave and got aboard
a street car. Soon he was fast asleep,
but was finally aroused by the con-
ductor calling “Robinson street!”
Sleepy and befuddled, Jock made an-
swer, “It’s no. I treated last time.”
again and rode out to the Union in-
——S
i A great many women —thousands in-
deed, who have been cured by Dr.
* Pierce’s treatment have been given up
by local physicians after years of suffer-
{ing on the part of the women and exper-
! iment on the part of the local doctor. In
! Dr. Pierce’s treatment experience takes
: the place of experiment. There is no
! form of disease affecting the delicate
i womanly organs which can be new to
. the physicians and surgeons at the Insti-
tute Hotel, and the use of “Favorite Pre-
scription” supplemented by professional
: of cure of more than half a million wom-
en. Sick women are invited to consult
Dr. Pierce by letter, free of charge.
correspondence absolutely private and
strictly confidential. Address Dr. V. M.
Pierce, Buffalo, N. Y.
CASTORIA
Bears thesignature of Chas.H.Fletche:
In use for over thirty years, and
The Kind You Have Always Bought.
CASTORIA.
Medical.
Shoes.
‘Many Like This
| SIMILAR
! advice and counsel have been the means |
All |
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in Bellefonte
IN EACH ISSUE.
The following case is but one of
many occurring daily in Bellefonte.
It is an easy matter to verify it. You
cannot ask for better proof.
Mrs. Mary Hull, 223 S. Allegheny
St., Bellefonte, says: “I suffered for
years from weak kidneys. I had a
dull pain across the small of my back
and often sharp twinges darted
through my body. I could hardly
straighten after stooping. Dizzy
spells were common and black spots
floated before my eyes. Doan’s Kid-
ney Pills greatly relieved the back-
ache and removed the dizzy spells. I
have had very little trouble since.”
Price 50c, at all dealers. Don’t
simply ask for a kidney remedy—get
Doan’s Kidney Pills—the same that
Mrs. Hull had. Foster-Milburn Co.,
Props., Buffalo, N. Y. 60-22-1t
CASTORIA.
NANNY
and allays Feverishness.
has been in constant use
Flatulency, Wind Colic,
Diarrhoea.
o
59-20-e.0.w
The Kind You Have Always Bought, and
in use for over 30 years, has borne the signature of
and has been made under his pere
sonal supervision since its infancy.
7, 4, Allow no one to deceive you in this,
All Counterfeits, Imitations and ¢¢ Just-as-good ** are but
Experiments that trifle with and endanger the health of
Infants and Children—Experience against Experiment.
What is CASTORIA
Castoria is a harmless. substitute for Castor Oil, Paree
goric, Drops and Soothing Syrups.
contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic
substance. Its age is its guarantee.
which has been
It is pleasant. It
It destroys Worms
For more than thirty years it
for the relief of Constipation,
all Teething Troubles and
It regulates the Stomach and Bowels,
assimilates the Food, giving healthy and natural
The Children’s Panacea—The Mother’s Friend.
GENUINE CASTORIA ALwaYs
Bears the Signature of
sleep.
In Use For Over 30 Years
The Kind You Have Always Bought
THE CENTAUR COMPANY, NEW YORK CITY,
CASES BEING PUBLISHED |
Farm Implements, Etc.
Bellefonte,
60-15-tf
Prepared to supply the Farmer’s every want.
The oldest house and Largest Dealers in the county in
Hydrated Lime and Fertilizers
of every kind, for every use, and well
prepared for drilling.
McCormick Binders, Mowers, Tedders, Hay Rakes, Hay
Loaders, Walking and Sulky Plows, Harrows and Land
Rollers, Conklin Wagons with patented truss axles,
and a complete line of Farm Machinery and Im-
plements, Binder Twine and Farm Seeds.
Coal, Wood, Wall Plaster, Cement
AND BUILDER'S SUPPLIES.
An Old Established Progressive House, with an Up-to-
date line, with a guarantee back of it. :
McCalmont & Company,
Penna.
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BIG REDUCTION
ON THE PRICES OF
SHOES
Men's $3.50 and $4.00 Working Shoes re-
duced to $2.73.
Men’s $2.50 and $3.00 Working Shoes re-
duced to $1.98
Men's Mule Skin Shces, good to wear and
comfortable for the feet, $1.48.
Men’s good heavy, Shoes for work, $1.73.
Men’s $3.50 Dress Shoes, now only $2.73.
Boys’ Scout Shoes $1.19.
Ladies’ Rubber Heel Juliets, all styles'$1.19.
Old Ladies’ Comfort Shoes, good quality,
at $1.19.
A big lot of Children’s $2.00 Shoes reduced
to $1.19.
Shoes for the Baby—new spring Shoes, all
colors, reduced from $1.00 to 65c.
New line of Children’s Shoes; Russia, Calf
and Gun Metal, hand sewed, worth $2.00,
now $1.48.
This 1s an Unusual Sale
for this time of the year, sales are usually put
on at the end of a season, on odds and ends,
but I guarantee these reductions are bonafide
and on New Spring Goods. Come, every
person that needs Shoes, but bring your CASH
along as these prices are
FOR CASH ONLY.
Yeager’s Shoe Store,
Bush Arcade Bldg, BELLEFONTE, PA.
58-27
sem
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Dry Goods, Etc.
LYON & COMPANY.
Summer Parasols and Umbrellas.
Our large line of Silk Parasols has been again replenish-
ed. We have never sold so many Silk Parasols in the months
of April and May, as this season; all the new shapes, Domes,
Bell and the plain shapes in all the new colors, also plain
centre with Persian border to match; solid color, colors with
hemstiched border and handsome princess handles.
Plain silk parasols in all new colors, black and white,
handsome handles from $1.50 up. A complete line of Silk,
Union Taffets and colored umbrellas at 25¢, soc, and 75c.
Silk Hose. ;
Ladies’, Men's and Children’s Silk Hose in black, white
“and all the new shades, children’s silk cotton socks solid
color and fancy tops, 12, 15, and 25c.
Silk Gloves.
Ladies’ long and short Silk Gloves, all colors.
glove, black and white only, $1.00 quality at soc.
Corsets, Corsets.
Bon Ton and Royal Worcester Corsets, all the new mod-
els for Spring and Summer, low, medium and high bust from
$1.00 to $5.00.
Coat Suits and Dresses.
Our Coat and Suit department is still in the lead, every
thing new in color and style, also black, is here for your selec-
tion; also a large assortment of the Waldorf Washable Dresses
from $150 up. :
Shirt Waists.
Our assortment of Washable Waists is as large as early in
the season; also a big line of Washable Silk Waists.
Carpets, Mattings, Linoleum.
New Floor Coverings in Carpets, Mattings and Linoleums
at lowest prices.
Lisle, long
Window Draperies.
New Scrims in white, sand, and ecru colors, from 10 cents
up; also white with floral border, in all colors, Cretons and Dimi-
ties to match.
Shoes. Shoes.
Men’s, Womens’ and Children’s Shoes in patent leather,
black and tan. Ladies’ and Children’s low shoes in white, pat-
ent leather and gun metal; all to be sold at right prices.
Lyon & Co. ... Bellefonte