And then it happened.
Sherman suddenly took Atlanta and swung his legions toward the sea. Ablack pall1 of smoke marked his trail. The North leaped once more withthe elemental impulse. A wave of war enthusiasm swept Lincoln back intothe White House. And a new line of blue soldiers streamed to Grant'sfront.
The ragged2 men in gray were living on parched3 corn. Grant edged his bluelegions farther and farther southward until he saw the end of the mortaltrenches Lee's genius had built. The lion sprang on his exposed flankand Petersburg was doomed4.
The Southern Commander sent his fated message to Richmond that hemust uncover the Capital of the Confederacy, and staggered out of histrenches to attempt a union of forces with Johnston's army in NorthCarolina.
Grant's host were on his heels, his guns thundering, his cavalrydestroying.
A negro regiment6 entered Richmond as the flames of the burning citylicked the skies.
Lee paused at Appomattox to await the coming of his provision train. Hisheadquarters were fixed7 beneath an apple tree in full bloom.
He bent8 anxiously over a field map with his Adjutant. His face wasclouded with deep anxiety.
"Why doesn't Gordon report?" he cried. "We've sent three couriers. Theyhaven't returned. Grant has not only closed the road to Lynchburg, hehas pushed a wedge into our lines and cut Gordon off. If he has, we'rein a trap--""It couldn't have happened in an hour!" Taylor protested.
"Order Fitzhugh Lee to concentrate every horse for Gordon's support andcall in Alexander for a conference."Taylor hastened to execute the command and Lee sat down under theflower-draped tree.
Sam approached bearing a tray.
"De coffee's all ready, Marse Robert--'ceptin' dey ain't no coffee init. Does ye want a cup? Hit's good, hot black water, sah!"Lee's eyes were not lifted.
"No, Sam, thank you."The faithful negro shook his head and walked back to his sorry kitchen.
Taylor handed his order to a dust-covered courier.
"Take this to Fitz Lee."The courier scratched his head.
"I don't know General Fitz Lee, sir.""The devil you don't. What division are you from?""Dunno, sir. Been cut to pieces so many times and changed commanders somuch I dunno who the hell I belong to--""How'd you get here?""Detailed9 for the day.""You know General John B. Gordon?"The dusty figure stiffened10.
"I'm from Georgia.""Take this to him."Taylor handed the man his order as the thunder of a line of artilleryopened on the left.
"Which way is General Gordon?" the courier asked.
"That's what I want to know. Get to him. Follow the line of that firing.
You'll find him where it's hottest. Get back here quick if you have tokill your horse."Sam came back with his tray.
"I got yo' breakfus' an' dinner both now, Marse Robert."Lee looked up with a smile.
"Too tired now. Eat it for me, Sam--"Sam turned quickly.
"Yassah. I do de bes' I kin12 fur ye."As Sam went back to the kitchen he motioned to a ragged soldier whostood with his wife and little girl gazing at the General.
"Dar he is. Go right up an' tell him."Sweeney approached Lee timidly. The wife and girl hung back.
He tried to bow and salute13 at the same time.
"Excuse me for coming, General Lee, but my company's halted there in thewoods. You've stopped in a few yards of my house, sir. Won't you come inand make it your headquarters?""No, my good friend. I won't disturb your home."The wife edged near.
"It's no trouble at all, sir. We'd be so proud to have you.""Thank you. I always use my tent, Madame. I'll not be here long.""Please come, sir!" the man urged.
Lee studied his face.
"Haven't I seen you before, my friend?""Yes, sir. I'm the man who brought the news that General Stuart hadfallen at Yellow Tavern14."Lee grasped his hand.
"Oh, I remember. You're Sweeney--Sweeney whose banjo he loved so well.
And this is your wife and little girl?""Yes, sir," Mrs. Sweeney answered.
The Commander pressed her hand cordially.
"I'm glad to know you, Mrs. Sweeney. Your husband's music was a greatjoy to General Stuart."The little girl handed him a bunch of violets. He stooped, kissed herand took her in his arms.
"You'd like your papa to come back home from the war and stay with youalways, wouldn't you, dear?""Yes, sir," she breathed.
"Maybe he will, soon.""You see, General," Sweeney said, "when my Chief fell, I threw my banjoaway and got a musket15.""If I only had Stuart here to-day!" Lee sighed.
"He'd cut his way through, sir, with a shout and a laugh," Sweeneyboasted.
A courier handed Lee a dispatch and Sweeney edged away. The Commanderread the message with a frown and crumpled16 the paper in his hand. Thewagons at Appomattox had been cut to pieces. His army had nothing toeat. They had been hungry for two days and nights.
"It's more than flesh can bear, Taylor--and yet listen to those guns!
They're still fighting this morning. Fighting like tigers. Grant'sclosing in with a hundred thousand men. Unless Gordon breaks throughwithin an hour--he's got us--"Lee gazed toward the sound of the guns on the left. His face was calmbut his carriage was no longer quite erect19. The agony of sleeplessnights had plowed20 furrows21 in his forehead. His eyes were red. His cheekswere sunken and haggard. His face was colorless. And yet he was calmlydeliberate in every movement.
An old man, flushed with excitement, staggered up to him.
Lee started.
"Ruffin--you here?""General Lee," he began, "will you hear me for just one moment?""Certainly."Lee sprang to his feet.
"But how did you get into my lines--I thought I was surrounded?""I came out of Richmond with General Alexander's rear guard, sir, sixdays ago.""Oh, I see.""Ten years ago, General Lee, in your house, I predicted this war. Lastweek I saw the city in flames and I hope to God every house was in ashesbefore that regiment of negro cavalry5 galloped22 through its streets.""I trust not, Ruffin. I left my wife and children there.""I hope they're safe, sir.""They're in God's hands."A courier handed Lee a dispatch which he read aloud.
"President Davis has been forced to flee from Danville and allcommunication with him has been cut.""General Lee," Ruffin cried excitedly, "this country is now in yourhands.""What would you have me do?""Fight until the last city is in ashes and the last man falls in histracks. Fools at your headquarters have been talking for two days ofsurrender. It can't be done. It can't be done. If you surrender do youknow what will happen?""I've tried to think.""I'll tell you, sir. Thaddeus Stevens, the Radical23 Leader of Congress,has already prepared the bill to take the ballot24 from the Southern whiteman and give it to the negro. The property of the whites he proposed toconfiscate and give to their slaves. He will clothe the negro with allpower and set him to rule over his former masters."Lee answered roughly.
"Nonsense, Ruffin. I am better informed. Senator Washburn, Mr. Lincoln'sspokesman, entered Richmond with the Federal army. He says that thePresident will remove the negro troops from the United States as soonas peace is declared. He has a bill in Congress to colonize26 the negrorace.""Stevens is the master of Congress.""If the North wins, Lincoln will be the master of Congress. We need fearno scheme of insane vengeance27."Lee took from Taylor two despatches.
"General Mahone has taken a thousand prisoners--""Glory to God!" Ruffin shouted. "Such men don't know how to surrender!""And our cavalry has captured. General Gregg and a squadron of hismen--""Surrender!" the old man roared. "They'll never surrender, sir, unlessyou say so. Our wives, our daughters, our children, our homes, ourcause, our lives, are in your hands. For God's sake, don't listen tofools. Don't give up, General Lee--don't--"General Alexander sprang from his horse and approached his Commander.
Lee spoke25 in low, strained tones.
"I'm afraid we're caught."He turned to the old man.
"Excuse me, Ruffin, I must confer with General Alexander."Ruffin's reply came feebly.
"With your permission I will--stay--at--your headquarters for a littlewhile.""Certainly."Taylor led the old man toward his baggage wagon17.
"Come with me, sir. I'll find you a cot.""Thank you. Thank you." His eyes were dim and he walked stumblingly.
"Surrender, Taylor! Surrender? Why, there's no such word--there's nosuch word--"Lee and Alexander moved down to the little field table.
"We must decide," the Commander began, "what to do in case Gordon can'tbreak through. How many guns in your command?""More than forty, sir. We've just captured a section of Federalartillery in perfect order.""Forty guns! And Grant is circling us with five hundred--""We have fought big odds28 before. We have ammunition29. The artillery11 hasdone little on this retreat. They're eager for a fight, if you wish togive battle.""I can rally but eight thousand men for a final charge. They are tiredand hungry. What have we got to do?""This means but one thing, then--""Well, sir?""Order the army to scatter30--each man for himself. They can slip throughthe brush to-night like quail31, and reach Johnston's army.""You think this best?""It's the only thing to do, sir. Surrender--never. Scatter. And whenGrant closes in to-morrow his hands will be empty. He'll find a fewbroken guns and wagons18. Our men will be safe beyond his lines and readyto fight again.""That's the plan!" Taylor joined.
"We can beat Grant that way, General. The Confederacy may win by delay.
At least by delay we can give the State Governments time to make theirown terms as States. If you surrender, it's all over.""I do not think the North will acknowledge the sovereignty of the Statesat this late day.""It is reported that Lincoln has offered to accept the surrender ofStates and make terms--""This would, of course," Lee slowly answered, "prolong the war as longas one held out--""And don't forget, sir," Alexander urged stoutly32, "that the single Stateof Texas is three times larger than France. She has countless33 head ofcattle and horses on her plains. She can equip armies. Her warlike sons,with you to lead them, would laugh at conquest for the next ten years.
The territory of the South is too vast to be held except at a cost theNorth cannot afford to pay--""Armies may march across it," Taylor interrupted, "a million soldierscould not hold it _unless you surrender!_""Guerrilla warfare34 is a desperate resort," Lee answered sadly.
"There are things worse," Alexander cried passionately35. "This army isready to die to a man before we will submit to unconditional36 surrender.
The men who have fought under you for these three tragic37 years have theright to demand that you spare us this shame!""General Grant will not ask unconditional surrender. I have been incorrespondence with him for two days. He has already put his terms inwriting. They are generous. All officers may retain their swords andevery horse go home for the spring plowing38. He merely requires ourparole not to take up arms again.""He would offer no such terms," Alexander argued, "unless he knew youyet had a chance to win--"Lee waved his hand.
"Our only chance is to continue the struggle by a fierce guerrillawar--""For God's sake, let's do it, sir!""Can we," the calm voice went on, "as Christian39 soldiers, choose sucha course? We've fought bravely for what we believed to be right. If Ienter a guerrilla struggle, what will be the result? Years of bloodysavagery. Our own men, demoralized by war, would supply their wantsby violence and plunder40. I could not control them. And so raid andcounter-raid. Houses pillaged41 and burned by friend and foe42. Cropsdestroyed. All industry paralyzed. Women violated. We might force theFederal Government at last to make some sort of compromise. But at whata cost--what a cost!""You can control our men," Alexander maintained. "Your name is magic.
The South will obey you."Lee gazed earnestly into the face of his gallant43 young Commander ofArtillery and said:
"If I wield44 such power over our people, is it not a sacred trust? Is itnot my duty now to use it for their healing, and not their ruin?"General John B. Gordon suddenly rode up and sprang from his horse.
Lee eagerly turned.
"General Gordon--you have cut through?""I have secured a temporary truce45 to report to you in person, I havefought my corps46 to a frazzle. The road is still blocked and I cannotmove.""What is your advice?" Lee asked.
"Your decision settles it, sir."A courier plunged47 toward the group on a foaming48 horse.
"Fitzhugh Lee's cavalry's broken through!" he shouted. "The way'sopened. The whole army can pass!""I don't believe it," Gordon growled49.
"It's too good to be true," Taylor said.
"It's true!" Alexander exclaimed, "of course it's true!""You come from Longstreet?" Lee inquired.
"Yes, sir. He asks instructions.""Tell him to use his discretion50. He's on the spot."The courier wheeled and rode back as the crash of a musket rang outbeside the baggage wagon.
"What's that?" Taylor asked sharply.
"It can't be an attack," Gordon wondered. "A truce is in force."Sam rushed to Lee.
"Hit's Marse Ruffin, sah," he whispered. "He put de muzzle51 er de gun inhis mouf an' done blow his own head clean off!""See to him, Taylor," Lee ordered. "The old ones will quit, I'm afraid."A courier rode up and handed him another dispatch. He read it slowly.
"Fitzhugh Lee says the message was a mistake, the road is still blocked.
Only a company of raiders broke through.""It's too bad," Gordon said.
"It's hell," Alexander groaned52. "Let's scatter, sir! It's the only way.
Issue the order at once--"A sentinel saluted53.
"Colonel Babcock, aide to General U.S. Grant, has come for your answer,sir."All eyes were fixed on Lee.
"Tell Babcock I'll see him in a moment."An ominous54 silence fell. Lee lifted his head and spoke firmly.
"We've played our parts, gentlemen, in a hopeless tragedy, pitiful,terrible. At least eight hundred thousand of our noblest sons are deadand mangled55. A million more will die of poverty and disease. Every issuecould have been settled and better settled without the loss of a dropof blood. The slaves are freed by an accident. An accident of war'snecessity--not on principle. The manner of their sudden emancipation,unless they are removed, will bring a calamity56 more appalling57 than thewar itself. It must create a Race Problem destined58 to grow each day morethreatening and insoluble. Yet if I had to live it all over again Icould only do exactly what I have done--"He paused.
"And now I'll go at once to General Grant."He took two steps to cross the stile over the fence, and turned as a cryof pain burst from Alexander's lips. He sank to a seat, bowed his facein his hands and groaned:
"Oh, my God, I can't believe it! I can't believe it. After all theseyears of blood. I can't believe it--my God--to think that this is theend!""I know, General Alexander," Lee spoke gently, "that my surrender meansthe end. It has come and we must face it. We must accept the resultsin good faith and turn our faces toward the east. Yesterday is dead.
To-morrow is ours--"His voice softened59.
"I don't mind telling you now, that I had rather die a thousand deathsthan go to General Grant. Dying is the easiest thing that I could do atthis moment. I could ride out front along the lines for five minutes andit would be all over. But the men who know how to die must do harderthings. I call you, sir, to this battle grimmer than death--to thisnobler task--we've got to live now!"Alexander slowly rose with Gordon and both men saluted.
Within an hour he was returning from the meeting with his brave andgenerous conqueror60. A loud cheer rang over the Confederate lines.
"It's Lee returning along the road crowded with his men," Gordonexplained.
Another cheer echoed through the forests.
Gordon smiled.
"Alexander the Great, when he conquered a world, never got the tributewhich Lee is receiving from those men. There's not one in their rankswho wouldn't die for him."Louder and louder rolled the cheers mingled61 now with the pet name hissoldiers loved.
"Marse Robert! Marse Robert!"Alexander's eyes flashed.
"The hour of his surrender, the supreme62 triumph of his life."Lee rode slowly into view on Traveler's gray back. The men were crowdingclose. They cried softly. They touched his saddle, his horse and triedto reach his hands.
He lifted his right arm over their heads and they were still.
"My heart's too full for speech, my men. I have done for you all thatwas in my power. You have done your duty. We leave the rest to God. Goquietly to your homes now and work to build up our ruined country. Obeythe laws and be as good citizens as you have been soldiers. I'm going totry to do this. Will you help me?""That we will!""Yes.""Yes.""Goodbye.""Goodbye, Marse Robert!"Grizzled veterans were sobbing63 like children.
The war had ended--the most futile64 and ferocious65 of human follies66. Whenit shall cease on earth at last, then, and not until then, will the soulof man leap to its final triumph, for the energy of the universe willflow through the fingers of workmen, artists, authors, inventors andhealers. On this issue the saving of a world awaits the word of themothers of men.
THE END
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收听单词发音
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1
pall
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| v.覆盖，使平淡无味；n.柩衣，棺罩；棺材；帷幕 | |
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ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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parched
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| adj.焦干的；极渴的；v.（使）焦干 | |
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doomed
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| 命定的 | |
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cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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regiment
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| n.团，多数，管理；v.组织，编成团，统制 | |
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fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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detailed
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| adj.详细的，详尽的，极注意细节的，完全的 | |
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stiffened
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| 加强的 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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kin
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| n.家族，亲属，血缘关系；adj.亲属关系的，同类的 | |
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salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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tavern
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| n.小旅馆，客栈；小酒店 | |
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musket
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| n.滑膛枪 | |
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crumpled
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| adj. 弯扭的, 变皱的 动词crumple的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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wagons
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| n.四轮的运货马车( wagon的名词复数 )；铁路货车；小手推车 | |
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erect
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| n./v.树立，建立，使竖立；adj.直立的，垂直的 | |
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plowed
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| v.耕( plow的过去式和过去分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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furrows
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| n.犁沟( furrow的名词复数 )；（脸上的）皱纹v.犁田，开沟( furrow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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radical
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| n.激进份子，原子团，根号；adj.根本的，激进的，彻底的 | |
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ballot
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| n.（不记名）投票，投票总数，投票权；vi.投票 | |
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spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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colonize
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| v.建立殖民地，拓殖；定居，居于 | |
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vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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odds
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| n.让步，机率，可能性，比率；胜败优劣之别 | |
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ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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scatter
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| vt.撒，驱散，散开；散布/播；vi.分散，消散 | |
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quail
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| n.鹌鹑；vi.畏惧，颤抖 | |
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stoutly
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| adv.牢固地，粗壮的 | |
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countless
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| adj.无数的，多得不计其数的 | |
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warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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unconditional
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| adj.无条件的，无限制的，绝对的 | |
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tragic
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| adj.悲剧的，悲剧性的，悲惨的 | |
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plowing
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| v.耕( plow的现在分词 )；犁耕；费力穿过 | |
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Christian
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| adj.基督教徒的；n.基督教徒 | |
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plunder
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| vt.劫掠财物，掠夺；n.劫掠物，赃物；劫掠 | |
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pillaged
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| v.抢劫，掠夺( pillage的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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gallant
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| adj.英勇的，豪侠的；(向女人)献殷勤的 | |
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wield
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| vt.行使，运用，支配；挥，使用(武器等) | |
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truce
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| n.休战，(争执，烦恼等的)缓和；v.以停战结束 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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plunged
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| v.颠簸( plunge的过去式和过去分词 )；暴跌；骤降；突降 | |
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foaming
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| adj.布满泡沫的；发泡 | |
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49
growled
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| v.（动物）发狺狺声， （雷）作隆隆声( growl的过去式和过去分词 )；低声咆哮着说 | |
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discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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muzzle
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| n.鼻口部；口套；枪(炮)口；vt.使缄默 | |
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52
groaned
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| v.呻吟( groan的过去式和过去分词 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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ominous
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| adj.不祥的，不吉的，预兆的，预示的 | |
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mangled
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| vt.乱砍（mangle的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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calamity
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| n.灾害，祸患，不幸事件 | |
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appalling
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| adj.骇人听闻的，令人震惊的，可怕的 | |
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destined
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| adj.命中注定的；(for)以…为目的地的 | |
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softened
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| （使）变软( soften的过去式和过去分词 )； 缓解打击； 缓和； 安慰 | |
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60
conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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63
sobbing
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| <主方>Ⅰ adj.湿透的 | |
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64
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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ferocious
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| adj.凶猛的，残暴的，极度的，十分强烈的 | |
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follies
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| 罪恶，时事讽刺剧； 愚蠢，蠢笨，愚蠢的行为、思想或做法( folly的名词复数 ) | |
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