Finding Victory in Defeat: (The Souths surrender at Appomatox)

"There is a way of losing that is finding. It is only when a man supremely gives that he supremely finds” 

-Major General Lawrence Chamberlain, (upon receiving the Souths surrender at Appomattox). 

Tall and slight of build but possessed of an iron constitution and indomitable will, Chamberlain gazed ahead with eyes like flint. He cherished a profound respect for those who had risked all for ideals they valued above life itself. It mattered not whither they wore the blue or the grey, won or lost. On the chill, overcast morning of April 12, 1865, the men in blue felt a deep sympathy as they observed their stubborn antagonists in worn out shoes and ragged uniforms turn in their dearly beloved battle flags stack their side arms and muskets and walk away; in this hour of heartbreak and grief not a dry eye could be observed. 

The dismal scene was fascinatingly grim beyond description. The landscape presented a scenic view, the loftiest thought of mind was far too low and insignificant to delineate, describe, or portray. It was as if a solemn funeral procession, hearse in tow was unfolding. 

Many shared their scant rations of hardtack and salt pork with their famished and exhausted foes. One confederate soldier wrote “we suffered no insult from any of our enemies. Never before was such goodwill exchanged to a once bitter foe" If only in our divided nation today could lay down our arms and battle axes, furl our rainbow flags and breach a gap of compromise between liberal and republican, conservative and democrat w/o having to endure the carnage of another long, grueling bloody war. 

In a postwar address Lawrence Chamberlain echoes a message of that profound moment: That Army of Northern Virginia—who can help looking back upon them now with feelings half fraternal? Ragged and reckless, yet careful to keep their bayonets bright, and lines of battle well dressed; reduced to dire extremities sometimes, yet always ready for a fight; rough and rude, yet knowing well how to make a field illustrious. Who can forget them—the brave, bronzed faces that looked at us four years across the flaming pit—men with whom, in a hundred fierce grapples, we fought with remorseless desperation and all the terrible enginery of death, till on the one side and the other a quarter of a million fell; and yet we never hated them, except that they struck at the old flag. Main force against main force—there was good reason why, when valor like that was exhausted, the sun should go down on thousands dead, but not one vanquished…On they come with the old swinging route step and swaying battle flags. Before us in proud humiliation stood the embodiment of manhood. Thin, worn and famished, but erect and with eyes looking level into ours. Waking memories that bound us together as no other bond. Was not such manhood to be welcomed back into the Union so tested and assured. On our part not a sound of trumpet more nor roll of drum, not a cheer, nor word, nor whisper of vain glorying, nor motion of man. But an awed stillness rather and breathholding, as if it were the passing of the dead.”

There were many blunders that cost the South the war but none so disastrous as  Picketts charge. The high water mark of the Confederacy had been reached and the cause of the rebellion died that day alongside the men who perished on that field. For the rest of his life, Pickett would grieve for his men lost that day, and would blame Lee for the disaster. Thus, five years after the War, when Pickett and the Confederate guerilla leader John Mosby paid a courtesy call on Lee in Richmond, the atmosphere was less than cordial. On departing, Pickett launched into a bitter diatribe. "That old man," he said, "had my division slaughtered at Gettysburg." For an instant of memory, men in grey marched beneath fluttering flags up a long, grassy slope. Then Mosby broke the silence. "Well," he said, "it made you immortal."

Gettysburg: The Confederate High Tide, Time-Life Books 

In conclusion I have always found a striking allegory here I cannot help but share. The high water mark of Lucifers rebellion against Christ was cavalry, and what a desperate duel it was between Christ and Belial; his demonic forces continue to fight on in hopeless earnest still today, not unlike the South post-Gettysburg. The Confederacy would continued to fight for 2 and half more bloody years, yet the war was all but over. The death knells had sounded, on our sin, we have but one choice side with the one in whom victory has clearly already been won or fight alongside  the hapless Satanic rebels whose doom is sealed. Eternity awaits.....

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