arched into Richmond and to
one of the depots. We did not know what disposition they intended making
of us (perhaps we were going to a new camp), but there was a train that
was just starting out for Gordonsville, so three of us got on the rear
platform of the end car and thus beat our way to Gordonsville without
being noticed. This was as far as the train could go in safety on
account of the proximity of the enemy. When we got off we noticed Gen.
Lee standing in the crowd, having just alighted from the train. I had
often seen him, but never got as close to him as I desired. Now, this
was my chance. I went up within five feet of him, and took a good look.
I never expect again to look upon such a splendid piece of humanity. He
was dressed in a new Confederate uniform that fitted him perfectly, with
long-legged boots, reaching above the knees. His collar was adorned on
each side with three gold stars, surrounded by a gold wreath. His head
was covered with a new soft black hat, encircled with a gold cord, from
which dangled two gold acorns, one on each end. His hands were covered
with yellow buckskin gauntlets, reaching one-third the way to his
elbows. His beard was iron-gray, white predominating; it was closely
clipped, and was what is called a full beard. I imagined that he was a
little over six feet and would weigh 190 pounds. His eyes, I think, were
brown, and as bright as stars. No picture could possibly do him
justice. I suppose it would take cycles of time to produce another such
as he--so perfect in form and feature.

We three at once struck off across the fields to go as far as we could
toward our homes. We moved in the direction of Charlottesville, and,
avoiding the town, passed beyond, but were soon apprised of the fact
that we could not go farther without danger of running into the enemy.
We put up at a farmhouse for a few days, and after learning that the
enemy had withdrawn from the immediate vicinity, we took to the road,
our destination being the home of my brother Gerard, a farmer living
near McGaheysville, Rockingham county, just west of the Blue Ridge. We
arrived there in due time, and remained quite a while, perhaps a month.
We did work about the farm, which was accepted as compensation for our
board. Of course, no one thought of asking money consideration from a
soldier, and as far as I was concerned, I felt free to come and go
without money and without price.

When I was captured I rode a borrowed hor