Part 90 (2/2)
”General Lee,” Ruffin cried excitedly, ”this country is now in your hands.”
”What would you have me do?”
”Fight until the last city is in ashes and the last man falls in his tracks. Fools at your headquarters have been talking for two days of surrender. It can't be done. It can't be done. If you surrender do you know what will happen?”
”I've tried to think.”
”I'll tell you, sir. Thaddeus Stevens, the Radical Leader of Congress, has already prepared the bill to take the ballot from the Southern white man and give it to the negro. The property of the whites he proposed to confiscate and give to their slaves. He will clothe the negro with all power and set him to rule over his former masters.”
Lee answered roughly.
”Nonsense, Ruffin. I am better informed. Senator Washburn, Mr. Lincoln's spokesman, entered Richmond with the Federal army. He says that the President will remove the negro troops from the United States as soon as peace is declared. He has a bill in Congress to colonize the negro race.”
”Stevens is the master of Congress.”
”If the North wins, Lincoln will be the master of Congress. We need fear no scheme of insane vengeance.”
Lee took from Taylor two despatches.
”General Mahone has taken a thousand prisoners--”
”Glory to G.o.d!” Ruffin shouted. ”Such men don't know how to surrender!”
”And our cavalry has captured. General Gregg and a squadron of his men--”
”Surrender!” the old man roared. ”They'll never surrender, sir, unless you say so. Our wives, our daughters, our children, our homes, our cause, our lives, are in your hands. For G.o.d's sake, don't listen to fools. Don't give up, General Lee--don't--”
General Alexander sprang from his horse and approached his Commander.
Lee spoke 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 little while.”
”Certainly.”
Taylor led the old man toward his baggage wagon.
”Come with me, sir. I'll find you a cot.”
”Thank you. Thank you.” His eyes were dim and he walked stumblingly.
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