with a Silver Watch from his Democratic friends
Apparently a Medal of Honor recipient from Seneca Falls, New York was home on furlough during at least some of the dramatic events in the first part of April 1865.
Two clippings from Seneca County, New York newspapers in April 1865:
AT HOME. – Major H.B. Compson of the 8th N.Y. Cavalry, of whom we spoke last week, as the bearer of dispatches and battle flags from Gen. Sheridan to the War Department, arrived home on Friday of last week. He will return to his regiment in the course of a few days.
Watch Presentation.
Maj. H.B. Compson, of the 8th N.Y. Cavalry, was the recipient of a beautiful Silver Watch, at the hands of his Democratic friends on Tuesday evening. The presentation took place at Carr’s Hotel and was a very pleasant affair. Gen. Miller, in a brief and appropriate speech, alluding to the position of parties, recounting the many battles and skirmishes through which the Major had passed, the hardships of war, and the heroic part which he had borne with the gallant Sheridan, made the presentation. The major responded, thanking his friends and neighbors for the beautiful gift, and for the many other acts of kindness at their hands, during his connection with the army. He had, as a soldier, performed his duty, and was happy to know that his services were appreciated by his Democratic friends. The Major concluded by inviting his friends to partake of a supper prepared by Mr. Carr for the occasion. The party numbering about forty, then sat down to an excellent repast, where an hour or two was spent in the most agreeable manner. Toasts were given and speeches made, appropriate to the occasion. Major Compson returned to his regiment on Wednesday morning.
“the gallant Sheridan”
Back at the rapidly moving front – From Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant (in chapters 65 and 66):
I rode in to Farmville on the 7th, arriving there early in the day. Sheridan and Ord were pushing through, away to the south. Meade was back towards the High Bridge, and Humphreys confronting Lee as before stated. After having gone into bivouac at Prince Edward’s Court House, Sheridan learned that seven trains of provisions and forage were at Appomattox, and determined to start at once and capture them; and a forced march was necessary in order to get there before Lee’s army could secure them. He wrote me a note telling me this. This fact, together with the incident related the night before by Dr. Smith, gave me the idea of opening correspondence with General Lee on the subject of the surrender of his army. I therefore wrote to him on this day, as follows:
“Plan of the Battle of Cumberland Church, Va. ” (Library of Congress, Geography and Map Division)
HEADQUARTERS ARMIES OF THE U. S.,
5 P.M., April 7, 1865.
GENERAL R. E. LEE
Commanding C. S. A.
The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia in this struggle. I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the Confederate States army known as the Army of Northern Virginia.
U. S. GRANT,
Lieut.-General.
Lee replied on the evening of the same day as follows:
April 7, 1865.
GENERAL: I have received your note of this day. Though not entertaining the opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the part of the Army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore before considering your proposition, ask the terms you will offer on condition of its surrender.
R. E. LEE,
General.
LIEUT.-GENERAL U. S. GRANT,
Commanding Armies of the U. S.
According to the New York State Military Museum the 8th New York Cavalry was not directly engaged 150 years ago today; it would suffer its last casualties in battle on April 8th.
