"Jes' tho't I'd repo't to you, General," said the Colonel.
"Yes?"
"You see I own this hyar hotel you're a-occupyin'."
"Well, sir, we shall move out soon. We are moving around a good deal, nowadays. Why aren't you with your regiment?"
"Well, you see, General, I am my regiment."
"How's that?"
"All the men wuz raised 'round hyar. A few days ago they jes' begun nachally droppin' out. They all dun dropped out, General, so I jes' tho't there wan't any use being a cunnel without no troops and I dun dropped out too. Here I be? What you goin' to do with me, General?"
"I'm going to leave you here to take care of your property. Don't go back to your army and nobody'll bother you."
That was a sample of the way in which the beaten army was melting away. Not even the magic of Lee's great name could hold it together now. But the men who did not drop out fought with heroism to the bitter end.
The next day, Saturday, April 8, 1865, Sheridan captured some more of Lee's provision trains at Appomattox Station and on Sunday, April 9, Lee's whole army attacked there, still seeking to cut its way out of its encircling foes. Its brave effort was in vain. Held in a vice, it threw up its hands. A white flag flew above the Confederate lines.