The weekly standard. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 1865-1867, 1865-12-30

II
than seven or eight miles broad, be-
tween the James and Appomatox rivers.
On the afternoon of the 7th, Lees sit
uation seemed so unpromising, that
Grant, for the first time, sent to pro-
pose surrender. Lee at once replied
that his circumstances did not seem to
him such as to justify his entertaining
such proposal On the morning of
the 6th, Grant renewed his solicitations.
Lee did not decline, but debated the
matter, calling council of war in the
evening. No determination was arri-
we'd at on the evening of the Sth, and
at midnight the usual dreary retreat
was resumed. The springs of energy
and will, unstrung by long want of food,
had run down In the men like the ma
chinery In broken clock. The force
which had got ahead of Gen. Lee and
was obstructing his retreat, had become
so considerable, that Gordon was
thrown out with 1000 men in front,
and the "old bull dog" Longstreet,
whose pluck neither hunger, fatigue,
nor depression, could abate or subdue,
still covered the rear. At day break
on the 8th, courier from Gordon an
nounced to Lee that large body of
Federal cavalry Tin other words, Sher-
idan's army was across the road at
Appomatox Court House. At the same
moment heavy force of infantry un-
der Grant, was pushing Longstreet
vigorously in the rear Between Long
street and Gordon were the remaining
wagons, and clinging to them thous-
ands of unarmed and famished strag-
glers, too weak to carry their muskets.
Lee sent orders to Gordon to cut his
way through coute qa'I coute. Pres
emily came another courier from Cor
don announcing that the enemy was dri-
wing him back. Lee had OF this mo-
ment less than 5000 men with muskets
in their hands. The fatal moment had
indisputably come. Hastily donning
his best uniform and bucklng on his
sword, which it was never bis fashion
to wear, Gen, Lee turned sadly to the
rear to seek the final interview with
Gen. Grant.
There is no passage of history in
this heart-breaking war which will, fol
years to come, be more honorably men
toned and gratefully remembered thar
the demeanor on the 9th of April, 1865
of Gen Grant towards Gen. Lee.
do not so much allude to the facility
with which honorable terms were accor-
ded to the Confederates, as to the bear,
ing of Gen. Grant and the officers abb
him towards Gen. Lee. The interview
was brief Three commissioners upoI
each side were Immediately appointed
The agreement to which those six com
imissioners acceded is known.
/ In the meantime, Immediately that
General Lee was seen riding to The
rear, dressed more gaily than usual
and begirt with his sword; the rumol
of imminent surrender few like wild
fire through the Confederates. I
might be imagined that an army, which
had drawn its last regular rations OF
the first of April, and harassed inces
sanity by night and day, had been mar
ching and fighting until the morning
of the 9th, would have welcomhd any
thing like termination of its suffer
| ings, let it come In what form it might
Let those who idly imagine that tn
finer feelings are the prerogative 0
what are called the upper classes,
learn from this and similar scenes t.
appreciate common men," As TIL
great Confederate captain rode bacl
from his interview with General Grant
the news of the surrender acquire,
shape and consistency, and could n
longer be denied The effect on th
worn and battered troops some 6
whom had fought since April, 1861
, and {sparse survivors of hectacomb
} of fallen comrades) had passed IN
scathed through such hurricanes G
:. shot as within four years no other me-
had ever experienced passes mora
description. Whole lines Of battl
rushed up to their beloved chief, an
choking with emotion. broke ranks an
struggled with each other to ring hir
once more by the hand Men VIII
had fought throughout the war, an
knew what the agony and hunliiatio
! of that moment must be to him, VII
| strove with refinement of funselfshnes
, and tenderness, which he alone coul
{ fully appreciate, to Tighten his burde
: and mitigate his pain. With tears poul
d ing down both cheeks, General Lee
length commanded voice enough