Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-18

Appomattox, struck the Lynchburg and Peters,
burg pike and fed towards the west--the other
column o. Lee being on the south sde. 1t was
flight instead OF retreat.
A friend who was in the pursuit. came across
an old freedman who had gathered up an i'm.
mense pilo of blankets, coats AMI cauteens,
which strewed the way. The old man was glad
to see the Yankees. lie surveyed his punder
with great delight.
-" Pears like as If dis was splin dc Egyptians, +"
said he, with countenaDce expressive of great
joy. &" Ise been praying long while that the
right might prevail, but | always wanted do
Yankees TO win de victory" he sad.
The Second and Sixth Corps and a portion of
the cavalry followed the main body OF Lee across
tho Appmattox, along the Petersburg and Lynch
burg pike. Grant, who had beeo With Ord an
Sheridan in the pursuit along the railroad, ac-
compInled these two corps Sheridan, with a
portion Of the cavalry, made q rapid movement
southwest through Prince Edward Court House,
while Ord, with the Twenty fourth and Fifth,
starting west from their position near Burkes-
vile, crossed Bush and Bnery creeks, crossed
the Petersburg ind Lynchbnrg Railroad at Pam.
pins aud at Prospect stations, thus moving by
the shortest roads upon AppOnattoI Court
llouse-the poinl where Lee intended 10 reupile
hs divided force. Lees only hope now was to
reach Lynchbarg, cross the james River, destroy
the bridges, and make his way in.o the noun
tans.
1t was aswift flight, but liter pursuit 1t
is nearly fifty miles from Burkesvllle to ApTo-
mattox Court House. The pirsuit was com.
inenced on Friday morning, but on Saturday
forenoon Lee was brought % bay at the Court
/ House.
THE PLACE.
The place where Lee surrendered is at tho
head waters OF he Appomattox on the table
land, between the riyulets which give rise to that
stream, aud the james river which makes its
great southern beud at Lynehburg. The place
Is sometimes called Clover Hill. Itlsa small
vllage-sueh as are 70 DO seen throughout the
Old DOmlnlon--one or two good substantial
houses surrounded by "a dozen or twenty dliap.
dated buildings hardly worthy the name Of
houses. The circumstances OF the moment have
made this miserable little hamlet forever a his.
torie place.
IL was an exciting pursuit. There were ire
quent lnierehanges OF shot between the cavalry,
hoVcrlng like cloud upon Lee saAnk, frequent
] .
cassons pieces Of artillery, straggers constantly
picked up. Gllmpses Ot the rebsl forces were
sOmetlnes had across the ravInss. As the warm
track Of the hesing deer quickens the parsut OF
the greyhound, making the valleys ring with
bis bayiug, so an occasional sight VI the retreat
lDg enemy reused the soldiers to wild and IT.
repressable enthusiasm and their shouts and
cheers rang long and loud through the surround
ing woodlands.
THE LAST POSITION.
! Lee succeeded in reunting his troops, num-
boring not more than a division, such az once
marched under his direction up the heights Of
Gettysburg, or moved into tha fight in the vii.
derness but when reunited and ready to move
be found the cloud which had hung upon his
nsnk ard pierced his rear, all around him, en-
yeloplng him on the North, the East, the South,
the West, holding every avenue of escape. Shsr.
dan had swung past him and was holding the
highway towards Lynchburg. Ord With the
twenty loutlh and Griffin with the hfth were
eOuth Of him, holding the road leading 10 Dan
vile, while Wright ana Humphrey Bas. and
North, were preparing to press on, to drive him
over galnst Sheridan, who would toss him
down towards Ord aud GrlBn
a mile east of the Court House at Sulphsr
Spring his lines. were broken and battery Of
4 Napoleon guas was lost. His force was mellng
away under the uncea,ing skirmish fire. HIS
men were worn down BY the hard marching ana
elnstan, aghting, and the depression OF spirits
consequent upon disaster His provisions we're
getting low, and his condition was becoming
hopeless.
a! this Stage Of the game Lee received a letter
from Grant demanding the surrender of hir
troops. lie called his officers into council.
LEES LAST COUNCIL OF WAR.
His leading general, Longsireet, Pickett
Gordon, ueth aud others, were summoned
The condition OF sfairs was discussed. 1t wa,
gloomy hour. 1t is said that Lee was muck
depressed. They did not at this moment know
that the infantry under Ord and Griffin were
south OF them, bu, supposed that their way Wal
disputed only by Sheridan. 1t was decided lc
force passage. The attack was made, but the
volleys of musketry and the yigor of the can
nonad-, aud the long lines Of men in blue, o
white and colored soldiers, convinced Lee thai
be had little chance Of escaping. The skirmsh
ing was Kept up through the dsy-both partle'
too wearied and exhausted to fight genera
battle--Jet each moment Of delay made Lsel
condition more hopeless
SUNDAY MORNING
Tho Second Corps was in position on SUNDAY
morning, waiting the order 10 advance, when
tAg OF truce was Displayed IN front of Miles
division. Capt. j. ID Co5k OF Gen. Miles
staff, who brought note IRON Lee wishing io
a suspension OF hosilhties TO take into consld
GRAFTON tho terms offered by Gen Grant on Sat
urday. Gen. Meade ngnIhed by note that h
had no authority to enter into armstiee, bu
would wait TWO hours before making an att ok
and would communicate with Gen. Grant.
Before the expiration ot the time Gen. Gran
arrived, and correspOncenco with L'o fol
loved, which resulted in the appointment ot |
place of meeting for more lO,l olu,iderntjl
of the terms proposed by Gen. Graut
ESErlNo OF GENERALS GRANT AND LsE.
Ia the little village Of Appomattox Cour
House there is large, square brick house will
portico in front, the residence OF Wilmer Nc
lean. Roses are budding in the garden, violet
and d4f ldlls are already 10 bloom and the tree
which shade the building are green With th
yerlure Of Spring. Gen. Lee designated /. a
the place for meeting Gen. Grant. 1t was
little past two O'Clock on Sunday afternoo
when Gen. Ice, accomplni d by Gen. Marshall
his chief Of staff, entered the dwelling. \ le,
misutes later Gen. Grant, accompanied only b
Col. Parker, OF his staff chiet Of the Six Nations
man Of remarkable powers aud Of great acute
ness Of perception, although an Indian.
The meeting was in Mr.. MeLines parlor,
square room, carpeted, furnished with sofa, cen
tre ta5la-Gan. Lee was sitting by the tabl,
dressed in suit Of gray-coat, pants and YES
all of gray Time has silvered his hair an
beard, giving him venerable appearance. II
stoops little, as IL he had borne great On
heavy burdens llc wore an olcgan, sword,
gilt from his friends.