The Plymouth weekly Democrat., 1865-05-04
The Interview Between Grant
and Zee.

At i.alfpast ore Grant arrived at Sher-
idan's headquarters. and sent General
Rawlins, his chief Of staff, and Colonel
Babcock, his aide, to General Lees head
quarters. On their arrival it was asccr-
tainod that General Meadc--the limit set
by him for the suspension OF his advance
having passed-had again ordered an ad-
vance of the Second and Sixth corps
against the rebel rear from above. Col
onel Babcock under a flag of tauce from
Lees lines, proceeded to General Neade's
Headquarters, and requested that officer to
DELAY his attack until the impending meet
inc between Lee ard Grant should be
over. Returning to Lees headquarters,
he then, in company with General Raw
lins escorted the rebel chieftain through
his own and Sheridan's lines to General
Grants headquarters at ,Appomattox
Court House.
Lee took with him Colonel Marshall, OF
his staff. At about II o'clock the party
reached Appomattox Court House, where
General Grant awaited his visitor at the
house Of 4 citizen named Wilmer Nc
Lane. In q little reception room were
pens, ink, and paper-all the simple par
aphernalia of military conference.
Grant received his guest with the sim
pie. soldierly frankncss that is part Of his
nature. As Lee, calm, dignifed, perfect
" self possessed, advanced into the room,
the General arose, and both clasped hands
The rebel chief sank into the offered
chair, and within few moments both
were earnestly engaged discussing the ca
pitulat;on.
General Lee desired to know distinctly
what General Grant had to propose.
General Grant assured him that the Ian
guage of his previous dispatch explained
his wishes
Being completely at the mercy Of his
conqueror, General Lee was evidently
pleased with the liberality Of these terms.
lie expressed 10 dissent to them what
ever. After making particular inquiry as
to the private baggage and horses Of his
officers, lie requested to know whether
General Grant would permit those among
his men who owned private horses to re-
tain them.
General Grant responded that although
he dislikcd 10 put such condition into
the terms OF surrender. he would instruct
his officers who would have charge of such
matters to see that General Lees wish
was complied with
Whereas General Lee expressed him
self satisfied.
Lee then remarked upon the extreme
dcstitutor Of his troops. They lad had 20
supplies Of any consequence, he said, for
the last two days Even the prisoners
have taken from you, general" he said.
have suffered from lack of food. could
not help it. Ny own men have been al
most starving"
Grant promptly declared TO Lee that he
would divide with him. He fulfilled his
promise before nightfall by ordering IA
tions OF beef and coffee for twenty-five
thousand men to be sent to the rebel COM
missary.
Sitting down at the little table, the
lieutenant general then proceeded to write
a dispatch addressed to Gen. Lee, contain
ing the terms upon WHICH he proposed to
receive the surrender, as quoted above
General Lee, after reading it, drew his
chair up to the table and wrote his accep-
tancc of the proposal.
After few minutes Of desultory con-
vcrsation General Lee took his departure.
General Grant attending him to the door
and taking his hand at the threshold. The
entire interview was conducted on the
part Of General Lee, with the manly but
conscious bearing ofa soldier fairly beat
en-, but not cowcd; on that Of General
Grant, with the generous spirit of a con-
queror who could admit the ability, the
courage, and the deserts Of a noble foe.
Colonel Dabcock attended Lee and his
comrads to the rebel picket line, where he
babe them farewell.