The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-08-27


Appomattox Courthouse, whose inhabitants,
crowded at door and window, locked On 10
amazement and alarm.
On the lines of the two armies, where infor-
raatioo of the real status of affairs could only be
Guessed at. the feeling was different. Peace, or
at least surrender, might follow the interview
of the Generals commanding, then seated in con-
ference at the Mclean house; it might end in
resumption of hostilities, in fercest battle, in
terrible carnage.
Two o'clock had been appointed for the re-
sum ption Of the firing. 1t arrived and passed,
and the Yankee skirmish line began to advance
upon the Confederate line. Officers Of both ar
mics began to grow uneasy; then follows a
breaking off 10 the agreeable conversations, and
watches are consulted. Then there is a move
ment from the Mclean house, and mounted
courier, bearing flag of truce, dashes through
the village and out upon the highway, waving
his beacon in full view of both lines. He is the
messenger of peace! The last hostile gun has
been fred between the armies of Lee and Grant,
for the former has surrendered.
Between and o'clock Generals Lee and
Grant parted with a shake of the hand, after
mutual expressions of satisfaction at the terms
of the surrender and the results of the inter
view Their example was followed 10 turn by
GERS of both armies present, each shaking the
hand of the other. There was touching So
lemnity clothing the scene, SO impressive as to
move the callous and least concerned to tears.
To the houses could be heard the lamentations
of women, and up and down the streets went the
choking whisper-"Irs all over! General Lee
has surrendered!
General Grant, surrounded by a brilliant
cavacade of generals and stats, galloped back
TO his own headquarters, through the tumult-
uous uproar of his lines, there to receive the
congratulations.of his corps commanders. Lee,
unattended almost, returned silently and With
out pomp to point of his camp where his
generals were waiting to receive him. The
scene was like unto that which attends the OBJ
sequies of the dead. Some of the officers turned
away from Lee as he pproached-turned away
to hide from his calm eyes the evidences OF
tears in their own. ln brief words be announced
the result Of the interview and the terms OF sur
render The officers then in turn, according to
rank, approached their general, shaking hands
and expressing acquiescence at his cour Sc, ano
their regret at parting. Their lips were trem-
ulous with emotion, and if they wept it was DO
quality of womauly weakness that drew tears
from "eyes unused to weep"
The next day, NJ oDday, the 10th, were issued
address of General Lee to the Army of Northern
Virginia, copies of which were read at the head
of each brigade by the respective commanders.
The address, so characteristic of Lee, was his
last act executed in bis military capacity, and 10
its terse and feeling sentences is emba lined TO-.
gether the heroism Of the army and the genius
Of its General.
The parong then commenced, aud occupied
nearly three days. The army was brought
| across the Appomattox by divisions, and marched
to the level space the grounds Of Mr Joseph
Dickson, east of the Courthouse, and on the
Walk er Church road, where the arms were
grounded and afterwards stacked by details from
Grants army.
The last shotted gun was fired from Con-
federate battery stationed in the yard of MIR
Pears house, on the old Richmond road, about
seven O'Clock on Sunday morning. just previous
to the passage of the flag of truce signaling a
suspension of hostilitics, which were not re-
sumed again.