The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1873-05-17

"pSuiu as ~ IN lhise tne attempt OF north
ern artists to put the scene on canvass or
into statuary. Even Grants connivance
at this so called "historic scene will not
save it, when the world knows that Gen.
Robert Il. Lee said nothing Of he sort
occurred. General Lee stated in this
conversation that he was accompanied
when he met Grant only by Col Charles
Marshall, Of his personal staff, who went
with one Of General Grants staff to find
suitable room in which to hold the con-
ference; that they were first shown to
vacant house, and declining to use that,
were conducted by Major McClean to his
house and shown into his parlor. Gen.
Grant was accompanied by several of his
staft officers, and several of his generals
tamong them Sheridan and Ord entered
the room and participated in the slight
general conversation that occurred. The
two generals went aside and sat at a table
to confer together, when General Lee
opened the conversation by saying Gen
eral, deem it due to proper candor and
frankness to say at the very beginning Of
this interview that am not willing even
to discuss any terms of surrender incon-
sistent with
THE HONOR OF MY ARMY.
which am determined to maintain to the
last. Grant replied ~ have no idea
of proposing dishonoable terms, General,
but | would be glad if you would state
what you consider honorable terms"
General Lee then briefly stated the terms
upon which he would be willing to sur
render Grant expressed himself as sat
isfed with them, and Lee requested that
he would formally reduce the propositions
to writing. Grant at once did so with a
common lead-pencil, and handed the paper
to Lee who read it carefully and without
comment except to say that most of the
horses were the private property of the
men riding them. General Grant replied
that such horses would be exempt from
surrender, and the paper was then handed
to Colonel Badeau Grants Secretary, }
and copies in ink made by him and Col.
Marshall While this was being done
there were inquiries after the health of
mutual acquaintance, but nothing bearing
on the surrender, except that General Lee
said that he had on his hands some two
or three thousand prisoners for whom he
had no rations. Sheridan at once said
II have rations for twenty-five thousand
men"
General Grant having signed his note,
General Lee conferred with Colonel Mar
shall, who wrote his brief note of accept
anee Of the terms Of surrender offered,
General Lee striking out the sentence II
have the honor to reply to your communi-
cation" and substituting 81 have received
your letter of this date"
This terminated the interview, and
General Lee rode back to his headquarters,
which were three-quarters Of mile north
east of the Courthouse.
| have thus given the substance, and,
for the most part, the exact language Of
General Lees own account of the surren.
der. 1t will appear from this that a great
deal that has been said about
"dRANT's MAaNANIMITY"
in proposing terms of surrender, and Lee 5
warm thanks for the liberal terms accord.
ed, originated simply in the Imagination
of the writers. The truth is, Grant pro-
posed the only terms which Lee would
have accepted and he knew too well the
mettle of that great captain and the heroic
remnant of the army which had SO often
defeated him not to rejoice at an opportu.
nifty of covering himself with glory by ac.
cepting almost any terms of surrender. /
have gathered number of
INCIDENTS OF THE SURRENDER
which interested me and may be of inter.
est to your readers Soon after General
Lee left the MCLEAN House, owned by
the same gentleman at whose house, near
Bull Run, Beauregard had his headquar.
tiers during the battle of July, Is, 1861,
Sheridan stalked in and said, rudely, n
mean to have this chair'-taking up. one
of the chairs in which the General had
signed the terms of capitulntion, and ex-
hibiting at the same time $3.50 gold
piece. Major MCLEAN replied, "Thai
chair is not for sale, General If you
choose to take it you have the physical
power to do so" ~ mean to have it,
was the curt rejoinder; and the "Great
Bam-Burner" gave another proof of his
skill in petit larceny. The table and
other chairs were in like manner carried
off by Federal officers as sourenirs.
As soon as the flag Of truce was hoisted
on Gordon's lines the offensive General
Custar C'Miss Fanny') came riding fu,
riously in to General Gordon, demanding
in his own name unconditional surren.
der" Gordon drew himself up to his full
height, aud with crushing dignity replied
~ can have no negotiations with you, sir
and if the settlement Of this matter rested
between us there could be no negotiation,
bit BY the acord."
As showing the spirit of the men who
participated in the brilliant action that
morning it may be mentioned that many
Of them crowded around the bearer of one
of the flags of truce-a widcly-known and
loved chaplain, who, since the capture Of
/ 4 = Z. O.. N n =