The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-04-19


CORRESPONDENCE Of the Richmond Dispa CHI
April 9, lS73.-"The situation" at
Appamattox on the 9th OF April. 1865,
when Gen. Lee sent flag OF truce to
ask an interview with General Grant,
was simply this: There were only
1900 faded, fsmished Coufederates with
arms in their hands nearly surrounds
ed by 5000 Federal soldiers, already
in position, with reinforcements con-
stantly arriving. Gordon fell back
through the village and moved to meet
an attack of Sheridan on the flank,
while General Chsmberlayne led the
advance corps OF the Army Of the james
into the Court House. A battery o.
the Richmond Howitzers, which had
been engaged at Big Bethel in 1861.
stationed 10 the yard OF Mr.. Peers, on
the extreme northeast corner Of the
village, fred the last gun OF the day,
and withdrew as the blue waves were
eucirclingit. The Federal picket line
was advanced beyond the village, and
that little band of heroic spirits seemed
about to BE- inundated, when suddenly
the white flag was displayed, and the
firing ceased. There have been pub
li-hed so many sensational reports OF
the meeting between the two comman-
ders that | am glad TO be able to refute
them by giving
GENERAL LEES OWN ACCOUNT OF WHAT
OCCURRED
as he gave it to some friends at his
house, in Lexington, but a lew days
be.ore his last illness. He said that
he had for duty that morning not
5000, men and that when he learned
from Gordon that there was heavy in
tantry force in his front, he decided to see
General Grant and ascertain the terms
upon which he could end the contest
But before going to meet him he lett
orders with Eongstreet and Gordon to
mold their commands in readiness, de-
termined, as he was, to cut his way
through, or perish in the attempt, II
such terms were not granted as be
thought his army entitled to demand.
He met General Grant between the
picket lines, in the open field, about
two hundred yards below Appomattox
Court House.
"You met under an apple tree, didyou
not, General 2 asked a gentleman
present. No, sir" was the reply; I'VE
did not meet under an apple tree, and |
saw no tree near. 1t was in an open
fed not fa- from the main road,
T rhis explodes the historic apple tree,
al ont which so much has been said
A gentleman who was within q few
fee OF the two generals when they met
pointed our TO me the exact spot. The
apple tree which was cut to pieces. and
even the roots OF which were dug up
ami carried of by relic hunters, was
FULLY quarter Of mile from the place
ofmeeting. and the only historic interest
that could be attached to it was that
General Lee rearei under its shade a
few minutes while waiting for the re-
turn of his flag OF truce The only
tree anywhere near the place OF meet
ing was email locust thorn, which IL
still standing about twenty yards from
the SPOT
TIE INTERVIEW BETWEEN LEE AND GRANT.
General Lee said thai when he met
General Grant they exchanged polite
s4lutations, and he stated TO b m at once
that he desired conference IN refer
ence TO tue subject matter Of their cor
respondence. General GRAFT returned
YOU your sword. did he not, General !?
one of the company asked. The old
hero, strengthening himself, replied n
most emphatic tones: No, slrl he
did not. He had no opportunity OF
doing so. was determined that the
side arms o. officers should be exemp,
bv the terms OF surrender, and o. course
did not offer him mine. All that
was sid about swords was that Gene
raj Grant apologized to me for not wear:
ing his own sword, saying that 1t had
gone off in his baggage, and he had
been unable TO get it In time. Gene
raj Lee stated in this conversation that
he wa accompanied when he met Grant
ONLY by Colonel Charles Marshall, OF
his personal staff, who went with one
OF General Grants staff to fnd sulfa-
Die room in which to hold the CONFER
eace; that they were first shown to a
vacant house, and declining to use that
we're conducted by Major MCLEAN to
his house and shown into his parlor
General Grant wa accom- panied by
several OF his staff officers, and several
o his generals (among them Sheridan
and O-d) entered the room and partl-
C pated in the slight general cOnversa-
ton that occurred. The two generals
went aside and est al a table to confer
together, when General Lee opened the
couv-r-alion by saving: General, l
deem it due to proper candor and frank
ness to say at the very beginning OF
this interview that am not willing
even to discuss any terms OF surrender
Inconsistent with the honor ofmy army,
which am determined to maintain to
the last" Grant replied: 81 have no
idea Of proposing dishonorable terms,
General. but / would be glad if you
would state what you consider honora-
bile terms" General Lee then briefly
stated the terms upon which he would
lie willing to surrender. Grant express
sed himself as satisfied with them, and
Lee requested that he would formally
reduce the propositions to writing
Grant at once did 80 with common
esd pencil, ard handed the paper to
Lee, who read it carefully and without
comment except to say that most OF the
horses we're the private property OF the