Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1873-05-06
9En.it Of sAeaffusol1. #
charIcstown, Jefferson County, West Va.
TUESDAY MORNING, MAY g. 1873.
True Story of Gen. Lees Surrender. /,
rcorrsspondence of the Richmond iiDi.patss.1

iuo Spoiy VI U6u. L66 surrender"
fCorrespondence of the Richmond iD;spates]
* * There have been published so MANY
sensational reports of the meeting between
the two commanders 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
few days before his last Illness He said
that he had for duty that morning not eieh.
thousand men, and that when he learned from
Gordon that there was a heavy infantry force
in his front, he decided to see Gen. Grant
and ascertain the terms upon which he could
end the contest. But before going to meet
him he left orders with Lonestreet and Cor.
don to hold their commands in readiness. de-
termned, as he was, to cut his way through.
or perish in the attempt, if such terms were
not granted as he 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 appe>tree. did you not,
Generally" asked a gentleman present. "No,
sir !" was the reply; eve did not meet under
an apple tree, and saw no tree near. 1t was
in an open field not far from the main road
This explodes the ''historic apple tree, about
which SO much has been said 4 gentleman
who was within few feet of the two generals
when they met, pointed ont to me the exact
spot. The apple tree which was cut to pieces.
and oven the roots Of which were dug 10 and
carried off by relic hunters. was fully Quarter
OF q mile from the place of meeting, and the
only historic interest shat could be attached to
it was that General Lee rested under its shade
few minutes while waiting for the return of
his flag Of truce. Tho only tree anywhere
near the place of meeting a small locust
thorn. which is still standing about twenty
yards from the spot
General Lee said that when he met Can
eral Grant they exchanged polite salntations
and he stated to him ut once that he desired
conference in reference to the subject matter
of their correspondence. General Grant re-
turned vou your sword, did he NOT. General?'
one of the company asked The old hero.
STRENGTHENING himself up. replied in most ems
nhatic tones: "No, sir I! he did not. lie
had no onrortunity of doing So was de,
termined tla* the side-arms of officers should
he exemHHhvJhe te-ns Of surrender. and of
course ~ not Offer hin, mine All that
was said athnt swords mas flat General Grant
aHn'o9iZad>tn me for nnt wearing his own
sword, sayi-s that it had gone of in his bag
eage, and he had been unable to get it in
tlmo." This spoIls great deal Of rhetoric
about Grant's-mncnanimity in returning Lees
sword" and renders as absurd as it is false
the att"mnt nf Northern artists to nut the
scene on canvass r into statnarv. Even Grants
convenience at this 20 called "historic scene"
will not sev" it when the world knows that
X E. Ice said shat nortity ofIic sort orrnr-
red General Loo stated in this conversation
that he accompanied when he met Grant
only by Colonel Charles Marshall, Of his per-
snnal staff, who went with Que of General
To ind 81 blo ;oL
to hold the conference that they were first
shown to vacant house, and declining to use
that were conducted bv Major McCIean to
his house and shown into his parlor General
Grant was accompanied hv several Of his staff
officers, and several of his generals (among
them Sheridan and Or1) entered the room
and participated in the slight general conver-
saton that occurred. The two generals went
aside aud sat at table tn confer together.
when General Lee opened the conversation
by saying: General, 7 deem it due to
proper candor and frankness tn sav at the
very beginning Of this interview that am
not willing even to discuss any terms of sur.
render inconsistent with the honor of nv
army which | am determined to maintain to
the last" Grant replied: s'E hive no idea.
of proposing dishonorable 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 surrender. Grant expressed
himself as satisfied with them and Lee re-
quosted that he would formally reduce the
propositions to writing. Grant at once did
SO with common lead pencil and handed the
paper to Lee, who rcod it carefully and with>
out comment, except to say that most of the
horses were the nrivata property of the nlen
riding them. General Grant replied that
such horses would be exempt from surrender,
aud the paper was then handed to General
Bndeau. Grants secretary anI copies in ink
mad" him and Col. Marshall. While this
was being done there were inquiries after the
health OF mutual acquaintapces. but nothing
hearing on the surrender. except that Gem
Lee said that he had his hands some two
or three Thousand prisoners, for whom he had
no rations. Sheridan at once said Il have
ratons for 25, 600 men,"
General Grant having signed his note. Cen
eral Lee conferred with Colonel Marshall. who
wrote his brief note of acceptance Of the terms
ofsurrender offered General Lee striking out
the sentence 81 have the honor to reply to
your communication. and substituted ~ 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 northeast of the Court.
house.
APPLE FRITTERs.-Take four or Eve tart
mellow apples, pare and cut them in slices