The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1878-08-13

riding until | met Sheridan. he Gen-
eral, who. was one of the heroes Of the
campaign, and whose pursuit of Lee
was perfect in its generalship and rner-
gy, told me where tn find Lee. [ re-
member that Sheridan was impatient
when I met him-saRieas- and suspi-
cious about tie. whn1s bnsnfss-feared
there might be play7g escape; that he
had Lee at his fee, q Wanted TO- end
the business by going hfshd SrenEA an
absolute surrender by captgs, In fact,
he had his troops ready for each AZ, as
sault when Lees white flag came within
his lines. I went to the house where
Lee was waiting. | found him fn fine,
new, splendid uniform, which only re-
called my anxiety as to my own clothes
while on my way to meet him I ex
pressed my regret that was compelled
to meet him in so unceremonious man
ner, and he replied that the only suit
he had available was one which had
been sent him by some admirers in
Baltimore, and which he wore then for
the first time. We spoke of old friends
in the army remembered having
seen Lee in Mexico. He was so much
higher iu rank than myself at the time
that / supposed he had no recollection
Of me. But he said he remembered me
v.rv velI We talked ofoId hmeGaud
exchanged inquiries about friends. Lee
then broached the subject of our meet>
ing. 1 told him my terms, and Lee,
listening atteptively, asked me to write
them down. Itook out my manifold
order book and pencil and wrote them
down. Gen. Lee put on his glasses
and read them over. The conditions
pavp the officers their side arms, private
horses and personal baggage. | said to
Ire that hoped and believed this
would be the close of the war, that it was
most important that the men should go
home and 90 to work, and the govern
men. would not throw any obstacles in
the way. Lee answered that it wouli
have a most happy effect, and accepted
the terms, handed over my pencilled
memorandum to an aide to put in wri-
ting. and We resumed our conversation
about old times and friends in the ar
mice. Various officers came in--Lone-
street, Gordon and Pickett, from the
South; Sheridan, Ord and others from
our side. Some were old friends; Long
street and myself, fer instance, and we
had a general talk. Lee, no doubt,
expected me to ask for his sword, but
7 did not want his sword. 1t would
only." said the General smiling, shave
conc to the patent Office to be wor'
shipped by the Washington rebels:
There was another pause when he said
that most of the animals in his cavalry
ard artillery were owned by the privates'
and he would like to know, under the
terms, whether they would be regarded
as private property or the property ol
the Government. ! said under the terms
Of surrender they belonged to the gov
errment. Gen. Lee read over the letter
and said that was so. then said to the
General that believed and hoped this
was the last battle Of the war. and l saw
the wisdom Of these men getting home
and to work as soon as possible and 'na'
T wonld give orders TO allow any soldier
or officer claiming n horse or mule tt
take it. Gen Lee showed some emo
ton q, this-a feeling which l sls'
shcred-and said it would have mos
happy eject. The interview ended, and
T gave orders for raiioning his troops
The next day met Lee on horseback,
and we had long talk. In that con-
versatiou urged upon Lee the wisdom
Of ending the war by the surrender O
the other armies. I asked him to us'
his influence with the people ofthe Soutf
an influence that was SUPREME
bring the war to an end. Gen. Lee salc
that his campaign in Virginia was TIT
last organized resistance which tn,
South was capable of makins-that
mirht have to march good deal ant
encounter isolated commands here ant
there. but there was no longer any arm.
which could make stand. | tod Le'
that this fact only made his Responsible
ty greater and my further war would 6'
cr;mo asked him 10 go among th
Southern people and use his lnfluenc
to have ali men under arms surrende
on the same terms given to the Arm
Of Northern Virginia. lie replied tina
10 could not do so without consultation
with President Davis. | was sorry.
cav that the Conftderacy had gone be
yona the reach of President Davis an
Tint there was nothing that could b
done except what Lee could do to bench
the Southern people. ! was anxious
oct them home aod have our armies e
70 their homes and fields. But lie
would not move without DAVIS, and,
matter of fact at that time, or SOC
aGer, Davis was y fugitive in IN
woods"
t JEFFERSON DAVIS AND THE SOUTH
An allusion was mado to the feeln
IN tbe South that Davis was an lnJur
,o the Confederacy and did not do h
host ,I never thought so" said ti
General Davis did his best-dld a
. that any man could do-to save the Co'
, rs1eracy. This argument is like SON
Of the arguments current in history
-. ,h., the war was war against wine