The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1885-09-24
GRANTS MEMOIRS.
"Reminiscences of the Great War.

| Ing "reminiscences or Lee surrender.
found General Lee had been brought
into our lines and conducted to house
belonging to Mr.. Mexican, and was there
with one of his staff officers waiting my
arrival. The head of his column was
occupying hill, portion Of which was
an apple orchard. across little valley
from the court house. Shcridan's forces
were drawn up in line of battle on the
crest of hill on the South side of the
same valley.
TIE APPLE TREE STORY.
Before stating what took place between
General Lee and myself | will give all
there is of the narrative of General Ice
and the famous apple tree. Wars pro-
ducc many stories Of fiction, some Of
which are told until they are believed.
The war of the rebellion was fruitful in
the same way. The story of the apple
tree is one of those fctions, with slight
foundation of facts As have said,
there was an apple orchard on the side of
the hill occupied by the confederate
forces Running diagonally up the hill
was wagon road, which at one point
ran very near one of the trees, so that the
wheels on that side had cut off the roots
of the tree, which made little embank.
ment. General Babcock reported to me
that when he first met General Lee he
was sitting upon this embankmcnt, with
his feet in the road and leaning against
the tree. 1t was then that Lee was con-
Quoted into the house where first met
him. | had known General Lee in the
old army, and had served with him in
the Mexican war, but did not suppose,
owing to the difference in our ages and
rank, that he would probably remember
me, while would remember him more
distinctly, because he was chief engineer
on the staff of General Scott in the Mex
ican war. When l had left camp that
morning had not expected the result so
soon, that then was taking place, and
consequently was in rough garb, and |
believe without sword, as usually was
when on horseback on the field, wearing
soldier blouse for coat, with the
shoulder straps of my rank to Indicate
who WAS to the army
THE MEETING WITH LEE.
When | went into the house l found
General Lee. We greeted each other,
and after shaking hands took our seats.
What his feelings were | do not know.
Being man of much dignity and with
an impenetrable face, it was impossible
to say whether he felt inwardly glad that
the end had finally come, or whether he
felt sadly over the result and was too
manly to show it. Whatever his feelings
were they were entirely concealed from
observation, but my own feelings, which
had been quite apparent on the reception
of his letter, were sad and depressed. |
felt like anything rather than rejoicing
at the downfall of foe that had fought
so long and gallantly, and had suffered
80 much for the cause which believed
to be one of the worst for which people
ever fought, and for which there was not
the least pretext. | do not question,
however, the sincerity Of the great mass
of those who were opposed to us. Gen
eral Lee was dressed in full uniform,
entirely new, and wearing a sword of
considerable value, very likely the sword
that had been presented by the State of
Virginia. At all the events it was an
entirely different sword rom one that
would ordinarily be worn in the field. In
my rough travelling suit which was the
uniform of a private with the straps Of &
general, | must have contrasted very
strongly with a man so handsomely
dressed, six feet high, and of faultless
form. But this was not matter that |
thought of until afterwards.
APPROACHING THE SURRENDER.
General Lee aud l soon fell into con.
versation about the old army times. He
remarked that he remembered me very
we'll, in the old army, and l told him, as
matter of course, remembered him
perfectly, but owing to the difference in
| years, there being about sixteen years
difference in our ages, and our rank,
thought it very likely had not attracted
his attention sufficiently to be remember
ed after such a long period. Our con-
Tersation grew 80 pleasant that | almost
forgot the object Of our meeting. Gen
eral Lee, at that time, was accompanied
by one of his staff officers Colonel Mar
shall | lad all Of my staff with me, Il
good portion of whom were in the room
during the whole Of the interview.
AN INCIDENT OF GENERAL MccooK.
In the article, on the battle of Shiloh,
which | wrote for the Century Magazine
I stated that General A. Nc. ID. McCook,
who commanded division of Bulls
army, expressed some unwilingness to
pursue the enemy ON Monday, April 7th,
because of the condition of his troops
General Badeau, in his history, also
makes the same statement on my authori-
ty. Out of justice TO General McCook
and his command, | must say that they
left the point twenty-five miles East of
Savannah, on the morn Of the G!h.
From The heavy rains of a few days pre-
vious, and the passage of The trains and
artillery, the roads were necessarily deep
in mud, which made marching slow
The division had not only marched
through this mud the day before: but it
had been in the rain all night withon.
rest. 1t was engaged in tic battle Of The
second day, aud did rs good service rs
its position allowed. IN fact, an oppor-
tunity occurred for it to perform con.
spicuous act Of galiantfy, which elected
the highest commentator from the di-
vision commanders in the army OF the
Tennessee. General sherman, in both
his memoirs and report, makes mention
of the fact. General McCook himself
belonged to family which furnished
many volunteers TO the ;.rmly. | refer 10
these circumstances with minutcne:a,
because | did General A1cCook an iniHs.
tice in my article in the Ctat,uy, though
not to the extent enc would suppose
from the public press. am net willing
to do any one III injustice, and if con-
vinced that have done one, | am always
willing to make the fullest admission.
AROUND vIcKsBuRG
Tie Nicksburg newspapers, Which VIC
received regularly through the courtesy
of the rebel pickcts, said prior to the 4th,
in speaking of the Yankee" boast that
they would take dinner in Nicksburg
that day, tha! the best receipt for cooking
IL rabbit Vas "kctch your rabbit Gust.'
The paper at this time AMI for some time
previous was printed On the plain side of
wall paper. The last number was printed
Oh the fourth, and announced that ne