Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-05-07

ApPOM1TT0x.

APPOMATTOx.
The Closing Scene Of the Long Strug.
gle Between Grant and Lee.
Appomattox and its famous ap-
pie tree has already become his
toric spot, and the 9th Of April is
yet destined to become one of our
historic days. April days are to be
memorable days with us as people.
On the 10Th of April, 1777, the first
blow for American Independence
was struck at Concord, where
"Onee the embattled farmer stood
And fred the shot heard round the wOrld.'
and on the 9th of April, 1866, the
chief army of the Confederacy,le led and
commanded by the Confederacy's
most trusted and illustrious soldier,
surrendered, assuring thereafter the
integrity of the republic and the su-
premacy of the old flag. At 4:30 p.
m. on the historic day Gen. Grant
sent to Sec. Stanton the following
terse dispatch: "Gen. Lee surren-
dered the army of Northern Virginia
this afternoon upon the terms pro-
posed by myself" 1t was a dis
patch that electrified the nation, and
led to one long outburst of thanks,
giving that the event SO long sought
had at last come. Gen. Grant had
proposed his surrender on the 7th,
but Lee had hoped almost against
hope to make a junction with John
ston, and to be able to make further
resistance. During the 7th and Sth
correspondence passed between the
two commanders, but on the morn.
ing of the 9th Lee, convinced that
further resistance was absolutely
useless, sent note to Grant reques
ting a meeting to arrange the term:
of surrender. His request was &C
ceeded to, and the meeting tool
place that afternoon at Appomattox
Gen. Grant, years afterward, in de
scribing the meeting, said: I remem
ber now that I was concerned abou
my personal appearance. I had al
old suit on, without any sword, ant
without any distinguishing mark o
rank except the shoulder-straps of
lieutenant-general on WOODEN blous
II was splashed with mud in m.
long ride. I was afraid Lee nigh
think wanted to show him studie'
discourtesy by so coming-at leas
I thought so. But I had no othe
clothes within reach, as Lees lette
found me away from my base of SUP
plies. I kept On riding until l me
Sheridan. The general, who wa
one of the heroes of the campaign
and whose pursuit of Lee was pei
feet in its generalship and energy
. told me where to find Lee. 1 re
member that Sheridan was imps
tient when met him, anxious an
suspicious about the whole bushes!
J feared there might be a plan to es
r cape; that he had Lee at his feet, an
wanted to end the business by goin
, in and forcing an absolute surrende
: by capture. In fact, he had hi
t troops ready for such an assau
t when Lees white flag came With
E his lines. I went up to the hous
: where Lee was waiting. I foun
i him in fine, new, splendid uniform
}. which only recalled my anxiety as
i, my own clothes while on my way
s meet him. I expressed my regr'
It that I was compelled to meet him
e so unceremonious a manner, ,and he r.
: piled that the only suit he had avai
}, able was one which had been sci
n him by some admirers in Baltimor
8 and which he then wore for Il
It first time. We talke
of old times and exchanged inqu
n ries about friends. Lee then broac
is ed the subject of our meeting.
n told him my terms, and Lee, liste
e ing attentively, asked me to WI
r them down. I took out my mai
IS fold order-book and pencil, al
|, wrote them down. Gen. Lee p
d on his glasses and read them owe
i" The conditions gave the office
,e their side arms, private horses al
IS personal baggage. I said to L
is that I hoped and. believed IL
W would be the close of the war; that
re was most important that the IN
ia should go home and go to work, Al
Of the government would not throw a
obstacles in the way. Lee answer
,h that it would have most happy
v. feet, and accepted the terms.
el Lee no doubt expected me to a
for his sword, but I did not We
ed his sword. 1t would only, said {
be general, smiling, have gone to I
patent Office, to be worshipped
the Washington rebels" Besit
this, Gen. Grant told Lee that 81
of his officers and soldiers as claim
Ill horses and mules for the purpose
q getting home should be allowed
"S take them, and Lee, expressing "
w. deep emotion his appreciation of