The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1885-07-10

ing of the 9th, and had made his head
quarters in q grove of pines just off the
Lynchburg road about mile west Of
Appomattox Court House. The spot
is now the site of q negro hut.
Gen. Lee, whose headquarters were
about mile and half east on the
Richmond and Lynchburg road, sur
prised that fighting was being forced
by the Union troops on his left, decided
to quit his tent and ride to the front.
He believed that Custer and Chamber
lain must have been misinformed about
Gen. Grants purposes. Or had failed to
receive orders suspending fighting.
Gen. Lee was dressed in the uniform of
confederate colonel, and calling his
staff he mounted his iron gray horse
and rode slowly forward down the
slope. toward the Appotomax river.
He turned into the apple orchard, prob
ably thinking that the shed there offer
ed shelter for the horses, and because
from that field good view could be OBJ
tanned of the entire country. Dis
mounting, he with his staff, gathered
under an apple tree, while the
horses were led to the shed.
Gen. Lee swept the country
with his field glass for a moment.
and then he sat down on an improvised
seat made from fence rails by one of
his orderlies. Here he saw Gen. Cham
berlain's brigade coming through the
woods ready to attack his advance.
He at once perceived that there would
be more bloodshed unless something
was done, and gave q hasty order to
| one of his aids. That officer, with a
piece of linen, either a towel or hand
kerchief, fastened to stick, advanced
at once to meet Gen. Chamberlain.
Thus from under that tree went the
white token of surrender, and Cham
berlain's men supposed that there the
surrender was made.
All hostilities at once ceased, and in
few moments the federal pickets were
advanced beyond the court house, and
the confederate pickets were Withdrawn
nearer the Appomattox. Thus the
house of Mr.. Peers stood on neutral
ground between the two picket lines.
Soon after a federal officer passed
through both lines Of pickets. It was
Gen. Babcock bearing a message for
Gen. Lee from Gen. Grant arrang-
ing for preliminary meeting. It was
blldt ullO uNO
meet within the lines within an hour.
At the end Of that time a number of
Union officers passed through the feder-
al picket line and rode slowly toward
the slope that stretches down to the
Appomattox river. In the highway,
just opposite Mr.. Peers house, the mud
was very deep, and the Union officers
turned into the vacant field adjoining to
avoid it. Mr.. Peers saw one man,
dressed in rather shabby blue uni
form, and wearing felt hat, ride lit
tie ahead of the rest and then rein in
his horse nearly under locust tree,
which was the only tree in the lot.
This was Grant. Locking down the
hill Mr.. Peers saw Gen. Lee riding
slowly up. He knew the confederate
general but did not know Grant. Gen.
Lees face was partially hidden by
gray felt hat. When within hailing
distance of the Union commander,
Gen. Lees staff felt back, and Lee
slowly rode forward to meet his con-
queror. Each saluted at the same mo-
ment and then began short converse
tion. They appeared to Mr.. Peers as
men who had met by chance and were
discussing some trivial matter. In less
than ten minutes they saluted, turned,
and each went his own way.
It is now known that at that converse
tion the two generals agreed to meet an
hour or two later and sign the articles
of capitulation. Gen. Lee rode to his
headquarters and dress ed himself in
his best uniform, and after a nasty
lunch, started with his staff for Ap.
pomattox village. On his way there
he met near the court house Major Nc
Lane, whom he knew personally.
Refining in his horse, he asked Major
McLane if he could tell him where he
could find room with table to write
on, and Major McLane at once led the
general to his own house. Word was
sent to Gen. Grant that Major McLane
had offered his parlor for their con-
venience, and in a few moments Gen.
Grant arrived. He had no sword and
seeing Lee in his finest apparel, sword
and all, Gen. Grant at once explained
the seeming discourtesy of appearing in
rough clothes by saying that he had ar
rived ahead of his effects, and had ne
other clothes with him.
After the articles of capitulation were
signed, and Gen. Lee had been visibly
touched by Gen. Grants consideration
for the confederate soldiers, especially
by Grants suggestions that the soldiers
should keep their horses for they would
need them for their spring ploughing,
he saluted Gen. Grant, quilted the
house, mounted his horse, and rode
away. Gen. Grant rode leisurely and
without apparent emotion back to his
headquarters. gave few necessary Or /
ders, and then started for Washington,
leaving the field forever.
Soon there went up tremendous
cheers all along the Union line, and
blazing fires were kindled that were
kept burning all night, for the men
knew that they had fought their last
battle and had won Next morning
Gen. Lee bad his army drawn up, and
standing under an old poplar tree,
read his short, sad farewell to his men,
and then mounting his horse left them
forever.
The federal soldiers got word from
Chamberlain's advance that Lee had |
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