The National tribune., 1885-06-25

tnere was no attempt on the part OF the rebels
to drive him back. This ended the battle of
| the Wilderness.
More severe fighting has not been witnessed
on this continent than that of the 5th and 9Th
of May, 1864 Our victory consisted in having
successfully crossed a formidable stream almost
in the face of the enemy, and in getting the
army together afterward as unit. We gained
an advantage on the morning of the 6th which,
ii it had been followed up, must have proven
very decisive. In the evening the enemy
gained an advantage, but was speedily repused.
As we stood at the close the two armies were
relatively in about the same condition to meet
each other as when the river had divided them.
But the fact of safely crossing was a victory.
Our losses in the battle of the Wilderness
were 2,26I killed, 1875 wounded and 1902
missing; probably nearly all the latter captured
by the enemy.
THE SURRENDER OF LEE
One of the most interesting parts of the Me-
moirs is that which describes Lees surrender.
Following are extracts from this portion
l found Gen. Lee had been brought into our
lines and conducted to house belonging to a
Mr.. Mclean, 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 the little
valley from the courthouse. Sheridan's forces
were drawn up in line of battle on the crest of
the hill on the south side of the same valley.
Before stating what took place between Gen.
Lee and myself, will give all there is of the
narrative of Gen. Lee and the famous apple
tree. Wars produce 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
fact.
AS have said, there was an apple orchard on
the side of the hill occupied by the Confederate
forces. Running dagonally up the hill was a
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 a little embankment.
Gen. Babcock reported to me that when he
first met Gen. Lee he was sitting upon this en-
bankment with his feet in the road and leaning
against the tree. 1t was then that Lee was con-
Quoted into the house where 1 first met him.
y
/ had known Gen. Lee in the old army, and
had served with him in the Mexican war, but
did not suppose, owing to the difference in our
age and rank, that he would probably remem-
Der me; while / would remember him more
distinctly because he was the Chief Engineer on
the staff of Gen. Scott in the Mexican war.
When had left camp that morning had not
expected the result SO soon that was then taking
place, and consequently was in rough garb, and,
L believe, without sword, as / usually was
soldiers blouse for coat, with shoulder straps
of my rank to indicate who was to the army.
When L went into the house l found Gen. Lee.
We greeted each other and, after shaking hands,
took our seats. What his feelings were 1 do
not know. Being man of much dignity and
with an impenetrable face, it was impossible to
say whether be 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 feel
ings, which had been quite apparent on the
receipt of his letter, were sad and depressed.
felt like anything rather than rejoicing at the
downfall of foe that had fought so long and
calamity, and had suffered so much for cause
which 1 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 We're opposed to US. Gen. 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 events, it was an entirely diff
ferent sword from the one that would ordi-
narily 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 strangely with a man so
handsomely dressed six feet high, and of fault
less form. But this was not matter that /
thought of until afterward.
Gen. Lee and L soon fell into conversation
about old army times. He remarked that he
remembered me very well in the old army, and
told him, as matter of course, that re-
membered him perfectly, but owing to the
difference in years-there being about Is years
difference in our ages-and our rank, thought
it very likely had not attracted his attention
sufficiently to be remembered after so long
period. Our conversation grew so pleasant that
l almost forgot the object of our meeting.
Gen. Lee at that time was accompanied by one
of his staff officers, a Col Marshall. had all
of my staff with me, good portion of whom
were in the room during the whole interview.