Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1885-04-15


render, 90 that no lives might needlessly be
lost on that front, and on account OF the dis
tance to Meade's headquarters, two Union
officers were again dispatched with rebel
escort through the lines OF the Army of
Northern Virginia, this time carrying the
news OF the surrender Of that army
The formal papers we're now signed, q few
moro words were exchanged by the
men who had opposed each other 50
long, they ngaii shook bands, and
Lee went to the, porch. The Inien
military leader OF the rebellion mounted his
horse and rode off to his army, he and his
soldiers prisoners of war. As the great rcbel
entered his own lines the men rushed up TO
their chief, breaking ranks, and struggiins
to touch his hand. Tears streamed down his
cheeks as he saidt Men, we have fought
through the war together I have done the
bcstI could for yon.' They faieed . few
broken cheers for the leader they had fol-
lowed In SO many fierce battle and arduous
march. and the career OF the. Army OF
Northern Virginia was ended. Grant also
returned at 0nce to his sheadquarters, now
pitched almost at the front OF Sheri-
dams command. As no approached the
Union lines the news had passed. before him
and the firing OF salutes hegan but hc saiss ~.
once to stop them. ~ he war is over, " be
sad tbs E s.:l ss - ~ y III q
tory will be to abstain from all dcmonstra.
ported the capitulation to the Government,
and, dismountins ut roadside, he sat on u
stone and called for paper and pencil. An
aid-de-cRmp offered his order book, and, at
4:30 p. m. ON Sunday, the sth of April. he
announced the end OF the rebellion in these
words: +
Hon. +. NJ. Stanton. Secretary Of War. Wash
ington. ttAf
Gen. Lee surrendered the Army of North
crn Virginia this afternoon, .on terms pro
hv Thr opn NtV,t,n IN yirttr a
tional correspondents will show the condi.
tions fully. .ss.. s-..y U. s. CRANE 1.
Lieutenant General.
At his headquarters he remained as calm
portauce OF the event and of its conse-
huenccs He declared that this was the end
of the war. that al the other rebel armies
would quickly cield; there might be guer-
rillas, or partisans fighting here and there
tut 10 great battle or campaign wo Ia NOW
occur; and he announced his intention Of
returning to Washington on the morrow to
direct the disbanding of the armies. His Of
| fieers were disappointed ut this determiria-
tiod, for they hoped to see something OF the
army they had oontended with so lofig; and
those who were intimate enough suggested
that he should remain at Appomatox at tleasta
day. But the expenses ofthe war amounted 10
at least 1000 600 day, and 1t was important
to save this cost 10 the country. Grant was
Indifferent TO the spectacle OF HIS tfumphst
result. One of the most important results
would be the diminution of this immense
outlay. 1t WAS tascertained, however, that
the Petersburg and Lynchburg Railway
could be put Ia condition from q point
a few miles OF by noon of the fol-
lowing day, and as no time would be gained
by starting sooner the Gencral-in Chief con-
| sonted TO visit the rebel lines. Accordingly,
at about o'clock on the morning of April
10 he rode out with his star, accompanied
" SbQri1au r6 and aSAx,p n
officers, small cavalry escort attending.
The party proceeded TO the mound In the val
ley. between the two armies, but when they
arrived at the rebel piekets 1t was discovered
tlat no directions had yet been given TO ad-
NIT Union officers. A messenger, however,
was promptly sent to Lee headquarters for
orders, and when the great prisoner learned
that Grant was ut the picket line he at once
mounted his horse, and, with single order
ly, came out to meet him. Grant waited on
the hillock, and then, sitting on their horses
in sight of the two armies, whose lines could
be seen stretching away under the bright
spring sun for miles, the two Generals con-
vcrsel for more than an hour. Tho officers
ana men who had accompanied Grant fell
back rod or two to be out Of hearing, and
formed scmclrcle behind him Of fifty men
or more. With Lee was his single orderly
The two great opponents found much to
say. Both were convinced Lee as firmly as
Grant, that the war was over, and Lee ex-
pressed his satisfaction at the result. Slar-
cry, he said, was dead: the South was pre-
pared to acquiesce In this as one OF the con-
sequences OF national victory. The end had
long been foreseen. The utter exhaustion
OF resources, the annihilation OF armies,
which had been steadily going on for year,
could have but one termination. Johnston,
he said, would certainly follow his example,
and surrender to Sherman, and the sooner
the rebel armies were all surrendered tho
better now. Nothing could be accomp plished
further rQ
cred that Lee entertained these opinions be
urged him to address the rebel government
and people, and use his great influence TO
hasten the result which he admitted was not
only inevitable but under the circum-
stances desirable. But this step Lee
was not inclined to take. He said that
he was now prisoner of war, and
felt delicacy about advising others to put
themselves in his position. But he had no
doubt they would speedily arrive at the same
conclusion without his urging. The CONVEX
sation was protracted, and the restless Sheri-
dan, not used to waiting, at last rode up and
asked permission to cross the lines and visit
scme of his old comrades in the rebel army.
Leave, OF course, was given. and with Sheri-
dan went Gems. ingalls, and Seth Williams,
both men of the old army, with as many per-
sonal friends among the rebel officers rs un-
der the Union flag They soon found ac-
quaintances, and when the interview be-
tween Grant and Lee was over the three
returned, bringing with them nearly every
officer OF high rank In the rebel army to pay
their respects to Grant and thank him for
the terms he had accorded them the day be-
fore. Lee now badc good-moruing and re.
turned to his own headquarters. while the
Union chief and those with him repaired to
the farmhouse hard by, where the captuIal
ton had u cen signed.
Hither, also, came Longstreet, Gordon,
| Heth, Wilcox, Pickett, aud other rebel officers
! OF fame, splendid soliiers who had given
their enemies much troub,e; and Sheridan,
Ord, Grimm, and the men on Grants stan
m them cordially. First, OF course. the
rebels were presented to Gen. GRAM who
greeted them with Kindness. Most OF them
he knew personally. Iongstreet had been at
his weddng; Cadinus Wilcox was his grooms.
man; Heth was subaItern with him in tho
Mexican war; others had seryed with him in
garrison or on the Pacific coast. They ali
| expressed their appreciation OF his magma
ntmity One said TO him General, We have
come to congratulate you upon having
wound us up. ~ hope, !" replied Grant, .it
will be for the good OF us all
Then the other Union officers took their
turns, shaking hands cordially with the men