The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-04-10

without conGlGonS, and yet did not demand 1t,
will also indicate what must of necessity be my
opinion of General Grants magnanimity. As to
the inquiry in reference to the specific act of
General Lees tender of his sword, and of Gen.
Grants refusal to accept it, / know nothing.
But wish TO say in this connection because
believe it due to the truth of history as well as
TO great commander, that General Grants
every act toward General Lee and toward his
army at Appomattox was marked by degree of
courtesy and generosity which impressed every
confederate, and which reflects great honor up
on himself and upon the American name. Very
respectfully, j. B. GORDON"
THF LAST BIvoUAC.
Further conversation turned upon the scene Of
the last bivouac, and the circumstances which
led TO the determination TO surrender. As will
be observed from the statement of General Cor
don above, the federals were enabled to make
better time than the confederates who were on
the retreat toward Lynchburg, travelling in
parallel lines In fact, the head of the pursuing
federal column had pushed past the confederate
head of column, and thrown up works across the
confederate 'front.' which necessitated surrender
or fight. In TINS emergency, as the shades of
night began to gather around, Lee called a coun-
Gil of war to decide upon plan of action. In
the rear, flank and front were masses of feder-
ais, while the confederates few in number
worn out with constant marching, and suffering
from hunger. 1t impressive moment
SUCH Il moment rs decides the late or empires.
Upon a little eminence in the woods brush
fire was burning brightly. Reclining at full
length on the ground beside it was General Rob
ert h. Lee, his head resting upon his saddle, his
eyes vainly seeking few moments repose, but
his brain was too busy with thoughts of the re-
sponsibllty thrown upon his shoulders. AS he
lay there it could be observed that he was
clothed in well-worn gray sack blouse, with or
binary gray pantaloons. while by his side was
the black felt hat, which had grown to be part
of Uncle Bob" himself A figure of stalwart
man approached, walking slowly, as if fearful of
the place When the freight fell across it it
disclosed the face of General Longstreet the old
bulldog of the army. His flashing eyes, his full |
black beard, his ill-fitting uniform Of lieutenant
general, all presented figure as sturdy as the |
giant oak against which he leaned, unwilling to
disturb his old commander. From opposite di- |
rections then came General Gordon, who with |
Longstreet, commanded the two confederate |
wings, and General Fitzhugh Lee. A manly, |
royal pair they were, looking more like men who |
should be leading their soldiers into new born |
conflict than being the mourners of an expiring |
campaign The addition of General Pendleton, |
commanding the artillery, completed the council. |
BY this time General Lee reclining upon
his right elbow, and at disclosed the object
of the council. With firm voice, yet giving |
evidence of the suppressed emotion under which |
he labored, he asked for the decision to
whether the four years war should then come to |
an end For three hours the discussion lasted. |
the fullest liberty of expression being given. 1t
was the unanimous decision that one desperate
attempt should be made to cut through the OBJ |
structing federal works, and by the delay thus
gained, secure new front, and under the pres
tlge Of the temporary success gained, secure
better terms from the federals. The generals
some of whom had been lying upon the ground
others sitting upon the roots of trees and others
standing, were then ordered to prepare for the
last struggle of the confederacy AS they
turned away from the council fire, and were lost
in the darkness. the fire burned more dimly,
,1A 4
seen in sitting posture, his head resting upon
his hand, in profound meditation.
THE LAST SHOT AND THE SURRENDER
AS General Gordons wing was the one upon
which devolved the battle which daylight would
bring, he thus became the central figure around
which the events of the day should revolve
''The attack was made said General Gordon
the old freight flashing in his eye, 1--WE took the
works and had pressed the enemy back when a
letter, signed by General Lee, was borne to me.
1t stated that under flag of truce he was in me-
gotiatIon with General Grant, and that [ might
inform the federal commander-who I sup
posed was General Ord7-of the fact. Calling up
my chief of staff, ordered him TO carry flag
of truce into the federal lines with the informa
ton
Ibid he carry t9"
'.Well," said General Gordon, with grim
smile, mot flag of truce exactly-we had no
flag, and it was impossible to procure one.
told him to get stick and tie a white handker-
chief to it."
There is not a handkerchief in the whole
command, he said.
q Then tear off a piece of your white shirt.
9 I have white shirt
Then get some one else's white shirt
There is not white shirt in the whole
army he replied, in utter dispair
s. Finally he got hold of some thing white and
rode into the federal lines, where he found
General Sheridan in command. instead of Gen.
Ord. General Sheridan Immediately sent an
officer into my lines, to demand immediate
and unconditional surrender.
Give General Sheridan my compliments
was my response, and say to him that wished
merely 20 inform him of the existence of the flag
of truce and was not prepared TO surrender
In a few moments observed cloud Of dust
encireling dozen horsemen. With my staff /
rode out to meet the party, and found 1t to be
General Sheridan and staff. who had ridden
within our lines Again Sheridan demanded of
me, in person, that we surrender. Upon my ex-
hibiting to him General Lees letter. it was
agreed that firing should cease that no advance
should be made in either line while we should
await the result of the negotiations under the
flag of truce between General Grant and General
Lee, After that there was some desultory fight
ing, but it was soon checked In a few hours
came the final message that terms of surrender
had been agreed upon"
How were the terms of surrender agreed
upon?'
1eIieFdl Lee dpDDluieu OeuerdI ILOISSIreeI,
General Pendleton and myself to meet officers
similarly appointed by General Grant, who
should agree upon the language of the parole,
and the details for the surrender of arms, etc.
We met in the brick house in which Lee and
Grant had met, and had no difficulty in putting
into shape the business upon which we had met
'.Did you meet Grant upon that occasion2"
'Oh, YES was General Gordon's reply, as he
stretched his arms out over the back of the set
tee upon which he was sitting II was very
much IMPRESSED with the modestv and ,,pnra-
tending character of the man. He wore no uni
form except the blue blouse, overcoat and breech
es-not sword to betoken his rank. His
manner was most gracious and courteous. Not
word escaped him which did not give evidence
of his purpose of treating the defeated confed-
crates with every mark of respect and consider
alton. Indeed, this spirit seemed 10 actuate all
the federal officers. with one exception They