The Portland daily press., 1885-06-12
LEES SURRENDER.
The Story of the MemOHa Meeting OF
Grant and Lee.
Extract from Gen. Grants Book

Extract from Gen. Grants Book.1
found Gen. Lee had been brought into our
lines and conducted to a house belonging to q
Mr.. Mclean, and was there with one Of his
staff officers, awaiting nay arrival. The heSd
OF his column was occupying hill, portion
of which waS an apple orchard, across the lit
tie valley from the court house 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, 1 will give all there is Of the
narrative OF Gen. Lee and the famous ample
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 fictions, with a slight foundation OF
fact.
As have said, there was An apple orchard
on the side of the hill occupied by the Copfed-
erote forces Raining disgonally up the hill
was a wagon road, which at one point ran verv
near one Of the trees. so that the wheels on
that side had cut off the roots Of the tree
which made little embankment.
Gen. Babcock reported to me that when he
first met Gen. Lee he was sitting upon this
leaning against the tree. 1t was then that Les
was conducted into the house where first mat
him.
1 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 eur
ages and ranks, that he would probably re-
member me; while / would remember him
more distinctly because be was the chief engin-
eer on the staff OF Gen. Scott, in The Mexican
war. When L had left camp that morning
had not AXDnCfa0 the raaulf fhatu
then taking place, and consequently was In
rough garb, and believe, without sword, an
usually was when on horseback ON
the t field, wearing soldiers blouse
my rank to indicate who 1 was to the army
WheE 1 went into the house found Gen Lee,
We greeted each other, and after shaking
hands took our seats. What his feelings were
do not know. Being man OF much dignity
and with an impenetrable face, it wss impossi-
BILE to say whether he felt inwardly glad that
the end had finally come, or whether he felt
sadly over the result and was too manly to
show 1t. Whatever his feelings were, they
were entirely concealed from observation, but
my own feelings. which had been quite appsr-
ent on the receipt of his letter. were sad and
depressed. / felt like anything rather than
rejoicing at the downfall of a foe that had
fought so long and gallantly, and had suffered
so much for a cause which believed to be one
of the worst for which a people ever fought,
and for which there was not the least pretext.
1 do not question, however, the sincerity OF
the great mass of those who were opposed to
us. Gen. Lee was dressed in full uniform, en-
tirely new and wearing sword of consider
able value, very likely the sword that had
been presented by the State OF Virginia. at all
events it was entirely different sword from
the one that would be ordinarily worn In the
field. In my rough travelling suit which was
the uniform of private, with the straps of q
General, must have contrasted very strange
ly with man so handsomely dressed, six feet
high, and of faultless form. But this was NOT
matter that though of until aftsrward.
Gen. Lee and soon fell into conversatiou
about old army times. He remarked that he
remembered me very well in the old ARMAND
I told him as a matter of coarse, that remem-
bered him perfectly, but owing to the differ.
eDce in years. there being about sixteen years
difference in our sges-and our rank, L Thought
it very likely l had not attracted his attention
sufficiently to be remembered after so long a
period. Our conversation grew so pleasant
that almost forgot the object of our meeting.
Gen. Lee at that time, was accompanied by
one OF his staff officers, a Col. Marshall. I
had all OF my staff with me, good portion OF
whom were in the room during the whole OF
the interview.