The Somerset reporter., 1885-05-13
The Surrender Of Lee.

IL The Edttor Il have frequently seen
accounts and communications Ia your pa
per from old comrades 10 reference u the
surrendLiof Lee and 70 the manDer Of the
first meeting Of Grant and Lee. These ac-
counts have been various and coDiradic-
tory. Some hare written that the Grner-
ais first met In the open field, some that
they met beneath wildwood tree; 9TH
ers that the first meeting took place under
an apple tree, while others still have de-
clsred that they first came together In a
farmhouse. While eacI Of these stories
pray be partially correct, they have been
50 different, and many of them have been
told by men who do not pretend 10 have
been there, that have thought the person.
al report Of one whO ~as an eyewitness
Of this memorable affair, aud who describes
that which be himself saw and that which
is fresh in his mind as though il oc-
Cured yesterday, would be Of interest to
mauy OF your readers.
had charge Of the pioneer corps Of the
lst Ne. Cav At O'Clock on the morning
Of April 8, 1862 We lay down In au old
cornneld 10 battle line directly in front of
Lees army. At sunrise the rebel forces
emerged from the woods opposite Us. A.
they depl yed upon the plain We could cas-
lily see their battlehags. The rising sun
shone upon bayonet and scabbard aud its
&. {
grand sight. The greater part Of the rebel
hosts were in plain view. But We had no
time to think upon this. The battle com
menced. The rebel infantry advanced.
The bullets began 10 come 10 hotter and
hotter, and the cavalry fell back before
them. Sheridan rode up aud down our
lines, paying no attention to the whistling
balls. For the last three or four days We
had formed regularly in the night before
Lees army, Only TO be driven back 10 the
morning by his Infantry. But thi- morn
ing there was 10 be change. Our iufan-
try had arrived during the night and taken
post in our rear. As soon as the reDels
ran fo1l Of the boys in blue Lee realized
that it was all up with him. The conflict
lasted but short time longer. Looking
forward We saw the white flag go up. This
was at 10. 80 a. u. Firing in our vicinity
Immediately ceased, although o1 to the
right and left We heard the booming OF eau.
Don all day. The men knew that the war
was over. They shook hands, embraced
wept, laughed, shouted. Arms were
thrown down, caps were thrown up, cheer,
were given, songs we're sung. For myself,
| rode forward some distance to good
point for observation. Soon Grant, at
tended by his staff, rode out from our lines,
and Lee, similarly attended, came fort.
from he rebels. As they neared each 9TH
er their attendants halted, and the two
Generals advanced alone. They net not
over two rods from large tree in the open
field, and in minute or two passed TO the
shade of this tree. They spent some time
here in conversation aud then went of,
aud | lost sight of them. This tree, be-
meath which they stopped was large
whitewood tree, about two feet through at
the base. Within two hours after the Cen
erals had left it you couldn't hud piece of
ii "a large as two-cent piece. 1t had lit
orally been dug up by the roots. Even the
old dead leaves on the ground had been
gathered as souvenirs. | WAS fortunate
enough to get two pieces Of the wood, and
have them tod y.
This, Mr.. Editor, is a true account of the
mrs. Meeting Oh the 9Th OF April OF Grant
and Lee. Other comrades may have seen
other meetings end described them, and
these meetings may have taken place be-
meath apple trees or in farmhouses. But
however that may be, have not written
this for the sake OF controversy, but be-
cause thought it might be interesting to
some comrades to hear the account Of this
affair from one who was there and saw
GEO. E. GOODWIN, First Serg't, Co. II, LIST
Me. Cav, SkowhegaH, Me.