The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1885-09-03

The following account Of the surronde
Of Lee to Grant ia from an interview wit
Col. Shaffner who was present at the tim
and took notes. II 10 taken from the Lou
isville Conrier-.omndl,
ION the 9th Of April, while on the marcl
with Gen. Grant and staff, remarked Il
Gen. Rawlins that supposed the surren
der OF Gen. Lee would be ~ formal q
had been that at Saratoga aud Yorktown
He answered, expressing his doubt, as b,
knew Gen. Grant was. on principle. op
posed to any display. expressed q hop'
that it would be in form and with ceremo
ny, and. il SO, would have drawing o
it, and the have it painted for the capito
at Washington and let it take the panel o
De Soto, which had no fitness for thai
place as it had no sequence except the death
OF that adventurer. f.,s
"Gen. Rawlins suggested that had bet
ter speak TO Gen. Grant upon the subject,
and he might change bis mind; but be
did not think be would, a. be had alwsyi
been opposed to display OF the rebels
misfortunes. Soon after this converse
tion found an occasion to ride with Gen.
Grant. and, after much circumlocution and
discussing the character and merits Of his
torical paintings in manner that thought
would promote my object without his OBJ
serving them, said to him that, as the
surrender would be formal and ceremo-
NOUS, as l supposed, | wanted to have .
sketch made at the time, in order to have
large painting made Of it for the capitol
Having listened to what | had to say, be
very quietly and with some sentiment 70.
marked that he would not like to see such
picture, nor was it his intention to have
q surrender with ceremony. He contin-
eud for some minutes, stating among other
things, that "they are our people, and It
would have . bad effect to humiliate them.
They are not foreigners, but they belong
to us and 70 10 them; and al We want is
for them TO stop fighting and for us all 10
live at peace and - Union" made .
slight effort to change his views upon the
subject, and expressed the opinion that
future generations would see the end Of
an attempt to destroy the Union. He an
swered that the traces Of the armies left
evidences more than sufficient. Thus
ended my picture.
"At Farmville on Friday, April 7. Gen.
Grant wrote letter to Gen. Lee, suggest.
ing TO him TO surrender and stop the fright
full loss Of life then going on every hour.
Lee answered. asking what would be the
terms. Grant responded he wanted ces.
sation OF fighting. Lee answered on the
8th, desiring 40 interview TO discuss the
question. Grant answered from the Clin-
ton house, declining to meet him. a he
had no power to do anything but to 40
cept Of an unconditional surrender. About
IL o'clock on sunday, the 9th Of April,
Lees white flag approached, requesting .
meeting fer the purpose Of surrender.
Col. Babcock returned with The flag TO Leo
within the confederate lines near Apo
mattox Court. house, and from thence they
proceeded to the town, accompanied by
Col. Mars hall. Lees adjuiant. They stop
ped 1t Winner Nc Leans house. brick
building. situated about fifty feet back
from the street. About 80 o'clock p. n.
Grant and his stat arrived. Babcock
opened the door and announced General
Grant The two generals met, shook
hands. seemingly - old friends. After the
meeting courtesies Lee remarked: Gen
ersl ! have concluded 10 surrender the
army Of northern Virginia, and would
like 10 know Jour tsrmA Grant respond.
3D. Upon the conditions mentioned in
ny correspondence Lee then said I:
Please pus Ne conditions in writing. and
| will accept thsn.'"
Gen. Grant then proceeded 10 draft
he letter. which vas engrossed by Col.
,srker. He then signed il. Parker folded
I. put Il in an envelope and then handed
i to Grani, Who gave Il TO Lee. both gen
rails occupying their seats After Lee
nd read Il be requested Col. Aarshall TO
Erite an sseeptance, which vas done in |
'encil. and corrected 10 three places BY |
ZEE. 1t vas then sngrosssd by Col. Mar
hall and signed by Lee on the table by
Ii aide II $50 o'clock. p M. exactly.
yhes snseloped Lee handed it 10 Grant
rom his seat. vho, AFTER reading It. gave
10 Col Bowers. his adiutsni. TO keep.
thus ended the surcnder. This vas all
49, - a.. $3.50.