Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1885-06-23
Gen. Grants New .Book-.-hlis
Interview With Gen. Lee at
Appomattox. sa5heS

ApPoHlafto&.
Gen. Grants book to be published
in q few months will contain the fol-
lowing "reminiscences Of Lees surren-
der: 4
II found Gen. Lee had been
brought into our lines and conducted
to ahonse belonging to a Mr.. Mclean,
and there with one of his staff officers
was awaiting my arrival. The head
OF his column was occupying hill,
portion of which was am apple orch
ard across the little valley from. the
courthouse. Shertdan's forces we're
drawn up in line Of battle on tie ths
crest of the hill on the south side of
the same valley.
Before stating what took place be-
tween Gen. Lee and myself I wilI
give all there is of the narrative OF
Gen. Lee and the famous apple tree.
Wars produce many stories of fiction,
some of which are told they are
believed. Tue war of the rebellion
was fruitful in the same way. The
story of the apple tree is one of those
fictions with slight foundation Of
fact. % D
g As have said, there was an ap-
pie orchard on the side of the hill oc-
cupied by the Confederate forces.
Running diagonally up the hill was
wagon road, which ut one point ran
very near one of the trees, SO that
the wheels on that side had cut off
the roots of the tree, which nude d
little embanllment. Gen. Babcock
reported to me that when he first met
Gen. Lee lie was sitting upon this
EN- banlxment with his feetin the road
and leaning against the tree. 1t was
then that Lee was conducted into the
house where L first met him. Gen.,
Lee was accompanied by one Of his
staff, Colonel Marshall. When. i
went into the house l found Gen.
Lee. We greeted each other, and
after shaking hands took our seats.
What his feelings were do not know.
Being n man of much dignity and with
an impenctrable face, it was ilnpos-
siblc 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 snowit. What
ever his feelings were they were cn-,
tirely concealed from observation,
but my own feelings, which had been
quite apparent on the receipt Of his
letter, were sad and depressed. 1
felt like anything rather than rcjoic-
ing ut the downfall of foe that fought
so long and gaIIantIy, and had suf-
fcred so much for cause which be-
lieved to be one of tue worst for which
people ever fought, and for which
there was not the least pretcxt. 1
do not question, however, the SINGER
ity of the great mass of those who
were opposed to us. Gen. Lee was,
dressed in full uniform. entirely new,
and wearing sword of considerable
value-verY likely the sword that had
been presented by tic State of Vir.
ginia. AT all events it was an en-
tirely different sword from the one
that would ordinarily be worn in the
field. In my rough travelling suit,
which was the uniform of n private,
with the straps of general, ] must
have contrastcd very strangely with
man so handsomely dressed, six
feet high and of fauttlcss form. But.
this was not matter that / thought
of until aftcrward. Gen. Lee and
1 soon fell into conversation about
old army times. Our conversation
grew so pleasant that 1 almost forgot
the object of our meeting.' rt