The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1888-01-12
JUST BEFORE APPoMATTox.
Meeting Between Grant and Lincoln Jul
Before the Close of the War.

Meeting Between Grant and Lincoln Just
Before the Close of the War.
About 8 q. m. the general rode into
Petersburg. Many of the citizens, panic
stricken, had escaped with the army.
Most of the whites who remained stayed
indoors, a few groups of negroes gave
cheers, but the scene generally was one Of
complete desertion. Grant rode along
quietly with his staff until he came to q
comfortable looking brick house with q
yard in front, situated on one of tho prin-
cipal streets, and here he and the officers
accompanying him dismounted and took
seats on the piazza. A number of tho
citizens now gathered on the sidewalk and
gazed, with eager curiosity, upon the
features of the commander of the Yankee
armies.
The general was anxious to move west
ward at once with the leading infantry
columns, but Mr.. Lincoln had autographed
that he was on his way to see him, and
the general decided to prolong his stay un-
til the president came up. Mr.. Lincoln
soon after arrived, accompanied by hts lit
tie son "Tad," dismounted in the
street and came in through tho
front gate with long and rapid
strides, his face beam1ng with de-
light. He seized Gen. Grants hand a.
the general stepped forward TO greet him,
and stood shaking It for some time and
pouring out his thanks and eongratula-
tions with all the fervor Of heart which
seemed overlooking with it's fullnsss Of
joy. I doubt whether Mr.. Lincoln ever
experienced happier moment in his life
The scene was singularly affecting and
one never to be forgotten. He then said:
''Do you know, general, I have had q
sort of sneaking idea for some days that
you intended to do something hike this,
though thought some time ago that you
would so maneuver as to have Sherman
| come up and be near enough to cooperate
with you.''
EYES," replied the general, ssI thought
at one time that Sherman's army might
advance so far as to be within supporting
distance of the eastern armies when the
spring campaign against Lee opened, but
have had a feeling that it is better to
let Lees old antagonists give his army
the final blow and finish up the Job single
handed"
81 see, see," said Mr.. Lincoln, "but I
never thought of it in that light. In fact,
my anxiety has been 50 great that didn't
care where the help came from so the
work was perfectly done"
Mr.. Lincoln then began to talk about
the civil complications that would follow
the destruction of the Confederate armies
in the field, and showed plainly tho
anxiety he felt regarding tho great prob
lens in statecraft which would soon be
thrust upon him.
Meanwhile Tad, for whom he always
showed great affection, was now becom-
ing little uneasy and gave certain ap-
pealing looks to which staff officer re-
sponded by producing some sandwiches,
which he offered to him, saying: "Here,
young man, guess you must be hungry"
Tad ceiaed thenn q drowning man
would seize life preserver, and Dried out:
eyes, am; that's what's the matter with
me-" This greatly amused the president
and the general-in-ohief, who had a hearty
laugh at Tad's expense.
The general hoped that he would hear
before he parted with the president that
Richmond was in our possession, but after
the interview had lasted about an hour
and half, the general said he must ride
on to the front and join Ord's column, and
took leave of the president, who shook his
hand cordially, and with great warmth Of
feeling wished him God speed and every
success.-Gen. Horace Porter in The
Confuru