Smyrna times., 1888-02-29
AFTER GEN. LEES suRRENDER,
The Confederate Commander at the su.
preme Moment of TriaI


preme Moment of Trial.
After little general conversation had
been INDUCED in by those present, the
two letters were signed and delivered. and
the parties prepared to separate. Lee be-
lore parting asked Grant to notify Meade
OF the surrender, fearing that fighting
might break out on that front and lives
be uselessly lost. This request was com
piled with, and two Union officers were
sent through the enemy's lines as the
shortest route to Meade-some of Lees
officers accompanying them to prevent
thelr being interfered with At a little
before O'Clock Gen. Lee shook hands
with Gen. Grant. bowed to the other Off
GERS and with Col. Marshall left the room.
One after another we followed and passed
out to the porch
Lee signaled to his orderly to bring M
his horse, and while the animal was beinG
bridled the general stood on the lowest
step and gazed sadly in the direction of
the valley beyond where his army law
now an army of prisoners. He smote his
hands together a number of times in nm
absent sort Of way; seemed not to see
Ine group of Union officers il the ward
VINO rose respectfully at his approach, and
appeared unconscious of everything about
him. All appreciated the sadness which
overwhelmed him, and he had the nor
sOnal sympathy of every one who beheId
MIN at this supreme moment of trial The
approach Of his horse seemed to recall him
from his reverie and he at once mounted
Oen. Grant now stepped down from the
porch, and moving towards him. saluted
MN by raising his hat He was followed
III Ihls act OF courtesy by all our officers
present; Lee raised his hat respectfully in
l.. IT
sad news to the brave fellows whom he
hau so long commanded
Cen Grant and his staff then mounted
ana started for the Headquarters c0mn
Whlch IN the meantime had been pitched
near by. The news of the surrender had
reached the Union lines and the firiu,r Of
saIutes began at several points. but the
general sent orders at once to have them
stopped, and used these words in refer
ring to the occurrence: 1.-The war is ovni
the rebels are our countrymen again. and
the best sign Of rejoicing after the victory
Will be to abstain from all demonstration,
in the field"
Mr.. Mclean had been charging about
IN manner which indicated that tbe ev-
cltement was shaking his system To ite
nervous center, but his real trials did NOT
Degn until the departure of the chief
S'N'oIS III inc surrender. Then the relic
hunters charged down upon the manor
House ana made various attempts to jump
Mr.. McLean's claims to his own furni.
ture. Sheridan set good example. how
ever by paying the proprietor twenty
dollars in god for the table nj which Lee
sat for the purpose of presenting it to Mrs.
custer, and handed it over to her dashing
husband, who started off for camD hear7 |
ing it upon his shoulder. and Iool,ino |
IKE Atlas carrying the world. ord paid
forty dollars for the table at which Grant |
sat and afterwards presented it to Mrs
Grant, who modestly declined it and in
sisted that it should be given to Mrs. ord
VINO then became its possessor. Bargains
were at once struck for all the articles i'm
the room, and it is even said that some
Inementos were carried off in the shane of
flowers and other things for which no
com 60 OF the realm was ever eXchanged.-
zen. Horace Porter in The Century.