The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-08-21
GORDON AND SHERIDAN.
The Two Gallant Generals at Appomattox-
How Ihey Met

ENe INO Galiant GeHeraiS at AppOhAttOx-
How Ihey Met.
From tho New York World
General Gordon, now governor of Georgia,
tells this story Of sheridan at Appomattox:
"a cavalry officer came TO me from Sheridan with
flag of truce. He was a handsome fellow, and
very polite. saluting. he said:
"' Is this General Gordon? l am the bearer of
General Sh2ridans compliments, and he demands
your unconditional surrender
'''Wel, colonel Tor whatever saw his rank was),
I answered you will please return my compliments
TO General Sheridan and say that shall not sur
render
Then he said, you will be annihilated in hal
an hour. We have you completely surrounded
=" Very well, sir Ireplied Il am probably as well
aware Of my situation as you are, but that is my
answer
you don't mean that he exclaimed
g Yes do, sir | said, the only thing propose
to say is what have already said through my staff
otiicer-that flag Of truce is in existence between
CT neral Lee and General Grant. l was not going
to surrender because knew it was coming. l was
not going TO let Sheridan capture me in that way
'''Then you will be annihilated,' he said, and
rode away.
"Nhile I had been sitting there, waiting, the
firing had almost ceased The infantry my
tanks had not changed their position much as they
had been moving up very slowly. l was firing ar
tllery at the time, so az to check them. In a few
minutes sheridan himself came up with his staff.
He was riding an immense black horse l will
never forget how he looked with his short legs
sticking out on either side. We had very much the
same sort Of parley had occurred between the
other officer and myself Indeed, the language was
almost literal repetition. Finally said to him:
General, hardly think 1t is worth while for us to
parley. Ihaye made up my mind not to surrender,
and shall accept any consequences that may fol-
low this determination. l wish simply to give you
the Information which was ant me by General
Lee. All know is that there is a flag of truce in
existence, aud only know the bare fact.
Did you say that you have letter from Gen.
eral Lee he asked.
Il handed him the letter
''He looked it over and said: Il suppose. then,
that the only thing can do is to cease firing"
Il think so, replied.
''He then said TO me. IF you will withdraw
your forces to certain place will withdraw mine
and wait to see what happens.
eve got down OFF our horses, and taking a seat
on the grass. talked there for some time. In the
meantime, had forgotten that early in the morn
ing had detached force to 60 back and over on
the brow ola hill to prevent the cavalry from COM
ing around between Longstreet and myself While
we were sitting on the grass heard roll Of mus
kerry and looking over to where the force had been
placed, saw 1t firing into some cavalry that had
ridden down in that direction.
I'll sir what does this mean cried Sheri-
dan.
"'I am very sorry about It, I replied, as I ex-
planned the circumstances, and he and each sent
an officer over to the hill to stop the firing.
II saved Sheridans life that morning, beyond
question. One Of my sharp shooters was a ursort
of fellow, and his only idea was that when he saw
blue coat 1t was his duty to shoot at it, had the
sharpshooters around me when Sheridan came up
with the flag of truce and l saw this fellow draw
his gun What do you mean, 1 cried. this is
flag of truce He did not pay the slightest atten-
ton to me and was just about firing when knocked
up his gun and il went of, over Sheridans head.
Let him stay on his own side, general he NUT
tered.
General Sheridan and sat on the ground, close
to the brick house where Lee and Grant met in the
orchard. had passed the house in the morning
We chafed each other little in the course
of the conversation. Sheridan saying: Il
believe have had the pleasure of meeting you be-
fore replied that we had had some little ac-
quaintance in the Valley of Virginia. He turned
the thread of the conversation to some guns
he had received in the valley Sheridan
had captured nearly all of Earlys artil
ery and some more had been sent to him
from Richmond Some wag had written with
chalk on one of those guns. Respectfully con-
signed to Major General Sheridan through General
Early, Sheridan had heard of this. and he was
very much amused at IT. but whether he ever saw
such words upon gun do not know. When he
was through with his story suggested that l also
had two guns which could consign to him. and
with the more grace because they had come from
him that very morning
sheridan came with full staff and remained
with me about an hour and half My recolec-
ton is that we stayed at that place until we Ie-
ceived information that General Lee and General
Grant had agreed"