Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1890-12-20
THE APpomATTox APPLE TREE.


Only One Northern Man who Gss rss-
tion Of the Famous Relic.
A recent article in The Atlanta Con-
said all the published state
meuts that numerous persons In the
north had relics from the Appomattox
apple tree were absolutely false Il
stated, upon the authority Of Confsd-
crate generals who were present ut the
surrender Of Gen. Lee, that only one
man connected with the Union force
had ever obtained any portion Of that
tree and that he had only q portion Of
the root or trunk. IL explained THAI
the whole tree had been cut 70 pieces
by members OF the Confederate army
before the Union forces came upon the
ground. and that the master OF trans
portation OF the Union army who, al
Gen. Lees request, supplied the Con-
federate army with rations, was only
able to secure the last remaining por-
ton Of the tree, and that il was forty
eight hours after he appeared before
any other member OF the Union forces
had access To the field. The article also
added that the sole possessor Of piece
OF this historical tree north of Mason
and Dixon's line was Col. Bates, now
Of Philadelphia.
The writer OF The Inquirer ascertain
ed that the person referred to was
George Ii. Bates, at present proprietor
Of the Oriental hotel in this city, who
was at the time of the surrender of
Lees army master Of transportation OF
the army of the Potomac. Mr.. Bates,
when questioned upon the subject
gave his statement OF the matter as fol-
lows;
Yes, sir. The statement is correct,
and am the man referred to. When
have heard and read accounts OF per
sons having canes and other articles
made from that famous tree | have
been amused, because know that ! am
the only man north Of Mason and Dix
on's line who ever obtained a relic
from that tree This is what occurred
on that memorable April day when
Lee surrendered. / was master Of
transportation in the Army Of the Po-
tomac. Immediately upon Gen.
| Grants return after his meeting with
Gen. Lee, who had surrendered, in
; compliance with Gen. Lees request TO
have food sent to his starving troops,
,, received orders TO prepare train of
: wagons with rations and TO take them
. beyond our lines under the flag OF
! truce into the enemy's lines and report
. to Gen. Lee.
"a speedily gathered nineteen wag-
/ on loaded train OF rations passed
through our lines and passed along
the road near the famous tres under
2 which Lee had waited for Gen. Grant
! inquired for the Confederate gener-
: ais headquarters and finally found
ii, where with Gen. Lee and his staff
r officers brief time was spent pleasant
} ly. Then | asked some Confederates
5 standing around to unload the wagons,
0 but they refused, whereupon ordered
my subordinates TO dismount and un-
: load, which they did grudgingly.
: well, about half past or p. IN.
i we started with the empty wagons
1 back to our lines On the way / Isaw
!, Confederate soldiers hacking away at
4 the stump Of the tree which a few
a hours previously had sheltered Gen.
II Lee from the suns rays. In reply TO
my inquiry the relic seekers said they
!. wanted souvenirs to keep of the tree
q under which their general had sur
q rendered. Then there was nothing
IS left but the root ! Immediately took
4. e.. Il sah
n | have preserved TO the present time,
), and another piece which ! handed 10
70 my carpenter, who carved out a ring
:. with heart on ii, which have also
n kept. | was given pass by Gen. Lee a
adjutant general to 60 in and out Of
q the lines at will. have also preserved
h that Here il is The document was
h then shown to the writer, signed by
!, Gen. Lee and eoun.ersigned, bearing
~ date April ., 1865.
. Mr.. Bates continued his story by
: saying that on his next visit to the
N enemy's lines not the slightest vestige
!. of any portion Of that tree, branch on
N root remained, and with the exception
of Gen. Grant and his two staff off.
IA GERS, Gen Rawlings and Col. Leete.
= no Union officers or soldiers passed the
y u lines until forty eight hours later. He
!, therefore feels convinced that the
il statement made by the southern jour
N nal is correct, that only Confederates
u with the exception of himself, obtain
T ed any portion Of that historical tree.
10 There were other apple trees at I
10 distance, but still in the vicinity o
Y, the place Of surrender, which th'
~ - Union relic hunters speedily laid un
- der tribute
is Mr.. Bates showed the writer Tia
ly pieces he obtained--the root, which !
* three by six in dimensions, and tn
'y ring with the heart craven on ill.,
Philadelphia Inquirer.
~ Provldencs nows Best.