The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-10
LEES ORDER TO WISE.
An Amusing Incident Connected With
Appomattox.

An Amusing Incident Connected With
Appomattox.
General Horace Porter, who was MEM
Der of the staff of General Grant, and
Colonel Charles Marshall, who was General
Lees military secretary, have both told
the story of the Mclean house at the
Appomattox Courthouse, at which the
meeting of General Grant and General Lee
took place, and in which the conditions OF
the surrender were written. Mr.. Mclean
having been in the neighborhood of Bull
Run, and, having no liking for war, had
gathered mp his belongings and selected
what seemed to him the most retired place
in the country, where no army would ever
go. 1t is a curious bit of fate that drove
him from the opening of the war only to
make his dwelling the scene of the climax.
The present interest in the condition of
the historic ground and the proposition to
make national park of the country where
the surrender occurred, says the New York
Herald.
Several years ago a Washington syndi-
cate bought up large quantity of lands
on which the war ended, but failed to buy.
the Mclean house, which was the central
point Their scheme fell through for tn
time. Next came Chicago man, who suc-
ceeded in buying the house. He ruthlessAy
tore it down, and before the work was owe
abandoned it. 1t is now heap of ruins.
Moreover, the old courthouse is gone,
partly by fire and partly by removal to
another point.
This was the section which Lady Mary
Murray described in visit years ago as
much like Devonshire, England. 1.-THE
old Appomattox Courthouse" says the
letter, ''once one of the most pleasant viii
lagos in Virginia, is fit representation of
Goldsmith's Deserted Village 1t looks,
indeed, desolate."
The effort that is being made in Congress
to make park of this place is urged by
the veterans of both armies. Recently
there has been a great ado because the
Postoffice Department. in its policy of re-
fusing double names, changed Appomattox
Courthouse to Surrender. There are two
villages, where there was only one before.
The objection was so strong that another
change was made, and now the offices are
Appomattox and West Appomattox.
General Porter Is we'll known to the
public as successful lawyer and great
story-teler. Colonel Marshall is said to be
the ablest lawyer in Maryland, and al
though busy man has great deal more
than he can attend to, but that does not
keep him from rivaling General Porter as
teller of admirable stories One of his
best, however is something that hap
pened just previous to the surrender of the
Confederate army. General Lee, with
Colonel Marshall, had ridden down the
lines and was returning. As they did so
they passed the headquarters of General
Henry A. Wise, whose impetuosity is well
remem bered.
The only water in the neighborhood was
the yellow mixture of Virginia clay. In
this General Wise had washed. There
were no towels, and, to use the expression
of Colonel Marshall, the yellow mud Dry
ing upon his face made him look like the
most genuine descendant of Pocahontas
Virginia ever knew. Rushing forward to
General Lee, General Wise, with his deco
rated face, exclaimed =
General Lee, understand, sir, thatyou
are about to enter into negotiations for the
surrender of the army?"
General Lee replied calmly that it was
true. Instantly General Wises arms
stretched toward high heaven, and he
asked, in tragic tones:-
Then, sir, what in the name of God is
going to become of me?"
There was a suggestion of smile in
Lees countenance as he replied, in tone
of command, General Wise, go wash
your face