Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-06-30

House Is Not
vs,s the objective points. junction WIN
Johnston being the aim of the movement
Death and capture was depicting the oe-
voted band, and April 9Th founo .te o,S s'
,nognincent Army of Northern virginia
dvyindled 10 less than 500 men, facing
force of 1900 at AppomattoX Cour'nouSo'
SURRENDER WAS INEVITABLE.
That surrender was inevitable was APP
narent 10 all The stores looked lor at
Amelia Courthouse were not lortheoiIi-
ing. and a day was lost IN atempti,ns
Ia gather them from the surroundins
corntrv. Roth man and horse were alb
solutoly without means or supsls,enCo'
pes,rior 20 spare General Lee all en-
bsrro ssrnent possible under the painful
ofrcnmetances. General Grant took the
Initiative. While al Farmville, on Aprh
9TH. the northern COMMANDER told ms
sauerals-Ord Gibbon, and Nrlght-tH"'
he was thinking OF sending commuhica-
ton TO General Lee, ito pave the way
TO the stopping Of further pioocsheu'
Grant had heard that bweh' WhV was
missioner had said "it was the duty oi
The authorities 10 negotiate for peace
now. and that LOT every man killed some,
body would be responsible; and 1t wouiu
be little better than murder.
Grant wrote to Lee 70 the effect that
The events of the past week must nave
Convinced him that further resistance
was useless lie Grant felt that such
was fhe case, ana, wishing TO shirt inc
rssnonslbilitv of further effusion OF blood.
asked the surrender Of the Army OF
Northern Virginia.
THE TERMS or SURRENDER.
General Lee replied that he did not take
that view Of the situation, at the
same time stating that he could en-
t.tsin no proposition until advised OF
the terms General Grant would o1er.
The answer TO this came the next day.
the 9Th. Grant stated that his one op-
tect was peace. and TO that end ne
would require that the men ana onlcers
surrendered should not again take up
arms until exchanged. lie also o1ered
40 mee, General Lee. or designate officers
10 meet other officers, 10 arrange inc
eerms.
mis- last note did not reach General
Lee until late az night. He at once re-
piiel TO II, saying e was not his INTENTION
10 propose a surrender; but simply to ASK
the terms OF the proposition. He frankly
admitted that he did not think the si.ua-
ton demanded surrender. General Leo
then went on to say that he would not
negotiate for surrender, but that, as peace
was the desire Of all, he would De
glad TO meet General Grant the next day
at 10 \. NJ.
This meeting Grant declined. saying
he WAS not authorized TO treat for peace,
but intimating that such an event would
be hastened by the South laying down
It's erms: thereby saving thousands OF
hves and millions OF property.
On the same day (the Sth, an enort 10
break through the northern lines having
proved Intellectual. Lee wrote Grant.
asking an interview, with a View to sur
render. This was received by Grant
about noon, and he al once pushed Tor
ward 10 the meeting. This correspond
ence between Lee and Grant would not
have assumed such length. but for the
fact that the former feared the latter
would demand unconditional surrender
20 which he asserted he would never nave
agreed preferring thousand ueaIhs
20 such an alternative.
ON tba 7tb a number OF Lees highest
officers had consulted together. and sent
him word that they were willing TO snare
with him the responsibility OF surrender.
His reply 90 this was he could THINK OF
no rpch thing. as long as he had so many
brave men left.
NET AT MLEAN's HOUSE.
The Federal officer who delivered
Grants last note found Lee near Apo
mattox Courthouse. lying on blanket
spread over some rails under an apple
Tree. From this arose the famous apple
tree story.
General Lee. Colonel Marshall. OF his
stan, the Federal officer. and mount
ed orderly rode TO the Courthouse. ana,
meeting Mr.. Wilmer Mclean. n resident
& the village told him General Lee want
o. the use ~ room in some house Mr..
Mclean took the party 10 his home,
comfortable two-story brick dwelling,
with a veranda across its enure
front. General Lee was ushered into
room on the left OF the hall, where about
! o'clock he was Joined by General Grant
bis stan. and Generals Sheridan and ora.
The Federal Commander sat at marble
top table IN the centre OF the room; Lee
az small oval table near the front WIN
dow. The casual observer would never
have grasped the true state OF affairs.
From the dcueanor OF the two men ne
would have seen IN Lee the victor ana
Grant the vanquished. The latter. not !
YET Il years OF age. was feet inches
tail slightly STOPPING shoulders, nut
brown hair and beard. He wore dark (,
blue flannel blouse. unouttonod, s1owing |
vest beneath: ordinary top boots. trousers
inside The only marks OF rank was his
generals shoulder-straps. He wore neither |
spurs nor sword, for which latter omis- |
Sion he apo,oglzeo 10 General Lee. Lee |
was IS years old. 6 feet IN height. hair |
and beard OF gray: he had on a handsome |
new uniform. buttoned to the throat. with |
three stars on each side OF the collar;
hne top boots. handsome spurs. elegant |
new gauntlet He looked every inch the |
coscendant OF King Robert Bruce. that /
lie was. After some reference to their |
meeting In Mexico, where both had served !