The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-22
RETOLD BY PORTER
STORY OF THE SURRENDER OF LEE
AT APP0MArTOX.

Scenes and Sayings Infinitely Recoanted BY
Ono OF Grants aff-There Was No
Apple Tree 10 Sight, Though One APP
| pears at IN Earlier stags-Provision
| For the Retention OF Horses and Mules
by Private Soldiers Was . Concsssien
| Made on Lees Strenuous Request
| Grants Magnanimity Appreciated
| "The Surrender a: Appomattox and
| the Close OF the War;" Is the title Of
| General Horace Porter's concluding mar
| rative in the remarkable strong series
| Of papers contributed by him TO the
| Century Magazine. AS heretofore re-
marked in the Eagle" General Porter
mas succeeded in portraying a new Grant
"a very noble fgure-as simple in many
matters as a child, yet a master among
men and master of the sort Of war
| that mad 20 be fought in the region Of
rivers and forests between the Rapidan
and AppomattoX. the whole series Of
papers is OF marked historical value, but
the following account OF the two meet
ings between Grant and Lee is especial
ly interesting and valuable, since it con-
tains much that is new. 1t will be re-
membered that previous 10 the 9Th of
April letters with negotiations in view
had passed between the two command
ers. Shortly before noon on the 9th,
N Les
Dispatched Colonel Babcock with mes
sage notifying the Confederate General
Of his approach. Then Grant and his
Staff rode at a trot toward Appomat;ox
Court House. General Porter says:
On the march / asked the general
several times how he felt. To the same
question now ne replied: "The pain in
my head seemed to leave me the moment
1 got Lees letter" The road was filed
with men, animals and WACO, and TO
avoid these and shorten the distance we
turned slightly to the right ami began 10
''cut across lots" but before going far
we spied men conspicuous in gray, and
il was seen that we were moving toward
the enemy's left flank. and that short
ride farther would bring us into his
lines. 1t looked for a moment as il
very awkward condition Of things might
possibly arise, and Grant become a pris-
oner In Lees lines instead OF Lee in his.
Such q circumstance would have given
rise to an important cross-entry in the
system Of campaign bookkeeping. There
was only one remedy-to retrace our
steps and strike the right road, which
was done without serious discussion.
Abou: 1 O'Clock the little village Of
Appomattox Court House, with its half
dozen houses, came in sight, and soon
we were entering its single street. 1t is
situated on rising ground, and beyond
it the country slopes down into a broad
valley. The enemy was seen, with his
columns and wagon trains covering the
low ground. Our Cavalry, the Fifth |
Corps. and part Of Ord's command were |
occupying the high ground to the south |
and west OF the enemy, heading him off |
completely.
SHERIDAN.
We saw group Of officers who had |
dismounted and were standing at the
edge Of the town, and at their head We |
soon recognized the features Of Sheridan |
No one could look at Sheridan a. such |
moment without a sentiment of undis- |
guised admiration. In this campaign, as |
in others, he had shofwn himself pos
sessed of military traits OF the highest |
order. Bold in conception, self-reliant, |
demonstrating by his acts that much |
danger makes great hearts most reso-
lutte fertile in resources, combining
the restlessness of Hotspur with the /
patience OF a Fabius, it is no wonder
that ne should have been looked upon |
as the wizard Of the battlefield. Gener-
Gus of his life, gifted with the ingenuity
OF Hannibal, the dash Of a Murat, the
of Ney. the magnetism Of his
presence reused his troops to deeds OF
individual heroism, and his unconquer-
aole columns rushed to victory with all
the confidence Of Caesars Tenth Legion,
Wherever blows fell tnickesa, there was
his crest. Despite the valor OF the de-
Tense, opposing ranks went down before
the fierceness OF his onsets, never to
rise again, and ne would not pause till
the folds of his banners waved above the
strongholds ne had wrested from the foe. |
Brave Sheridan, / can almost see him
now. his silent clay again quickened in
10 life, once more riding RienzD through
a fire Of he'll, leaping opposing earth
works az a single bound, and leaving
nothing OF those who barred his way
except the fragments scattered in his
path. As long as manly courage is talk
e Of, or heroic deeds are honored. the
hearts OF a grateful people will beat re-
sponsive to the mention Of the tails
manic name Of Sheridan.
Ord and others are standing in the
group before US, and as or party came
Up General Grant greeted the officers.
and said: How are you Sheridan"
'Ffrst-rate. thank you; how are you?"
cried Sheridan with a voice and look
which seemed 70 indicate that. on his |
part, he was having things all his own
way" Is Lee over there?" asked Grant,
pointing UP the road. having heard a
rumor that Lee was IN the vicinity.
Yes; he is in that brick house. waiting
10 surrender TO you," answered Sheridan
Well, then We'll 60 over" said Grant.
HOW LEE REACHED MLEANS.
The general-in-chief now rode on, &C
by Sheridan. Ord and Others:
DON Colonel Ba5cock's orderly was seen
sitting on his horse in the street in front
y ;wo-story brick house, better in ap-
'earance than the rest OF the houses. He
'aid General Lee and Colonel Baocock
lad gone INFO this house half an hsur
before. and he was ordered 10 post him
'elt in the street and keep lookout for
General Grant, 50 as 10 let him know
where General Lee was Rsh>o~k told
ne afterward rinat in carrying General