The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-01-29

times think, in view Of the absolutely
irreconcilable accounts We have of these
two engagements a Bishop Whately
might readily create historic doubts as
to whether either was in fact fought.
With the fun knowledge OF this ten
dency to error I win give you as accu-
rately as l can an exact narrative of
the circumstances attending the sur
render of Gen. Lees army at Apo
mattox, as they fell under my direct OBJ
servation. / will exclude everything
not Immediately connected with the
great event, as l am convinced that it
possesses sufficient interest in itself to
render comment unnecessary, if not in
appropriate.
~, There is one very important matter
/ Wish settled at the outset, however.
1t is this: Gen. Lee did not meet Gen
Grant in the Mclean house on the
b morning of April 8. 1860 for the pur-
pose of then and there effecting a sur
= render OF his army. On the contrary
u was simply for the purpose of hear
ING Grants terms. AS matter of fact
II they had not suited Gen. Lee he
would not have accepted them; but
Grant offer was so liberal so magnan-
lmous, and so chivalrous that il was
accepted forthwith.
wish TO have another matter UNI
derstood before beginning a consecutive
narrative of the surrender. This is in re-
gafa 10 Gen. Horace Porter's statement.
maze repeatedly, orally and in writing
that Gen. Lee offered his sword to Cen
- Grant. l take exception to this state
metn. Lee never offered his sword 70
Grant and the latter never refused if
was win the great southern chief
IAN from the time he greeted Grant in
the Mclean house until he rode away
ana the only time mention of a sword
was made was when Grant anoloe,ize.d
-. 70 Lee for his dress, explaining thai
II was not possible for him to get ac.
cess to his baggage and at the same
Nsne Keep the appointment The terms
cHpltuiatlon expressly excepted side
siaas' and in view of that fact ii. wonId
nave peen a most unusual procedure
Tor Zen. Lee to have offered his sword
u4to+Nffant. These matters are unfrnor-
tant IN themselves but it is wen for he
sake OF history to have them cleared IN
after the disaster of Sailors Greek
IN April, 1868. the army, reduced to two
corps under the command of Cen Long
street and Gen. Gordon, moved througb
farmVllle, where rations were issued
10 some OF the starving troops. A close
pursuit by the overwhelming army If
zen. Grant made it necessary to remove
a5"ii u dJHs DefOre all the men
coulu DE supplied and the remnant of
the great army of northern Virginia
exhausted by fight and Starvation
house wa o"ui L
On the afternoon of April Z, 1865 Gen
grant wrote to Gen. Lee. stating that
1he hopelessness of further resistance
was apparent. and asking a surrender
or the army of northern Virginia.
=. w men this letter was received tbara
some difference Of opinion among the
general of1eers as to the nature of the
reply TO be made to Gen. Grants letter
some thinking it was yet possible to
save The remnant of the army. Final
Y. however, Gen Lee decided to meet
'franl and ! was directed to draw I'M
communication TO that effect This is
the letter Gen. Lee signed
General: -''''
l have received your note of this date
though not entertaining the opinion YOU
express OF the hopelessness of further
resistance on the part OF the army Of
northern Virginia; ] reciprocate YOUR
desire TO avoid useless effusion of
blood. and therefore before considering
your proposition, ask the terms Won
VIII offer on condition OF surrender
Very respectfully, your obedient serv-
ant, r.. h Lee Cen
IL was not until the next day that a
reply was received TO this letter. Grant
states that he would insist upon but
one condition, this was that the men
and officers surrendered should be dis
qualined 10 take up arms against the
United States, until properly ex-
changed
Even after this correspondence Gen.
Lee did not abandon hopes of success
fully extricating himself from the di-