The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-02-22


but a short distance after passing
through our rea. guard, when he came
upon the advancing enemy. | rode
forward to meet Federal officer, who
turned out to be Lieut.. Col. Whittier,
of Gen. Humphrey staff, and who
delivered to me Gen. Grant reply to
Gen. Lees letter, declining to discuss
the terms of a general paci6cation. L
took this letter to Gen. Lee, who at
once dictated to me letter to Grant,
asking an interview for the purpose of
discussing terms of surrender. Col.
Whittier took this letter to Grant.
Gen. Lee ther returned to the front,
and with Gen. Longstreet proceeded
to small orchard, and there waited
for Grants reply AS he was much
fatigued rude couch was prepared
under an apple tree, upon which he
reclined until the appearance OF a
flag of truce, and Grants Affirmative
reply.
WHERE THE MEETING WAS HELD.
Col. Babcock, who brought the re-
ply, told Gen. Lee that he had been
sent to make arrangements for the
meeting that Gen. Lee desired within
the Federal or Confederate lines.
Gen. Lee directed me to accompany
him With one orderly, and Immediate
ly mounting his horse rode with Col.
Babcock toward Appomattox Court
House.
We passed through an infantry
force in front of the village. and Gen.
Lee directed me to find suitable
place for the meeting. rode for
ward and asked the first citizen | met
to direct me to house suitable for
the purpose. I learned afterward that
the citizen was lIr. Mclean, who had
lived on the battle field of Bull Run,
but had removed to Appomattox Court
House to- get out of the way OF the
war. Mclean conducted me to an
unoccupied and nnfurnished house, IN
very bad state of repair. [ told him
that it was not suitable, and he then
offered his own house, to which ne
conducted me.
/ found room suitable for the pur-
pose in view and sent back the order
ly who had accompanied me to direct
Gen. Lee and Col. Babcock to the
house.
They came in presently and Col.
Babcock said that, as Gen. Grant was
approaching on the road in front OF
the house, it would only be necessary
for him to leave an orderly to direct
him to the place of meeting.
Gen. Lee, Col. Babcock and myself
sat in the parlor for about half an
hour, when large party Of mounted
men arrived, and in few minutes
Gen. Grant came into the room, ac-
companied by his staff and number
of Federal officers of rank, among
whom were Gen. Ord and Gen. Sheri-
dan.
Gen. Grant greeted Gen. Lee very
civilly, and they engaged in conversa-
tion for short time about their for
mer acquaintance during the Mexican
war.
Some other Federal officers took
part in the conversation, which was
terminated by Gen. Lee saying to Gen.
Grant that he lad come to discuss
the terms of the Surrender of his army,
as indicated in his note of that morn
ing, and he suggested to Gen. Grant
to reduce his proposition to writing.
Gen. Grant assented and Col. Par
ker, of his staff, moved small table
from the opposite side Of the room
and placed it by Gen. Grant, who sat
facing Gen. Lee.
When Gen. Grant had written his
letter in pencil he took it to Gen.
Lee, who remained seated. Gen. Lee
read the letter and called Gen. Grants
attention to the fact that he-requlred
the surrender Of the cavalry as if they
were public horses. He told Gen.
Grant that the Confederate cavalry
men owned their horses, and they
would need them for planting spring
crop. Gen. Grant at once accepted
the suggestion.
DRAWING UP TIE ARTICLES.
The terms of the letter having been
agreed to, Gen. Grant directed Col.
Parker to make copy Of it in ink,
and Gen. Lee directed me to write its
acceDtance.