The age-herald., 1901-04-29
Lees Sword.

Said an original sccessionis: yesterday:
 Mrs. Jefferson Davls has given to the press an article. commemorative of the birth of General Grant which the Age Herald published today. It is We'll done except that the distinguished author seems to have relied on the school his tories of the day for some of her facts, or at least one of her facts She lets the apple tree in the incidents of Lees sur render to Grant go without mention. but stands pat upon the equally apocryphal tale of Grants return (sc) of Lees sword at Appomattox. General Grants autobiography, and each and all of the reputable biographies of General Lee, would have corrected Mrs. Davis had she taken time to examine the books be- fore writing down SO stale a fiction.
 Most of us who were taking a lively interest in public matters following Ap- pomattox remember the very characteris- tic remarks of General Lee when his at tention was brought to the idle gossip oven the alleged sword incident in the in- teryiew with General Grant at Appomat- tox. He said the terms of surrender were to the effect that only the public prop erty of tho Confederate States should be given up by his men. This necessarily exempted the side arms of the officers, because they were the private property of the officers respectively. The guns and carriages of all kinds. artillery horses, quartermasters' and commssaries' sup plies. teams and wagons fell into Gen eral Grants hands by terms of the sur render
 'In referring to the terms in detail Col onel Marshall, who had accompanied Gen eral Lee to the meeting with General Grant, remarked to General Grant on a. peculiarity attaching to the Confederate army, distinguishing it from all armies of the world, namely, that the horses of the cavalry all belonged to the men who rode them, having been brought by the riders into the army from home. It was then that General Grant aptly replied that the cavalry men should keep their horses to make corn at home He was liberal, certainly.
 AS to the return of Lees sword by Grant, there was nothing of the kind. It was said at the time, and everywhere in the South accredited as true that
  report his face flushed and, with unac- cumtomed animation, he said that his mind was made up when he went to meet General Grant, to discuss terms, that he would accept. nothing illiberal. His in tention was, he said, not to give up his sword even if demanded. He would in that event ride sback to his shattered handful of men, form them in solid ranks and cut through Grants line or be exter- minated in the effort.
 This is a very interesting illustration of General Lees soldierly character. and is too important and too true to be dis torted, especially by survivors of those events who claim to befSoutherners yet.
 Some ladies of Baltimore had just run through the blockade to General Lee splendid uniform made upon his measure found at a Washington tailor's. There were pair of high top-boots, of the most elaborate make, and a pair of white buckskin gauntlets in tin box. General Lee put on all of this present, for the first time, to ride out to meet General Grant in the private residence on the road side. He rode at full gallop mount ed on Traveller accompanied only by one staff officer. He'srode off from the interview at full gallop. Those who hap pened to see him averred Lee never was so magnificent as then.
 ''Coonel Marshall says General Lee re- quested him before starting from his lines to send to the headquarters baggage for his sword When the weapon came he buckled it on. He rarely wore a sword Grant did not habitually wear a sword and when he met Lee he apoligized for the absence of one. saying it was in his baggage miles away. Grant wore at Ap- pomattox blue jacket bespattered with mn ,'