The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-04-30
Grant and Lee at AppomattoS second
Meeting

AS the Two sat talking on their
horses only 4 few steps from us, we
had a full opportunity not only to
nvtc their bearing, but TO hear most
Of the conversation. l had not seen
Lee for about six years, and his ap-
pcarancc is thus described in letter
written the next day:
Soon after our arrival General Lee
came riding up, attended by only two
ordcrlies. IIe looks pretty much the
same as usual, but older, and his face
has very sad expression. l did not
see him smile once during the inter-
view. IL has the same quiet, sub.
dued, geotlemanly manner for which
he was always noted"
AS the two generals sat talking to-
gcther, General Grant turned and
beckoned to General Seth Williams
his adjutant general, who rode for
ward. | was curious to see the meet
ing between Lee and Williams. Some
years before the war, when Lee was
superintendent of the Military Acad-
cmy, Williams was his adjutant, and
was known to be great favoritc with
him. AS Williams approached the
two shook hands, but there was moth
ing in Lees face, as he graycly and
courtcously received him, to Indicate
that he had ever met him before AZ
ter talking 4 little while, General
Grant bcckoncd me forward, and on
approaching General Lee, pretty much
the same scene took place as with
Williams. General Grant said:
General Lee is dc5irous that his
officers and men should have on their
persons some evidence that they are
parolcd prisoners, so that they will
not be disturbed and General Lee
remarked that he desired simply to
do whatever was in his power to pro-
tcct his men from anything disagree
| able. | said l thought that could be
arranged, as l had small printing
press, and could have blank forms
struck off, which could be filled up,
and one given to each officer and man
of the army, signed by their own off :
GERS, and distributed as required. To
this he assented. lie then turned to
General Grant and said: General,
you have excepted private horses
from the surrender. Now, most Of
my couriers and many Of the artillery
and cavalry own their own horses.
How will it be about them?"
General Grant replied at once,
speaking to me: They will be allow
ed to retain them. Turning to Gen
cral Ice, he added: They will need
them in putting in their spring crops"
TIE remark struck me as peculiar,
and have no doubt it did Lee, for
Grant could have said nothing which
| demonstrated more completely his
idea that the war was over, and that
these warlike men and horses would
go at once to work planting corn.
| LEE S REFUSAL TO DlspERSE.
Gen T.. =. Alexander, relating in
the Aprii Century these inter .sting
words of Gen. Lee, just before the
surrender, Gen. Alexander having
proposed that the Confederate SOL
diers be authorized to disperse, and
report to General Johnston or to the
Governors of the States, Gen. Lee re-
piled:
Suppose | we're to adopt your sug-
gestion how many do you suppose
would get away?'
replied: II think two thirds Of
us could get away. Weshould be like
rabbits and partridges in the bushes,
and they could not scatter like that to
catch US.
Well he said. II have les, than
sixteen thousand infantry with arms
IL tneir hands. Even if thirds
OF 1hese got away j. would bc 100
small a force TO accomplish any use.
full result, either with Johnston or
with the Governors of the States.
But they would go to Johnston, for
their homes have been overrun by the
enemy. and the men will want to 20
first and look after their families. AS
to any help from Europe, l have